The Family Reunion Part 2

Reaching Out

I let the news of my pregnancy sink in that night. I had no idea how I could miss the fact that both times I had slept with Mark he hadn't been wearing a condom. On top of that, I was supposed to have a period when I was with my uncle and it never came. I shook my head and covered my face dreading the fact that I would have to talk to Mark about it. I wondered if he would even listen to me or if he would believe that this child was his.

About three days later, Bill came to the hospital to pick me up. He brought me some clothes to wear, and some pink roses. A surprise I wasn't expecting.

"Alright dear, let me help you," Bill told me as I took his hand and hopped off my hospital bed. I looked around wondering where Anna was with my baby but I would soon have that question answered.

The nurse held the wheelchair for me as I sat down. Bill smiled and handed me the bouquet of roses.

"Awe thank you," I said as the nurse unlocked the wheels.

He smiled, "You're welcome, but they aren't from me. I was just asked to bring them to you."

I raised my eyebrow and checked the small card that came with them. I was slightly shocked when I saw they were from Mark. My heart skipped a beat as a little excitement seemed to rise within my heart.

"When did you see him?" I asked.

"Last night. He stopped by while you were asleep."

I sighed and shook my head, "Why? He told me he didn't want to have nothing to do with me…."

"I don't know, but he seemed real distraught when I told him you were 10 weeks pregnant." He said while the nurse pushed me into the elevator.

I raked my hand through my hair with a deep sigh, "I wish you wouldn't have told him…he doesn't deserve to be in this baby's life after throwing me and my one year old daughter out on the street."

"Wait a minute….Mark put you out on the street?" he asked. "He's the man who you are in love with?"

I dropped my gaze and then nodded, "Yea unfortunately….and now I'm carrying his child."

He shook his head as we stepped out of the elevator and headed for the lobby. "You don't need to be with him Carmen. Mark is known for his treatment towards young women."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

The sun hit my face as we walked out the door and to Bill's Range Rover. He took my hand and helped me into the black truck where my daughter and Anna were.

"Bill? What did you mean by that?" I asked as he watched me put on my seatbelt.

He looked into my eyes and then frowned, "I've known Mark since he was a teenager. And during that time he didn't treat young girls like you with a whole lot of respect. In fact, he tormented a girl so bad…that she ran away and never came back. I'm surprised he got a woman to fall for him at all."

I looked away from him as he shut my door and then walked around to the driver's side and got in. I glanced over my shoulder at Anna who smiled at me and then looked down at my little angel. I smiled at her silently thanking her for being there for Aaliyah and I all this time. She had been a great help and a mother figure in my life over those past 2 months. I touched my belly wondering what I was going to do now that I was about to have another baby. Calling Mark to talk to him was the obvious choice but I didn't feel the need to speak to him just yet.

On our way downtown I fell asleep in the truck. The medication I was on was pretty much forcing me to sleep every few hours which is what the doctor wanted. It felt nice to be able to relax for once. I hadn't done it in so long that I almost forgot what it was like.

When I opened my eyes again, I quickly noticed that we weren't in the city. Instead we were pulling up to a glorious farmhouse located on the outskirts of the city limits. There were acres of land complete with clear skies and flowing green glass. I glanced at Bill wondering where he brought me.

"This is my place," he told me. "I figured you could use a change of scenery."

I shook my head, "Oh no Bill, I don't think we should stay here."

"Why not?" he asked as he parked his truck in front of the house, "I really don't mind you staying here for a while."

"Yeah but I don't want to make you feel obligated to help me." I said.

He smiled, "I don't feel obligated at all dear. To be honest I could use the company. Anna here has been my house maid for a year and having her around has made me realize a few things about myself."

I glanced at Anna, "You work here too?"

"Uh si senorita." She said. "Mr. Goldberg has been an honorable boss and I love to work for him." She said.

I looked back at Bill who had placed his hand over mine, "Carmen, you've been through a lot of pain and so have I. I think we can help each other move on with our lives."

My heart started to pound slightly, "You mean like…become a couple?"

He chuckled, "Well, that would be nice one day but I only meant being each other's best friend."

I sighed with a smile, "Oh, well I guess that'll work as long as you promise not to turn out weird like my uncle or Mark."

"Oh I could never be either one of those arrogant bastards." He told me as he took off his seatbelt. "Stay where you are, I'll help you out."

I nodded and took my seatbelt off watching him walk to my side and open the door. Instead of letting me walk to the house, he scooped me up into his arms and carried me inside. He had a very spacious and gorgeous house that seemed to have everything I had ever dreamed of in it. I immediately felt safe in this place, with its wooden floors and luscious carpets. My room was located upstairs on the far end of the house. It was a nice little place with a crib in the corner for Aaliyah and a big walk-in closet. The bed was big enough for three people and had curtains draped all around it. I almost felt like this room was specially made for me and my daughter.

"I love this room." I told him as he sat me down on the bed. Anna walked in behind us, placing Aaliyah on the bed as well.

"I had it made for my sister at one point." He told me as he glanced at a picture of a woman that was sitting on the nightstand. She was real pretty with light brown hair, blue eyes, and an angelic smile. She sort of reminded me of someone but I wasn't quite sure of who.

"She's beautiful, what's her name?" I asked.

He sighed, "Her name was Holly…."

"I'm sorry….was?"

He nodded, "She disappeared after having her baby 18 years ago….she was 21 when she had him."

"Oh wow…have you ever seen your nephew?" I asked.

He shook his head, "No. In fact, I think whoever she got pregnant to had something to do with her disappearance. She never did tell me the name of her baby's father."

I shook my head, "Wow. I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It's ok. I'm sure one day I'll find out what happened to Holly. In the meantime, why don't you and Aaliyah get settled in. I'll be downstairs if you need something."

I nodded as he touched my shoulder and then left my room. I glanced at Holly's picture once more wondering just who in the world would take a poor girl away from her life right after she has her child. I wished I could help Bill find answers but…where in the hell would I start?