Dean-
She's never said his name or told me what he looked like. Its safe to say I was the grungy one of the three men she dated. She definitely downgraded with me. His nice slicked back black hair, green eyes, this guy wasn't a doctor but a damn male model. His form reminded me a little of Randy, except this guy put us both to shame.
"How long were you with him?", I whispered.
"Um, we started dating in high school and then went our separate ways a year after graduation", she said.
I looked away from the male model and down at her.
"That's a long time. You weren't even with Randy that long", I said.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist.
"Jealous?", she asked.
"Of that, yes", I said, looking at him again.
She laughed.
"Jon", she said.
"He got to touch you first, kiss you first, make love to you first", I said.
"He did", she said.
I quickly looked down at her.
"You weren't suppose to agree with me", I said.
"You didn't let me finish, but I can live without him. You, I can't live without. I can't imagine my life without your touch, your lips, or the amazing way you make me feel when you make love to me. You make me feel so beautiful every time, I wouldn't trade that for the world Jonathan", she said.
"Even if I don't look like a Calvin Klein model?", I asked.
"I love you", she said.
"I'll take it", I said.
She kissed my cheek. The model came over and smiled at Lexi.
"Its been a long time Alex. How have you been?", he asked.
"Good, married, five kids", she said.
"Wow, five, that's great. You've always loved kids", he said, smiling that stupid perfect smile.
"And you, I've met your wife", Lexi said.
"Yeah, married. Only have the one but we are working on another", he said laughing.
"This is my husband Jon", Lexi said, nudging me.
I held my hand out.
"Jon, the husband, her husband, the father of her kids", Lexi stopped me.
"Ok Jon, he gets it", Lexi said.
Brenda laughed and hugged her husband.
"Looks like they hit it off", Brenda said, she looked at our kids.
Lexi nodded.
"All she talks about is Ryder", Lexi said.
Their teacher came over to us.
"Now that we are all here, we can discuss what I called you all here for", she said smiling.
We sat down.
"So I've placed each of your children in a group. Amelia will be in the caterpillar group and Ryder is there as well", she said.
"Is that your way of saying my child is stupid?", I asked.
Lexi squeezed my arm.
"How is Ryder in that group? His reading level is above average and his writing is amazing", Tom said.
"We get it, your child is a genius, don't need to rub it in", I said.
"That's not what I'm saying", Tom said.
"Mr. Novak and Mr. Good, let me explain. I never called them stupid, these groups are to determine where they need help. Yes they are suppose to be higher and both children are smart. Amelia's stutter is what's keeping her below. She got embarrassed after the class laughed at her and hasn't talked since, she only talks to Ryder. As for Ryder, he seems to have forgotten how to read. I asked him to read out loud and he says he can't", she said.
"No, he can read", Brenda said, looking back at her son.
"You can go and speak to him if you like", Mrs. Gardner said.
They both stood and went over to their son. Amelia came over to me and I lifted her onto my lap, she showed me what she drew.
"Maybe have her talk more at home, have her read to you before bed time. A lot of times it does help", Mrs. Gardner said.
"You don't think it's something I did during my pregnancy?", Lexi asked me.
"No babe", I said.
Lexi looked at Amelia's teacher.
"Amelia was a preemie. Do you think that has something to do with it? This was my fault", Lexi said.
"No Mrs. Good, but if it would make it easier you can speak to her doctor, see what he or she has to say", she said.
Lexi nodded.
"She is not stupid. She is a very sweet and smart little girl, very polite", her teacher said.
Lexi looked at Lia and smiled. Tom cleared his throat, he sat back down and smiled.
"It seems to me like your daughter has a hold on my son. He just told us that he didn't like that the class made fun of Amelia. He wanted to stay in the same group as her to help her", Tom said.
"We don't mind him staying in that group", Brenda said.
"I want to stay with Lia", Ryder said.
I squeezed her closer to me.
"Da…daddy to ti..tight", Lia said.
"This is up to you. As his parents, but I can put him in the right group", Mrs. Gardner said.
"No, he's gonna stay in the caterpillar group", Tom said.
Their teacher nodded.
Lexi-
I was getting ready for bed. I couldn't help think that this situation with Lia was on me.
We were getting ready for bed.
"Goodnight", he whispered as I turned the light off.
I didn't reply, I heard him sigh before falling asleep. Opening my eyes I was tied to the chair. Penny was in front of me with a gun. I was crying, begging her to let me go.
"Please, Penny, I won't say anything, just let me go", I was exhausted from all the crying and not having eaten for three days.
All I could think about was my unborn baby. Gracie who still needed me. Dean, how I knew he would lose control and he couldn't lose control, not while he still had Gracie.
"You stole from me, not only one person but two. If it wasn't for you I would still have my baby and Jon", she pointing the gun at me.
I was afraid it would go off. She was hysterical.
"If you do this, you are no better Penny. You will be stealing from Jon and my daughter", I said.
I kept my unborn baby out of it. She wasn't in her right mind. She laughed and walked over to me. Slapping me hard, my head whipped to the side with the impact. She grabbed my hair and forced me to look at her.
"Its only fair but don't worry, he won't be alone for long and Gracie won't miss out on having a mommy, I'll be there", she said smiling.
"Jon would never let you near her", I said angry.
She laughed.
"He loves me", she said.
"Penny stop this before it's too late, I'm giving you an out", I said.
"I don't want one", she yelled.
She slapped me again and I jumped up in bed. It was only a nightmare. I was covered in sweat and I put my hand on my bump. I exhaled and brushed my hair back. Stupid nightmares, every night. I felt a pain in my side.
"Jon", I said.
I tried to stand but the pain didn't let me. I took a deep breath.
"Jonathan", I said louder.
He jumped up and turned on the light.
"What, what's wrong?", he asked, sliding over to me.
"I think I'm going into labor", I cried.
"But it's too soon, she's early", he said.
"Don't you think I know that", I yelled.
"What do I do?", he asked.
"Grab my bag and help me downstairs. You might have to carry me", I said.
He nodded and put on his shoes, grabbing my bag and coming around to me. He lifted me and called for his dad. I heard a door open.
"What's wrong?", his dad asked.
"Lexi is going into labor. I'm taking her to the hospital", Dean said quickly.
"Want me to go?", his dad asked.
"No, please stay with Gracie and Rose", I said.
He nodded.
I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I jumped and placed my hands on top of Dean's.
"You ok?", he asked.
I shook my head no.
"This was my fault Jon, if I didn't have those stupid nightmares, Amelia", I stopped.
He turned me to face him, cupping my face in his hands.
"Doll face, that wasn't your fault so stop blaming yourself and just be happy that we have her here with us and healthy", he said.
He wiped the tears that fell.
"I know it's just", he cut me off.
"No, there is no it's just, she is fine", he said.
I nodded, he kissed my forehead and held me.
"Thank you", I whispered.
"Anytime", he said, winking at me.
He pulled on my hand and smiled.
"Now can we please go to bed?", he asked.
I nodded and followed him out.