Chapter 21: Watching and Waiting
The car sat out there into the night, hiding just out of sight.
"Are you keeping track of everything?"
"Yes, just make sure the boss knows."
"The boss has bigger problems right now, she's very busy."
"She said to report directly back to her, while she worries about him."
"I'll make sure she knows then."
Meanwhile, the Walkers went about their morning.
Alex fixed breakfast while Walker got the mail.
He sat there shifting through the bills.
All of a sudden Alex heard a thump and looked in his direction.
The bills were scattered across the floor.
Walker quickly leaned down to pick them up.
Alex did the same.
"It's okay Alex, I've got it. You may not be able to get back up," he said kindly.
"Are you okay," she questioned him.
"Yeah, fine. You just got a letter."
"A letter that back you drop everything all over the floor?"
He handed her the white envelope.
She saw immediately what it was.
"It's probably just about his court date. I'll have to be there," she said, trying to remain calm as she opened the letter.
One hand held the letter as the other rubbed circles on her abdomen, trying to sooth the babies as they fiercely kicked her.
She read it before handing it to Walker as she finish preparing breakfast.
He read it and then sat it on the counter.
Not another word was said until breakfast was over.
"Angela, honey, why don't you go upstairs and pick out something to wear and I'll be up in a minute to help you get dressed," Alex told her young daughter.
"Okay mommy," Angela said as she got up for the table and ran upstairs.
Alex started to clear the dishes.
"Here, I've got that," Walker told her, "you just sit here and rest, you've already been on your feet a lot today."
Alex handed the dishes Walker as she sat back down at the table.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"You'll go with me, right?" Alex answered his question with a question.
"Yes of course I will."
"I'm scared," Alex confused, standing up and walking over to him.
He pulled her into his arms.
"Everything will be alright."
"I'm scared for the babies," she clarified. "He doesn't know I'm pregnant, what if he thinks the babies are his?"
"That's not going to happen. We'll have proof ready for them in case it is brought up."
"How? The judge isn't going to go just by the dates; they'll want a paternity test too. I know him."
"Then we'll give it to him."
"The babies aren't due for months. I'm not sure I can be under that amount of stress for months."
"Then we'll get an amino."
"No," Alex said strongly.
"Why not?"
"An amino can lead to a miscarriage and I'm not willing to risk their lives by doing that. There has to be another way."
"It might not even come up. Relax Alex. You might be worrying for nothing."
"I knew I'd have to testify against him, I was just hoping it would be after the babies were born. Then they wouldn't feel all the stress I feel. It's not good for them."
"Then don't stress. Just breathe. You know I'm not going to let anything happen to you or the babies or Angela. Just relax. I promise everything will be okay. We'll just take it one step at a time and deal with whatever happens."
"I know, I'm just worried about the babies all the time. I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching us."
"No one is watching us. Why don't we plan a nice family night out after work? That should get your mind off things."
"Sounds amazing!"
Angela yelled for her mother, as Alex climbed the stairs to help Angela get ready for the day.
Days and weeks pasted as the court date drew closer and closer.
Alex thought she was ready.
She'd been in court hundreds of times.
Why should this time be any different?
Nothing was going to go wrong.
She rubbed circles on her abdomen, the babies kicking once again, sensing their mother's nerves.
Walker placed his arm around Alex as he led them into the courthouse.
They stood in front of the tall oak doors.
Alex froze, unable to move anymore.
"Everything is going to be fine Alex," Walker told her once more.
She held her head up high as they entered the courtroom, praying she had enough strength to make it through the trial.
For Barb: who always keeps me motivated to write even when life is crazy. Thanks friend!