With my mother not expecting me home until after six because of the hour-long trip from Lansing, I drive right to the doctor's office and park my car in the lot, making it there on time for the last appointment of the day. I begged for the 4:45 slot. Since I've been going to the same family doctor my entire life, they worked me in on short notice. Sometimes smaller towns were splendid for things. As long as the news of why I'm here doesn't seep out into the lobby, everything will be fine. I even made Vincent promise no more secret bodyguards.The doctor's office waiting room smells like someone just finished emptying a can of Lysol into the air. A mother and small child sit in one of the dark green padded chairs in the corner. The little girl rests her head on her mother's shoulder, her eyes slowly closing before they snap open again.An older man sits in the opposite corner, watching a show on one television hanging from the walls. My own spot puts me at an angle where I can see t
My parents' house looks the same as it always has growing up as I walk up to the front door. My mom opens it for me even though I have a key hanging from my ring, and I immediately hug her, squeezing tightly. I can't tell my mother about walking out of the doctor's office and I can only pray it doesn't make it out in the town gossip. Still, just being in her arms her love washes over me. Even though she's unaware of my issues, she's still trying to fix them and comfort me.I may argue and fight with my parents, but they're still mine and I know they have my best interests at heart."Thank fuck you finally made it so we can eat," my brother says, sprawled out on the couch in my parents' living room."Evan, watch your tongue," my mother scolds him, shaking her head in a silent warning."Glad to see you're here, sweetheart," my father adds, turning around from the small treadmill he walks on in front of the TV.It's an oddly comforting sight to see my father doing the exercises
Later, after the sky has grown dark and night has descended on the city, I park my car in my reserved space and take a deep breath. The overnight bag I packed because I planned to spend the weekend with my parents sits heavily in the passenger seat and I scoop it up before getting out of my car.Nerves tickle my stomach as I use the key card to access the elevator and select the penthouse. I texted Vincent when I got in the car in my parents' drive way, but for the entire hour drive back I haven't heard a reply. The elevator that never seems to travel a consistent pace inches up to the penthouse frustratingly slowly.I step off into the little hallway in front of Vincent's penthouse and take a few more deep breaths. I was determined in the car ride on the way here, but the closer I got to the city my nerves took over. Regardless of how I feel about the matter and my worry about how Vincent will respond, the time has come to tell him the truth. There's no wimping out now. No matter
He's picked someone to spend to life with? Who?I'm standing on the railroad track and there's a freight train full of bricks headed my way. Right as it's about to plow into me, the train derails and the bricks scatter the ground around my feet.Vincent picked me.The world doesn't stop while I come to terms with my life-altering realization. Vincent continues to hold me in his powerful arms, giving me the balance I need to stay on my feet even as I want to run to the bathroom and lose my dinner in the toilet.When he speaks again, his words are ice. "If you come near either of us again, I will cancel every single one of my deals with your family."Rachel gasps, seemingly surprised for the first time this evening. "You wouldn't. After something petty like this? You'd lose half your business value if you break the contract."With a firm sweep of his hand Vincent guides me behind his back once again. "You overestimate your family's importance, and I will do it if it means you
His eyes pop open and he looks at me as if seeing a complete stranger. "You're fucking kidding me?"Tears I worked hard to keep back even though I refused to cry make their way to the surface. "I'm sorry," I say around a choked sigh. "I'm not one hundred sure. There were no signs. I've not had any symptoms."Vincent tugs at his hair, and his expression is wild as he refuses to drop my eye contact. There's no look of sympathy in his eyes even as my tears grow faster. "Then why in the hell would you think you're pregnant?"I ring my hands together sniffling back the sobs. "I haven't had a period in a few months, so I took a test the other day…" My sentence trails off and it's met with nothing but silence, the air still between us.Why did I think this would be a good time to tell him? From the way the vein throbs in his forehead with each beat of his heart, Vincent is not taking the news well. Like I expected."And!"I jump back at his yell. "It was positive, but I haven't co
By the time Monday morning rolls around and Vincent is still MIA, I force myself to get out of bed, eat half a bagel for breakfast, dress as if nothing is wrong, and hit my desk on the marketing floor promptly at 8 a.m. I may have been a crappy personal assistant to Vincent, but I made a promise to myself to be the best kick-ass marketing assistant. Regardless of the problems happening upstairs in the penthouse, I refuse to let my actions and a missing Vincent keep me from being an outstanding employee here.It's time to rally. I've spent way too much of my life as a passenger in my own car. If I want an outstanding life, I have to make it happen for myself. The last few months with Vincent have left me a mess. I always feel off balance and overwhelmed, but that ends now. It's time to take charge. I'm not a meek person who can't take charge. I'm Mackenzie fucking Marshal and I've got this. Mostly.Plus, losing myself in work makes me forget the misery tumbling around in the back of
All day my anger with Vincent grows, expanding until I see red every time I look past my computer screen. The day, however, has given me time to reflect on our situation, and I've come up with a plan. I may no longer be able to escape to Florida—considering I'm pretty sure I still have a bodyguard on me when I go somewhere Vincent isn't sure about, but that doesn't mean I have to give in to his ridiculous demands.I have self-respect and I'm finally gaining footing in this world. There's no time to give it up now. It's time to fight and carry on with my kick-ass self. After months of back and forth, I'm feeling like myself again.I am an adult and I decide when I eat dinner, what I eat for dinner, and with whom I eat dinner. I decided an hour ago I'm not eating with Vincent. I plan to slip out of work a few minutes early and head downtown to one of the establishments that cater to the government employees and find my own dinner. Alone. We have world-famous cheeseburgers just a bloc
"You're pregnant."His words bring a deluge of new tears to my eyes as I rest my head in my hands and cry."I'm so sorry, Vincent." Finding out you're having a baby should be a joyous experience—a miracle between two people who are excited for the development and who can look at the test as a blessing not a curse. This was never the way it was supposed to happen.He abandons the test and the directions and finds his way to my side of the island, squeezing me into a deep hug. He lifts me off the stool and carries me to the couch, resting my body on his lap."It's okay. We'll figure it out."I nuzzle my head into his neck not wanting to look at his face. "I promise I didn't mean to get pregnant. You can't end up leaving me." Now I'll be alone to raise a baby as a single mother.Vincent squeezes me harder rocking back and forth. "No, baby. I will not leave you. I'm going to marry you."His words shock me into stillness and I clutch his shirt harder, pulling him close. "No. N