FIONA

Chapter Eighteen: The Tug Of War

Blaine grabbed Lindsay by the arms and shook her in a rough manner. "Where do you get the nerve to pull a stunt like that? There went the best thing that ever happened to me. You ruined everything in a relationship I've ever hoped to have. Why can't you get it through your head, it's over between us, Lindsay? I'm not crawling back to you, this time. Somehow, I'm going to get the girl back. Correction, that amazing woman, back. I won't let you destroy my happiness again."

"Control yourself, Blaine. This is an endless cycle with you. We have a bond that can never be broken. Your son and your unborn child. Why didn't you tell her about how when you go into one of your emotional slumps, you turn to the bottle? Always boozing yourself into a pathetic mess. I know you better than anyone, Blaine. And don't you forget it. If it weren't for me, where would you be? What would you be? When we first met you were the one who approached me at a bar. Remember? You were discharged from the military at the time. An honorable discharge, but you didn't tell this Fiona about your emotional and psychological bouts, due to the aftermath of your fighting in combat. You didn't tell her any of that, did you? So, before you go passing the blame onto me about your failed relationships, remember who saved you the humiliation and embarrassment of those other women finding out about your bouts with post-traumatic stress disorder. Remember, I'm also saving them heartache in the long run. We are a family, you, me and the children. Don't you ever forget it," Lindsay said with clenched teeth, as she moved in close to him, licked his earlobe, stroked his cheek with her lips until their lips met and massaged his with hers.

Glancing up at the parking lot, Lindsay moved closer to Blaine when she noticed some mutual friends look their direction from out in the parking lot, and whispered into his ear, "Go along with the show, and don't cause a scene. Unless you want me to cause some embarrassment for you in front of Claudia and Ren," and she went back to forcefully rubbing her lips against his.

Blaine backed his head away, "I won't let you manipulate me, Lindsay," with clenched teeth.

Lindsay pulled his head close to hers. "Either you play along, and lead them to believe we are a loving couple, or you will never see your son again, nor lay eyes upon your unborn child. The choice is yours."

Blaine gave in to Lindsay, engaging her in the kiss, even though his heart belonged to Fiona.

"I'm going to get even with you somehow," he whispered to her in a dangerous voice.

"Of course. And you'll come crawling back to me, once you've had one of your episodes, while laying in your bed, all alone in the dark. You see my darling; I'm the only one who understands you. How much sympathy do you think you'll get from little Miss Fiona. Do you think she'd endure your quirks when you have your nightmares? I'm the one who always comforted you when you needed it the most," Lindsay blurted out while stroking his cheek with one hand, and running her fingers through his hair with the other hand, "Now, if you'll come to my car, we'll head on home, darling. To our home. Not to your apartment. You can engage your son in a game of catch tomorrow afternoon."

"I'll do just fine on my own. This time, I'm not going back with you. I'm going straight to my own apartment," he said, walking away from her and headed over to his car.

"Remember what we talked about, Blaine. I looked forward to your call, dear,"

Lindsay yelled in a false warm high-pitched voice.

Blaine turned around, glared at her, and replied, "I'm sure you'll see me in your dreams tonight, Lindsay. I hope you'll explain to our son how I have to work tomorrow, as much as I'd like to spend the day with him. He and our unborn child mean the world to me. I intend to become a family with them and Fiona sometime in the future. I won't be dominated by you. You won't change me. I've stopped you in the past, and I'll keep on fighting to be myself, every time you attempt to change me. Remember, Lindsay, I loved you once, but you were the one who destroyed the love between you and me, the day you started making me feel like I was less of a human being," while getting into his car, and speed-dialing Fiona's number.

"Fiona, please don't hang up. I just want the chance to explain. Just give me a chance to explain," he cried in desperation, glancing out the window at Lindsay who was heading back inside the restaurant, "I need to talk to you. I already told you how sorry I was. How sorry I am. But, Fiona. Fiona, don't end things like this. I really think we should…" and he sunk down in his seat, as his heart throbbed with sadness.