The Family Reunion Part 2

Reconnected

The first night in Bill's house was a quiet and relaxing one. He had to go to the club that night for a show along with Anna who had to clean rooms. As for me, I cuddled with my little one on the living room couch watching cartoons. I had her sitting in my lap, smiling softly whenever she would giggle at the cartoons. It felt nice to see her happy, I wished I could be happy like her all the time. Then life wouldn't seem as hard or full of secrets.

When she finally fell asleep, I picked her up and took her up to our room to get her ready for bed. The entire time I was putting on her PJ's, I kept thinking about the time I watched Mark put her clothes on for her. She always smiled at him…I smiled just being in his presence. How could someone take me through so many emotions in a matter of months? I closed my eyes and bent down to kiss Aaliyah on her forehead before placing her in her crib for the night. I then grabbed a t-shirt and some shorts and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

While I was in there letting the hot water cover me from head to toe, I thought about the first time I met Mark and how rude he was towards me, up until the first night we made love. I could never forget how he touched my body, or how good he made me feel after weeks of frustration. I was so lost in thought, that I hadn't noticed the fresh tears falling from my face. I wanted this to be a dream that I would soon wake up from, but it wasn't. I touched my belly as my heart continued to long for Mark's soothing touch. I didn't want to see my next child grow up without his or her father so…I knew what I had to do.

After my shower, I rubbed my body down in lotion and then got dressed in my black shorts and white t-shirt. I checked on Aalayah once more and then headed downstairs to the kitchen. My hand trembled as I reached out for the phone wanting nothing more than to call him. I took a deep breath and picked up the phone and slowly dialed his number. Each time it rang and no one answered I would sigh with relief. Then on the third ring, someone finally answered.

"Hello?" said a male's voice.

I didn't recognize the voice at first until my memory traced it back to being the man I accused of molesting me.

"Daddy?" I said.

He was silent for a moment and then spoke, "Carmen? Carmen is this you?"

I closed my eyes wanting to hang up but something made me stay on the phone. "Yeah it's me."

"My God child, where have you been?" he asked in a tone that actually sounded caring. "Your mother has been worried sick about you."

I clenched my teeth together remembering what Bobby told me. "Oh has she? From what I've heard she hasn't been all that worried…."

"No no. she has honey." He said. "She's been looking for you nonstop."

I sighed wondering if there was any truth behind his words. I mean Bobby wouldn't lie to me would he? "Well where is Mark…I need to talk to him."

He fell silent again and then cleared his throat. "Mark is right here…please talk to her Mark. I'm sure Eric lied to you about her whereabouts."

A tear fell from my face when I heard him sigh and then take the phone, "Yeah."

"Hey Mark." I said almost silently.

"Hey." He said. "Did you get my flowers?"

I nodded, "yes I did…thank you."

"You're welcome." He said. "Where are you right now?"

I looked around the house wondering if I should tell him exactly where I was. "Um, I'm still in the state if that helps."

"Yeah it does." He said. "Look. Tell me what happened that day I sent you to talk to your mother."

I took a deep breath and told him the events that led up to my kidnapping. I then told him about all the horrible things I went through with my uncle and even told him how I escaped. I couldn't fight back the tears after that point.

"I came back to Texas hoping you would still be there for me Mark…and you weren't….you weren't there," I cried.

He sighed, "Yeah because….because….oh Carmen please stop crying. Tell me where you are please."

I sniffled and wiped my eyes with a paper towel. "I can't Mark. I don't want him finding me."

"Kevin already knows where you work so I'm sure it won't be long before Eric find out."

I blinked a few times and sighed, he had a good point. "I'm at my boss's house. He brought me here after I got out of the hospital."

"Do you know where that is?" he asked.

"No. I was sleeping on the way here." I answered.

He sighed, "Damn, well…I want to see you again. Can you meet me tomorrow at that spot I took you on our first date?"

I smiled remembering the karaoke bar. "Yes I can."

"Ok…get some rest. I know you need it for the baby."

I smiled and pretended to act surprised, "How did you know about the baby?"

He chuckled, "I always knew Carmen. I mean I am the last man you had sex with before you were kidnapped. On top of that, I knew something had to be making you sick."

"Right." I said suddenly feeling better. "Alright so I'll meet you tomorrow then."

"Yes. And don't tell your boss where you're going. That man doesn't trust me at all."

"Why not?" I asked.

He chuckled, "I'll tell you tomorrow. Get some sleep."

"Ok." I said. "Thanks for listening to me."

He was quiet for a moment, "Thanks for giving me a chance to listen."

I smirked and then whispered, "I love you bye," before hanging up the phone.

That night I rested comfortably due to the fact that I got to hear his voice and knowing I was going to see him tomorrow. Hopefully we could get on the same page with one another, and I could feel safe once again.