Manuel’s shocked face tells me he didn’t realize Sophia is sporting a baby bump. “I’m going to be a grandfather?” he asks incredulously.
“I imagine today has been a bit of a shock for you, Manuel,” I reply with an understanding smile.
“Short time to wait, Dominic,” Tucker says from the front window. “Looks like her mother is home now.”
“She went to buy groceries. Let me help her get them in. We’d love for all of you to stay and eat with us,” Manuel offers. “I’m not quite ready to let my baby girl leave yet.”
She’smybaby girl, but I won’t correct him on that just yet. “Let me talk to Sophia and see how she’s holding up.”
Manuel walks out to the car and approaches Sarah, Sophia’s mother. His animated gestures clearly explain that he’s telling her what has transpired in her absence. The color drains from her face and she drops the bag in her hand as she runs to the door.
“Sophia!” she calls out as she bounds into the room. “Sophia!”
The bathroom door opens and Sophia cautiously walks back into the room. Stopping in the doorway, she and her mother stare at each other for several ticks of the clock before Sarah breaks the silence.
“Sophia,” she sobs as the tears start flowing. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Why wouldn’t she be okay, Mrs. Vasco?” I ask, getting to the point.
“Who are you?” she asks in return and we all introduce ourselves.
“Shawn called me,” she glances around nervously, now answering my question. “He told me that Harrison was obsessed with you, Mr. Powers, and that he would stop at nothing until he ruined you.”
“Did he say why? Why is he so fixated on Mr. Powers?” Shadow asks.
“Shawn just said that Harrison is so jealous of everything Mr. Powers has. Harrison says he could’ve had it all, too, if Mr. Powers had just given him a job.”
“Jealousy and greed are one of the most common motives of all crime,” Manuel sighs.
“He kept saying that Harrison would send him to prison for a long time if Sophia didn’t give back what was his. Shawn wouldn’t ever tell me what it was the she supposedly took, so I called her to see if she could help Shawn,” Sarah explained.
“She didn’t take anything from him, Mrs. Vasco. She left him and he wanted her back. That’s what he meant,” I reply.
Realizing Sophia hasn’t said a word yet, my concern for her wellbeing grows. She’s leaning against the doorframe, all the color is drained from her face, and her hand is across her stomach. Crossing the room in two giant strides, I lean into her and wrap my arms around her.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I ask quietly to avoid drawing attention as the others continue to talk.
“I don’t feel well, Dominic,” she whispers back.
“Too much stress on you?” I ask.
“No, I don’t think that’s it. I think I need to lie down.”
Sarah notices something isn’t right and hesitantly walks over to us. “Is everything alright? Can I get you anything?”
“We really should be going. Sophia’s pregnant and she isn’t feeling well. She needs to rest,” I tell her.
“You can rest in here, Sophia,” she says, pointing down the hallway. “The spare bedroom is quiet and comfortable. Manuel said he invited all of you to stay and eat with us, so you can take a nap while I cook. We’ll take turns checking on you.”
“I agree with her, Sophia. I don’t want to put more stress on you by traveling if we don’t have to.”
“Okay,” she says weakly, “I’ll go rest now.”
We get Sophia settled in the bed and Sarah asks if she can get her anything. “I remember saltine crackers and Sprite helped her morning sickness,” I reply and sit on the bed.
She chuckles lightly, “I was the same way. I’ll be right back.”
“Should I be concerned that you so readily agreed to rest here? Are you feeling that badly?” I ask as I lovingly stroke Sophia’s hand.
