Page 95 of Drive Me Crazy

There's a tap on the door, Lea stands leaning against it. "I think it's time we have a much-needed talk, Harper."

The room clears and I can't help but wonder if I'm in trouble. Lea's married to my cousin, One. They have a blended family, and from what I hear, she's incredible.

"So, we finally meet." She holds her arms out, accepting nothing less than a good ole fashion hug. I melt into her loving arms; it radiates from her.

"I've heard so many incredible things about you."

"Don't believe a thing Malone says! I have sex with him, so he's biased." She giggles, and it's exactly what I need.

"Oh!" My mouth hangs.

She nods, pointing to hers. "No filter! You might wanna sit down and hang on, I'm about to tell you my truths and I hope you'll recognize a few of your own."

"Okay." I step back, slowly sitting down. "I feel as though I should be scared."

"Nervous is as good as it gets, the rest will follow." She winks.

I lick my lips. "I suppose you're here to convince me to call Ridge and beg him back."

"No. Why would I do that?" She hesitates. "Well, I kinda thought you already knew but I sure as hell can tell you. Ridge is one of the keepers. Maybe it's that I understand you, coming from an abusive relationship myself. Or it might be that I was scared as hell my boys would be turn out to be their birth parent and nothing like their father."

"Wait a second, I thought father and birth parent was the same?" I quirk my brow at her faux pas.

She shakes her head. "Not at all, why would it be?"

"I just thought..." I pick at my nail as she explains.

"A baby's birth does not make a father. He's someone that stands by the mother, loving her and the baby with everything in him. Blood is never a thought, and he refuses for the child to know there's a difference. Malone is the father to our six children. His love flows through them, as does mine.

"He has never been anything less in their eyes, and they are nothing less than his in his heart. Why do you believe Ridge is anything less of a man than Malone is?" She takes my hand, tugging it until I find my voice.

I lay my free hand to the base of my neck, gasping as the words fall from my lips. "What kind of person would I be to ask him to be the father and financial support to a child that's not his? What if it's a monster like Weston, incapable of love and warmth?"

"Do you think Ridge couldn't instill such love and kindness, as a father could?" She tilts her head, as if she's looking inside my soul.

"Ridge is nothing if not love and kindness. He's fair and good to a fault, I'm half a heart without him." My tears fall fast and hard.

She wipes my face, tucking a tissue in my hand. "Then tell me why he wouldn't be the perfect man to guide this child, by your side, through this life?"

"He would be wonderful at it; his love is so complete and perfect." I sob, unleashing all the pain that sit and fester, rotting my heart and making me bitter and afraid.

She crawls into the floor, sitting in front of me. "Malone is the father to my unloved, unwanted, fatherless, and utterly blameless children, created by a monster much like the one you know so well. Let Ridge love each of you. This baby deserves a man like Ridge, and so do you, Harper."

Here is where I leave the pain behind and find my freedom. I've run for so long; I forgot to stop and breathe. To allow those who love me, to love me.

After a good long cry, we venture down for me to say my thank yous and goodbyes to all my guests. I hug my family, and hold Lea a little longer than I should, but she doesn't seem to mind.

When the door closes and the last person leaves, I scan the room and all the love showered upon me and my little basketball. "Well, Baby J if nothing else, someone loves us."

I'm hit with a sharp pain in my lower back. I waddle over to the nearest chair, hoping to get to it before the pain knocks me to the floor. But I'm brought up short when I step forward, and into a puddle beneath my feet.

"Oh, God. No! Oh, please baby, not now." I scream as the pain cripples me and I blackout. My ears are ringing, I know I'm still awake but can't find my bearings.

"Harper!" I hear my name, and I try to answer but nothing comes out. Cool hands are on each side of my face, as the calm voice calls me back to the here and now.

"Harper. Baby, I need you to focus on my voice." Ridge's voice is calm, I try to focus on it. Suddenly, I feel myself being lifted from the floor.

"I'm wet. My clothes are ruined, I'll mess up the seats in the truck."