A/N: It's me again, thanks for your fantastic reviews, they really boost my craetivity :D So, there's this Nadalind campaign going-on on Twitter to support Adalind and Nadalind, if you guys are interested, you simply post whatever you want with HT NadalindStrong, NadalindForver or NadalindFamily :)
Enjoy the new chap
Chapter 05 : "Never ask a baker what went into a pie. Just eat." George RR Martin
Sometimes, we underestimate the extent of our mistakes until we see their reflection on someone's disappointed face. Who knew, I'd feel so much shame from hiding my pregnancy from Nick when not so long ago, I thought it was the best thing to do? Kelly shakes her head repeatedly as I admit that her son has no idea he's about to become a father. I could see each emotion on her face as I proceeded to tell her what happened; Surprise when I said it was Nick's baby, Embarrassment when I told her it was a one night stand, shock when I said I was more than six months pregnant and last but not least utter disappointment when I confessed I never told Nick about it.
She sighs unhappily "Why?"
I concentrate my gaze on the blue sheets that I ford and unfold nervously, too afraid to meet Kelly's fierce brown eyes. She's right, why did I hide it from him? What was I really scared of?
"Rejection" I mutter under my breath in a barely audible voice, but Kelly's sharp, she never misses a beat.
"What?" she wonders in an incredulous tone and I feel like a three year old again, caught stealing from the cookie jar. I lift my eyes to stare directly at her "I was afraid he wouldn't want the baby, I think I just wanted to avoid being in a position where I'd have to tell my baby that his father didn't want to have anything to do with him when he asked few years from now"
When the words leave my mouth, I realize how inconsistent they are. I mean I don't know much about Nick, but what little I know of him is that he's a man with principles and values, he would have taken his responsibilities if I told him the truth.
"This is not how I raised my son, Adalind" I barely recognize her cold voice, luckily another agent interrupts our conversation as he storms in the room.
"Agent Burkhardt" he calls her, his face devoid of any emotion
Kelly glares at me one last time before leaving the room "We're not done yet"
I watch her silhouette disappear in the hallway, then drown a little more in my shame. She's going to tell Nick, or worse, she'll ask me to tell him. OMG, I'm so not ready to confront him. What if he's back with Juliette? I'm not up for a ménage a trois. Holly cow, how did I get myself in this mess? Oh right, alcohol…If alcohol was a person, I'd sue it until it's thrown in jail for life.
I don't think alcohol is the only one to blame, my inner voice says in a sarcastic tone
Shut up, conscience, you're nothing but a kill joy.
Holidays, this is exactly what I need. Taking few days off, away from all this drama and it would buy some time before I tell Nick. I already picture beautiful beaches, with white sand and delicious fruit cocktails.
"Hawai is a good option" I think to myself with a small smile
"Don't even consider it" Kelly's stern expression tells me not to mess with her. Did I mention this woman is a ninja? Yeah, you never hear her getting in or out. I'd love to have such a power.
I roll my eyes "I'm not, I was just relinquishing in the possibility"
She grabs my bag and helps me stand up "Come-on, I'm taking you home" she orders, guess we'll have a long conversation on the way and cherry on the cake! I won't have anywhere to escape.
Kelly helps me settle in the passenger seat, then hops in behind the wheel, while she starts the car, I notice a police car following us. That's weird. I waited for them to take another way, but they're still tailing us.
"Why is a Police car following us?" I wonder, still staring in the lateral mirror
"The vehicle was a rental car, the owner said he rented it to Tony Frasier" when she notices my blank expression, she explains "Frasier has a record the size of a novel for minor infractions, drugs, robbery…About two years ago, he was thrown in jail for another offense, there, he met another inmate who had links with BC, less than a month later, both of them were released and we hadn't heard of Tony until today" my blood turns ice cold as realization hits, this is what Sean meant, this man was trying to kill me. No matter how hard I try, I can never escape Sean. The revelation feels like a stab in the heart
Kelly carries on "We're placing you under high protection. One officer will stay outside the house, while a second one will be permanently inside with you, until we have it figured out" she hesitates briefly before adding "Nothing will happen to you, I don't want you to worry, especially with your condition" she brings the car to a stop outside my house, then reaches for my hand "It's going to be ok, I won't let him hurt you" I turn to face her, resisting the urge to put my head on her shoulder and cry. With her thumb, she wipes away a tear that escaped my eye "Have some rest and call Nick tomorrow"
Although I'm apprehensive of my confrontation with Nick, I nod in agreement and drag myself reluctantly toward my house, the weight of today's events making each step I take heavier than the previous one. With Sean so keen on torturing me, I wonder if I can ever have the normal life I wish for.
As soon as I open the door, I hear someone calling my name, I turn around to see a chubby blond man, with a contagious smile "Miss Schade, I'm the agent assigned to you" he extends his hand "Rupert Wurstner, but everybody calls me Bud"
I shake his hand "I'm Adalind…errr…Welcome to my house, I guess"
I give Bud a quick tour of the house, during which I learn more things about his life than I do about most people I've known for years. Yeah, he's the talkative type. Not really what I needed with my migraine, but he sounds so genuine and nice than I decide to follow through. When I show him the guest room, Bud explains that he prefers to stay in the living room because it is the most strategic room in my house, as he can keep an eye on everything from here.
Once in the bathroom, I hop in the shower and let the hot water wash away my fatigue and hurt. After so much restraint, I let myself fall to the tiled floor, big drops of water hitting me hard while I let agony take over under the form of childish sobs. I cry my loneliness, my pain, my uncertain future with my kids.
What seems like forever later, I finally go to bed and settle in Morpheus arms. Sleep takes over, wiping some of my anguish for the night. Tomorrow will be another day, I tell myself reassuringly.
I dream of George Clooney preparing breakfast for me while the wonderful smell of coffee and waffles caresses my nostrils. The moment he sees me, George flashes me his trademark toothpaste add smile and I pray my hair is not sticking in different directions from sleep, I bring my hand quickly to my mouth to wipe any trace of saliva…Adalind, don't worry, you stopped salivating in your sleep when you were thirteen…Oh that's right…Hey, George, why are you fading away? Wait…George…And before I know it, it's Nick who's standing behind my kitchen counter, pointing a spatula at me…I take a step back and he charges toward me…
Sweat covers my whole body as I open my eyes abruptly "It was just a dream…just a dream" weird, because I still smell coffee and waffles. I hurry to the bathroom, wash my face and brush my teeth, just in case it's a repeat of the George Clooney scene.
"Oh, Good morning Miss Schade" Bud greets me, well my relationship with George was doomed to fail with my daily growing belly getting in the way "I made waffles, you like 'em?"
I sit on a stool in front of him and give him a smile "I love them"
Bud's relieved expression warms my heart; he places a plate of waffles and a mug of coffee, while he tells me about his wife's appetite during her four pregnancies. Bud has two girls and two boys. His wife phoebe cooks the best apple-pies known to mankind and I can attest of it, because Phoebe gave Bud a full pie before he came here and I told him he could store it in my fridge.
After a delicious breakfast in very good company I head to my room and get ready for work. Agent Morales, is the policeman in charge of my safety during work hours. He remains posted outside the building. Luckily, I'm staying exclusively in the office today. No courtroom, no errands to run, just paperwork and phone calls to make. Time flies by quite quickly and it's already time to go home.
"…But, actually, cinnamon is the real secret" Bud carries on with his cooking tips, when the bell rings. Bud jumps instantly to his feet and stops me from opening the door, he checks who's behind, then opens it.
A tall woman, in a black suit and curled dark hair slips inside "Kelly" but my smile falters as soon as I see the familiar face behind her. Light brown hair, two days stubble, unique green eyes and a toned body that would give a run to the best male models out there…Nick Burkhardt, i.e my baby's father, in case you don't remember.
"Hey Nick" Bud greets him happily, which gives me time to take Kelly aside and speak to her
"What's he doing here?" I whisper-yell
Kelly rolls her eyes at me, spiking my irritation even more "You're a grown woman, you shouldn't roll your eyes" I scold
"Are you implying I'm old?" she glares
Haha, deflecting the conversation is a good tactic, except I'm a lawyer, I'm all too well acquainted with all those shenanigans
"Adalind, you need to tell him" she shrugs in all seriousness
I sigh "Can't you tell him?" I plead. It would be so much easier if she just told him, then I'd deal with the aftermath.
She shakes her head adamantly
I frown "I thought you liked me like your own kids"
"No, I said like an extension of my family"
"Same difference" I flare
But before I have time to reply, Nick interrupts us. He takes slow strides in my direction, making my heart hide behind layers of fear and shame, with each step he takes. I turn left, then right, looking for the easiest escape, but Kelly's groan makes me change my mind. A second later, she disappears with Bud in the kitchen, giving us unwanted privacy.
"So, my mom said we needed to talk" he gives me that same old annoyed expression I get whenever he sees me. Geez, what's the best way to tell a man with whom you have a chaotic relationship that you're expecting his child?
Nick, see that big belly, guess what, there's a baby inside…Haha and you'll never believe it, it's yours
Nope, not a good idea. I'll try another one
Hey Nick, have you ever considered having kids? Good, because this one is yours
"I…So, umm…" I stumble upon my words, while Nick stares at me like I'm some dumb person and he's trying to decipher what I'm saying.
Fortunately, Bud reappears in the living room holding a plate of apple-pie "Don't worry Adalind, I left a slice for your baby's father" he smiles reassuringly at me "Agent Kelly Burkhardt told me he was here…I suppose she meant he's coming here…" he doesn't give me time to say a word, Kelly fights a smile when she sees my horrified expression "I mean, does he like pie?" he finally stops babbling and stares at me with his brows hunched together.
Beat beat/ Beat beat
Inhale/ Exhale
Not many options here, I stare at Kelly and she's purple red from the laughter she's fighting, I stare at Bud, he's still waiting for an answer, I stare at Nick and he raises an eyebrow at me, clearly wondering why I'm having a hard time answering such a simple question.
"I don't know" I face Nick again and exhale deeply "Do you like pie?"