It's been a month, I know. Sorry.
Where does the time go when you're busy with work, and too tired or suffering from writers block and can't get anything typed up?
Have a good one.
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(Part 31)
A bit uneasy of Dee Dee’s reaction, Ryan awaited the answer as calmly as possible.
“You’re very observant, Mr. Jacobs.” Dee Dee smiled, sat back and placed her hands on her stomach. “And to answer your question…yes, I’m pregnant.”
“Well, congratulations.” Ryan smiled and exhaled with relief that Dee Dee didn’t punch his lights out for the comment on her weight. “How far along are you?”
“I’m less than a week away from my fifth month.”
“Really? Why haven’t you told any of us here at the center?”
“I wasn’t ready, but I’ll tell everyone really soon. I’ve already told Laura; seeing as how she’s our boss.”
Thinking of how close she felt to Ryan, Dee Dee felt she could fill him in on the minimal details of the past few months of her life. “If you’re not in a hurry, I’d like to talk to you about something. It’ll shed light on why I hadn’t said anything.”
“I’m in no hurry. Go ahead.”
Dee Dee placed her elbows on the table and rests her chin on her folded hands. “I’ve had a pretty tough time during the past three months or so.”
“Have you been sick? Are you and the baby okay?”
“Oh, it’s not that. We’re doing fine, thanks. It’s about my marriage. Alex and I have split up, and I’m staying with Celise and Michael Grey. That’s why I didn’t come to work on Friday. I wasn’t sick. I was moving in with them.”
“You’ve split? What happened?” Ryan had a good idea of why. He thought of the night his wife Tanya told him about Alex’s reputation with women, and how he’d tried to lure her into an affair.
“Alex and I were never meant to be married. We had completely different views on marriage, what we want out of life, and most everything else. It was a huge mistake.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.”
“Thanks, but it’s okay.”
“How does he feel about the baby?”
“He couldn’t care less if he tried.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, but he really doesn’t have to care.”
“Why is that?” Ryan raised his brow.
“Well...” Wondering of his reaction; Dee Dee looked away from Ryan for a second before answering. “Because he isn’t the father.”
“Oh?”
“I never cheated on him, Ryan. I didn’t know it until weeks after marrying Alex, but I was already pregnant by another man.”
“I believe you.” Ryan spoke sincerly. “I could never take you to be the type to cheat on anyone.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at the compliment. “Remember my partner…ex-partner, Rick?”
“Yes.”
“Well, he’s the father. We were in a wonderful relationship, but we broke up just three weeks before I married Alex.”
“Three weeks?” Ryan said with surprise.
“Right…I know. It was really fast, but…”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t worry about it. I know it was unusually fast, but I thought I was making the right decision. Rick wasn’t ready for marriage and a family anytime in the near future, and I was. So I told him that we should break up for those reasons. Neither of us wanted to break up, but we agreed it would be best until we were both on the same page about our futures. Alex and I have known each other for over eight years; dating off and on, and when he came back and proposed; it looked as if my dreams would come true. I was really hurt that Rick and I couldn’t make things work, and I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly and went with Alex, thinking it was for the best.”
“But, it turned out not to be so.” Ryan sighed at the thought.
“Exactly.”
“Have you told Rick about the baby?”
“No.” Dee Dee shook her head. “I don’t know how to tell him. It’s not what he wants.”
“You might be surprised by his reaction. He could be really happy.” Ryan tried to be consoling. “Sometimes a man doesn’t know he wants to be a father until he finds he has a child on the way.”
“I guess that’s true. I’ll try to be more positive about it, but I know it won’t be easy.” Dee Dee looked down at her stomach, and then back to Ryan with a smile. “By the way; it’s babies, not baby. I’m having twins.”
“Really?” Ryan said with a broad smile. “Well, congratulations; times two.” He stood and leaned over to kiss Dee Dee’s cheek as she smiled.
“Thank you.” Dee Dee looked at her watch as Ryan sat down. “I didn’t realize how long we’ve been talking. I really should be going so I can make dinner.”
“Let me walk you out.”
“I hope I didn’t wear you out with my current life history.”
“Not at all. I told you, whenever you want to talk, I’ll listen.”
“Thanks. Same here.” Dee Dee smiled.
Ryan opened the car door for his friend. “Please don’t hesistate to call or come by if you need anything. Tanya adores babies, so if she ever finds any free time, she’ll most likely volunteer for babysitting duty.”
“I might take her up on that.” Dee Dee smiled.
“Well, drive safely. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
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A few moments later, Dee Dee pulled her car into the Grey’s garage. This had become part of her daily routine, as Michael insisted she take his spot to keep her car from Alex’s view. After she got inside she went straight to her bedroom to change into comfortable clothes, and then went down to the kitchen to begin dinner for herself and the Grey’s.
By the time she was settled with a before-dinner-snack, Celise was entering the front door.
“Hi. How was your day?” Celise asked.
“It was fine.”
“Did you go to the center?”
“Yeah.” Dee Dee told Celise about her conversation with Ryan, and Celise was happy to know that Ryan remains in Dee Dee’s corner for support.
“It’s great that I have all of you guys behind me.” She smiled and then let out a light gasp of surprise. “Someone’s agreeing with me.” She placed her hands on her stomach, and then guided Celise’s hand to it. “Feel here. It’s like big butterflies.”
“I feel it! Hello, little ones. It’s auntie Celise.” She beamed. “Wow, Dee Dee. That’s amazing. I wonder what it’ll be like once you actually feel hands and feet pressing against you.”
“So do I.” Dee Dee laughed.
Celise and Dee Dee spoke of the babies and felt their movements for a few minutes, talked about how well Celise’s first day of work went, and then Celise decided to follow Dee Dee’s example of changing clothes and having a snack.
When Michael came home, the three sat together at the kitchen table and enjoyed their meal and each others company.
“I felt the babies move today, Michael.” Celise said cheerfully at dinner. “Dee Dee put my hand on her stomach, and it was incredible.”
“Oh, really? Michael smiled.
“Well, there’s movement right now, if you’d like to feel.” Dee Dee said.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Michael asked excitedly.
“Not at all. Come here.”
Michael sat next to Dee Dee and she guided his hand to her belly.
“Do you feel that?”
“Yes.” Michael’s eyes widened.
“And over here, too.”
“So, that’s both of them moving?”
“Yes, it is.”
Michael’s jaw dropped. “That’s wild! That’s just…wild!”
“I know. It takes me by surprise, and I love it.” Dee Dee beamed. “It’s nothing like I could have imagined. And in a couple of weeks or so, I should be able to tell what feels more like little hands and feet moving about.”
“Hmmm….” Michael tilted his head with a thought. “I don’t think I could even come close to trying to imagine the feeling. I’ve often had gas moving about in my stomach, but this…this is…wow.”
“Michael, sweetheart…” Celise began. “Why don’t you just give it up, okay? Gas? Now, really. Not even close.”
They all laughed at both Michael and Celise’s comments.
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The next day at the center, Dee Dee looked inside the cubby which contained various papers and envelopes for her. She pulled out one envelope with a business card attached, bearing the name Evan Barrett, and the title Attorney at Law. She read the note and found that a messenger had stopped by and missed her at a previous time, and would return at 3pm to deliver important papers requiring her signature. She knew immediately that the papers would be pertaining to her upcoming divorce, and she felt that they couldn’t come soon enough. She also saw a smaller envelope with familiar handwriting on it, but there was no return address. She opened it to find a letter that was short, but to the point.
-Make sure you sign those papers as soon as they arrive. You’re not getting a penny from me, you stupid little bitch! So don’t expect one!
There’s no need for us to see one another in a court of law because my lawyer can handle everything on the outside. So I guess I won’t get to see the pathetic look on your face, when you crumble at hearing you’ve lost everything I’ve ever given you. You could have had it all, but you fucked up, didn’t you?
May you and your little bastard have a long life of misery.
Signed,
AJT -
Dee Dee shook her head at the crude letter. Just before tossing it into the trash, she had a thought, put it in her pocket. She wasn’t sure, but wanted to be prepared to use the letter in case she ever needed it for any legal purposes.
Feeling a little weary, she went into the counselors lounge to relax. While sitting in one of the large wingback chairs, she could feel herself start to nod off to sleep.Before she could fall into too deep of a sleep, she heard someone speaking to her.
“Excuse me.” A young man of about twenty was waiting with a large envelope and a clipboard. “I was told that I would find Mrs. D’Andrea Turnan here. Are you Mrs. Turnan?”
“Yes.” Dee Dee glanced at the wall clock. It was 3pm exactly.
“Sign here, please.” The messenger turned the clipboard for Dee Dee to sign, handed her the envelope; wished her a good day and left.
Dee Dee opened the envelope and read the first few lines on page one of several others. The reality of her divorce was staring her in the face, and she was more than happy to greet it. She never thought she’d be happy to be divorced. But since her “happily ever after” wouldn’t exist with Alex, a divorce was a welcomed option.
The next day, Dee Dee made two important phone calls. One was to the police station to have an escort accompany her, along with the Grey’s, to Alex’s house. She was ready to retrieve the rest of her things, and of course wouldn’t dream of going alone. She was told that she’d be contacted as soon as Alex agreed to a specific time and date. If Alex didn’t comply within the amount of time given, they would be able to enter without his consent, according to the law. The other phone call was to confirm her appointment with legal services for any financial or legal help she’d need for the divorce fees. Because she fell into the catergories of abused spouse, and lack of income, she was eligible for the service.
Later into the night, while settled in bed, Dee Dee searched through the classifieds for a paying job, to no avail. Her frustration of not finding anything got the better of her and she tossed the paper aside and began brushing her hair. Though it was a rare occasion, when she was a child, her mother would brush her hair to ease her into a relaxed and comfortable sleep. She also thought of how Rick had gotten into the habit of doing the same for her, followed by a neck massage whenever she felt stressed. She missed that, and she also missed his joking about how she could never tell anyone that he brushed her hair. He didn’t want people to think he was losing his manly image. He really didn’t mind at all. It was something to make Dee Dee happy, and he was willing to do that for her.
There were so many things that Rick did to make her happy, and she missed each and every one of them.
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