A Love Lost

Chapter 23

Max hadn't spoken to Hallie since Thanksgiving. It was Tuesday evening. Everyone was in Detroit. Hallie was in her hotel room. She'd left Max a key at the front desk just in case. She'd just gotten out of the shower and dressed. She heard the front door open.

"Hallie?" Max called.

She was very happy to hear his voice and went out into the living room. "Hi."

"Hi." "Can we talk?"

"Yeah." They sat down on the couch.

"How are you?"

"Bad, I miss you."

"I miss you to." "You really hurt me."

"I know, I'm so sorry."

"Is there anything else you haven't told me?"

"It was four separate times."

"Is that all?"

"That's all."

"I thought about leaving you but I can't." "I love you too much."

"I love you too."

"What do we need to do to establish paternity?"

"A blood sample from me and a swab from you."

"I want to know as soon as possible."

"I'll call and see if I can get an appointment made for Friday."

"Does he know about the baby?"

"Yes."

"Did he know first?"

"No, I swear."

"I brought something with me." He took the little box out of his pocket, got down on one knee and opened it. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes." He put the ring on her finger. They hugged.

"Let's get past this."

"That's all I want."

The next night at the arena Max went to Sam's locker room and knocked on the door. Sam opened it.

"Stay away from Hallie." Max said angrily.

"Found out the baby's mine huh?"

"It's mine motherfucker." "You had your chance with her and decided to be a selfish prick." "You played on her emotions and seduced her."

He laughed. "Oh, I seduced her?" "You pounced as soon as she told you about our problems." "She loves me."

"Then why is she engaged to me, asshole."

Britt came running up to Max.

"Max, Hallie is bleeding." She said worried. "911's already been called."

"Where is she?"

"Sitting in catering."

Both Max and Sam ran to catering. Max knelt down by her. She was crying.

"Max, it's happening again, I'm losing the baby." She said tearfully.

"No you're not, the baby will be fine." Max said.