The Lawes Girl

11

  "Betty!" Nora yelled over the phone. "Lucille's about to have the baby."

   "What?!"

"Wes called Nina five minutes ago and she just ran out."

   "Are you serious? Are you serious? You better be serious."

"Why would I lie? She called for the plane and then she just left. Betty, she just left." Nora screamed in excitement. "This can't be happening."

   "Oh my goodness! Guys!" Betty called out to anyone and everyone around her. "Lucille..."

   "Deep breaths." Madison said, petting Lucille's hair. Lucille tried to obey. "Deep breaths."

   The pain caused Lucille to groan, and tears run down her cheeks. "Mom I'm scared."

    Madison swallowed air and blinked twice. She could see the fear. It made her scared too. "You'll be fine. You'll be okay. Nina's on her way. Your father's caught up at work, he'll be here later."

    "Where's Wes?"

"He's right outside."

    "What about Nick? He said-"

"Don't worry darling, don't worry, just breathe." Lucille nodded. Letting out a shaky breath. "Good girl. Just breathe."

    The room door was opened gently. In less than a second Nina was by Lucille's side. Just as worried as her mother. "Hey Lulu."

    "Nina." Lucille choked.

"I'm here." She held her sister's hand. "Hey."

    "It hurts." 

"I know." Nina nodded.

    An hour passed. Bryan and Renee arrived, including Geegee. They were all in the room until Madison asked them to leave. Lucille kept asking after Nick. Nick who said he'll be there. Nina came out of the room, bumping into Wes. She rubbed her forehead. "How is she?" He asked.

   "She's asking for Nick. I need to talk to his parents."

"Wait Nina. How long before- wait." He grabbed her arm before she could turn a corner.

   "Nick." She heard Bryan's voice before she looked at Wes. Wes' worry very clear on his face. He looked stiff. Like all the air he needed to breathe was with Lucille. "What?"

   "Is she still cry-"

"What do you mean you're not coming?!"

   That ended that conversation. They turned to watch Bryan on the phone. 

   "I don't want this. I don't want any part of it. I never did."

"Oh and apparently she did?!" Renee stood so close, hoping to hear what Nick was saying. "Nick-"

   "No dad. I'm not coming. Besides, you're there."

"Damn it Nick! She's asking for you."

   "So what?"

"This is your child!" Renee held one hand over her mouth in shock and the other on her husband's arm.

   "I'm not coming."

"Then, don't come back. Don't come back at all. I don't want to see you here." Bryan spat.

   Who was angrier? Nina, who scowled and glared as though she could kill Nick through the phone or Wes, who wanted to beat him to death and just keep beating him? He turned around, running both hands through his hair to keep them busy. "Son of a bitch." Wes hissed. Nina stumped away.

    "It's time." The doctor said. 

A chill ran through Madison's spine. "I can't-" She stepped back.

    "I'll go with her mom." Nina placed her hands on mother's shoulder. Madison nodded.

    "No wait. He's safer inside." Lucille shook her head vehemently. "What if he isn't right? What if-"

    "You'll be fine. He'll be fine." Nina encouraged her. "I'll be with you."

    "What about Nick? Where is Nick. I'm not doing this without Nick."

   Nina bent to Lucille's level. She whispered into her ear, "Nick's not coming."

   "No-" Lucille shook her head, ready to defend him.

"I heard Bryan talking to him. He doesn't want to be here. He's not coming." Geegee watched in a corner in tears, knowing exactly what Nina was telling her. Lucille cried.

    Lucille held on to her baby. Geegee, the Atkins and Nina all staring down at him. "He's so cute." Geegee commented.

    "Yes he is. Aren't you? Marvin."

Nina gasped when she heard the name. "Luce." She smiled. "You gave in."

    "Well done Lucille. You did great. Such a beautiful baby." Renee smiled then went over to her and gave her a side hug.

    Lucille couldn't bring herself to smile. "Thanks."

"Let's give them some space." Nina said. She didn't want them in here any longer. They weren't even going to tell Lucille. At least this way they'll leave.

    Bryan was by the door when it suddenly opened. Wes walked right past them and straight to Lucille a small box in his hand. She looked up at him. He set it down on the side table, then proceeded to pull stray locks of her hair back before kissing her forehead. "Hey." He said. She burst into tears. He gently rested her head on his chest.

    Geegee closed the door behind them. "Who was that?" Renee asked.

    Geegee scoffed. "You shouldn't ask that."

"No. Let them." Nina's fury showed. She pointed at the closed door. "He's her friend who is madly in love with her. He was the most upset when he found out she was pregnant. He'd do anything for her. He even drove her here. And he's been here all night. Where's your son?" She folded her arms. Her eyes wide. Neither one of them spoke. Or looked at each other. "Tell me. Shouldn't he be here? He said he'll be here." They both looked at her, saying nothing.

    "What's going on?" Madison asked. The boiling point anger of her daughter too much for her not to notice. Quincy stood behind her. Having finally arrived. 

    "You have to hear this." Nina chuckled wickedly. "Tell us."

The man who joked couldn't speak. "He's not coming."

    "What?" Madison asked, looking at him with furrowed eyebrows that matched her husband's. Bryan explained. "What is this? Is this a joke?"

    "Oh no mom. It's not."

Quincy held Madison and moved to the side. "Leave." Giving them room to walk past him. The word sounded like a threat. 

    "We had no idea he would do this. We are just as shocked an-"

"Leave!" He yelled, cutting Bryan off. It wasn't right. He shouldn't shout in a hospital. He stood before Bryan and Renee. "Don't make me tell say it again. You wouldn't like it." He warned... more obviously. 

    Lucille hadn't left her room since she got to her parents' house. Madison couldn't be more worried. She wasn't the only one though. However, Madison, hounded her husband on the subject. "What exactly do you want me to do." He slammed his book shut, glaring at her. 

   "I don't know?"

"There are plenty of options Madison. I could kill him, cut off his hands, have him buried alive." His voice seethed with sarcasm."

   She knew. "Lucille hasn't been out of her room. She's hurting."

"She's been to the nursery to be with Marvin."

   "Oh! You mean the room right next to hers?" He smirked. "You can't possibly stay silent about this." She planted her hands on her hips.

   "I can. And I will." He hissed. "You worry too damn much. Instead of talking to me, go to her. And make sure she's better than okay."

   Geegee moved closer. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was all her fault. "You know it's not your fault right?" Nina asked, placing her hand on Lucille's shoulder. 

   "I know." A conclusion she had come to days ago.

"He's just an a*s. Worse even."

   "It's my fault." Geegee spoke up. They both turned to her. Telling her it wasn't. "But it is. Nina, you were right. If I hadn't talked about him so much then this wouldn't be happening. At all. I asked too many questions about him. I put him in your path. And he just-"

   "It's not your fault. And if we're talking about paths, then Mister Atkins is the one who did that." Lucille smiled small. "I would always have met him. I did work for his dad."

   "You should never have met him." Nina said. She chuckled bitterly. "He came around for days asking for you. He was so persistent and-" She scoffed. "If I could-" She hissed and stood up. Too upset for words. Why wasn't Lucille upset. A new line of thought had consumed her. It most definitely isn't Lucille's fault.

   There was a knock on the door, when all eyes turned to it, Madison walked in with Marvin in her arms. "Hi baby." Lucille smiled brightly. It was enough to let Madison sigh with relief. "My baby." Lucille was ready to get up. 

    "No no. Baby M is spending time with Grand Madison. Isn't he?" She smiled at him.

    "Grand Madison?" Both girls looked in amusement. Geegee chuckled. 

    "Yes." Madison stated boldly. 

"Was grandma taken?"

    "It doesn't matter. I like it." She held her head high. "I'm Grand Madison."

    "Is daddy grand Quincy?" Nina asked.

"That's not the question. Of course he's not. The question is, has he laughed at you?" Lucille asked.

    All three of them laughed. Madison smiled. This is good. Lucille smiling and laughing. Not crying so much. She remembered walking into the hospital room and seeing Wes holding on to her. Quincy was right. He's always right. "We have discussed it. Years ago and months ago."

   "Years? What do you mean years?" Nina glared.

"Two, three, maybe. In any case. I just came to let you know my grandson is with me."

    "Creating that special bond already Madison?" Geegee asked.

"Before Quin gets his hands on him. I need someone on my side."

    "I'm on your side too." Geegee announced. "Now it's three against three."

    Madison laughed. "It's about time."

Nina's phone started to ring. "Mom, did you take the rattle with you?" Lucille referred to the silver rattle Wes had bought as a gift for Marvin.

    "He can't use it Cherrylu. He's only a week old."

"Yeah. Yeah you're right."

    "We'll be there." Nina said into her phone then turned. "The girls are waiting. Lulu, you're coming with."

    "No. I-"

"That'll be great. Leave the house for a bit." Madison adviced. 

    "But I'm not-"

"Don't worry. Baby M is coming with."

   "No. No. I'll leave the going out till later. Don't try to force me."

"Lucille. It's good to-"

   "We'll take a stroll round the compound. And I'll be around mom."

   "Alright." Geegee spoke for all of them. "We'll bring you back something."

    Wes raked his free hand over his hair. His girlfriend had hooked his other hand to hers. He nodded with a smile, listening to what she was talking about. "... I told him not to do it. But you know, everyone wants to do things their own way."

    He chuckled. "People are like that." They walked into a bar and stopped. Looking around for the nearest table.

    "Next thing we know, it's shooting out of his nose. Half of us are in shock. Well except me cause I warned him." Wes' smile widened. She looked up at him. "Are you even listening? Or are you just like... pretending."

    "If I wasn't listening, I wouldn't be commenting. But if you don't want me to, I can do that."

    "Stop it." She hit his arm.

"Hey, ouch!" He chuckled. 

    "Wes!" He turned and saw Nina waving her arm, Geegee beside her. The music wasn't too loud in the bar so he heard her call out just once.

    Good, he can ask after Lucille. He nodded in their direction. "You don't mind if we go over to see my friends over there do you?" He asked his girlfriend. 

    Her eyes shifted from the two girls to him. "Friends? They're like so gorgeous. I'm getting jealous just barely looking at them." She gasped. "Is that Nina Lawes as in Nina Lawes?"

    "Mmhmm."

"You know Nina Lawes? Ha! Who am I kidding. Of course you do. I heard her new perfume, her sister was the model."

    "Yeah." His eyes beamed with amusement. 

"You can't be so casual about these things. Why are we still here?"

    He laughed silently, leading her to the table. "Hi." He said, taking a seat. "This is-"

    "Hi!" She interupted. "I'm such a big fan. You are so gorgeous Nina. And your sister." She couldn't stop smiling. "Wow."

    "My girlfriend."

Nina smiled a thin lipped smile. "Thank you."

    "Your movies are-" Wes placed his hand on her thigh. She stopped talking. 

    "What's up? How is Luce?"

"She's fine. She wouldn't leave the house though." Geegee answered. "She's not so sad anymore."

    "She knows it's not her fault right?" He shifted in his seat. All but forgetting his girlfriend was there.

    "I think if she hears someone tell her that one more time, she'll explode." Nina shook her head. Nursing her drink. Wes called for a waiter. "I can't believe this happened. You know what's worse? He planned the whole thing."

    "What?" Geegee looked confused. This didn't come up before.

"I asked her a few questions cause it didn't make sense. He told her he'd go with her for her appointments and the very first time he suddenly couldn't make it. That was when she found out it was a boy by the way." She counted that on her finger. "He didn't even ask her when he saw her later. She just told him. He didn't talk to her about names. I mean other than me and like everyone else, he never did. And to top it off, he leaves more than a month before and doesn't show." She counted four. Wes' girlfriend listened completely clueless. She did admire the way Nina carried herself. 

    Four of them were quiet for a minute. "He played her." Nina chuckled bitterly.

    "Did you tell her this?" Wes asked.

"Oh hey Lulu. When I think about it, I think he played you." She said dramatically. "Of course not. I already gave her one bad news. And she's not stupid. If I know, then she knows."

    Geegee sighed in disbelief. "I can't believe this."

"He was so-" Nina sighed. "There. Who does that? Who shows up every single day looking for someone just to end up leaving? He came over until she got back. Then he insisted she talk to him. He basically did everything he was supposed."

    "But the signs were there." Geegee pointed out. 

"The signs were there." Nina repeated. "And no one noticed. She was fine. She was okay with him not being involved from the start. How cruel do you have to be to pull that off?" Her eyes stung. If Nick Atkins were here, she would kill him. So very much. "She was fine. She was okay with what she had to do. Luce is the bravest girl I know and I couldn't bare seeing her like that."

    "Hey." Geegee placed her hand on Nina's back. "She's fine now."

    Nina sighed. Suddenly unable to drink. "It's a good thing she has you then. And all of you who care so much for her." Wes looked at his girlfriend as she spoke. "I mean, I have no idea what's going on. But if you guys worry about her this much even when she might be fine, then she'll be fine no matter what." Did that make sense? She can tell her friends She gave Nina Lawes advice at least.

    All three nodded. "She's right." Wes concluded.

The other drinks finally arrived and were placed before Wes and the girl.

   "What was her crime? Letting him take her home?" Geegee asked, not expecting an answer. 

   Wes stared at his glass. Maybe if he had been with her then she wouldn't have been with Nick. The whole story about them haunted him. If he could just tell her. But every time he saw Lucille, she took away the words. "She didn't deserve that." He sighed. He could still feel her in his arms crying. 'I'm miserable Wes.' The words probably not exact, but he remembered. The scowl that had formed on his face during his deep thought released. He looked at his girlfriend who's forehead creased with worry. He smiled small. It didn't reach his eyes.

    "He's just so cruel. He'd said quite some things to her but this is just cruel."

    "It's okay Nina. Like she said, Luce will be fine."

"Don't pretend you didn't... don't want to hurt him just as much as I do. If not more."

    He kept his eyes on Nina. "Even if. I don't know where he is. And neither do you." His scowl came back. There was also the fact that he had never met Nick Atkins. 

    "Guys, don't do this. Don't get mad at each other." Geegee spoke before Nina could. "Let's do what matters and be there for her and Marvin."

   "Mister Lawes?" Came Charles' voice from the other side of the door.

   "Enter." Quincy said. Looking away from the group seated in his office when Charles walked in.

    "I apologise for this." He looked around the room uncomfortably. "But a Mister Atkins is at the door and refuses to leave. He insists on speaking with you and the family. Most especially you sir. And Lucille." He waited for Quincy to speak. He didn't. "If I may sir, he complained that he had been calling your office at work and no one would patch him through to you."

    Of course he complained to Charles. Then again, it might be the frustration. "You shouldn't leave him standing outside Charles. Let him come in."

    "Do we leave Mister Lawes?" One in the group asked.

Quincy smiled small, waving his hand. "Of course not. We finish this. He will wait." He turned to Charles. "Once I am in the livingroom Charles, inform my wife and Lucille. And have Mattilda watch Marvin."

    "Of course sir. And sir, his wife is here as well."

"That doesn't change anything. Let them in." He faced the group again. "As I was saying..." Charles shut the door behind him.

    Bryan got up from his seat when Quincy arrived. As did Renee. "Quincy." Bryan started, not waiting for anything. "You have to understand. We-"

    "Lucille will be here in a moment. You know it's her you have to explain this to." He sat down. "That is what you're here to do isn't it?" Quincy relaxed in his chair, patiently waiting with disinterest for them to come.

    Five minutes later Madison and Lucille came in. Bryan and Renee were standing again. Renee stepped towards Lucille. Lucille moved away. She didn't want to be here. After the awkward pleasantries from the Atkins that hung heavy with silence from the Lawes, everyone was seated and Bryan started again. "We did not know this would happen. We were shocked when he told us and are just so very disappointed in him. Lucille you have to know this. We are sorry." He focused on Lucille. Her face almost mirrored her father's. 

   "Are you apologising for him or for keeping it from her?" Madison asked.

   "We didn't intend to keep it from her. Or want to." Renee spoke, glancing at Bryan. "We couldn't understand it. Nicholas told Bryan to call him once it was time. We did. But hearing him say what he said was troubling to us. We didn't know what to do. And you must know it wouldn't have been the right time to give her such terrible news."

    "That's the thing about terrible news. There is no right time. What was the plan then? Allow her to keep asking? Leave her in the dark?" Madison hissed.

    "Honestly, we didn't know what to do. But I assure you. We are not condoning what he did and neither are we apologising for him. What he has done is horrible and I can't imagine why he would just decide-"

    Lucille stood up abruptly. One more word about this and she would... she didn't know what she would do. But her eyes stung, a lump had formed in her throat and she was angry. "I understand." She tried to clear her throat. It hurt. It hurt Madison to hear her voice so low. Quincy didn't move. "I do not hold anything against you both. Mom, daddy. It's okay. Thank you for coming. If you will excuse me." She rushed out of the room.

   "We would like to see the baby-"

"Unfortunately, he is asleep. Some other time would be best. When the air is less tense." Quincy said. 

   "Come with us to the garden. We should have tea. And resolve this between us. We wouldn't want the second time you see your grandson to be filled with hostility." Madison smiled small.

   Music filled the house with its rhythmic sounds. First she was swaying to it, within minutes she was humming along and next she was singing. Singing and swaying as she put away the dishes and arranged the kitchen for the second time that week. The smile on her face was infectious. She reached over to grab grab a towel to wipe her hands with when his large hand got hold of her wrist, spinning her to face him. A sly smile on his face as he too began to dance to the music. Leading her with no effort at all. She laughed when he tried to dip her and gasped when he swung her to the side of the room. Her hands went instinctively to her round stomach. "Oh!" Nick froze. "I'm sorry. Did that-"

   "No. It's fine." She laughed. 

"I couldn't resist. Seeing you so care free."

   "Music does that." She breathed heavily. Pulling out a chair and taking a seat. "It was very useful when I went away."

   "You ran away." Nick corrected. 

"I don't run." Lucille smiled. "Just needed time. And now, you've interupted my work." She tucked a stray lock of red hair behind her ear.

   "I know." He too drew out a chair and sat in front of her, lifting up her bare feet and resting them on his thighs. Lucille arched a brow in wonder, smirking. "Don't question it." Lucille snorted a laugh. "How can I help? Where do things go?" He looked around the kitchen. 

   "You can't help. My sister loves things the exact way she left them. And I can do my own chores."

   "Why do you never accept help from me?"

"It's not just from you. And that's not true. If I really need help, I ask. Always." He nodded. "Shouldn't you be at work?"

   "It's been months Lucille and you still ask that question. I'm beginning to think you don't want me here."

   "I enjoy your company. Although, if you were at work, I wouldn't be sitting right now."

   He dragged in air. "You're right." He let it out. 

They talked for hours and by the time she realised it, it was almost midnight. "Wow." She looked at the clock with surprised wide eyes. "look at the time."

   "Mmhmm." Silence.

"Did you lose your house or something?"

   "What?" Nick chuckled. "No."

"Are you avoiding someone?"

   "Are you chasing me out? That's rude Lucille. Your mother is being rude." He spoke to her stomach.

   "Lucille shook her head."

"What about your girlfriend?"

   "Who? Just kidding. She's still upset. I gave up."

Lucille nodded. Not sure what to make of that and choosing not to ask any more questions on the subject. "You can stay if you want."

   "Thanks. But no. I was wondering. The children..." He changed the subject and they kept talking. Before long, she was asleep and then he too fell asleep right beside her on the couch.

   In the quiet of the night, Lucille had made her way down large corridors and stairs until she was in the the kitchen. Oblivious to her destination as her thoughts carried her away. She came back to the present when she switched on the lights to the kitchen. The fridge not less than fifteen steps away from her. She looked around aimlessly. Her eyes settling on the telephone hanging on a wall to her left and her mind drifting again. 

   "Nick, that's stupid."

"It's sweet, come on. Let me talk to my son. Put my baby on the phone."

   Lucille chuckled, sitting up. "Fine." She put the phone to her stomach. Seconds later, phone was back against her ear. 

   "...You be good. And kick a few times so we know you're okay." Lucille covered her mouth laughing silently. "I'll be back soon."

   "Are you done?"

"Yeah. You shouldn't be eavesdropping." She didn't say a word. "I can't believe it. When I get back, he'll be born and more here than he is now."

   "Yeah." She licked her lips. "It's both scary and exciting."

"I'll be with you." His words strong with promise.

   Pretending. That's all he'd been doing all this time. She'd figured it out like Nina knew she would. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Why did he have to come in and say all those things and promise promises he was planning on skipping out on? The more she thought, the angrier she got. Rage flooding through her like all the thoughts of moments when he'd been good and the times he'd insulted her before they found out and all the things he'd said. He made her believe him and trust him all so he could leave. Lie lie lie that's all he did. She remembered how she called for him in the hospital and hated herself for it. Because she'd trusted him. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Because she believed him, missed the signs and he just lied and pretended with no-

    Lucille moved the nearest table, brushing jars, plates, glasses, covered half of of a whole cake- everything on the table to the ground with all the rage in her, screaming at the top of her lungs. Her hands fell by her sides and she dropped to the floor weakly. Her upper body shook as she sobbed. Why didn't he leave her alone? Why did he have to insist and ask only to be so brutal and horrible? The good thing about a large house. No one heard her screaming. And the employee house was too far away for anyone to hear.

   Nina however, went looking for her thirty minutes later. The sound of her calling out for Lucille drew Mattilda out of her room. Both their hearts broke when they saw her on the floor. Nina was by Lucille's side before Mattilda could blinked. "Luce? Lucille?" She brushed Lucille's hair back.

   Lucille looked up at her. Eyes red and puffy. "I'm sorry." Nina helped her up. "I thought-" Her voice course from the screaming.

   "It's okay Luce. Mattie, help me take her to her room please."

"Mattie I'm sorry. I can clean it up." Lucille looked at the older woman.

   "No. Sweetie. Don't worry about it."

Nina, all too aware of Lucille's rage and how she gets, had to put her own anger aside for the sake of her sister. 

   With the collar of his grey knee lengthened coat turned up, keeping the slightly rough breeze and drops of rain away from his neck while the coats shoulder pads soaked. Nick moved briskly out of the side walk and into the hotel he had been staying in. His strides large as he crossed the distance from the lobby to the elevators. When he got to his room, he shrugged off the damp coat and pulled out his phone from his pocket. He hadn't got any calls. He'd expected to get more than a call from his parents. Not to mention Lucille. Turns out he expected too much. No one bothered to call him. Not since he talked to his father that night. Had it been night? The day was hazy. Most days where hazy. Except for work. He rubbed his newly forming beard and went for the fridge. Taking out a bottle of bourbon and getting himself a glass. That's when his phone rang. "Yes?"

   "Hey it's Bart."

"Hey." He rubbed the side of his stomach. 

   "What's going on? Is there a plan to keep you there? It's been three months."

   "There might be."

"What does that mean? Are you coming back or do I get a promotion?"

   "I don't think that's up to me."

"No it's not." Bart scoffed. Nick wedged the phone between his ear and shoulder to pour himself a drink. "I think something's wrong with your dad."

   "Yeah?" He said with sincere disinterest. 

"Talk is, someone mentioned you and he nearly flipped. He hasn't been himself. Not in in a few weeks."

   "What are you, his therapist? You have no business with him anyway. You listen to Suzanne's gossip now?"

   "Everyone listens to Suzanne. Including you."

"It's usually entertaining. And not about my father's state of mind."

   "Look, I just thought you should know."

"Thanks." He took a gulp. "I'm sure it's nothing."

   "When are you coming back? There's a deal we need to celebrate. And another we need to talk over."