Innocence

The doctor checked my vitals. “Everything looks good. But you and the baby need some rest. You’ve been through a lot, Mrs. McCole.”

I was tired, but there was only one update I needed. “Can I ask about my mom first?”

“Yes, then I’m ordering everyone to leave.” The doctor stood while signing some paperwork.

“Except me. Doctor, I’m not leaving my wife.” Jaxson folded his arms across his chest daring the doctor to defy his request. My husband was anxious, tired and through with being told to leave.

The doctor saw Jaxson’s determined pose and nodded. “All right then.”

Jaxson went into the hallway to talk to the doctor. Dad came in a moment later tired looking. “How are you feeling? How’s my grandbaby?”

“We’re good, Dad. What’s happening with Mom?”

He sat beside me. “They’ve admitted her to Millie’s hospital where they are going to run tests and see if it’s true. I don’t want our hopes to get up, London.”

But, there was unspoken hope in Dad’s eyes that mirrored my own. “Go to her, Dad.”

“London—”

I held up my hand as Jaxson came back in the room. “Dad, please go make sure Mom is okay. Jaxson isn’t leaving my side. He’ll update you if anything changes.”

Looking torn, Dad watched me.

“Ken, I promise I’ll keep you updated.” Jaxson’s words were a vow.

I pleaded again. “Dad, please. It’ll help ease my stress knowing you’re there with her in case she’s scared. Or someone else is out there.”

“Okay, punkin’. I’ll head that way now.”

“Tell her I love her.”

“I will.”

Dad left and my eyes grew heavy. Jaxson whispered, “Sleep, sweetheart. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Stretching, I awakened. Jaxson greeted me. “Morning, sweetheart. How’d you sleep?”

“Good. I feel like all I’ve done is sleep.”

He chuckled and caressed my stomach. “You’re creating a life.” Pausing, his face held wonder. “I’ve never experienced a pregnancy before.”

My heart broke knowing how Ty was treated at first—a hidden pregnancy. “You’ll be part of everything on this one.”

A knock from the door brought our attention. Charles appeared. “May I come in and talk for a moment?”

I nodded. Jaxson sat in the chair relaxed. I would imagine Jaxson already knew what Charles had to say. Seeing the devastation on his face caused a pain within me. So much had been robbed from him. From me. From Alec. From my mother. From so many others. I wasn’t able to imagine the amount of hurt I would feel if my mother used me as a pawn—a means to an end.

Nervously running his fingers through is hair, Charles looked at me. “I know this doesn’t matter. Our paths have been set and they aren’t together.” Jaxson cocked his head in warning. “When you went to prison, I had every intention of waiting for you. One night at a party, I woke up with Rachel in my arms. I don’t remember it.”

Charles took a deep breath. My stomach turned as I remembered Caroline’s words of Rachel drugging him. The police informed me, with my permission, they let Charles know what his mother told me. He sighed. “After that, she said she was pregnant. Showed me a test which proved it. I had no choice but to leave you. I was too ashamed, too young to know how to tell you. So, I ended it. I thought I could be happy until I saw you at the house. Then things spun out of control. I tried to end it. Mother pretended to be ambivalent and attempted to use Rachel to bring me to heel with blackmail of taking her abortion public, which I had no clue of. I couldn’t bring you into anything else and hurt you. I had no idea you were drugged. I should have been stronger.”

Picking at imaginary lent, only pain emanated from Charles. “I’m so sorry, Charles. What they did to us was wrong.” He nodded. “What’s happening to Rachel?”

He shrugged. “Not enough. She’s been detained. Questioned. I will do whatever I can to testify against her. Find whatever I can. Put her and anyone involved away.”

“Thank you, Charles.”

He stood with a sad look piercing his eyes. “I’m sorry, London.” He looked at Jaxson. “Take care of her. London is like no other.”