A Womb With A View by Kakie
Chapter 3
Larry turned on the lamp and lit a cigarette. He had quit smoking after law school but started again after moving to Detroit. It was the only way to help him deal with the anxiety he felt after leaving. Ally would have a fit if she saw him. She didn't approve of smoking. However, she was in the bed asleep where he left her. He ran his hand over the couch and could have sworn it was still warm from where they made love hours before. More than anything, he wanted to crawl back into that bed and make love again. But it wasn't going to solve their problems. On the plane, he had worked out a game plan based on her reaction. He didn't think she would jump into his arms and suggest they find a justice of the peace but he also didn't think she would want to cut him out of his child's life completely. Sleeping with her was wrong. He never intended to do it. Not one of his scenarios included having sex. Certainly not three times.
Larry blew out the last of the smoke and stubbed out the cigarette. He had a goal and he had to stay focused on his agenda. The first thing he had to do was get her to trust him again. That wasn't going to be easy, in fact it may be impossible. But he was determined. However, sleeping with her wasn't going to help his case, in fact it may make it harder, if that's possible. The second item on his agenda was convincing her that he would be a good father to their child. He had to convince her that he would be a better father than he was to Sam in the beginning. Another impossible challenge but he was up to it.
The third item was to convince her that he wanted the three of them to be a real family, with two parents who love and are committed to each other and their child. His final hope was by the time Ally delivered in February, all three of these goals were met and they were happily married.
He looked at the clock on the VCR and saw that it was nearing five in the morning. He needed to find a way to deal with what happened without making things worse and decide on his next course of action. After a while, he grabbed a pen and paper from her desk and started to write.
Ally opened her eyes suddenly. Something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what. She tried to focus her eyes on the clock. It was after seven. She turned on her side and saw the imprint of a head on the pillow beside her. It hadn't been a dream. Larry had been there. She sat up and tried to remember what happened.
She remembered crying in his arms, his kiss and then wanting him more than anything else in the world. She shook her head. She couldn't believe she let it happen, much less give in to it with so much passion. She would have to tell him that, although it was an incredible night, it was a mistake and it didn't change anything. But first should would have to find him.
"Larry?"
Silence.
"Larry?"
Again, nothing.
She grabbed her bathrobe and went looking for him. She found a note on the kitchen table. A note from Larry. Her hands began to shake. "What am I doing? What could he possibly say in that note that I don't already know?" She opened the envelope and starting reading.
Dear Ally
You were sleeping so peaceful, I didn't have the heart to wake you and say goodbye. I wanted to but after last night, I figured both you and the baby needed rest. About last night, it should not have happened. It was amazing being with you again but mixing the past with the present won't resolve this. I don't regret it for a second. As I told you last night, I'm giving you that time and space you wanted. As much as it pains me, I won't be contacting you during that time. If you need to reach me for anything, day or night, I have enclosed my business card with all my numbers on it. Otherwise, I will see you in a few weeks. Take care of yourself. Love Larry
Ally read the letter a second time and then a third time. It was uncanny that he knew exactly what was in her heart and head.
Larry opened the door to his apartment and heard the phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Larry, it's me."
"Ally," he said with a smile on his face. "I'm happy to hear from you. How are you and the baby?"
"That's why I'm calling. I was just released from the hospital."
Larry's knees buckled and he slid on to the couch.
"The hospital? Why, what happened?"
"I started bleeding and John took me to the hospital."
Larry's heart was pounding and his hands were shaking. "Is the baby."
"We're both okay but I've been confined to bed rest for the next few weeks."
Larry closed his eyes and took deep breaths. "So you're both okay?"
In Boston, Ally was sitting up in bed. The day had taken its toll on her but she wanted to talk to him, to hear his voice. "Yeah, we're both okay. Healthy heart beats all around."
"I'm relieved. Did you hire someone to take care of you?"
"Take care of me? Larry, I've been taking care of myself for quite a while now. I'll be okay."
"I'd just feel better if someone was there helping you."
Touched by his concern, she ran her hand over her slightly swollen belly. "The two of us will be fine. Stop being such an overly concerned father."
"That's the first time you've referred to me as the father and sounded content about it."
Ally snuggled deep inside the covers. "Well, you are the father. There's no changing that. We just have to find a way to deal with it."
In Detroit, Larry stared at the phone. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Could she have changed that much in three weeks? "And we will. Look, Ally, about that night and the note, I didn't mean."
"Larry," she interrupted, "I don't blame you for what happened nor am I angry it did. Chalk it up to nostalgia."
Larry shook his head in disbelief. Was she really saying these things? "I'm glad you're not upset. The last thing I want to do is upset you."
"I'm not upset. Nervous about what happened today and exhausted but I'm not angry or upset with you."
"Good." He made some mental notes. "Today's Monday, I'll be back in Boston a week from this Friday."
"Larry, there's no reason for you to come here."
"Don't argue with me, you won't win. You never do."
Ally smiled into her pillow. For the first time in months, she felt happy. Her baby was healthy, and the anger she had felt towards him for so long wasn't there anymore.
"Fine, come if you want. I can't stop you."
Larry grinned. "That's the best invitation I've had all week."
A knock at the door interrupted Ally's nap the next morning. She opened it to find an older woman at the door.
"Ms. McBeal?"
"Yes, I'm Ally McBeal. Who are you?"
"I'm Mrs. Thompson from Stafford Services." She handed Ally her card.
Ally looked over the card and then up at the lady. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Thompson, I'm not sure what it is you want from me."
Mrs. Thompson looked surprised and confused. "From you? No, you have it backwards. I'm here to help you. The agency sent me."
"Mrs. Thompson, I think there has been some sort of mistake. I have never heard of Stafford Services and I didn't call for help."
Mrs. Thompson frowned. "But you are Ally McBeal, yes?"
"Yes."
"And this is your address?" She showed Ally a computer printout.
"Yes, that's my address."
Mrs. Thompson began skimming the paper. "He was very specific in what he wanted for you."
Ally was confused. "He who?"
Mrs. Thompson's eyes never left the printout. "Here it is. Larry Paul. Does that name sound familiar to you?"
Ally started laughing. "Larry sent you? This is just too much. Larry hired me a nurse after I specifically told him not to?"
"I don't know about any discussion the two of you had but when Mr. Paul called first thing this morning he said he wanted someone to come and stay with you since you were under doctor's orders to remain in bed."
Ally shook her head in amazement. "Mrs. Thompson, I'm sorry for all the inconvenience this has cost you but as I told Larry last night, I don't need any help. I can manage on my own. I'm going to call him and hopefully by lunch you'll be with someone who needs your help." She picked up the phone.
"Ms. McBeal, before you call, may I be frank with you?"
Ally put the phone down. "Of course."
"Ms. McBeal, my husband and I are the owners of Stafford Services and this is the first time in years that I have shown up for a job myself. But listening to his concern over you and his unborn child, I felt that I should be here. He told me about your recent trip to the hospital and the doctor's orders to stay in bed. He was scared, Ms. McBeal, as any man would be when he can't he here to protect those he loves."
Ally swallowed hard. "Did he say that?"
"I believe his exact words were 'they mean everything to me'."
Ally sat down on the couch and tried to collect her thoughts.
"Ms. McBeal, I am the mother of five and the grandmother of twelve and have been married for forty-five years so I feel confident in telling you this. That man I spoke with on the phone loves you very much and is very scared for you. That's why I'm here to help you instead of one of my very capable employees. Why don't you give this a try? You might actually enjoy having me around."
Ally smiled at the kind woman in her living room. "Okay, Mrs. Thompson, we'll give this a try."
Ally closed the door to her bedroom and crawled into the bed. Mrs. Thompson was on her way to the market with a list. She nearly fainted when she saw Ally's nearly bare refrigerator. She tried to explain that take- out is much easier but she insisted on going to the store. When Ally tried to give her money, she waved it away. "Mr. Paul wants all charges sent directly to him. And that includes food."
Ally picked up the phone. She had a few words to say to Saint Larry.
"Hello?"
"Larry, it's me."
In Detroit, Larry dismissed his paralegal who was reporting on her research findings. Some things were more important.
"How are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling fine. By the way, I got your gift. She really doesn't go with the room."
Larry closed his eyes. He knew this was coming the moment he called Stafford Services. "Look, Ally, I know you said you didn't need any help and you're probably angry I did this but if you'll just listen to my reasons."
"Thank you."
Larry's eyes opened. "What?"
"I said thank you. Sometimes you can be the sweetest, most sensitive man in the world."
Larry made a mental note to have his ears checked. He was still hearing things he couldn't be hearing. "So, you're not mad?"
"I was at first but after listening to Mrs. Thompson's recount of her conversation with you and her thoughts on it, I realized how lucky I am to have you around. Of course if anyone would have told me two months ago that I'd have those thoughts about you, I'd thought they were nuts. But here I am."
"So, you're not angry?"
"No."
"Would you say you're pleased by what I did?"
"I wouldn't go that far."
Larry grinned. "But Mrs. Thompson survived her first meeting with you and you've agreed to let her stay with you?"
"I don't think I have a choice. I'm afraid who you might send next."
"I have to make sure you and our baby are okay. Indulge me in this."
Ally sighed. "Sometimes you make it hard to argue with you."
He chuckled. "That's the idea. Let Mrs. Thompson take care of you and I'll see you at the end of next week."
"Right, the end of next week."
Chapter 3
Larry turned on the lamp and lit a cigarette. He had quit smoking after law school but started again after moving to Detroit. It was the only way to help him deal with the anxiety he felt after leaving. Ally would have a fit if she saw him. She didn't approve of smoking. However, she was in the bed asleep where he left her. He ran his hand over the couch and could have sworn it was still warm from where they made love hours before. More than anything, he wanted to crawl back into that bed and make love again. But it wasn't going to solve their problems. On the plane, he had worked out a game plan based on her reaction. He didn't think she would jump into his arms and suggest they find a justice of the peace but he also didn't think she would want to cut him out of his child's life completely. Sleeping with her was wrong. He never intended to do it. Not one of his scenarios included having sex. Certainly not three times.
Larry blew out the last of the smoke and stubbed out the cigarette. He had a goal and he had to stay focused on his agenda. The first thing he had to do was get her to trust him again. That wasn't going to be easy, in fact it may be impossible. But he was determined. However, sleeping with her wasn't going to help his case, in fact it may make it harder, if that's possible. The second item on his agenda was convincing her that he would be a good father to their child. He had to convince her that he would be a better father than he was to Sam in the beginning. Another impossible challenge but he was up to it.
The third item was to convince her that he wanted the three of them to be a real family, with two parents who love and are committed to each other and their child. His final hope was by the time Ally delivered in February, all three of these goals were met and they were happily married.
He looked at the clock on the VCR and saw that it was nearing five in the morning. He needed to find a way to deal with what happened without making things worse and decide on his next course of action. After a while, he grabbed a pen and paper from her desk and started to write.
Ally opened her eyes suddenly. Something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what. She tried to focus her eyes on the clock. It was after seven. She turned on her side and saw the imprint of a head on the pillow beside her. It hadn't been a dream. Larry had been there. She sat up and tried to remember what happened.
She remembered crying in his arms, his kiss and then wanting him more than anything else in the world. She shook her head. She couldn't believe she let it happen, much less give in to it with so much passion. She would have to tell him that, although it was an incredible night, it was a mistake and it didn't change anything. But first should would have to find him.
"Larry?"
Silence.
"Larry?"
Again, nothing.
She grabbed her bathrobe and went looking for him. She found a note on the kitchen table. A note from Larry. Her hands began to shake. "What am I doing? What could he possibly say in that note that I don't already know?" She opened the envelope and starting reading.
Dear Ally
You were sleeping so peaceful, I didn't have the heart to wake you and say goodbye. I wanted to but after last night, I figured both you and the baby needed rest. About last night, it should not have happened. It was amazing being with you again but mixing the past with the present won't resolve this. I don't regret it for a second. As I told you last night, I'm giving you that time and space you wanted. As much as it pains me, I won't be contacting you during that time. If you need to reach me for anything, day or night, I have enclosed my business card with all my numbers on it. Otherwise, I will see you in a few weeks. Take care of yourself. Love Larry
Ally read the letter a second time and then a third time. It was uncanny that he knew exactly what was in her heart and head.
Larry opened the door to his apartment and heard the phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Larry, it's me."
"Ally," he said with a smile on his face. "I'm happy to hear from you. How are you and the baby?"
"That's why I'm calling. I was just released from the hospital."
Larry's knees buckled and he slid on to the couch.
"The hospital? Why, what happened?"
"I started bleeding and John took me to the hospital."
Larry's heart was pounding and his hands were shaking. "Is the baby."
"We're both okay but I've been confined to bed rest for the next few weeks."
Larry closed his eyes and took deep breaths. "So you're both okay?"
In Boston, Ally was sitting up in bed. The day had taken its toll on her but she wanted to talk to him, to hear his voice. "Yeah, we're both okay. Healthy heart beats all around."
"I'm relieved. Did you hire someone to take care of you?"
"Take care of me? Larry, I've been taking care of myself for quite a while now. I'll be okay."
"I'd just feel better if someone was there helping you."
Touched by his concern, she ran her hand over her slightly swollen belly. "The two of us will be fine. Stop being such an overly concerned father."
"That's the first time you've referred to me as the father and sounded content about it."
Ally snuggled deep inside the covers. "Well, you are the father. There's no changing that. We just have to find a way to deal with it."
In Detroit, Larry stared at the phone. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Could she have changed that much in three weeks? "And we will. Look, Ally, about that night and the note, I didn't mean."
"Larry," she interrupted, "I don't blame you for what happened nor am I angry it did. Chalk it up to nostalgia."
Larry shook his head in disbelief. Was she really saying these things? "I'm glad you're not upset. The last thing I want to do is upset you."
"I'm not upset. Nervous about what happened today and exhausted but I'm not angry or upset with you."
"Good." He made some mental notes. "Today's Monday, I'll be back in Boston a week from this Friday."
"Larry, there's no reason for you to come here."
"Don't argue with me, you won't win. You never do."
Ally smiled into her pillow. For the first time in months, she felt happy. Her baby was healthy, and the anger she had felt towards him for so long wasn't there anymore.
"Fine, come if you want. I can't stop you."
Larry grinned. "That's the best invitation I've had all week."
A knock at the door interrupted Ally's nap the next morning. She opened it to find an older woman at the door.
"Ms. McBeal?"
"Yes, I'm Ally McBeal. Who are you?"
"I'm Mrs. Thompson from Stafford Services." She handed Ally her card.
Ally looked over the card and then up at the lady. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Thompson, I'm not sure what it is you want from me."
Mrs. Thompson looked surprised and confused. "From you? No, you have it backwards. I'm here to help you. The agency sent me."
"Mrs. Thompson, I think there has been some sort of mistake. I have never heard of Stafford Services and I didn't call for help."
Mrs. Thompson frowned. "But you are Ally McBeal, yes?"
"Yes."
"And this is your address?" She showed Ally a computer printout.
"Yes, that's my address."
Mrs. Thompson began skimming the paper. "He was very specific in what he wanted for you."
Ally was confused. "He who?"
Mrs. Thompson's eyes never left the printout. "Here it is. Larry Paul. Does that name sound familiar to you?"
Ally started laughing. "Larry sent you? This is just too much. Larry hired me a nurse after I specifically told him not to?"
"I don't know about any discussion the two of you had but when Mr. Paul called first thing this morning he said he wanted someone to come and stay with you since you were under doctor's orders to remain in bed."
Ally shook her head in amazement. "Mrs. Thompson, I'm sorry for all the inconvenience this has cost you but as I told Larry last night, I don't need any help. I can manage on my own. I'm going to call him and hopefully by lunch you'll be with someone who needs your help." She picked up the phone.
"Ms. McBeal, before you call, may I be frank with you?"
Ally put the phone down. "Of course."
"Ms. McBeal, my husband and I are the owners of Stafford Services and this is the first time in years that I have shown up for a job myself. But listening to his concern over you and his unborn child, I felt that I should be here. He told me about your recent trip to the hospital and the doctor's orders to stay in bed. He was scared, Ms. McBeal, as any man would be when he can't he here to protect those he loves."
Ally swallowed hard. "Did he say that?"
"I believe his exact words were 'they mean everything to me'."
Ally sat down on the couch and tried to collect her thoughts.
"Ms. McBeal, I am the mother of five and the grandmother of twelve and have been married for forty-five years so I feel confident in telling you this. That man I spoke with on the phone loves you very much and is very scared for you. That's why I'm here to help you instead of one of my very capable employees. Why don't you give this a try? You might actually enjoy having me around."
Ally smiled at the kind woman in her living room. "Okay, Mrs. Thompson, we'll give this a try."
Ally closed the door to her bedroom and crawled into the bed. Mrs. Thompson was on her way to the market with a list. She nearly fainted when she saw Ally's nearly bare refrigerator. She tried to explain that take- out is much easier but she insisted on going to the store. When Ally tried to give her money, she waved it away. "Mr. Paul wants all charges sent directly to him. And that includes food."
Ally picked up the phone. She had a few words to say to Saint Larry.
"Hello?"
"Larry, it's me."
In Detroit, Larry dismissed his paralegal who was reporting on her research findings. Some things were more important.
"How are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling fine. By the way, I got your gift. She really doesn't go with the room."
Larry closed his eyes. He knew this was coming the moment he called Stafford Services. "Look, Ally, I know you said you didn't need any help and you're probably angry I did this but if you'll just listen to my reasons."
"Thank you."
Larry's eyes opened. "What?"
"I said thank you. Sometimes you can be the sweetest, most sensitive man in the world."
Larry made a mental note to have his ears checked. He was still hearing things he couldn't be hearing. "So, you're not mad?"
"I was at first but after listening to Mrs. Thompson's recount of her conversation with you and her thoughts on it, I realized how lucky I am to have you around. Of course if anyone would have told me two months ago that I'd have those thoughts about you, I'd thought they were nuts. But here I am."
"So, you're not angry?"
"No."
"Would you say you're pleased by what I did?"
"I wouldn't go that far."
Larry grinned. "But Mrs. Thompson survived her first meeting with you and you've agreed to let her stay with you?"
"I don't think I have a choice. I'm afraid who you might send next."
"I have to make sure you and our baby are okay. Indulge me in this."
Ally sighed. "Sometimes you make it hard to argue with you."
He chuckled. "That's the idea. Let Mrs. Thompson take care of you and I'll see you at the end of next week."
"Right, the end of next week."
