“Miss Hart, you sure seem calm for a lady who is about to have a baby.”
“It’s a really good act,” I told him, honestly. “I’m a wreck.” I hung up with Raymond and called the ambulance. I told them the address and that the front gate was expecting them. Then I hung up and waddled to the elevator. I was getting nervous because the pains were becoming more intense. I didn’t want to have the baby here. When I got to the main level I made my way to Karen’s office. One look at me and she was on her feet.
“Vicki? What is it?”
“The baby is coming,” I said. “My water broke and I’m having contractions.”
“Oh no! How early is it?”
“About five weeks,” I told her. I was trying not to think about that. I was trying to stay positive. I think Karen realized too that this was no time to worry. It was too late for that anyways.
“I’ll call an ambulance,” she said, picking up the phone.
“I did that already,” I told her. “I also let the front gate know they’re coming.”
She laughed. “Even in labor, you’re efficient. What should I do then? Should I call Alexander?”
“No! No, don’t bother him. I can do this. I’ll call my roommate. She’ll come be with me.” Karen looked sad, but she nodded. I heard the doorbell ring and looked back at her and said, “Wish me luck.”
“The best,” she said with a hug. “As soon as my shift is over I will be there. I can’t wait to meet him.”
I put my hand over my belly and felt a flutter of anticipation. “Me too,” I said. My little man would be in my arms by the end of the day. I refused to believe that anything could go wrong.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ALEXANDER
I had just finished with my first meeting of the day when my phone rang. I looked at it and saw that it was the house calling. I excused myself and stepped out into the fresh, salty air. “Hello?”
“Mr. Reigns, it’s Karen.”
I could tell by the tightness in her voice that something was wrong. “What is it, Karen? What’s happened?”
“I’m not supposed to be calling you. She didn’t want to disturb you…”
“Karen, just tell me what is wrong.”
“Victoria’s waters broke. She’s on her way to the hospital.”
“Oh my God, alone?”
“She said she would call her roommate, but for now, yes, she’s alone.”
“Damn! Okay, thanks for calling me, Karen.” I hung up and called my pilot. “How long before you could file a flight plan and get me home?”
“We could leave within the hour, sir.”
“Okay, but the sooner the better, alright? I’m headed to the airport now. Get everything ready.”
“Yes sir.”
I hung up with him and called Cassie. She was out of the beach, of course. “What is it, Alex? We don’t leave until tomorrow. Why are you bothering me?”
“I have to go home,” I told her.
“What? Now? Why?”
“Victoria is in labor.” I heard the hesitation. All along I had wondered if she’d figured it out… or heard the rumors.
“So why does that involve you?” she finally said. She sounded reluctant to ask, but it was a fair question. This wasn’t the way I’d wanted to do this, but it had to be done.
“Cassandra, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this before.” I was already stepping into the back of the car that would take me to the airport. “The baby is mine. Victoria and I were together one time…”
“You bastard! You cheating slime!”
With a sigh I conceded in my head she had a right to be angry. Taking another deep breath I said, “I didn’t cheat. You and I were in the middle of divorce proceedings. I slept with her. She got pregnant. I wish I could tell you I was sorry, so that you would feel better… but I’m not.”
The airport was only ten minutes away. We were already driving up to the hangar when she said, “This is what that stupid nursery was about! You knew all along and you had ample opportunity to tell me you lying, cheating bastard!”
I stepped out of the car and said, “You have a right to be upset, Cassie. But I won’t stand for you calling me names. When you get home, we’ll talk about this and figure it out.”
“I’m not raising that maid’s brat!”
“You would never be expected to,” I told her. “Victoria will be raising her child and I will be there to help her as much as she needs.”