Angel Academy

Chapter Thirty-one

Corbin's POV

I sat in the living room scowling at the floor. Addaline was pacing in front of me, an agitated hand on her stomach. She shook her head causing her hair to fan out around her. Stopping, she glared at me and restarted pacing for the hundredth time. Finally, she stopped, and her face was red from fury.

"First of all, I can't believe you lied to me." She was referring to the fact that I had told her that my mother had taken Heath so Addaline and I could have a couple of romantic days alone, which we had had. Well, as romantic as you can have with a giant belly getting in the way. "Secondly, you went behind my back." Now she was referring to the fact that I had given Heath back to Niamh's mother without consulting Addaline first. "Lastly, you gave him back when that bitch was in the hospital because she got assaulted. What happens if Heath gets hurt?"

I stood up and tried to wrap my arms around her, but she shoved me off, glaring angrily. "He won't get hurt," I assured her.

Tears peaked in her eyes, and tumbled down her cheeks. "Why did you give him back? We had such a good chance against her."

"Believe me, we'll have an even bigger chance if he's with her. Then we'll have more ways to prove how unfit a mother she really is."

I pulled Addaline into my arms, and she sniffled. "How do you know?"

I shrugged. "Intuition," I lied. I kissed the top of her head, and she sighed, leaning into me. "You have to rest. The doctor said you need to be careful in this stage of the pregnancy." She nodded, a hand on her stomach and let me lead her into the bedroom. Addaline didn't mind being taken care of; in fact she reveled in it, which irritated me. She was always so needy. I helped her into bed and tucked her in as if she was an incapable child.

After she was situated in bed, I left, telling her I needed to do some paperwork at Angel Academy. In reality, I just wanted to get away from her, and a huge part of me wanted to go check on Niamh to see how she's doing. Even though I was trying to steal our son from her, I still cared about her, and the fact that she was assaulted and nearly died scared the shit out of me.

When I got to the hospital and to her room, my stomach was a knot of nerves. I wasn't sure how Niamh was going to react to seeing me. I slowly pushed open her door. "Niamh?"

"Corbin?" I walked into the room to see Niamh's surprised face. She was standing, slightly bent over the bed making it. I smiled and waved a little. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

I stuck my hands in my pockets, shrugging. "I heard what happened. Just wanted to check on you. How are you feeling?"

She gave me a small smile. "I'm fine." Niamh straightened up and smoothed out her shirt.

Nodding, I sighed, "Of course you are. You're always fine."

She laughed, shrugging. "Alright; I feel like shit and my stomach hurts but I get to go home now, so that's good."

I smiled. "That is good. Can I give you a ride home?"

Niamh shook her head. "No thanks. Caleb said he was already on his way." Her hair shone and fell around her. It was getting longer than when I first saw her a few months ago.

Frowning, I looked into her beautiful grey eyes. "Are you two together?" Her eyes shone surprise and then she burst into laughter, bending over with tears falling from her eyes. "What?"

She straightened, wiping the tears from her eyes, a huge smile on her face. "Caleb and I? No. He's the annoying cop who won't leave me alone." Slowly, I nodded. She smirked at me, raising an eyebrow. "You jealous of him?" she teased.

I shook my head. "No, don't be ridiculous."

Niamh smiled, and it was still one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. "You've always been jealous of me."

"That's also ridiculous." She stuck her tongue out at me.

Before we could say anything else, Caleb walked in. When he saw me, his posture became rigid, and he glared at me. Niamh looked to the door and smiled.

"Hey Caleb."

He turned to her and smiled. "You ready to go home?"

She shrugged. "I suppose. Did you make it a fortress?"

Caleb smiled wider, and I felt a pang of jealousy that I quickly pushed aside. "Of course I did," he answered her. "Heath and Dean are waiting for their favorite person to come home."

Niamh smiled at him, and her cheeks turned a little pink. I scowled, and, if I had been outside, I would have kicked a rock on the ground. "So, I guess I'll see you later Niamh."

She turned back to me, surprise written on her face as if she had forgotten I was there. "Huh? Oh, yea. See you later." I turned to leave, but Niamh grabbed my hand. She had moved so fast and quiet it almost made me jump, but I didn't. Instead I turned back to her.

Niamh smiled up at me, her pink lips pulled into a kind smile, and her grey eyes shining brighter than they had in what seemed like forever. "Hey, Heath's birthday is next week." I frowned. My son was going to be turning one, and I wouldn't even be there because of what Addaline and I pulled. Great. Niamh surprised me by entwining her fingers in mine like she used to when we were younger and still in school. "If you do decorations, you and Addaline and Chelsea can come." I furrowed my brows, not quite believing what she just said to me. She must have taken my frown for a no because she tried to pull away, her smile gone. "Or we can do it at Angel Academy. I can help babysit and Heath can play with the kids. Plus that's the place you first really got to meet Heath right?"

I didn't answer, and her smile fell. She let go and stepped back. "Or, well, you don't have to come." She looked up and attempted a smile, but it was weak and sad. Caleb stepped up behind her, glaring at me for making her upset. "I understand Corbin. Really, I do." Even though she looked hurt, I could see the anger flaring behind her grey eyes. They were alight with fire, and I couldn't help myself. I smiled. Immediately, she glared at me, and my grin widened.

It was like old times, with her misinterpreting what I was saying, and getting mad. Glaring up at me like some adorable fairy. I just wanted to wrap her in my arms and kiss the crap out of her, but then I remembered Addaline. And the custody battle for Heath. And the mystery guy who attacked me, and most likely Niamh. I had to stay focused.

I was about to politely decline when a lot formed in my head, What if I were to get close to Niamh again and sabotage her chances of having Heath? It would get Heath out of danger and away from Jeremy and the guy who attacked Niamh, make the mystery man happy, and I'd have my son. Niamh would get visitation rights of course, and everything would end perfectly. A win for everyone.

Niamh turned to leave, but this time it was I who grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry," I started. "It just surprised me that you wanted me to go to Heath's birthday. After everything I've done to you. Thank you for allowing me to be in my son's life." I was a terrible liar. I knew it, and she knew it, but thankfully this wasn't one of the times I would need to lie. Not yet.

Caleb stood beside Niamh, arms crossed, glaring me down. He hated me for trying to take Heath from Niamh, but he was a cop. He should be able to realize what is in Heath's best interest. Not only that, but can't he see that Niamh is making terrible choices? She's staying in the same place she and her mother got brutally attacked at. She's keeping Jeremy around who viciously attacked me for no reason, and who has a very dangerous temper and possessiveness over Niamh. She refused to quit working on a case that will no doubt get her killed.

Internally, I shook my head. Niamh was being an idiot, and making stupid choices. I had to save my son before it was too late.

Niamh smiled at me. "Good. I'm glad you're coming." Caleb pressed a hand to the small of her back, and she turned to look up at me. "Guess it's time to go. You know cops; pushy little buggers." I laughed and she laughed and Caleb did not. She waved to me before walking past me. I stayed in the hospital room a few more minutes, my stomach rolling from nerves, and from the fear that something even worse was going to happen to Niamh, and that she wouldn't be prepared for it, even though I knew for a fact she thought she could take care of herself. I was honestly scared. What if something happens to Heath? What if something happens to her?