Chapter 3

My world comes crumbling down

In the morning when I had woken, I immediately wanted to go back to bed. But I had to drag myself out of bed, and get ready for my meeting with Lydia Becker.

I went into the kitchen to start breakfast, when I felt someone's hands on my waist. I jumped and turned around. Brad was looking at me with sleepy eyes, a soft smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said, and kissed me. I sighed.

"You scared me pretty good," I muttered, and turned around to drop some butter in the pan to make eggs.

"Sorry," he said, and sat down at the table. I cracked an egg into the pan and turned to him.

"How did you sleep?" I asked as I curled up into his lap.

"OK, and you?"

"OK," I lied, shrugging. He smiled.

"What time are we supposed to be at our lawyers' office?" He asked, kissing my cheek and wrapping his arms around me.

"At twelve," I announced and sighed. I stood up and finished making breakfast. I sat down and ate quietly.

"You look tired," Brad noticed. I sighed.

"I didn't get much sleep," I confessed.

"Another nightmare?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe you should see a doctor about it," he suggested. I shook my head.

"They'll go away eventually," I assured myself and Brad. He shrugged.

"Just a suggestion," he muttered, then finished his plate. He put it in the sink.

"I'm going to get into the shower," he announced, and walked into the bedroom. I sighed and did the dishes before I dressed. I looked at the clock nervously. It was nearing twelve quickly. I sighed and looked at Brad.

"There isn't anything to be nervous about," Brad told me. I nodded.

"Let's go," I demanded, grabbed my purse, and left the apartment building. I crawled into my car, and started for her law firm.

As I pulled up, my heart thumped nervously the closer I got. I parked, stepped out of the car, and waited for Brad to pull up. He held my hand and entered the building. I walked up to the desk, and asked for Mrs. Becker.

"She'll be right with you," the woman told us, and I looked at the office door. Soon, she opened it.

She was an attractive woman, with styled brown hair, and hazel eyes. She was about 5'8. She smiled.

"Skye Lawrence?" she asked. I nodded and walked over to her.

"Pleased to meet you," she said, offering her hand. I shook it and walked inside her office, with Brad tagging along. She shut the door and hurried over to her desk.

"Let's get right to business, shall we?" she asked. "Oh, and who is this?"

"This," I said, nodding towards Brad. "Is Brad Collington. My boyfriend." She smiled. I sat down in the chairs in front of the desk. Brad did the same.

"Now, let's deal with the deed for Dark Shadows," she said quickly, pulling out a manilla folder. She flipped though the documents and pulled out one.

"I contacted Mr. James' Lawyer and got these documents. He is aware of the situation," she added. I blew air through my lips. How could she call this a. . . situation?

She scanned the document quickly, and frowned.

"What?" I snapped, leaning over to look.

"It says that . . ." she put on the glasses that were hanging on her neck. "That the title of the house goes to-Oh, you read it," she thrust the document in my direction. I decided to read it out loud.

"In any condition, should one, Mr. Zachary James, be imprisoned, deceased, or sued in a court of law, the house, Dark Shadows, should be entitled to the first born child of A Mrs. Victoria Lawrence." I looked up.

"There must be a printing mistake. He didn't know my mother before that time," I said softly, looking at Brad. He shrugged.

"But there shouldn't be a mistake," Lydia said, snatching the document from my hands and reading it for herself. She looked up.

"There is no mistake Skye," she said firmly. I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Did you have an older brother, or sister?" She asked. I shook my head.

"It's only me," I whispered.

"Then he must be your father," she reasoned. I gasped.

"No, it can't be, no, it can't be!" I cried, standing up.

"But it must be!" Lydia retorted.

"But, my mother didn't meet him at that time!" I nearly screamed. I vision popped into my head.

"Fine! Leave! I'm glad your leaving! I wish I had never married you! I feel sorry for the ass who marries you next!" Zach shouted. "Here, I'll help you pack!" I heard him throwing things in Mommy's suitcase. I sighed. Once they had packed what she wanted, she left the room, slamming the door behind her. She stopped in front of my room, then flung the door open.

"Skye, I'm leaving," she boasted, a suitcase in each hand. I stared at her and shrugged.

"Like I haven't heard that before," I said, standing up. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"I've been meaning to tell you something, if you haven't heard that before," she snapped.

I sighed. "What is it?"

"It's about your father." My eyebrows shot up. She sat down on the chair.

"Skye, I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time." She sighed. "OK. While your father and I were married, I met this dashingly handsome man. He was charming and witty, which made my attraction towards him stronger. When your father was on vacation, the man had come by for a visit. I let him inside, and we talked, over wine, and we all know what happens when I drink. Somehow, we ended up in bed together, and 2 weeks later, I found out that I pregnant, with you." My heart stopped beating. I stared at her blankly, my eyes beginning to burn. Daddy, wasn't my Daddy? I bit my lip.

"You father does know about this. He said on the day that you were born, that he would always be a father to you, biological or not. He always did love you, and he always will," she said, taking my hand. I snatched it away quickly, tears welling in my eyes. Mommy's eyes watered.

I gasped. No, she couldn't be talking about Zach when she was telling me that! She couldn't have been! Doubt filled my head.

"It can't be!" I shouted.

"You are the only child of Victoria Lawrence, aren't you?" I nodded.

"Reasonable deducting tells me that you, are Zachary James's daughter." My heart stopped.

"No! No! No!" I screamed, beating my fists against my thighs. Brad leaped up, ready to restrain me. My head felt light, my vision grew blurry.

"No," I whispered one last time, before I closed my eyes and everything went black.

I woke up in Brad's arms, his hand waving in front of me and trying to give me air. I moaned and looked around. Lydia was pacing around the room, her hands behind her back, shaking her head. Brad sighed.

"You finally came to," he said. I nodded and sat up.

"What happened?"

"You passed out. I guess it was the initial shock of learning that you were. . . " his voice trailed off. I didn't want him to say it. I couldn't hear the words.

"Oh dear," Lydia said when she had finally realized that I had woken. "How are you feeling?" I grunted with response.

"I can't believe this," I muttered.

"We must continue with the business," she ordered, walking back over to her desk and sitting down slowly. My eyes widened.

"You, are going to conduct business, when your client, has just passed out!" I shouted. She raised her eyebrows and looked over the bridge of her glasses.

"We have things to take care of," she said coldly. I helped myself to my feet.

"Then we are through here. Thank you for your services. I hope you sleep well tonight," I snapped, slung my purse over my shoulder, and stormed out of the office. Brad grabbed my arm, and pulled me into his embrace. I started to cry, right in the middle the lobby. Brad stroked my hair back.

"Don't cry darling, don't cry," he crooned as I sobbed. How could I not cry? I just realized that my father had raped me, and married me, and knew it the whole time! I wanted to scream, kick, punch something, but I didn't and just stayed in Brad's embrace. I looked up.

"Let's go home," I whispered, closing my eyes. Brad took my hand, and we walked outside to our cars. I crawled into mine and started the journey home.

Once we had arrived, I ran into the house and flung myself onto my bed, burying my face into the pillow and sobbing. Brad hurried upstairs and ran to comfort me.

"Brad," I whispered. "Why does this happen to me?" I don't think he had an answer for me. He rocked me back and forth in his arms.

"This isn't fair."

"Life isn't fair darling. It never was. Now rest, and get some sleep. You've had a big day," he said. I looked at the clock. It was only twelve forty-five. It was too early to be crying. I reluctantly lay myself down, lowering my head to the pillow and closing my eyes.

"Yes, that's it," Brad said softly. He kissed my wet cheeks, and his lips traveled down my neck, down to the collar of my shirt. He reached for the buttons and started to unbutton them, but I grabbed his hands.

"Brad," I said shakily.

"Okay, I'm sorry," he apologized, and lay beside me. I curled up into a ball, and closed my eyes. This couldn't be happening to me!

"Zachary? Why can't we have a Christmas ball? That would be so much fun!" Mommy cried.

"No, Victoria. I spoil you too much. I'm putting my foot down on this one."

"But you give Skye all the things that she wants!" she protested.

"Because Skye is very special."

"I'm not special? I'm your wife!" she shouted.

"You're never around!" He sighed. "How can you say that I don't give you what you want? I send you to Europe! I give you expensive clothes, money, anything you want!" He retorted back.

"It's still not enough!" she screamed.

"You are selfish! I've never seen someone so selfish in my life!"

"Oh yeah! Well, you won't have to deal with my selfishness anymore. I'm leaving you! For good!" she yelled.

"Fine! Leave! I'm glad your leaving! I wish I had never married you! I feel sorry for the ass who marries you next!" he shouted. "Here, I'll help you pack!" I heard him throwing things in Mommy's suitcase. I sighed. Once they had packed what she wanted, she left the room, slamming the door behind her. She stopped in front of my room, then flung the door open.

"Skye, I'm leaving," she boasted, a suitcase in each hand. I stared at her and shrugged.

"Like I haven't heard that before," I said, standing up. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"I've been meaning to tell you something, if you haven't heard that before," she snapped.

I sighed. "What is it?"

"It's about your father." My eyebrows shot up. She sat down on the chair.

"Skye, I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time." She sighed. "OK. While your father and I were married, I met this dashingly handsome man. He was charming and witty, which made my attraction towards him stronger. When your father was on vacation, the man had come by for a visit. I let him inside, and we talked, over wine, and we all know what happens when I drink. Somehow, we ended up in bed together, and 2 weeks later, I found out that I pregnant, with you." My heart stopped beating. I stared at her blankly, my eyes beginning to burn. Daddy, wasn't my Daddy? I bit my lip.

"You father does know about this. He said on the day that you were born, that he would always be a father to you, biological or not. He always did love you, and he always will," she said, taking my hand. I snatched it away quickly, tears welling in my eyes. Mommy's eyes water.

"My own daughter doesn't even love me! This isn't my fault!" she cried, leaping to her feet.

"It's not your fault?" I asked calmly, standing. "It's not your fault?" I spun around to face her slowly. "OF COURSE IT IS!" I screamed, turning my gaze on her. She burst out into tears and ran out of the room, running with the suitcase. I slammed the door behind her, and flung myself on the bed, tears traveling down my cheeks.

I slowly woke up. Another dream, I thought. I sighed and ran my hand down my face. I looked at Brad. He was sleeping soundly. I leaned over, kissed him softly, and stood up. He moaned and reached out for me, but I quieted him, and he went back to sleep. I walked into the bathroom, made myself suitable, and headed out the door. I was making a special visit to someone.

As I drove to the county jail, I wondered if I was doing the right thing. Was I really doing the right thing by confronting Zach about this? Or should I turn around and go home? I shook off my thoughts and pulled into the parking lot. Some of the inmates were doing trash clean up, but none of them were Zach. I stepped out of my car, and walked into the building.

"I'd like to see Mr. Zachary James please," I asked the officer at the desk. He looked at me then smiled.

"Aren't you his step daughter?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"Right this way," he said, and walked down the long hall. He went into another hallway, and returned later, escorting me to the visitors room. Zach was brought in, and sat at the other side of the glass panel. I sat down calmly and picked up the telephone. He looked up, and smiled when he saw me.

"Skye, how nice to see you," he said, propping himself up on his elbows. I sighed.

"It's nice to see you too."

"I thought you would never see me again. How is the house?"

"It's fine."

"Skye, I still love you. Don't you know that? Why aren't you getting me out of here?" He asked desperately. I sighed again.

"Zach, I think this is where you belong. This is where you need to be. You should never be let out of here," I said firmly. His smile faded.

"Just remember Skye, we are still married."

"I'm working on getting out of the marriage."

"What!" He shouted.

"You heard me loud and clear Zachary James. I will no longer be in this marriage. You know I never wanted it in the first place."

"But you said yes!" He hissed.

"I had no choice!" I exclaimed. "If I didn't, you were going to kill me!" He growled.

"Get me out of here. That is what you have come to do."

"That is not what I have come to do Zachary. I have come to tell you something devastating." He raised his eyebrows.

"And what would that be?"

"You should know," I snapped. "I'm your daughter." He stared at me for a moment, then leaned back and folded his hands across his chest, and positioned the phone between his shoulder and ear.

"You're my daughter?" He asked. I sighed.

"But Victoria told me-"

"Whatever she told you was probably a lie," I interrupted.

"Victoria told me that you had an older brother." I laughed.

"My, my, she's quite a good story teller, isn't she?" I asked. He narrowed his eyes.

"Don't mock her," he commanded.

"Well, unfortunately for you Zach, I am your daughter. Do you know what this means? You raped your daughter Four times! You married your daughter, you fell insanely in love with your daughter!" I screamed into the phone. He stared back at me.

"I will always love you Skye. Daughter or not," he said coolly. I stood up.

"You're a sick man Zachary James! And when the courts find out about this, you'll be locked away for life!" I screamed, then slammed the phone down.

"Skye!" Zach bellowed as I marched out of the room. He pounded on the glass panel and waited before an officer cuffed him and sent him back to his cell. He belongs there, I thought.

"Hey," the officer that had brought me, called, storming over to him. "What happened?"

"Mr. . . Mr.-

"Officer Thomas Clarke," he said.

"Officer Clarke, that is none of your business," I snapped.

"Well, I just wanted to know," he said softly. I stopped.

"That man is sick. That is all you need to know," I told him. He smiled softly and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"I can help comfort you," he said, then suddenly pressed his lips on top of mine. I pulled back sharply and slapped him.

"How dare you!" I shouted, then stomped away, my heels clicking against the cold ground. Officer Thomas called after me, but I ignored him and ran to my car and slithered inside. I sighed and honked the horn angrily. I stared the car and headed for home.

Once I had arrived, Brad was at the table, an expression of worry on his face. He leaped up.

"Where have you been?" he questioned.

"I went to take care of some errands," I said, dropping my purse on the counter and kicking off my shoes. Brad walked over to me and grabbed my arm.

"Where the hell have you been?" he asked coldly. It sent a shiver up my spine. I had never seen this side of Brad before. It scared me. "I've been up since you left, wondering where you could have gone. Where did you go?"

"I- I went to go visit Zach!" I cried desperately, pulling my arm away from his grip. He softened his gaze.

"Why didn't you just tell me that?" he asked frantically. I started to cry.

"I don't know," I wailed, then proceeded to tell him about what had happened. He sighed.

"I guess I shouldn't have been so harsh," he said softly. I shrugged.

"You were just caring," I muttered, then smiled. Then, a brilliant idea popped into my head as my smile grew wider.

"What?" Brad asked softly.

"Oh, nothing," I said sweetly, then went into my room.

Oh Mommy, I can't wait to see you again.