Life with the ex-bad neighbor

Chapter fourteen - Arrested

Emma's POV:

Last week I met a nice guy. He doesn't have luck in love. The same is for me. I have to let new people into my life, but I can't do it. It's like I am stuck in the past. The baby is not helping. Soon I will be in the seventh month. I am going to my regular checkings. Doctor Williams said that in the seventh and eighth months, I have to go twice each month. During the ninth, I have to go every week. I am still going to work. I know that I should rest, but my work is what keeps me distracted. Whenever I show my plan to customers, they congratulate me on my baby. They don't know me, but it's sweet to hear this from them. Mostly because they know what it is or are experiencing it like me. Kim always makes sure that I am fine and not stressed. She is the perfect boss. With these types of people, I like to work. Some bosses are cold, but luckily, mine isn't. Vince's parents, or mostly his mom, come to check on me almost every day. I told her that I was fine, but she still came. Honestly, I don't mind. I'm glad that so many people take care of me. I feel sorry for what I did after Vince's death, but I felt awful. Now things are better. It's not a lie that I got excited about seeing the baby. I have to say that my life has been peaceful. The worst thing is that Vince is not here. Ricky stopped bothering me, or at least I haven't seen him soon. I hope that it stays like that. He caused enough damage.

I woke up and checked my phone. It was 10 am. During the weekends, I sleep more. I won't lie that, lately, I feel like sleeping almost all the time. The baby is saying its word. The problem is that I can't concentrate on my work. I hope that she won't be from the crying babies. I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night. I know this is part of my job as a mom, but I don't know if I can do it. Sometimes I want to sleep. That's it, nothing else. I'm not that tired, but like every person, I need a rest. I have no idea how mom and miss Gray were doing it. They and every woman who has been through this are true survivors.

Finally, I decided to get up. I don't have plans for the day, but I can't stay in bed. When I was ready, I walked downstairs for breakfast. Miss and mister Gray were already here. It's not like I knew that they would come. I greeted them and sat at the table. I was hungry. I am trying to eat less because I don't want to be fat. Well, it's not working. This baby wants a lot of food.

- How are you, Emma? - miss Gray asked me

- I'm fine, thanks.

- Today, all of us are going for lunch together. - mom said

- Sure, no problem. Can we invite miss and mister Campbell?

- Why?

- Because they still feel bad about Ricky. I don't want them to feel ignored. It wasn't their fault.

- Ok, I will call them.

- Thanks, mom.

Until lunchtime, I was talking with my and Vince's mom. Both of them were giving me advice about the baby. It's visible that they are excited. I would do anything to see Vince again, but I know it's impossible. Miss Gray showed me pictures of her son when he was little. I won't lie that he was a cutie. As I have said before, I want my baby to look like him.

At 12 pm, all of us walked out. I don't know to which restaurant we are going. As long as they serve chocolate cake, I am good. Miss and Mister Campbell were already waiting for us. I hope that we are not that late. Soon a waiter came and gave us the menu.

- Emma, what do you want? - mom asked

- A chocolate cake.

- Ok, but before that, you need to eat something else.

- But I want a cake.

- When I was pregnant, all I ate was candies. Once I woke him up to go and buy me some. - miss Campbell said

- Does your child like sweets?

- No, or at least not that much.

- That's interesting. Usually, what the mother eats reflects her child.

- Yeah, this is true. Well, kids shouldn't eat only one food.

- But at the end of the day, the most important thing is milk.

- Yes, it is.

- Ok, I want a chicken salad and chocolate cake.

- Fine, you will have your cake. - dad said, and we laughed

All of us were eating peacefully and talking. The salad was good, but I couldn't wait for my cake. I ordered one, but when I saw the piece, I was disappointed. How could these people cut me such a small piece? That is not enough at all. I called the waiter and told him to bring me two more pieces. He looked at me, and I pointed to my belly. I ate all of the cake, and it was delicious. Everyone looked at me like I had committed a crime. Miss Campbell started laughing.

- What?

- I was the same as you. It wasn't healthy, but I was hungry.

- I'm hungry, ok?

- Honey, we understand this. Don't you think that you eat too much sugar? - mom asked

- It's my body, and I can do whatever I want with it. Understood?

- Ok, don't be mad at me.

- Then don't make me.

- The baby is speaking. - miss Gray said, chuckling

After my delicious dessert, I walked to the toilet. It was empty, no matter that there were many people in the restaurant. I did my job and washed my hands. I was drying them when I was a person in the mirror.

- Did you miss me?

- What the heck are you doing here?

- I came to check how is my baby.

- I am not your baby.

- Who said that I was talking about you?

- Don't you dare. Stay away from me.

- What if I don't do it?

- My parents are here.

- I know. The same as mine and your ex's.

- He is not my ex, and you know it.

- But he is not here.

- Because you killed him. Why did you do that?

- I warned you a couple of times, but you didn't listen. Now you are all mine.

- No, I'm not. Leave me alone.

- You can't leave the baby without a father.

- I prefer her not to have one, instead of having someone like you.

- Oh, that's hurt me.

- Ricky, for once, leave me alone. I didn't do anything to you. Can't you accept the truth?

- Don't worry. I won't hurt you. After all, I want to see my baby.

- It's not yours! I can do a DNA test if it's necessary.

- Yes, but she won't know.

- What did you say?

- That she won't know.

- How do you know that it's a girl?

- I have my ways. Now, about the wedding. When do you want it to be? - he said and moved closer

- Eww. No. Go away.

I was about to run away, but he blocked the door. I have deja vu. How am I supposed to get rid of him? Maybe there is a way. I had officer Mayers's number on the speed dial. I called him but lowered the volume. I don't want Ricky to hear his voice. Soon, he answered.

- Ricky, leave me alone.

- I won't stay away from my girl.

- How did you know that we were at Barbara's restaurant? Are you stalking me?

- I don't need to do that.

- Will you let me go?

- No. Well, if you come with me, I will do that.

- There is no way that I will do that.

- Then, I can't let you go. You might tell someone I am here, and I won't have time to escape.

- You are crazy, you know?

- Maybe. Now finally, I can get something from you.

I quickly leaned down and walked to the opposite wall. It's not like this is helping me. I was trapped again. This time there is no escaping. Soon I heard the door open and saw officer Mayers. Thank god that he is here. He made me a sign to don't say anything. Very quietly, he walked behind Ricky and handcuffed him.

- What the heck? When did you call them?

- While you were playing games. I have the police officer's number on the speed dial.

- You little b*tch. You will pay me for this.

- Mister Campbell, I will arrest you for harassing this woman and killing her boyfriend in a car crash.

- What? You have no proof that it was me.

- We found your car. It got stolen, but your DNA was all over it. Moreover, next time don't leave a picture of miss Sander there.

- What? You can't do this. I'm innocent.

- Everybody says this. We'll talk in court. Let's go.

- Thank you, officer Mayers. - I said

- No problem.

I took a deep breath and walked back to the table. I thought that miss and mister Cambell might be upset, but no. They were happy when the police arrested their son. Well, he deserves it. I hope that he won't bother me anymore. It's not like he can, except if he doesn't find a way to escape jail, but this is almost impossible.

- Emma, are you ok? Did he do something to you? - miss Campbell asked me

- No, I'm fine. Don't worry.

- How is the baby?

- Hey, everything is fine. Don't feel guilty.

- How am I not supposed to? Look what he is doing. My son makes mistake after mistake. He will never learn his lesson. I don't know what I did to deserve this.

- You didn't do anything. Now, let's eat another piece of cake.

- Emma. - dad said

- I know.

After lunch, all of us walked home. To be honest, I was afraid that Ricky would notice my phone. I had it on the back of my jeans. When we were on this awful vacation, he locked my phone. Now, he is not even checking if I have it with me. When you want something so bad, you don't think about the bad things that could happen. I want Ricky to learn his lesson, but I don't think he will do it.

- Emma, can I talk with you? - miss Campbell asked

- Sure. Let's go to the backyard.

- I want you to know that if you need something, you can call me. I will do anything for you.

- I know, and I appreciate it.

- Tell me what you want.

- I want you to stop feeling guilty. Nothing of this is your fault. Ricky is a grown-up person and responsible for his actions.

- Maybe I made a mistake, but I don't know where.

- You are an amazing parent.

- I wish that it was true.

- It is. All you have to do is to believe it.

- I can try.

- Hey. When the baby is born, I will need extra help. Will you do this for me?

- With pleasure.

- I'm glad to hear that.

The rest of the day, all of us spent at home. Everyone was making plans for the baby. I have three months, but I won't lie that I like listening to them. They are so excited to see it. Well, it's not like I'm not. The only missing person is Vince. I won't stop hoping that one day he will come back. I feel it. Maybe it won't be in person, but I know he will find a way to be with me. He was my first love and will be my last one. I don't want to date anyone else. Forever and always, Vince will be the only owner of my heart. I love you, Vince. Rest in peace.