Back to the Top (Ross Records) (3) (9 page)

“Is everything all right, Isabella, dear?” Mildred asked, shaking me out of my stupor.

“Yes, thank you,” I smiled. “I’m sorry; I was just making a mental list of things I have to do at the Children’s Center by the end of the week.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Brad’s furrowed brow and his father’s dark look.

“Oh, I’ve heard great things about the Children’s Center,” Mildred said. “Jenny loves volunteering – she’s even trying to convince me to do it.”

“That would be wonderful,” I said.

“Well, I don’t have a whole lot of free time right now,” she frowned. “But perhaps I could come in at story time and read to them.”

My smiled widened. “We have story time every day and also have several community members who volunteer to come in and read their favorite childhood book. I’d love to sign you up whenever you have time.”

“I would enjoy that,” Mildred said. “Why don’t you give me the telephone number for the Center and I can call you tomorrow?”

I gave her the number and we talked about the Center until the men decided the evening was over. Relieved, I thanked Mildred again as we all walked to the parking lot. Brad opened the door for me and I carefully folded my short legs into his Mercedes. Once he was inside and the engine purred, he turned to me with a satisfied smile.

“You did well tonight, darling. George and Mildred are enamored with you.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling like a prize poodle in a dog show.

“Father agreed,” he continued. “He confided in me that we should set a date immediately.”

My heart stilled in my chest. I didn’t want to set a date. I just wasn’t ready for this. But what was I to do?

“Okay,” I muttered. “Let’s talk about it next week when you have a little free time.”

“We will,” he said, smug.

When he dropped me off, he walked me to the door. As he had an early morning the next day, I was hoping he wouldn’t expect me to invite him in. Luckily, he didn’t.

“I can’t wait until we’re married,” he breathed as he drew me into an embrace. “I respect your decision to wait until marriage but you drive me out of my mind.”

I kissed him back and then drew away, fumbling for my keys. “I know. I’m sorry. But I think it’s appropriate to wait until marriage.”

He yanked me to his chest. “I love that about you. What other man can say he had a pure bride?”

Cringing inside, I wondered how he was going to react when he discovered I wasn’t as pure as he thought. But that was a worry for another day.

“Good night,” I said as I opened my door. “Call me tomorrow.”

With one last peck on my cheek, he waited until I closed the door before he left.

I headed directly to the shower, hoping to scrub my lies and guilt off of my skin.

***

Late Friday afternoon, Jenny called my cell, asking if we could get together. It was a welcome excuse to not see Brad so I accepted, inviting her to my apartment for pizza and chick flicks.

When she arrived, we ordered a pizza and then popped a movie into the DVD player. She explained that since she was coming over to my place, Kevin had invited Brad over for a friendly poker game that would likely take most of the night.

We watched some of the first movie before we burst into conversation.

“So, Kevin said that you and Brad are going to announce a wedding date soon.”

“Yeah,” I said, turning my eyes to the television screen.

“Is that what you really want to do?”

I wasn’t prepared for that question. Even though I’d gotten to know Jenny a little bit better since she’d been volunteering at the Center, I still didn’t know her that well.

“Sure. I mean, that’s why we’re engaged.”

She sighed. “I don’t know you or Brad very well, but I can tell that you’re not really in love. I mean, he treats you like a possession.”

“He was there for me when I needed him,” I said through clenched teeth. “Unlike someone else.”

“Jake,” she said.

I nodded, my anger at him still there.

“What happened?”

I didn’t want to get into it but I figured that maybe it was time to unload. I took a deep breath.

“He pushed me away,” I said, my voice not as strong as I would have liked. “He got hooked on coke and pushed me away.”

She nodded. “I remember reading stories about him.”

I sat back, closing my eyes. “He was always so strong, but his dad died unexpectedly. They were so close. His dad was a wonderful man.”

I teared up thinking about James Johnson and how he’d always been there for me even though I wasn’t his kid.

“Jake took it bad, huh?” Jenny asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “He loved and respected his father over anything. At first, we thought he’d be okay. He had to look out for Greta, his sister. But then, he changed. Nick finally figured out what it was. We confronted Jake but he denied it. Finally, he pushed me away.”

Jenny was silent for a second as she took a sip of her drink. “You still love him.”

I turned my moist eyes in her direction. “I don’t want to, but I do. I’m engaged to Brad.”

“But you’re not married,” she said, taking my hand in hers. “You can break off the engagement.”

I shook my head. “No, I can’t. You don’t understand.”

“Well then make me,” she said as my cell phone rang.

Freeing my hand, I got up to retrieve my phone. I frowned as Greta’s number appeared on the screen. “Hello?”

“Iz, I’m so glad I got you,” she said, breathless. “You have to come to the hospital.”

My heart fell. “What’s wrong? Is Jake okay?”

“Jake is fine,” Greta said. “But Carly went into early labor. They’re trying to stop it but they can’t. Ronnie is a mess. He’s scared for Carly and the baby.”

My knees shook as I stood there, wondering what to do. It didn’t take long to decide. “What hospital?”

Once she told me, I ended the call and turned to Jenny.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Ronnie’s baby is coming and it’s too early,” I said, gathering my purse. “I have to go.”

“Okay,” she said as she followed me to the door. “I’ll make excuses for you. Just go and call me when you can.”

Thanking her, I bolted to my car, praying for Ronnie, Carly, and that sweet, innocent baby.

***

Driving like a mad woman, all I could think about was Carly in pain, worried about her baby. And Ronnie. Ronnie, the comic relief of the group, pacing, scared.

When I reached the hospital, I was surprised to see a handful of reporters lingering in front of the main doors. Controlled Environment was hot right now, but it wasn’t as if Ronnie was royalty and his heir to the throne about to be born. What did they care?

Deciding the reporters didn’t matter; I put my head down and weaved through them. I rode the elevator to the maternity floor, hoping that by the time I located Greta, everything would be okay.

I found the waiting room easily enough. It was a decent-sized room but appeared smaller with all the people gathered inside, draped over the furniture. Matt and Greta sat next to each other on a small sofa, holding hands. Nick sat next to a dark-haired woman who resembled Ronnie so much that she had to be his mother. And Jake stood by a tall window, gazing out at the parking lot.

Greta spotted me first and crossed the room to hug me. “Iz! I’m so glad you came.”

At the mention of my name, Jake turned to give me a weak smile.

“Any word?” I asked.

Greta shook her head. “Ronnie is in the room with Carly. The doctor is trying to stop the contractions but they haven’t had much luck.”

I nodded, helplessness washing over me. I dropped to a chair on the other side of Nick and sat, waiting with the rest of them. No one spoke much, just a word or two here and there, mostly about the time and what the weather was like. It was horrible.

Finally, Jake nudged my arm and asked me to take a walk with him. Reluctantly, I rose and followed him out of the room and down the hall.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

He punched the elevator button and grinned. “Earlier, Nick and I found a courtyard where the employees take breaks,” he said as we got into the elevator. “I just want to have a smoke.”

I pursed my lips, not saying a word.

“I know,” he sighed as the doors opened and he led me to a set of glass doors. Pushing them open, he waited for me to go ahead of him and then shoved a rolled up magazine between them to keep them from closing all the way. “I know. I did quit. I just smoke once in awhile to ease the nerves.”

I didn’t nag – I’d rather he smoke than the other thing - and pointed at the doors. “Do they lock or something? Because that’s weird.”

“I’m not sure,” he answered as he sat on the top of a picnic table and lit a cigarette. “There’s a panel to swipe an ID card so I don’t know if you have to have an ID to get back in or what. Why take the chance?”

“I suppose,” I said as I sat next to him.

“This is the perfect spot to have a smoke and hide from the press.”

“Why are they here?” I asked.

“Someone must have tipped them off,” he shrugged. “Probably a hospital employee who’ll get some cash for letting the press know.”

“That’s disgusting,” I said. “Profiting off someone’s hard times.”

“You know firsthand what they’re like,” he reminded me.

I nodded. “Yeah, but that was different. That didn’t involve the health of a tiny baby.”

“The band is really hot right now,” Jake said. “People want to know everything. When word got out that Carly was pregnant, the press hounded Ronnie at every appearance. Carly was living by herself in an apartment downtown and somehow, the tabloids found out where. So, Ronnie moved her into his house.”

“Where is Carly’s family?” I asked.

“Her parents died years ago,” he said. “She raised her little brother, Jeremy, by herself. He’s in New York now. He attends NYU.”

“Does he know what’s going on?”

Jake nodded. “Ronnie called him but told him not to fly out just yet. Jeremy was ready to drop everything and come.”

“What about Ronnie’s brothers?”

“Mrs. Stone told them to stay home,” Jake said. “Ronnie’s youngest brother is twelve. It would probably be too much for him to sit here this long.”

My phone, which I’d set to Silent, vibrated in my pocket. Taking it out, I glanced at the text and frowned.

“Mr. Wonderful not too happy that you’re here, hanging out with the low-life, drug addicts?” Jake asked.

I shot him a dark look. “No, he didn’t know where I was. I left without telling him where I was going. He was worried.”

“Sure, Iz,” he said as he snubbed out his cigarette and put it in a trash can. “I can’t believe this is happening. Carly has been meticulous about eating right and taking care of herself and the baby.”

“This is the best hospital in the area,” I said. “They’ll get her all sorted out.”

“I know,” Jake said reaching for my hand. “Ronnie shocked Carly when she told him she was pregnant. I guess she wasn’t expecting much – you know how Ronnie comes off, joking all the time. But he told her he’d take care of everything. He asked her to marry him on the spot – and not just because of the baby. He really loves her. Almost as much as I love you.”

“Jake…”

“There you guys are,” Nick said as he opened the door. “Ronnie just came in the waiting room. He said they can’t stop the contractions. They’re going to just let her have the baby.”

Eight

The waiting was horrible. Sitting around, in that little room with the gaily painted walls was awful. Nick remained beside Ms. Stone while Matt and Greta spoke quietly. Jake rifled through the magazines and when finding nothing that interested him, paced. I slumped in my chair, my eyes growing heavier with the hour, praying that things would turn out okay.

I hadn’t realized that I’d dozed off until Jake was shaking me gently, whispering my name.

“What is it?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”

“The baby is here,” he said, smiling as Ronnie embraced his mother.

“Is he okay?” I asked, looking at the tired, smiling faces around me.

“Iz,” Ronnie said as he swept me into his arms. “Thanks for coming.”

“Of course,” I said. “How are the baby and Carly? Is everything okay?”

He shrugged. “Carly is fine. She’s resting. The doctor said the baby will probably have to spend a few days in the NICU but he should be fine.”

Relief showered me as I, too smiled. “Congratulations, Dad!”

His grin widened as he hugged me again. “Dad. Wow. Can you believe it?”

“You’ll be a fantastic father, Ronnie,” I said.

“I hope so,” he said as his brow furrowed. “He’s just a little dude, though. Only five pounds.”

“He’ll grow fast,” I assured him.

“I’m going to take my mom to see Carly and the baby,” he said. “Are you sticking around?”