Chapter 10: I Want You
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"Hey Angie, it's Alex. I need you to keep an eye on the kids for me. I'll explain later, so give me a call—"
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Angie sighed heavily she was hoping that Thomas would've called but it's been almost two weeks and she hasn't heard anything from him. She wanted to call him back and apologize but her pride was stopping her. Angie buried herself in more work and wine to keep her mind off of Thomas. Her work cell started to ring and she answered the phone without hesitation.
"Angelica Schuyler, who's speaking?"
"Hey Schuyler, it's Whitaker, we got our suspect and some DNA samples. I need you to draft a warrant to search his apartment."
"On it, I'll the warrant for you by Monday. Is Hunter representing Jones?"
"Um, no he fired him." Angelica frowned
"Okay, well, who is representing him?"
"Well, see—"
"Spit it out, Whitaker! I don't have all day."
"Jefferson." Angie froze she didn't even realize she dropped the phone until she heard Whitaker's voice. She picked her phone back up and tried to regain her composure.
"Schuyler, you still there?"
"Huh, yeah I am, sorry I dropped my phone."
"Oh okay, we got a witness to testify against him."
"Oh great," Angie responded robotically
"The witness says she saw him around the same time he claims he was at home. So, I think we got this in the bag."
"Alright, um let me call you back Whitaker."
"Okay, bye—" Angelica stared at phone she contemplated on whether she should call Thomas or not. She pressed on her contact name and before she could touch the screen again, his name popped up on her screen. She started his picture for a few seconds before answering the phone.
"Thomas?"
"Good evening Counselor Schuyler," Angelica winced at the formal tone but continued anyway.
"To what do I owe this call Counselor Jefferson?"
"My client's DNA is no longer admissible in court,"
"Like hell! He raped and assaulted a married woman."
"Based on what proof Counselor?"
"From what my guys told me, the victim almost committed suicide because your client raped her." Angelica practically yelled
"That is extremely unfortunate, but that's hardly proof that my client raped the victim."
"The victim identified him by his privates."
"Oh, and I guess they just happened to see it when the police escorted him to the bathroom after they forced soda down his throat. My client wasn't even under arrest during that time."
"It's protocol to escort suspects to the bathroom. You should know that Counselor Jefferson."
"Is it protocol to inspect their genitals, Counselor Schuyler?"
"What now? You're going to claim illegal search?"
"No, I already talked to the judge, he said he's not giving you the order based on police misconduct."
By the tone of his voice, Angelica could tell his was smirking and that angered her even more.
"Fuck you, Counselor Jefferson." Angelica ended the call and groaned in frustration. She was about to pour herself another glass of wine when her phone rang again. Without the looking at the screen she answered her phone, slightly irritated.
"What?!" Angelica said loudly
"Ange? It's Peggy." Angelica instantly relaxed and sighed heavily
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought-I thought you were someone from work."
"What's wrong is everything okay?"
"I don't want to talk about it. What's up?"
"I just got off the phone with Alex, Eliza wants to see us."
I sat in my office trying to keep my mind off of Alex, which was proving to be very difficult. I haven't heard from him since the last time he was at my apartment. When I started to feel myself get upset about Alex I would usually call Francis and talk about the wedding. That was probably the only thing that made me smile, hearing her talk about how much she loves Georges and how she can't wait to marry him. I was pulled out of my thoughts when there was a knock at my door.
"Come in?" Stella poked her head in, I could tell she was hiding something by the smile on her face.
"Mr. Laurens, you have some guests."
"Send them in," I said without looking I kept typing furiously on my computer. When the door closed I looked up and froze and couldn't contain the smile on my face.
"Hey, Dad." I got up from my desk and Frances and I met in a hug.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to town?"
"Well, then that would ruin the surprise wouldn't it?" I was so caught up in Frances, that I didn't notice Georges standing behind her.
"Hey Georges, I'm sorry man." We shared a quick hug.
"It's okay, my Mom did the same thing when we surprised her at home."
"So, are you guys visiting for the weekend?" Georges and Frances both shared nervous smiles.
"Well," Frances grabbed Georges "we're moving to Yonkers!" Frances giggled. I smiled widely
"Are you serious? What made you guys decide this?" Frances reached her into her purse and pulled out a picture, I held back my tears as I reached out the grab the sonogram picture.
"Frankie, you're pregnant?"
"I'm six weeks, as soon as we found out, we knew that we didn't want to be an ocean away when we had this baby." I pulled my daughter n for another hug
"I'm so happy for you guys, congratulations."
"Thank so much Dad."
"What do you guys have planned for the rest of the day?"
"Georges is going to spend time with his dad and you and I are going wedding dress shopping."
"Aren't you getting married next year?"
"So? I'm pregnant Dad, I need to find a dress now while I can still try them on."
"Frankie, I have to work—"
"Ah, ah, ah, none of that, I already told Stella to clear your schedule. You are coming with me." I playfully rolled my eyes and I started to shut down my desktop.
"Get ready for this Georges, Frances doesn't take no for an answer."
"Don't listen to him." Frances rolled her eyes
"What do you think?" Frances was trying on her fifth dress, it was satin sleeveless mermaid dress with an organza train. She and her bridal consultant, Vickie were looking at me with hopeful eyes.
"I like it, you look beautiful Frankie."
"You said that about the last four, I want your honest opinion Dad. This is the dress I get married in, I need it to be perfect."
"It is going to be perfect, let me go get some accessories because I can tell you love this dress Frances, I'll be right back."
When Vickie walked left our private room, my phone rang, Frankie noticed my stoic expression, she glanced at my phone and rolled her eyes.
"Frances," I warned
"I didn't say anything, you can answer it."
"I'll be right back, it'll be quick. I promise." Frances nodded her head, I stepped into the bathroom before I answered the call.
"What's up, Alex."
"Hey Laurens, I have some great news and I wanted to tell you first, Eliza's doing so much better man, she's communicating more. Her therapist is really helping."
"Well, that's great Alex, but I really have to go."
"Wait, wait, what's wrong?"
"What are we, Alex?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what the fuck I mean Alex, what are we?"
"We're friends."
"Bull shit, friends don't do what we did, Alex."
"Where is this coming from?"
"I don't hear from you for two weeks and you call me out of the blue?"
"John—"
"I'm not done, if you don't want to make whatever this is a thing then I can't be your friend Alex. I can't be that person for you anymore"
"You don't mean that."
"But I do Alex, and I wish that I didn't because I'm in love you, but I can't be second place."
"So, do you expect my leave my wife and kids and run away with you?!"
"No! I want you to make a decision! What do you want Alexander?" I was met with silence and I knew I got my answer.
"I see, I guess this is where it ends."
"John, please, don't do this. I can come by your place and we can talk."
"Goodbye Alexander." I ended the call despite Alex's pleas, I wiped away the stray tears that managed to fall. Once I felt that I was presentable I left the bathroom. When I made it back to the room Frances was when I was not prepared for the sight in front of me. Frances was now wearing a veil, and matching jewelry. She looked like a true bride, the tears that I was holding in just a few moments ago started to fall. Which made Frances cry, even the consultant got teary eyed.
"What do you think Dad?" Frances asked tearfully
"I think you look absolutely radiant Frances." I walked over to my daughter and wiped away the tears.
"Can I get the dress Dad, please? I love it."
"Of course you can." I kissed my daughter's forehead
"Are you saying Yes to this Dress, Frances?"
"I'm saying Yes to the Dress!" Frances said loudly, Frances and I shared a loving hug
"I love you so much Frances, I am so happy for you."
"I love you too Granddad." Frances teased, I pulled away from the hug and nudged her shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, how about I treat us to lunch, I know you're hungry."
"Extremely, I'm going to get changed."
After Frances and I had lunch we hung out for the rest of the day until dinner time. I took her back to the hotel she and Georges were staying in for the time being. I offered them to stay with me, but they graciously declined. When I went back to my place I didn't realize how tired I was and as soon as I laid my head down on the pillow I was out for the night.
RING RING RING RING
I blindly reached for my phone from my bed, I answered the phone without glancing at the caller ID and put it on speaker phone.
"Hello?" I said groggily.
"Mon ami! Have you heard the news? We are going to be grandparents!"
"Yes Laf, I heard the news. Why are you calling me at," I stretched my neck to look at my clock and let my head hit the pillow again. "2:00 AM on a Saturday. Why are you still up?"
"I was honestly just trying to have a good time and I feel so attacked right now."
"Laf!" I groaned I head his boisterous laugh over the phone.
"I am kidding. I'm genuinely calling just to say that I'm extremely happy for our kids. You've raised a beautiful daughter and my Georges is incredibly lucky to have her for a wife."
"Thanks, Laf, I really appreciate it, but can we talk about this later on like noon?"
"But I wanted—"
I ended the phone call before Laf could finish. I laid my head down to sleep just as I was about to fall asleep there was a knock at my door. I groaned in annoyance as I kicked off my covers my stomped over to the front. I swung the door open and was immediately met with lips smashing against mine. It took me a few minutes to register who it was. I widened my eyes when I noticed it was Alex. Before I could react to the kiss, Alex pulled away breathing heavily, lips swollen, cheeks red.
"Alex, what are you doing here?"
"I want you, John, you asked me what I wanted and I was too afraid to say it, but I want you. I've always wanted you, John. I love you so much." I stared at him for a few minutes before I pulled him by his collar and kissed him with more passion than the first time if that was even possible. He walked me back into my condo and kicked the door shut with his foot.