But that thought scares me. If he didn’t do it, why would he have had anything to be afraid of?
“Lavinia, I don’t know what to say.”
“They took him away like some kind of criminal. I was breastfeeding Jenna when they… They showed up. It was like in the movies.”
“I know how you feel.” My voice cracks with each word. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I don’t know. The only thing we need right now is a lawyer as good as the one Alex had.” She starts sobbing so hard I can barely hear her anymore. “I can’t believe it. Something is not right.”
“Yes. We have to believe that it’s another mistake. That they will let him go. You know it happens.”
I stay on the phone with Lavinia for a full hour, listening to her sobbing. I do my best to comfort her, but it doesn’t work. We finally hang up and I promise to call her in a few hours. I also promise that I’ll talk to Alex to ask if there’s any chance the lawyer who represented him could help Jeffrey out. The thing is, I don’t know how much that lawyer costs. Marcy paid for his services.
Before Alex comes back into the house, I say a silent prayer for my friend, that her husband will be released, and she will not have to deal with the worst kind of pain for long.
But I still can’t stop myself from returning to the night Jeffrey told me I had to leave. There was something in his eyes that made him look like a different person from the man I used to know.
What if he did it? What would I do?
No, he didn’t do it. He was only reacting like any normal person would react in the situation. He wanted to protect his family. If I had learned something from all of this, it’s not to judge someone before knowing the whole story.
When Alex comes back into the house, his eyes are red-rimmed. I give him a minute to get into bed, then I ask about the lawyer. He confirms that he’s a good friend of his mother’s and he was actually doing her a favor.
I beg him to call his mother and ask if she can help in some way. I hate asking Marcy for anything, but I’m desperate.
Alex drops the phone within less than five minutes of calling her and explaining the situation.
“She said no. I’m sorry.”
Feeling helpless, I send Lavinia a text to let her know the bad news. She doesn’t respond.
Alex manages to fall asleep again, but with so much on my mind and my heartburn flaring up, I can’t force myself to. I keep getting out of bed to use the bathroom, where I just end up pacing. Finally, I head to the kitchen to make myself some tea.
Halfway down the stairs, pain strikes my abdomen, bringing me to a halt. I lean against the railing to catch my breath. Something tickles my thigh, and I look down.
Blood. So much blood.
No, it can’t be. Not again.
Hugging my belly with both hands, a scream explodes from me.
I continue to hold my stomach, hoping I can keep my baby inside until it’s safe to come out, but my body is growing weaker by the second.
I try to call for Alex, but the only thing that comes out is a roar of pain. Then I sink to the steps and my head slumps forward. My eyes are starting to close. I try to keep them open, but I’m failing.
Footfalls pound down the steps, then Alex’s voice reaches me, but it’s faint, distant. I try to make out what he’s saying, but my eyes close and darkness falls over me.
Chapter 17
My baby. She’s perfect.
She has a head full of curly hair the same color as mine. I can’t see her eyes yet because they’re closed, the dark eyelashes fanning the top of her flushed cheeks.
I hold my breath, afraid to breathe in case I break the special moment between us. I’ve waited so long to meet her, to hold her in my arms.
I wouldn’t have minded if we got a boy first, but now I can’t think of anything more wonderful than my baby daughter.
A warm glow flows through me when I inhale the scent of powder and baby lotion. I bend down to kiss the top of her warm head.
