CHAPTER 3

She was used to men admiring her, but at the party, a few men gave her an eerie feeling. She could feel their eyes on her all night and she got more and more uptight as the evening went on. They would talk to each other like it was her they were talking about. This made her uncomfortable because the life that she left in Chicago, still haunted her. She had never seen them before, but their eyes made her nervous.

In the car on the way home from the party, Phoebe was quiet. She was consumed by her thoughts of events from the party. She was mad at Linda for hanging on Cole, but mostly she was upset that Cole didn't try to stop her. Phoebe felt insecure as it was, being nine months pregnant and all. She was also disturbed at the men she saw watching her all night. One of them even asked her to dance, but when Cole saw him take her hand and kiss it, he cut them off and danced with Phoebe himself. She could see Cole's frustration when Cole walked up to them after the man kissed her hand, and she tried to calm him by talking about the baby as they danced. She didn't feel like talking about the men. She never told Cole about Abe, but when he would catch her being skittish, she would tell him it was just old habits. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts about the night, she almost jumped out of her skin, when Cole slid her dress back with his hand reaching the inside of her thigh.

"Shit Cole! You scared me, please not now." She said trying to calm her tone, moving his hand away.

Cole had noticed Phoebe deep in thought, and wondered what she was thinking. She looked so stunning that he wanted to grab her around a corner and take her at the party. They often escaped from the crowd at these parties and did so, but Phoebe wasn't feeling very spontaneous lately.

"Phoebe, what is the matter with you?" Cole asked shocked by her reaction to his touch. She was always inviting even being nine months, but now she seemed cold.

Phoebe could hear the hurt in Cole's voice, but she was still upset.

"Hormones?" Cole asked while touching her stomach.

"No, Cole, maybe if you would have paid more attention to me instead of Linda tonight, you would know what the matter is!" Phoebe shot back at him.

She shocked herself at what came out of her mouth, but she had spit it out so fast, she couldn't take it back. Cole took his hand from her stomach and put it on the steering wheel, rolling his eyes.

"Phoebe, how many times do I have to tell you? Linda is business only. She is just friendly, and she is that way to everybody." Cole said irritated.

"Oh, no, she would love to sink her claws into you! Oh, wait, she already has! And anyway she is a bitch and I hate her, I don't care if she is your partner or not! It doesn't change a thing!" Phoebe said shocked again at what she was hearing from her own mouth.

Cole was just silent. Phoebe wished she wouldn't have said that, because she knew how loyal Cole was to her and it hurt him when she accused him. She knew that it wasn't Cole and Linda that made her mad, but she couldn't put her finger on what did. Maybe the men, or maybe hormones. She didn't really know, but now Cole was distant and he looked straight at the road while driving home.

"What? Now you are mad at me?" She asked more calmly trying to control her tongue.

"I don't need this Phoebe, I'm sorry if you felt alone tonight, but it looked like you found friends to me. At least when the music started." Cole said sharply as he felt the rage of jealousy coming over him.

Phoebe knew he was referring to the men, and she realized Cole had noticed the men staring at her.

"Cole, I am sorry for snapping at you, I am just tired and the baby is making me uncomfortable. Just take me home baby." She said hoping she had convinced him so he wouldn't ask questions about the men.

After all she really didn't know them, she just was suspicious. She scooted beside him, and laid her head on his shoulder. Cole put his arm around Phoebe and pulled her tight, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

"Just relax Phoebe I'll take care of you." He said in a softer voice.

She could feel his body relaxing at her touch. Phoebe shut her eyes and felt a little better. She could always take comfort in his strong arms, even when she was bothered.

They laid in bed that night and Cole put his ear to Phoebe's stomach. He gently caressed her belly and whispered,

"Sorry if daddy hurt you baby, he just loves mommy so much."

Phoebe just ran her fingers through his black curls and smiled. He kissed her stomach and soon fell asleep while lying on her. She fell asleep soon after.

That next morning, Cole got up trying not to wake Phoebe. He got ready for an early meeting with some business investors, or that's what he thought. He kissed Phoebe good-bye, and went on his way. Phoebe woke up with a sick feeling. She saw Cole had left a note on the pillow, it read: Phoebe, I had an early meeting with some investors. Sorry I didn't wake you, but you looked so peaceful. I love you and I'll see you this evening. Love Cole

For some reason Phoebe was not comforted by this note. She still had the sick feeling. Even through the day, she had the feeling, until the doorbell rang. Then she found out why. Suddenly she heard something that sent shocking chills down to her toes and broke her thought.

"Phoebe" a voice said.

She sat straight up in bed and in a panicked voice said,

"Cole!" She caught her breath and observed her bedroom.

Noticing that she was soaked with sweat, her heart was racing. She went to her daughter's room and found her sound asleep. She went downstairs to the main room and sat on the wicker chair by the window. She was trying to collect her thoughts when she heard the voice again.

"Phoebe…help me!" She stood up with shaky legs,

"I hear you baby" she said looking around the dark room.