Clay
“Are we really going to see her?” Emily said excitedly as we drove back to the hospital to see Vanessa. I couldn’t wait until we gave her the news about the baby and I hoped she’d be happy about it.
As soon as we made it there, we both walked inside hand in hand until we reached her room. Candice was sitting with her, talking about Kelly, so I stayed behind the door. Hearing them about a family lawyer had my heart racing. Was Kelly here, by any chance?
Not wanting to hear anymore, I opened the door and walked in, Emily running towards Vanessa and getting on the bed to hug her.
“Careful, she’s still recovering, Little Mouse.” I warned her, but all we got fr
VanessaToday I was finally getting discharged, and I couldn’t be any happier. I was also glad the injuries were not severe, just a bruise on my face and a sore body. Alex got it worse than me and I still couldn’t believe how he was able to leave the hospital on the same day.Not like he’s made of steel or whatever.When Candice hung up the call, she told me what Clay had told her, and I was shocked. He stopped by the house yesterday to get my clothes after working, and when he arrived, Candice took Emily with her. They all needed a rest.“I’m so glad to be going home today. Just one day in here and I was going crazy,” I said, honestly, as Clay helped me
ClayShe was so inviting. Despite her body being bruised, I couldn’t help but still want her, kiss her and make her moan my name again. As she bathed herself in the tub, she asked to join, but I just sat next to it, helping her bathe gently.Lathering her body, I leaned down to kiss her shoulder, bringing a smile on her face as she turned her head and kissed my lips while she wrapped her hand around the nape of my neck.“I want you, Clay,” she whispered. I pulled away, looking at her with concern. What if I hurt her?“I know what you’re thinking, and I’m no porcelain doll, so stop treating me like one.”
VanessaI paced back and forth, feeling guilty and desperate. If Clay doesn’t find her, I don’t know what I would do.“Vanessa, you need to calm down. Here, take this,” Candice said, leading me to the couch and handing me a cup of chamomile tea to calm my nerves. “Think of the baby. It’s feeling what you are.”I knew she was right, but I couldn’t help it. “What if something happens to her?”“We're in the middle of nowhere, practically. And she knows these lands. I don’t think anything will happen to her.” She tried to reassure me.“There could be wild anima
ClayAs we celebrated Vanessa’s freedom and her future, we heard another knock on the door. I went to open it and saw Jack Doyle, our town lawyer, standing there with a solemn gaze. Vanessa stood by my side with a big smile on her face as she greeted him.“Sorry for interrupting what I assume is a celebration,” he said, pressing his lips into a thin line.“Yes, it’s a celebration, but what brings you all the way here, Jack?” I asked, curiously, my heart pounding inside my chest. His expression turned even more serious as he took an envelope out of his suit pocket and handed it to me.“I’m sorry, Clay. You’ve been served.”
VanessaTwo days had gone by in a blur. Clay had to cancel his jobs yesterday to focus on getting his documents and preparing himself mentally for the custody hearing.As I was looking at myself in the mirror to make sure I was presentable with my buttoned up shirt and black pencil skirt, I could see Clay nervously putting and tying his tie up, but he was failing to do so.With a smile on my face, I approached him. Pulling his hands away, I took over to fix it for him.“You sure know what you’re doing,” he mentioned with a chuckle, trying to ease the tension he was feeling. But as he saw my serious expression, he apologized for indirectly bringing my married life into the
ClayI looked back at Vanessa as Sam kept asking questions that were sure to get Kelly to snap.“To give your lawyer a peace of mind, Miss Hill, Mr. Steele’s home was burned down in an arson. But he has a home, and as far as I know, it’s comfortable and has everything he and his daughter need,” he mentioned, putting emphasis on the last word. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair and I was glad Emily was not in the room to witness this.“Well, I have more commodities. Sarah and I…”“Oh, yes, Miss Sarah Steele. Before we get to that, here is the envelope given to me earlier.” He interrupted as he handed it to the judge. Was that what Candice gav
VanessaAnother week had finally gone by and we sat in the clinic’s waiting area, filling up forms and insurance information.Clay sat next to me, his legs bouncing up and down, nervous as he looked at every baby poster on the walls. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it in reassurance.“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” I said in a soft voice.“I know, but I’m still nervous. When I used to come here with Kelly, I was excited, but in the end…”“Clay, I’m not Kelly. I came here for a fresh start. You and Emily are it for me. I’m not leaving you, I told you that already,” I sai
ClayWe arrived at the house and I parked the truck in the driveway, turning the ignition off before getting out of it. As usual, like a gentleman, I walked around and opened the door for Vanessa, offering my hand to help her out.“Such a gentleman.” She teased, making me smile. On the inside, I was still nervous about having twins. I could barely take care of Emily until I learned how to, let alone another two.“Clay, stop thinking too much. We’re in this together and we’re going to be fine,” she whispered, kissing me. Her soft lips always comforted me. I was being such a coward about all this, I had to man up.“Yeah, I know. Let’s go inside. I&rsq
ClayAs I sat there, leaning against the chair on our bridal table, I couldn’t help but admire the stunning woman dancing with my daughter. The way their dresses flowed as they twirled around on the dance floor had my heart and soul in total happiness.We had our first dance as husband and wife, but this was topping it. They looked beautiful.“Hello, everyone. Sorry to interrupt this amazing moment, but I wanted to say a few words to the bride and groom.” Candice’s voice was heard on the DJ’s microphone as she walked towards our table while Emily and Vanessa sat down, a big smile on their faces.Holding our hands, I kissed her before we heard the speech her best frie
VanessaFour months!Four months have gone by and I couldn’t be more excited. We finally brought back home our little bundles of joy last month and they looked so healthy and happy.Even visiting them every day at the hospital made me miss them. I had the need to wake up every morning and go straight to their bedroom just to see their sleeping faces before the sun snuck through their colorful curtains.They looked beautiful, and both had dark hair like mine. But they had hazel eyes like their father and made me fall in love with them even more.Our wedding didn’t take place the month after they were born, but
ClayI was almost home when I got a call from the hospital, letting me know about the altercation between Kelly and Candice in Vanessa’s room.Now I was here, holding her hand while Candice knitted with a frown on her face. I knew she still felt guilty.“Why don’t you go back home? I’ll stay here and maybe they’ll lend me some clothes so I can take a shower,” I said. She looked at Vanessa, who smiled at her, and nodded, knowing it was best if she did.I called Lorena and Katherine to stay with Emily and I would let them know when we would be home.Lorena wanted to visit her daughter, but it was bes
VanessaI wasn’t sure for how long I was out after talking to Clay, but when I opened my eyes and found myself alone in my room, panic rose. Looking around the place, I tried to search for him, but he wasn’t there either.My abdomen hurt, and it was sensitive to the touch, making me realize this is how my babies were born.My babies, where are they?I hit the button to call the nurse, fear creeping over me as the last thing I remembered was kissing them before they took them away.“Hello, Miss Harper. Glad to see you’re awake,” she said, walking in to check my vitals.
ClayI couldn’t believe it was happening again, and this time there was no turning back. The babies were either going to be born or lose their little lives.As I paced back and forth, I could hear the footsteps of the nurses going through the double doors, making me think the worst.The doctor arrived, and he quickly made his way through the same doors at the same time a nurse came outside.“We’re ready for you, Dad,” she said, urging me to the room and preparing me to be by Vanessa’s side. They put on some scrubs on me, a mask and a cap before gesturing to me to sit on a stool right next to her.&
Vanessa“Emily will be here any minute. Let’s get this going,” I said as Clay hung a Happy Birthday banner behind the table where the cake would be.The entire house was decorated nicely, with balloons all over the living room, confetti spread around the floor, which I would have to sweep later, and even the horses were ready with saddles to give the kids a ride.Clay had been working hard these past few months to get our business going.Yes, our business. Because now that we were going to get married, we would share everything.“Hello!” Candice walked in with a white box in her hands, putting it on the table
ClayVanessa’s Mom had been sent from heaven. She’s helped her when I’m not here and helped with Emily’s care as well.Months have gone by and now Vanessa was six months along in her pregnancy. Emily started her first grade and soon we would be celebrating her sixth birthday as well.Candice moved out to her house, and John had joined her not long after, which made her happy.One thing I still had in mind was Rita. Pete had given me news about her. As soon as they had evidence about her fraudulent transactions, they went to pick her up at her house, but she had fled.&ldquo
Vanessa“What are you doing here?” I asked, holding myself from hugging her. I have missed her, but I was also hurt that she didn’t even speak on my behalf when Dad fired me from the company. Clay held me by the waist, supporting me, and I was grateful because I needed it.“I came to see how you were doing,” she said, looking down at the already big bump on my belly. “But I see you’re doing well. How far along are you?”I looked down with a smile, rubbing my belly, before I looked back at her.“I’m still three months, almost four.”“Wow, you really are show
ClayI opened my eyes to see Vanessa sitting up, hugging herself and trembling. All I could see were her tears streaming down her cheeks, and that worried me.“Baby, are you okay?” I kissed her shoulder, her skin feeling cold.“I’ll be fine. It was just a bad dream,” she whispered as she slowly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.I followed her, but didn’t dare go in, so I stood by the door and knocked.“Tell me, what happened?” I asked, expecting an answer from her. There was just silence, but I could hear a muffled sob coming from behind the door. Hoping it was unlocked, I turned the knob and walked in, seeing her sitting on the toilet with a tissue