Chapter 11: Hold Me
Lacey took a deep breath before entering into the holding cell where Danny was being retained. Karen had opted to let Lacey take her visiting time. It seemed the mayor was out to make Danny's stay at local lock up miserable. Therefore, he had a very regimented visiting time. It wasn't unusual for any prisoner to have a rigid schedule. However, this was a local facility and most of the time, rules were relaxed.
Danny bolted up off his bed when he saw Lacey enter his cell.
Eddie rubbed his neck nervously. "Uh. We will be checking on you..."
His face flushed red with embarrassment. He was the one that found Lacey and Danny scurrying to get clothes situated the last time Lacey visited Danny. Luckily, they were both dressed but their clothes were definitely disheveled.
Danny smirked slightly as Lacey turned her back to Eddie. She was definitely more than ashamed of her actions with Danny last visit. Eddie walked out after he had warned the teens.
Before Lacey could say a word, Danny's arms were around her. Lacey returned the embrace with gratitude. In his arms, Lacey felt warm and safe. It was like the world slowed down and life wasn't such a mess. She could hear Danny taking in her scent. That caused Lacey's eyes to water slightly due to knowing that Danny missed her.
They stood that way for the longest time. Neither moving from the tight embrace. Both enjoying the feeling of holding each other in the comforting hug. Although reluctant, Danny was the first to pull away.
"I have something for you." Danny smiled broadly. He quickly made his way to pull something from under his cell cot. "I asked Eddie to get me a book about babies. He found this. I wanted to read up on things. He said the sale's lady suggested this. But I think it is more for you." Danny jutted his hand through his hair. He smiled sheepishly. "I asked him to get two copies after I started reading it. It is pretty cool."
He handed Lacey the book. She stared down at the book reading the title. What to Expect When You're Expecting. She never made an attempt to smile or to frown.
"If you don't want it..." Danny wrung his hands together. "I understand."
Lacey looked up at Danny. Her eyes were misted over. "Mom wants me to get an abortion."
Danny practically fell back into one of the chairs in the room. "Is it because of what I am?"
Lacey blinked as she stared at Danny. Her heart shattered at the look on his face. Partly, Judy was upset that Lacey was having Danny's baby because of him being a murderer. However, Lacey was sure there was much more to it.
"No. She thinks I'm too young." Lacey walked over and stood over Danny. She placed her hands in his hair as she pulled his head to rest on her stomach. "I am."
Danny placed his arms around Lacey's hips. "I didn't think about you not wanting the baby."
"I do want the baby, Danny." Lacey admitted for the first time both to Danny and herself. "I can't kill what is ours."
Danny slowly pushed up Lacey's shirt. He kissed her abdomen then whispered. "I want the baby too. This baby is part of you. The best part of this baby is that part."
Lacey allowed a few tears to fall. "I'm so emotional lately."
Danny pulled her down to his lap. He held her tightly. "That's okay. You're pregnant. You're mom can't make you have an abortion."
"I know." Lacey placed her head against Danny's chest. She could hear his heart racing. It told of his nervousness. He was hiding behind a facade of strength when he was as frightened as she was. Probably more so. "I stayed at your house last night. I think that may have given mom time to calm down."
"You stayed at my house?" Danny chuckled as he ran his hand up and down Lacey's back. "Be warned. Mom is trying to be Mary Poppins or June Cleaver. She actually sang me a lullaby when she was here. I admit it calmed me down. But it was only because I thought the woman was losing her mind."
Lacey matched Danny's laughter with her own. "She tried to make me breakfast. I never saw eggs look like that before. They were black."
"You didn't eat them. Did you?" Danny slid his chin to the crown of Lacey's head.
"Actually, yes. I did to make her happy." Lacey shook her head as another chuckle reverberated from her lips. "It is the first thing I've held down in days."
"I guess that is good." Danny pushed a strand of hair from Lacey's face. He didn't want anything obstructing the view of Lacey's gorgeous face.
"I don't know who June Cleaver is." Lacey admitted as she continued to chuckle.
"Oh." Danny smiled as he thought about it. "In juvie, we got very limited TV time. We had to watch only certain channels and shows like the Andy Giffith Show and Leave it to Beaver. June Cleaver was the mom on that show."
The teens laughed in relief for a few moments. Then the room fell silent. Lacey was still against Danny's chest. Danny could hear her sobbing.
"Lace, tell me how to help you." Danny tried knowing there wasn't much he could do behind bars.
"I'm sorry for blubbering." Lacey sniffed trying to keep her emotions at bay. "That is all I do lately."
"I caused all this." Danny kissed Lacey's cheek. "I don't know how to fix it."
"You can't." Lacey made slow circles on Danny's chest with her fingers. "It is the pregnancy. It's both our faults."
"I'm going to keep trying to prove my innocence." Danny assured her. "I am going to help you with this."
Lacey nodded as she exhaled. "Just hold me, Danny. That is what I need right now. I just want you to hold me."
Danny pushed Lacey from his lap. After he stood up, Danny took her hand. He walked to his cot. There he laid down and pulled Lacey to lay as well. Danny spooned her body to his body. His arms enveloped Lacey as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"I need you to let me hold you." Danny stated in a soothing voice.
Their legs entwined as they lay together trying to allow their bodies to be close for the short time they had. No words were needed as pain seemed to dissipate momentarily when they held one another. Tomorrow would bring the tribulation back into their lives. However, at this moment, embraced in each other's arms, Danny and Lacey felt content.
They remained like that until Eddie interrupted them. "Sorry, visiting hours are up. You can come back tomorrow, Lacey."
Reluctance overtook Lacey as she stood up. Danny did as well. He leaned to kiss her goodbye. The kiss was short but demanding. The kiss broke as their hands lingered together for a few more minutes. As they pulled their hands from each other, they slid finger to finger until the last second. Then the tips of their fingers grazed each other for one last touch.
Lacey stared back at Danny with a smile before finally exiting the room. She walked out to see Karen waiting on her.
Karen smiled seeing Lacey's face lit up due to seeing Danny. "Ready to go?"
Lacey nodded as she headed out of the precinct with Karen. She glanced over at Karen. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Karen unlocked the car doors.
"What is Leave it to Beaver?"
