Evil with a D

Chapter 20

Image: Xavier

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     Stepping back, Stacy watched the workers as they moved around doing the jobs assigned to them. It'd been two weeks since they'd bought the building and started work on it. She'd been there just about every day since the work had started. Lucas had already started the advertising for her and she'd gotten numerous calls for not only future students, but for dancers looking for work. Stacy only knew ballet and knew her studio wouldn't survive on just that so she'd decided to start looking for teachers for other kinds of dance as well.
     She looked over when the front door opened, smiling when Lucas stepped in. She all but bounced over to him, arms going around his neck and gave him a light kiss. "How's Greg? I thought he'd be home by now."
     Lucas let out a small sigh and shook his head. "His shell is finished, however I'd like to work with him a little more. We still haven't figured out how or why it shattered in the first place." He said as he watched a worker wander by carrying two five pound paint buckets. "I never had to work with Greg on his control. He died too young for it. It'll be harder now that he'd older." Lucas said with a small sigh. "We need to take him out of school."
     "Oh, Lucas. We can't do that. Why don't I call in and tell them he's in the hospital or something. See if I can get some homework packets. He's a straight A student so they should be more than willing to help."
     Lucas frowned as he watched her. "Stacy, I don't know how long this will take."
     " I know, but he'll fall so far behind if we pull him out now."
     "You do know he already has a high school diploma right? And some college classes under his belt."
     "....Seriously? I mean I knew he was smart...and older than he looked..."
     "He's only a straight A student because he already knows everything they're teaching."
     "That sneak," Stacy hissed though she laughed a little. "It doesn't matter. I just mean if he suddenly drops out it could raise questions. And before you say anything about memory wipe or being able to forge papers, I just think it's doing him good being in a school with kids his age. I'll ask about independent study or something and claim it's health related. When you two get everything sorted he's able to go back to school without anything disrupting his grades that way."
     Lucas frowned a little. "You're not going to let this go are you?" he shook his head when Stacy smiled and shook her head. "Okay fine. I'll talk to him when I see him later today."
     "Or, I could just go with you." Stacy rested her hands on his chest as she leaned into him. "You still have yet to show me this castle you claim to have." she frowned when Lucas grabbed her hands and stepped back.
    "No. You will stay here. I'm not taking you there Stacy. Too many things could go wrong and I won't see you hurt."
    Stacy let out a small sigh as she watched him. "Is it really that dangerous?"
     "It could be if more people find out about you. I have a lot of enemies who would love nothing more than to use you to get to me."
     There was a moment's hesitation after hearing that. "Fine, fine. I'm going to head over to my parents house. Mom's been turning my room into the new nursery. I said I'd come over to help since my dad is still being a grade A-hole." she said with a small scoff as she moved to grab her purse and the bag holding everything she brought daily to the studio.
     "It'll be okay Stacy. He just needs time to adjust. Hell, he never even thought he'd have another kid and now they're in their mid-forties."
     "I know, but they're still young...ish. People have had kids in their fifties and older. I just...wish he'd calm down a little. Mom doesn't need this kind of stress during her pregnancy you know." she shouldered her bag as she moved back to him. "I'm going to start helping her when I can until dad comes around. If he ever does."
     "He will. Would you like a ride over? You walked right?"
     "No, my car is in the lot. David's been giving me more time off since he found a girl to take my place. Gives me more time to get the studio ready." Lucas walked with her when they started to the door, holding it open for her. "Well, wish me luck. I'm off to a war zone." she said with a laugh, leaning in to kiss his cheek. She smiled when he gave her a light kiss before they both turned away and moved to their cars.
     Stacy pulled into the driveway behind her father's Buick, raising a brow when she found the garage door up and Frank working on the lawn mower. She shook her head as she moved toward him, tapping on his shoulder lightly. "I didn't know the mower needed work."
     "It doesn't." Frank said as he pulled another part off.
     "Umm...then why are you taking it apart?"
     "I'm trying to keep busy so your mother won't come after me with a paint brush again."
     "Ah. Yeah she never comes out here." Stacy said as she rolled her eyes and started into the house. "Mom?" Stacy set her purse on the hall table and started up the stairs.
     "Hi Honey!" Monika called back from the nursery. She was in the process of finishing up the last wall to be painted in Stacy's old room. The walls, which had once been lavender, were now a powder blue so light they were almost white. There were a couple unopened boxes of furniture piled in the middle of the room so her mother could paint.
     "Nice color." Stacy said as she stepped into the room and smiled.
     "Is your father still sulking in the garage?" Monika asked as she bent to wet her roller again.
     It wasn't hard to miss the bump forming now that her mother hit the four month mark. She wasn't large, but the bump was noticeable now. "Yes, apparently the lawn mower needs work." with a small laugh she moved toward her mother. "So, want me to start on the furniture?"
     "No. I want the paint to dry first. It shouldn't take too long. This is already the second coat."
     "I'll do it tomorrow. So, what else do you need?" she asked as she looked around.
     "Nothing for now."
     Stacy nodded, watching her mother. "Why is he so against this?"
     Monika let out a sigh, moving to sit on one of the boxes. "We're already told you that it was difficult for me. I miscarried twice before you and even then I had a rocky pregnancy. I was put on bed rest at six months because I started spotting and having labor pains. The doctors started to worry and warned me you might be a still birth." Monika reached out, taking Stacy's hand to pull her closer and smiled as she reached up to pat her cheek lightly. "I didn't think I had it in me to lose another baby. I prayed every day that you'd make it. That I'd finally have a child. It was hard on your father too. I have a feeling he started blaming himself for my failed pregnancies, believed it was because of what he was and that he was being punished. Even after the doctors assured us no one was at fault. Though I think that only sealed his thinking it was all him.
     "When I hit eight months and went into labor we thought we were losing you. You were born pre-mature and so small." Monika whispered as she brushed at Stacy's hair, eyes dampening. Stacy reached up to place a hand on her mothers. "They had to put you in an incubator. I couldn't even hold you for a month and a half without worrying that I'd make you sick. Even the doctors worried because I'd had a difficult birthing and you were so underweight." Monika shifted a little, patting the space next to her until Stacy took the hint and sat, hand squeezing her mother's lightly. She hadn't wanted to bring up bad memories for her. "Your father was so scared we'd lose you he didn't even want to leave the hospital. But we came in one day and it was like we had a completely different child. You were wiggling around and crying out to be fed," Monika let out a laugh as she wiped at her eyes. "You looked so healthy it was like that whole month hadn't even happened. Like it'd been a dream." Monika fell silent as she looked to the window. "I think that's why your father was so against this. I'm not sure if he could handle losing another baby or have the strength to face a child being born with the risk of dying. He loves too much for it. Even if he's not good at showing it."
     Stacy shifted, watching their hands with a small smile. "I can see it. He was always way over protective of me. Always there to catch me before I could fall or stop anyone from being mean to me. Okay, he was probably way, WAY too over protective, but I still love him for it."
     "He's a wonderful father and it always hurt me that no matter how hard we tried after you, that we couldn't have another. We finally gave up because we worried that if we did there was the chance I could lose it. Finding out I was pregnant, it was like a miracle. I can't give him up Stacy. Not after how difficult it was before. It's different this time. I can feel it. Everything is going to be fine. He's going to be healthy and strong."
     Stacy smiled as she leaned into Monika. "I really want to believe you're right. I'm going to send you as many positive thoughts as I can."
     Monika laughed, kissing the top of Stacy's head as she leaned back. Neither noticed Frank in the hall leaning by the door as he listened to them. He slipped away, tip toeing back to the stairs. He stopped in the garage, hands resting on his hips as he glanced around. Turning he slipped back into the house and grabbed his keys, hurrying out to his car. He frowned when he found his Buick blocked by Stacy's car. Letting out an annoyed sound he tried to figure something else out. He turned and walked back into the garage, knowing there really was no way around it. He'd have to wait until Stacy left before he could go to the hardware store. Frank passed the time by putting the lawn mower back together, cleaning the garage and did some yard work. When dinner came he sat at his end of the table silent as Monika and Stacy chatted about what they were going to do with the baby's room. Frank waited until Stacy left and Monika went up for her nightly bath before he left, only having an hour to get to the hardware store and do his shopping.
     Frank chose his supplies carefully, wanting to make sure the pieces he chose would work well with the gift he was going to make for Monika. It'd need to be breathtaking to even come close to making up for the ass he'd been. He only hoped it'd start to close the rift that had started to grow between them. One he'd been stupid enough to create. He finished in the store with ten minutes to spare, glad he'd been able to without rushing too much. It was already dark by the time he backed into the driveway and started to unload the supplies into the garage. He went inside long enough to get himself water before returning to the garage to start drawing out his plans. He couldn't actually start building anything until morning anyway without waking Monika.
     It was close to three when he dropped onto his comforter with a sigh. It'd become his normal sleeping space since he'd found the couch more uncomfortable than he remembered. Frank was jolted awake two hours later by Monika in the kitchen making breakfast. While they'd pretty much stopped talking, he was grateful that she still cooked. He knew he would've starved considering he wasn't even allowed in her kitchen most days. Frank hesitated before he stood, groaning as he stretched the stiffness from his muscles. He listened for a moment and then slipped quietly into the garage to start his plans.
     Monika frowned as she stood all but glaring at the garage door, arms crossed over her chest. Three days. It'd been three days since Frank had locked himself in. Only coming out to eat, and sleep. She reached out again to try the door handle, not surprised to find it locked since she'd only tired the same thing moments earlier. She was sure Frank didn't hear the handle since the power tools had started going since after he'd eaten breakfast. He usually stopped right before dinner. Of course she was curious about what he was up to. Monika shook her head as she started away from the garage to the stairs. She still had too much to worry about with the nursery to worry about what her stubborn husband was up to. Stacy had been so busy with her studio she hadn't been able to come back and help with the furniture so Monika had to put it on hold for now. Her doctor had told her not to lift or carry anything heavy with her pregnancy history. In fact he'd preferred she not do anything, but when she'd glared at him he'd sighed and told her to take it easy instead.
     Monika stilled when it fell silent in the garage below. She strained her ear to listen closely. Frowning, she inched closer to the door only to roll her eyes when the tools started again. Of course he'd find a way to lock her out of the garage. Shaking her head she turned to open the windows so she could let the room breath while waiting for the rest of the zig-zag pattern over the walls to dry, a last minute idea to add a little something extra to the room. She paused again when silence fell below. Frowning she turned to stare toward the door, her brow raising when she heard a crash followed by loud cussing. Letting out a small laugh she moved to peek out the door, catching glimpses of Frank moving by the stairs into the guest bathroom, more than likely for band aids, and then back out into the garage.
     Inching forward when she heard the door open again, Monika caught sight of Frank hurrying into the living room with something tucked under his arm. She turned and hurried back into the nursery when Frank stepped out of the living room. She could hear him pacing below as if trying to decide what to do now. It was a moment longer before she heard steps moving up the stairs. She bit back a small giggle as she started to paint again. In all truth she'd forgiven him a couple of days after the dinner of her announcement. But she couldn't come out and say it. Not with the way he'd been acting. She'd understood why, which was why she'd forgiven him. She tried not to react when she heard Frank stop at the door to room.
     Frank stepped back from the finished baby's rocker. He'd made it with the idea Monika could take it more easily around the house than a play pin. Carved into the legs of the rocker were angels, their wings raised as if holding up the base where the baby would lay. He'd bought a simper cushion to fit in the bed area and had carved cherubs around the head and foot boards as if to have them protect the baby. He reached out to lift it so he could carry it inside. As he turned he knocked over one of his tools, dropping it on his foot. Cursing he almost dropped the rocker back on the table. Another, louder, round of cursing started when the rockers bottom landed on one of his fingers.
     Muttering, he set the rocker down and hurried inside. After checking to make sure he wasn't bleeding, he moved back into the garage. Hurrying inside he set the rocker on the coffee table, clearing everything away and making sure it was displayed alright. He turned back to the stairs and instantly started to fidget as he stared at them. It'd been so long since he'd actually spoken to her. It felt just like when he'd first started to fall for her and had found it harder to speak like a normal person. Frank had never thought he'd feel like this again in his lifetime. With a breath he started up the stairs slowly, hand dragging a little on the railing. When he reached the room he hesitated at the door, watching Monika paint the pattern on the nursery walls. It really was coming together in a unique way, Monika's signature was all over the room. Frank stood outside the door as he cleared his throat and finally stepped forward, waiting until Monika turned to look.
     He hesitated as if not sure what to say now that he'd gotten her attention. "I have a present for you," he finally got out, feeling dumb now that he'd finally spoken. He hadn't been able to think of anything else to say. "It's in the living room." he said as he fidgeted a little.
Monika smiled when she noticed how nervous Frank was and was half tempted to tease him. Instead she set down her brush and moved toward him, taking his hand when she reached him.           "Do I need to close my eyes?"
     Frank let out a laugh, finally starting to relax a little as he linked their fingers. "No." he said as he gave her hand a light squeeze and turned to lead the way to the living room.
     Monika wasn't sure what to expect when they stepped into the living room, but what she saw brought tears to her eyes. She couldn't believe he'd managed to do this in so little time. She stepped forward, fingers stroking over the cherry wood. It was breathtaking. So much detail had been put into every angel that adorned the rocking cradle. "It's beautiful." she whispered as she reached up to wipe at her eyes.
     "I'm glad you like it. I figured you could use it whenever you're in the kitchen or outside in the yard." he said as he watched her. "At least until the baby gets too big for it."
     Monika turned, moving toward him. Reaching out she pulled him in for a kiss. "It's perfect. I love it." she said as she slipped her arms around him in a hug. "Thank you."
     "I know I owe you so much more than this," he whispered as he held her close. "I promise to make up for everything from now on." he muttered as he buried his face in her hair. "I love you Monika. I'm so sorry for how I've acted these last months. It's inexcusable and the fact that you're even still here is shocking." he muffled out in her hair.
     Monika smiled as she tightened her arms around him. "I'm still here because I love you too Frank and I'd have only left if you hadn't come around," she smiled when he flinched. "But I knew you would. So, the first way you can make it up to me is by taking me to my next ultrasound next week." she smiled as she pulled back and kissed his cheek.
     Frank smiled as his lips found hers in a light kiss. "I'm going to make lunch." she patted his cheek, paused to touch the rocker one last time and then stepped into the kitchen. She waited until she heard Frank upstairs before grabbing her phone to text Stacy. YOUR FATHER HAS FINALLY PULLED HIS HEAD OUT. YOU CAN FOCUS ON YOUR STUDIO AND LEAVE THE NURSERY TO US.
     Monika hummed as she turned her attention to making sandwiches. She was just setting them on the tray when her phone went off. Pausing to peek at Stacy's reply. REALLY? THAT'S GOOD. HOPE YOU'RE MAKING HIM WORK HARD FOR BEING A JERK.
     VERY, Monika sent her reply, leaving her phone on the counter as she moved to grab glasses for ice tea. Once she'd set up the tray she lifted it and moved toward the stairs.

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     Frank fidgeted in the seat next to her, glancing around almost nervously. Monika giggled a little as she reached out to touch his arm. "Frank, relax. It's just the ultrasound. I believe this is the term when we find out the baby's gender. If you actually want to know that is."
     "It'd like to if it is. But it's up to you."
     "I'd like it too. I've wanted to know since I found out.
     "Monika? We're ready for you." Monika stood when the nurse called for her, smiling as she took Frank's hand when he stood. They were silent as they made their way to the ultra sound room. Frank helped her up onto the table, taking a seat on the stool against the wall. He all but jumped when the door opened, Monika greeting the tech with a smile.
     "You must be the baby's father. I'm Katie." the woman said as she shook Frank's hand.
     "Frank." he said as he smiled and gave a small nod.
     "Are you ready to see your baby?" she asked as she stepped over to the machine and started setting up for the ultrasound.
     "Yes." Frank said as he took Monika's hand, watching Katie help Monika with her shirt. He frowned when the gel was applied, causing her to twitch at the cold feeling. His eyes instantly turned to the monitor when the handheld was placed on Monika's stomach.
     "Hmm...and....There's the peanut," Katie said with a smile when a form appeared. "We're looking good." she said after a moment of moving around the handheld. "Defiantly gotten bigger since our last visit." A smile formed as she touched a couple buttons and keys on her machine before looking at them. "Would you like to know the gender?"
     Monika and Frank exchanged a look, both smiling as they turned to Katie and nodded. "Most defiantly." Monika said as she squeezed Frank's hand.
     "Okay, let's take a look," she turned her attention to the monitor, moving the handheld for a moment before a smile spread. "And..it looks like we have," Frank leaned forward when Katie paused. "A boy." Frank let out a breath as he stared at the monitor in awe.
     Monika giggled at the stunned look on his face. "I think you broke him." she said to Katie, the women's laughs drawing Frank back.
     "Would you like pictures?"
     "Yes, please." Monika said as she smiled at Frank.
     "Okay. I'll get them printed. Here's some wipes to clean up the gel." Katie said, having already wiped most of the gel away and left the container on the table with Frank.
Frank pulled a wipe from the container, starting to finish the job she'd started. Monika watched Frank, smiling when he went so far as to help her pull her shirt back down. He'd been like this the whole week. Helping even when she didn't really need it. He really was trying hard. Reaching out he helped her sit up and get off the table just as the door opened and Kate returned with their pictures. After stopping by the front desk to schedule another appointment they left the clinic.
     "Are you hungry?" Frank asked as he opened the passenger door for her.
     "Yes, extremely." she said as she took his offered hand and slid into the car. "We should see if      Stacy and Lucas are free. I'm sure Stacy would like to hear the news." she said as she buckled herself in. Frank gave a nod. "Give her a call." he said, closing the door as he moved around the car. He climbed in to find Monika already talking with Stacy.
     It was only five minutes later that they hung up, Monika giving Frank time to start the car and get the heater going. "She said they'd meet us at Cherri's." Monika said as she hung up, Frank gave a nod and pulled out of the parking lot. They pulled into a space right as Lucas and Stacy walked up the street from her studio, Frank frowning when he noticed they were holding hands.
     Stacy paused at the door when she spotted her parents, nudging Lucas with a smile as she watched her father help Monika from the car. "Looks like they really made up."
     "Yeah. He's practically her slave now." he chuckled when Stacy rolled her eyes. "Well, at least he finally relaxed." he muttered as he watched them start away from the car.
     Stacy gave a nod, smiling as she moved to kiss her mother's cheek. "You had an appointment today right? How'd it go?"
     They started into the diner as Stacy asked. "It went really well. She said everything looked great and we have pictures."
     Stacy grinned, wanting to hurry to the seat so she could see. "So cute." she breathed out when they'd finally been shown to a booth and Monika had pulled the pictures from her purse.
     "Looks like an alien." Lucas grunted when Stacy elbowed him, glaring as Monika took the pictures back with a laugh.
     "We found out the gender today." Monika said as she took a sip of her water, smiling when Stacy gave her a '...welllll' look.
     "Come on! What am I getting? A brother or a sister?"
     Monika smiled at Frank when he took her hand under the table and gave a light squeeze. "Well.."
     "The suspense is brutal." Lucas said as he watched Stacy fidget and lean in.
     "You're getting a little brother." Monika said, laughing when Stacy let out a small squeal and hugged Monika as best she could over the table.
     Lucas shook his head, eyes finding Frank's. The poor guy looked terrified, but happy. He didn't envy him just yet though. "Congrats buddy." he said as he gave a nod, getting a chuckle from Frank.
     "It's still surreal." he muttered.