Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or a doctor. I do limited research for my stories, but in the end I am just a creative writer (and I was a teacher for many years) haha. Thank you! And enjoy!

Chapter 20

The baby was crying. Anna found herself in a long, winding hallway. Every time she took a step, the door seemed even further away. Her heart beat harshly against her chest. She couldn't get to her baby. With quickened steps, Anna was finally able to catch the knob with her hand. Turning it, she pushed open the door and gasped.

There in the middle of the room stood Alex Green. The baby was squirming in his arms and Anna stepped forward to take her.

"I will have her, Anna," he told her with his sly grin. "She's my daughter. You can't keep her away from me."

"She…she wants me," Anna pleaded. "Hand her to me."

"No," Alex replied, before turning and disappearing out of the room.

Anna ran in the direction that he had turned, but ended up hitting a wall. She turned around and tried to find an exit, but all that was around her were walls.

"Please," she cried. The baby's wails filled the air. "Please!"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna's body jerked awake and she could still feel her heart racing in her chest. Immediately, her hands flew to her stomach, relieved to feel she was still pregnant. It was just a dream. It was all a dream.

Quietly, she sat up, trying not to wake John. She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and checked the time. It was three in the morning and it had taken her forever to fall asleep. Her nerves were keeping her from getting enough sleep for her meeting today.

The pads of Anna's feet touched the floor below and she stood. Quickly glancing back, Anna saw John was still sleeping. With quiet steps, Anna made her way out of their bedroom door and down the hallway. She fixed herself a small glass of water, before walking over to sit on the couch in the dark.

She didn't know if she should try to watch something on television or fall back asleep on the couch. She knew she needed her rest. In a few short hours, she would be facing her attacker again to discuss the next steps in his lawsuit for custody of their child.

To be honest, Anna didn't know what all there was to be discussed today. There was no DNA to prove that the baby was his, yet. And Anna was not going to admit that Alex Green was the only person who could be the father to him or his lawyer.

Mary told Anna that this was an intimidating tactic by Richard Carlisle and to not let him coerce Anna into saying anything. She was guided to keep quiet during the whole meeting and to let Mary handle anything and everything that was brought up.

She wanted John with her, but Mary said she wouldn't allow it. And Anna understood, she did. However, her nerves were shot. It felt as though this nightmare would never end. If he got visitation of her daughter, then she would have to hand Carson over to him for at least the next eighteen years. The thought alone made her sick to her stomach.

Carson was an innocent baby who hadn't asked to be brought into this world. Anna felt the need to run away and hide out so that Alex Green could never find her. How else could she protect her daughter?

The light flicked on and Anna's eyes squinted in order to adjust to the brightness.

"Anna? What are you doing up?" John quietly asked, sitting down next to her on the couch. Anna's head just shook and she slid next to him, curling her body into his side.

"I can't sleep. I'm so nervous," she honestly told him. John brought his hand up around her and rested it on her arm. Then he bent his head down and kissed the top of her head.

"I know, my darling. And I know I can't be in the room with you. But I will be there in the building," he reminded her.

"You don't have to do that," Anna murmured against his chest, her eyes growing heavy, as John's fingers began to run up and down her arm attempting to soothe her.

"I know, but I want to," John answered. "You have me through all of this, Anna. I will do everything in my power to protect you and Carson."

Anna's fingers clutched around the front of his shirt and she sat up slightly, meeting his eyes.

"What….what if we ran away," she implored, her eyes widening as the thought came out of her mouth. "Why don't we just go far away from here where he can't find us, John?"

John sighed. He brought his hand up to her shoulder and gave it a loving squeeze.

"We can't do that, Anna," he regretfully told her.

"Why not? She won't be safe with him. What if he….." Her words faded, unable to speak her biggest fear. Tears filled her eyes and John met her eyes with his own.

"If we were to run away and they found us, Anna, they could give him full custody, say you weren't safe," John spoke rationally. "Mary and Matthew are both working hard to block Alex's claims to Carson, Anna."

"And if it doesn't work?" Anna asked, her lower lip quivering.

"Then, we'll run away," John promised. "But we have to go through all the proper channels first."

Anna sighed, but nodded. She knew it was easier said and done and that he was likely just saying that to settle her nerves before the hearing. So she settled back against him and stayed there until it was time to get ready for the meeting.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Now, when we get in there, you just take a seat and sit silently," Mary reminded Anna. "I will handle it."

"I…I'm so anxious, Mary. I don't understand what they think they have right now. She's not even been born. They don't have proof she's his," Anna said, as she fidgeted with her hands.

"They are two men on a power trip, Anna. I don't think he wants a thing to do with your child. He just wants to exert some power over you. Don't let him get under your skin," Mary stated. "You just have to trust me."

Shakily, Anna nodded. She then followed Mary down the hallway into the room. Her body froze. Right across from her stood Alex Green. He had that same cunning smirk on his face as he did the last time she saw him. Her stomach lurched and she had to control the desire to turn and run away.

She took a few steps forward. Then the four of them all sat down. Anna attempted to keep her eyes on Mary, but they kept being drawn to Alex. His eyes didn't leave her. He had this look on his face that said he had already won.

"We want an amino done," Carlisle began. Anna dropped her eyes from Alex and swallowed hard. She could see Mary shaking her head from the corner of her eye. Mary opened up her file and pulled out some paperwork.

"Here is a letter from her doctor stating that Ms. Smith will not be getting one. She has a high risk pregnancy," Mary told them. Carlisle took the paper and laughed.

"Your sister is her doctor? You really want me to believe this paperwork isn't a fabricated lie?"

"It's not," Mary strongly stated. "My sister is a doctor and she happens to be Ms. Smith's doctor. You can read that Anna suffers from high blood pressure that is caused by stress. An amino could add unnecessary stress, which could lead to a premature birth or harm to Ms. Smith or the baby."

"We can take this to court now. The judge can force her to get the amino," Carlisle pointed out. "There is no way that a note from your sister and with you as her best friend will be enough evidence not to have it done."

Anna hands covered her belly and she was so grateful that Carson was where she could still protect her. She feared what would happen when she was born. For now she was safe.

"We will get a second opinion from a doctor at another hospital if we have to, Mr. Carlisle," Mary countered. "You and I both know that Mr. Green has no rights until after the baby is born and the DNA test has been done. Why do you need it ten weeks early?"

"So that Mr. Green can have instant access to his child, Mrs. Crawley," Carlisle responded.

"He wouldn't anyway. You know that. You're just trying to hurt Ms. Smith," Mary answered. "Which," she added, "could also hurt the child that Mr. Green says he cares so much about."

Carlisle let out a loud breath and Alex whispered something into his ear.

"Alright, we'll settle for a paternity test right after the child is born. Then once the results come back and there is proof that Mr. Green is the father, we will ask for 50-50 custody."

Anna's eyes jerked up. Her head shook and she could feel her body trembling. "No…" she murmured. Mary's hand came to cover hers, to remind her to stay quiet. Alex chuckled. Anna's eyes met his again. Looking back at her was the same look he had given her right after he had climbed off of her. He was completely confident and proud of what he was doing.

"Why?" Anna asked, her lower lip trembling with anger. "Why are you doing this?"

"Anna," Mary said under her breath, as she tightened her hand over hers. "Let me handle this."

Mary did a quick shake of her head and smiled unnervingly toward Carlisle, "What makes you so sure that he's the father? And if that so happens, what makes you think you'll get 50-50? The baby will be an infant. Ms. Smith wants to breastfeed. At most, the judge will give him visitation. This area is very mom friendly. Fathers don't get 50-50 here. Not to mention Mr. Green's violent past. You'll be lucky if they don't throw this entire case out."

"The violent past is all hearsay. Interesting that Mr. Smith here filed against Mr. Green after he came for custody of the child. One could say she's lying," Carlisle turned his attention to Anna, which made her more uncomfortable.

"I'm not talking about Ms. Smith," Mary said, as she pulled several pieces of paper from her folder. "There are several accounts from women accusing Mr. Green of sexually assaulting them."

Anna's eyes widened. Mary hadn't informed her of this new information. Carlisle's lip fell slightly and he took the paperwork from Mary. He quickly glanced through the papers and did a shake of his head.

"None of these have been brought to court," Carlisle said. He stacked them together and flippantly placed them back in front of Mary.

"Yes, because you and Mr. Gillingham paid him off. Why do you two cover for Mr. Green like this? Is he that great of an employer to you both? What exactly does he bring to the table?"

"This isn't done," Carlisle stated, standing up. "These girls won't speak up in court."

"Yes, because they can't. You made them sign a gag order," Mary simply stated. "But I have proof of those. I think the judge will be highly interested in Mr. Green's past and if that makes him qualified to be near a child, don't you?" Mary confidently asked. She stood as well.

"We're not done. Plus, you and I both know the judge will still likely allow him to see his child, Mrs. Crawley. We aren't stopping this without a bitter fight. Be prepared."

"Oh we are, Mr. Carlisle. Don't you worry." Carlisle and Alex left the room. Anna sat back emotions swirling all around her.

"Is that true? All of those girls?" Mary nodded. "How…how many?"

"Five," Mary answered. "They won't be able to speak out and help us, Anna, but there are likely others who didn't speak out. If we could find them…."

"No," Anna said, shaking her head. "I won't force other women who have been attacked to speak up. It's not right. Can't we use the gag orders?" Mary nodded.

"Yes, we can. And we will. Would you like me to go and get John?"

"In a minute, I need to go to the bathroom."

Anna stood. She was overwhelmed. Mary had found important information that could help her case. She wondered what else Mary had in her back pocket. Perhaps this would be done sooner than later.

As she entered the bathroom, she went straight to the sink to splash water over her face. Her body was still shaking from the meeting and she wasn't sure when it would feel like normal again. She grabbed a paper towel and placed it under the tap. Then she wet her face and closed her eyes. The door opened behind her, but she thought nothing of it. It was a public bathroom in a public building. However, when she opened her eyes, she gasped.

"What…what are you doing here? You….you can't be in here."

"You won't keep my child from me, Anna."

Anna took in a shuddering breath and turned to face him. Her lower lip began to tremble and she bit down on it to calm it.

"Why are you doing this? What…what do you want with her?" Her eyes glanced around, looking for a way out, but he was blocking the door.

Alex took a step forward and his lips curled into a menacing grin. "Her? It's a girl?" Anna inhaled sharply. She hadn't meant to give that away. They hadn't even told her parents they were having a girl.

"What does it matter to you?" Anna countered.

"Well, I was hoping for a boy, but I guess we can't choose."

"Why a boy?" Anna said, feeling more confident. "Why? So you could teach him how to intimidate women like you do?"

"Don't all men want a son?" He stated, his eyes darkening.

"She's not yours," Anna told him, covering her hands over her belly. "You won't get her."

"Oh I will," Alex countered. "You and your old boyfriend won't get to play this happy family that you have dreaming up in that head of yours. You know she's mine. I see it on your face. That old man is not."

"I'm not afraid of you, Alex," Anna said, attempting to keep her voice even. He stepped closer to her and brought his hand up to her face, gently brushing against her cheek, making her flinch.

"Oh you should be," Alex murmured, stepping back. "You should be scared, Anna. Very scared."

To be continued...

Thanks for reading! Thanks in advance for any comments. And always thanks to lemacd for helping me talk out plot points and give me some ideas. I hope to update again soon!