"The Neighbors"
Y'all got excited about that last chapter and had some words about Josh and his parents. Now let's see how everything is about to unfold…
Rated M for Mature Content.
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Their eyes meet; Josh, his father and his mother, a plan silently forming between them. While Maya sits in the waiting area next to her true love oblivious to her and her baby's manipulated fate…
Chapter 32: So Many Plans
Maya POV
I can't help but feel a chill from the Graysons after their visit with their son. Something's changed but I'm not quite sure what it is. Miriam is like an iceberg, icier than usual, and I can't get a good read on Joseph but at least he's being cordial. I look to my parents to talk to them and nod to Emily that I will be okay as I go in to see Josh alone…
I gently push open the door to Josh's room, "Hey, can I come in?"
He waves me in while he adjusts the bed to be a bit more upright.
"Maya, you look beautiful," he says opening his arms to me.
"Thanks," I say not sure what else to say.
"How's our little girl doing?" He asks feeling my belly with fatherly love.
"Well, I've been tired lately but doing my best to eat right and as active as I'm allowed to be so she should be fine. Anyway it's a relief to have your parents here helping out. It felt a bit overwhelming when I thought that I would be your sole care giver but it feels incredibly good to have so much support," I let out a sigh.
"Am I a burden to you?" He asks making an assumption from what I just said.
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant I'm glad I can take some time to get stronger so our baby will be unaffected by the trauma we suffered from the car accident. And like I said I've been tired lately."
"Maya, I'm so sorry about that. I never meant for that to happen," he's really getting emotional putting his hands over his face to hide it.
I start feeling guilty again so I take his wrist pulling his hand away from his face to hold it in both of mine.
"Josh, a lot happened. You know that. But our baby's health and yours is everyone's priority. Hopefully with your parents being here you'll heal faster so you can be walking on your own by the time our baby is born. You want that don't you?"
"Of course. I would do anything for that," he places his other hand over mine.
"Then let's not go bringing up the past. Let's concentrate on the present. Josh, the doctor wants me to take fewer trips to…."
"What do you mean?" he interrupts.
"Just that I won't be here every day. Your parents will come on the days that I can't. Please don't be upset. It's best for my health and the baby's. You agree don't you?" I ask needing to hear him say it.
"Sure. I understand," he releases my hand.
The nurse knocks on the door to let me know that Josh needs to go to physical therapy for his legs which gives me the perfect excuse to leave.
"Josh, remember you need this. You have to get stronger for your daughter. I'll come by at the end of the week. Okay?" I kiss him on the forehead.
This seems to calm him as he caresses my arm before I go.
"You're right. I'll see you at the end of the week," he smiles.
But right when I get to the door he surprises me when he says, "Maya. I love you."
I take a breath. I turn to look at him. And the only thing I'm able to do is smile. I walk out of his room knowing that was a crushing blow for him but I can't say it back. Not the way he wants me to...
Emily gets to me before I reach mine and Josh's parents. She can tell that something isn't right.
"Hey, Maya, are you okay?" she asks just like you would want your true love to do. She knew right away that something was wrong.
I smile and whisper, "I'll tell you later when we're alone."
She understands the situation and the many eyes that are watching so she doesn't push me.
We walk over to the others and I say, "Josh has physical therapy now so it's probably a good time to get going."
"Okay dear. Let's get an early dinner and head back on the train."
"Thanks mom, I'd like that."
"Miriam and Joseph, would you like to join us?" My wonderful girlfriend asks.
Miriam is about to say something but Joseph speaks over her, "Thank you Emily for the invitation but it's been a long day for my wife and I so I think we'll go back to the hotel for the evening."
"Will you be seeing Josh tomorrow?" I ask.
"Of course we will. He's our son," Miriam speaks with her natural ability to seem superior to the rest of us.
I so badly want to roll my eyes and I really hope I just didn't. I need them here so I don't have to be here every day. I know that sounds so selfish but I can't pretend all the time with him. It's emotionally exhausting.
"I just wanted to make sure that someone will be here. I'll be back at the end of the week per the doctor's orders," I explain.
"Is everything alright Maya," Joseph asks seemingly concerned which draws a look of ire from Miriam.
"Oh yes. Sorry I didn't mean to startle you. Umm the doctor thinks commuting and visiting every day will wear me out so I'm being limited to the number of times I can be here. But I'll definitely come by twice a week."
"Honey, you need to do what's best for you and the baby which means you need to do what the doctor told you to do," my mom supports my decision for which I thank her with a smile.
"Well then, let's get going," my father says wanting to move this along.
We exchange pleasantries and go our separate ways…
At the hotel…
Narrator POV
"It took everything I had to not say what I really think of that harlot!" Miriam finally explodes.
"I know dear. But I still care for the girl."
"You what?" she whips her body around glaring.
"Miriam, I think Maya genuinely cares for Josh. I think she wants him in their child's life as a father. But I'm not sure forcing her to be with him is the answer," he says shaking his head.
"I have no idea why he would want to build his future with that woman. I would rather he sue for custody and never let her near that baby! She needs to be punished for what she did to our Joshua. I will not have her tarnishing the Grayson family name!"
"We agreed with our son's plan. Are you saying we should change that plan without telling Josh?"
"First, we need to speak with our attorneys about Joshua being given sole custody of our granddaughter. Secondly, we will put Maya on that plane but not by drugging her. Our legal team will slap her with a lawsuit suggesting sole custody and she'll have no choice but to board that plane. Thirdly, when she has the baby, we will take her passport and her identity back to the states leaving her there with nothing!"
"Miriam! Doesn't that seem a bit extreme? You know Josh wants to rebuild a life with her! How are we going to leave her there and take him and the baby with us?"
"If Joshua doesn't return with us then we will raise their baby as her proud grandparents. She will be brought up to be a respectable young lady and keep the Grayson family name free from scandal!"
"I'm not raising another child!"
"Neither am I. Our Au pair will! The agency will find the perfect young woman to teach our granddaughter proper etiquette and groom her to command respect the way our family deserves!"
Joseph takes his wife in his arms and says, "I have to say Miriam, your intellect is by far my seduction of choice…"
At the Sullivans…
Maya POV
Before my parents retire for the evening I ask to speak with them. I am extremely nervous to tell them about Emily but I have to. The burden of the stress is weakening me. I need to let it all out and the only way I can is to admit to my parents who I really am…
"Mom? Dad?"
"What is it Maya?" my mom asks sensing the nervous urgency in my voice.
"I haven't told you everything yet."
"Everything?" my father says a bit confused.
"Can we sit on the couch for a minute?" I beg not ask.
"If that's what you need us to do," my mom can see the struggle within me.
Once we're all sitting with my mom between me and my dad I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Take your time dear," my mom gently caresses my back, nurturing me like she used to do when I was a toddler.
"Josh…"
"What about Josh?" My father's voice deepens.
"Josh has been away a lot for work. I've been lonely."
I can see the look in their eyes telling me they know what I'm about to say but they really don't. I look down at my fingers laced together fidgeting as I try to tell my story.
"Then the Sullivans moved in next door. Ryan, Emily's husband, accepted a job at the same company Josh works for. So, Josh and Ryan haven't been home much because both of their jobs have them traveling quite a bit."
I take another breath.
"It was only natural that Emily and I would be spending time together. We've become great friends, best friends even."
"That's a good thing, isn't it?" My father asks still confused but I don't think my mom is anymore.
"We even started working at the gallery together, shopping together, swimming together, pretty much doing everything together. I didn't plan for it to happen. It just did," I keep my eyes down.
"What the hell are you talking about Maya?" My father has yet to decode what I'm saying.
"Frank! For god's sake, she's saying that Emily is more than just a friend!" My mom blurts out.
"What do you mean she's more than just a friend?" He needs to hear me say it.
"Mom, dad," I slowly move my head up so I can look them in the eyes when I say, "I'm in love with Emily."
At first, they look, not shocked but numb, however, when the tears roll down my face they look compassionate.
"Mom, dad, I'm divorcing Josh and one day I'm going to marry Emily and we're going to raise our baby together," I look down placing my hand over my belly.
"Oh Maya, are you happy with Emily? Does she make you happy?" My mom asks.
"Yes, mom, more than anyone could. I love her so much and…."
"I love Maya," her voice brings my parents attention behind us.
She walks over to the couch and sits down next to me. Her arms corral me and I cry against her. I'm so happy she's here with me at this moment.
"I love your daughter more than I thought I could love anyone. We never meant for this to happen but it did and I'm so happy it did. We love each other and we want a future together."
My mom clears her throat and wipes away the tears from just underneath her eyes, "This is all so…Maya, are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes mom, I know it in my heart and in my soul. Emily's love is the love that was missing in my life. I didn't even realize it until I opened my heart to her."
I steady myself sitting up smiling at my girl and without giving it a thought I kiss her sweetly on the lips right in front of my parents.
"Oh Maya, if this really is what you want for you then this is what I want for you too," she embraces the two of us crying with us.
But my dad hasn't said anything. I lean forward trying to find his reaction in his eyes but he stands up before I can gauge him.
"Maya. This all happened so fast. You're in your second trimester so you were with Josh and Emily? I need to understand this."
"I was feeling guilty about my feelings for Emily so I stayed with Josh to try to free myself of that guilt. I wasn't thinking about protection because I was thinking about Emily. And now I'm pregnant."
"You were married for six years Maya. How can you be so sure?"
"Are you sure about mom?"
"Of course I am! It's not the same thing!"
"Yes it is. I finally have the love that you and mom have. I just don't have it with Josh. I have it with Emily."
"Does Josh know about Emily?"
"Yes. That's how the accident happened."
"What do you mean?"
"Josh was taking me upstate to a coworker's cabin to try and convince me not to leave him. I'm not really sure what happened because I was asleep but he hit the gravel at a high speed. The brakes skidded through the loose dirt and we crashed."
"Dammit Maya, why didn't you tell us your marriage was in trouble!"
"Because I thought I could fix it! He knew I was pregnant! There's no way he would hurt me!"
"But he did hurt you and now look at the mess you're in!"
"No dad, you're wrong!" I stand up to confront him.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I told Josh that I'm not staying with him. I told him I choose Emily. He knows we're in love!"
"Really? It sure didn't seem that way."
Emily stands up behind me placing her hands on my shoulders reassuring me that it's going to be okay and that she's there for me.
"You're right. He's claiming amnesia," Emily speaks for me.
"Amnesia?"
"Yes. He says he doesn't remember any new neighbors."
"And you don't believe him?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because when I was with Maya in the hospital I snuck in to see him while she was occupied with the nurses. I told him that your daughter and I are in love and that I'm going to protect her from him at all costs. And he grabbed my wrist and he wouldn't let go."
My mom stands up, "He tried to hurt you?"
"Yes. But the nurses came in and he let go. I think he knew what he was doing and he knows who I am and he knows that Maya is going to divorce him."
"Why would he pretend?"
"He thinks he can convince Maya to love him again and not leave him."
"Have you called the authorities?"
"And say what? We can't prove that he remembers. And I feel like I owe it to him to help him through this."
"You don't owe him anything! Not after the way he treated you! I don't want you anywhere near him!" My father commands.
"Dad, I have to. I won't let my daughter not know her father. And we don't even know if he's faking. We're just as much in the dark about it as you are."
"I don't like this."
"Mom, I'm never alone with him. There's always a nurse or now the two of you and Josh's parents."
"Do they know about you and Emily?"
"I'm not sure. I didn't tell them but Josh could have if he really doesn't have amnesia."
"Maya, now that I have the whole story it makes a huge difference."
"Dad…"
"Emily, you better take care of her, do you hear me? She's still my little girl."
"Yes, of course, sir, I would do anything for her."
"Good. Because your mother and I are going to get you the best lawyer."
"Why?"
"You're not going back to him. And when he finally comes to terms with that he's going to sue for sole custody and he could win."
"How?"
"You had and are still having an affair and you're leaving your husband for your lover, a woman."
"He wouldn't do that."
"Wouldn't he? We're preparing for the worst case scenario. You don't go near him without one of us and you play the concerned soon to be ex-wife and you play the hell out of it!"
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep my baby," I look up at Emily, "our baby."
"Maya, come here," My dad outstretches his arms and I rush over to him just like daddy's little girl. He gives me a warm, loving, fatherly hug.
"I love you daddy."
"I love you too My. I love you and I'm sure I'll grow to love Emily too."
My free flowing tears won't stop. My lip quivers. I look up to him and he smiles as more tears flood my eyes and I fall into his arms needing his strength and his love to protect me and keep me safe.
Once I've calmed myself and we all come to an agreement about Josh and we all say our 'I love yous' to each other, my parents retire for the evening leaving me alone on the couch with Emily.
"Do you want to get going?" she asks holding me in her arms.
"In a minute. Em, do you really think Josh would take her away?"
"Unfortunately, I think your dad is right to be so concerned. You need to protect your rights."
"I know. I guess I was hoping for a miracle."
"Yeah. No one wants a nasty custody battle but we need to be realistic."
"You're right. My dad's right. I'm just glad he's taking charge. I, I can't right now."
"He knows. You need to be healthy for your baby."
I snuggle into her, "Our baby. I love you Emily."
"I love you too Maya."
Emily POV…
Maya falls asleep in my arms but my mind keeps going over and over what her dad said. I can't let Josh raise this baby. I can't. I shift my body to get more comfortable and as I do the pillows behind me knock something off of the end table. I reach for it picking it up from the floor. It's an envelope addressed to Josh. I check to make sure Maya's still sleeping and I open it. I take out the letter and something else falls out with it. I read the letter and then pick up its contents in my hand. A smile forms across my face. This is it! This is how Maya will raise her baby without any worries of a custody battle. I put the contents back into the envelope and slip it under the couch cushion. It will be my secret for now. I hug Maya tightly knowing for absolute certainty that she and I and our baby will live happily ever after…
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To Be Continued…