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“Yes, Rebecca, I’m positive. I know, believe me, it was a hard decision for me, but this is the best. I have an opportunity that I can’t pass up. I know. This doesn’t mean that I’ll be gone from the hospital forever, just for the near future. All right, I will. You take care as well. Bye.” I’ve officially resigned from the hospital. It’s been almost two months since I'd stepped foot in the hospital to actually work. I’ve been there a few times visiting my patients and fellow co-workers.
“Are you okay with it? With stepping back so you can work on Nathan’s House?” Nathan has been quiet when it comes to the project. He’s allowed me to make this decision on my own without his input or influence. The fact of the matter is, I’m pregnant, and the thought of me running around the hospital during my pregnancy is not something I’m looking forward to.
“Yes, I am. I think this is something that I want to do. I want to make this happen, and I want the girls to witness it. I want this to be a part of their lives so it will teach them to give to those who aren’t as fortunate as they are.”
“As long as you’re sure. I know nursing was something you worked hard for. This was what you wanted, your dream career.”
“That’s true, but it was a dream before I had you as my reality. Things change, right? Are you a firm believer of that?”
“Yes, baby, I am. A very firm believer of it.”
“Well, now that I’m free from the hospital, I guess we can get the developers going on the land.”
“I’ll make the calls on Monday then. What’s your plan for the day?”
“Well, the weather’s still nice. I wanted to take the girls to the park for a while. Do you want to join us?”
“I will after I make some calls. We have a high profile client coming into the city tonight, and I need to make sure everything is set for when they arrive.”
“All right, take your time.”
I watch the girls play with the other kids at the park. Addie is doing so well with her walking cast and hopefully in the next few weeks she’ll be able to take if off. She hasn’t had any problems with the other kids at school giving her a hard time because she isn’t able to do a lot right now. Amanda is doing really well, and her speech is improving. Not only does she have a therapist at school, but Nathan has hired someone to come to the house once a week to make sure the school is doing everything they can.
My mother is warming up to the idea of my pregnancy. She isn’t insulting me every chance she gets now. I still haven’t attempted to invite her over to the house yet. I’m not sure that would be respectful of Nathan. When I told her that I planned on leaving nursing for a while, she basically laughed in my face, spouting off about how I’m allowing a man to take care of me and rule my life. I knew it was a bad idea to tell her what my plans were, I could have just quit the hospital and she would never have known since she doesn’t make it a habit of coming by to see me while I’m working.
“Laney?” I turn to see Michael standing next to the bench I’m sitting in.
“Michael. What are you doing here?” I haven’t seen or heard from him since Nathan threw him out of my house. Even with the gossip rags reporting the story, he never did respond or try to make the situation worse that what they were already reporting.
“I’ve been trying to catch up with you for a few weeks now.”
“Why didn’t you just call?”
“Because I wanted to see you in person. I needed to see you face to face.”
“Why? I don’t understand.”
“I know, Laney.” He walks closer to me. My eyes scan for the girls, and they have both seen Michael talking to me.
“You know what, Michael?”
“I know you’re pregnant, Laney.”
“And?”
“Were you going to tell me? Were you going to let him raise my child?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but you’ve been given some extremely wrong information.” I stand up, facing him.
“Momma, are you okay?” Addie and Amanda walk up to me.
“You’re having a baby, Laney, my baby, and you thought I didn’t have the right to know? You thought I would be all right with that bastard raising my child?”
“Mommy?”
The girls look at me with questions in their eyes. We haven’t told them yet because we wanted to wait. I wanted to make sure I was further along just in case something happened. I didn’t think they would understand if I lost the baby. I didn’t want them to have to feel the pain of the loss of their brother or sister.
“You hafing a baby, Mama?” Amanda asks.
“Answer me, Laney.” He takes another step toward me with fury burning in his eyes.
“Like I said, Michael, you’ve been given some wrong information. I’m not having your child. I’m having my husband’s child.”
“Bullshit. That’s total bullshit.”
“I suggest you take a step back away from my wife and my daughters.” I turn my head and see Nathan standing there. His hands are strained at his sides; the muscles in his neck are pulled taut and his eyes are locked dead on Michael.
