On the Edge (19 page)

             
Dad walks over to me and kneels down in front of me.  Jason lets me go so I can sit up straight and look at my dad.  A tear trickles down his cheek as he wraps me in a warm embrace.  He releases me and looks at Jason.  Shakes Jason’s hand and gives him his infamous half smile of appreciation.  “I talked to the uniformed officers.  Since you and Tommy have a romantic relationship, they are charging him with domestic battery.  Also, since he attacked Jason after Jason defended you, they are charging him with assault and battery.  They have issued a warrant for his arrest effective immediately,” Dad says never talking his eyes off of me.

             
“Abigail, why didn’t you tell me you suspected Tommy of being on drugs?  You know I would have helped you.  You never should have confronted him on your own.  That is one of the most dangerous things anyone can do, especially a pregnant woman on bed rest.”

             
“I don’t know dad.  I wasn’t even one hundred percent sure he was on drugs.  I didn’t want to mention it and everyone get mad at him and it not be true,” I say with my eyes on the floor.

             
“Abigail, look at me,” Dad orders.  “I would rather investigate a claim and it be false, than to be kept in the dark and it be something that should have been investigated.  You’re my daughter.  From the moment you were conceived it has been my job to protect and love you,” Dad says as he wraps his arms around me in a hug. 

             
Dad holds me for a long time as I continue to cry.  It isn’t until mom comes in to tell us that dinner is ready that Dad releases me and helps me to my feet.  “Why don’t we go eat some of your mom’s delicious food and try to get past today?  What do you say princess?”

             
I nod my head and follow my family to the dining area.  I sit next to my mom and she wraps her arms around me and kisses my temple.

 
Chapter Sixteen

             
It’s been a week since the attack.  Tommy was arrested that night at his apartment.  Dad and I have been talking to the district attorney and have requested that the charges against him for his violence against me be reduced to probation and mandatory anger management.  Dad wanted mandatory drug tests but because the charges were not drug related.  Jason requested that the assault and battery charge against Tommy be tied into the probation with the domestic battery charge. 

             
The district attorney was more than happy to oblige to the charges and the punishment.  Our correctional institutions are overpopulated and a trail would cost the tax payers a lot of money.  Dad has decided that he wants someone with me at all times starting today since Tommy is scheduled to be released.  Yes, I have a restraining order against him but Dad says that all a restraining order is is a piece of paper and paper doesn’t protect someone. 

             
The only person that Dad’s rule really affects is moms.  She has to plan all of her outings around my dad’s schedule or have Mike or Jason stay with me.  I asked dad why Katherine couldn’t stay with me since she wasn’t in college yet and she didn’t work and dad scrunched his face up.  “Abigail, your mom has a hand gun and can protect you by shooting his ass if he comes near you.  If I gave Katherine a gun, she would shot herself in the foot.  No way is she going to be the one that is left with you to keep you safe.” 

             
In the end, Jason decided to stay over at the house with me most days anyways.  After his first week of work, he was able to do a large majority of his job from a laptop in our living room.  I have to admit, it has been fun having Jason around all day.  We laugh and play video games or watch movies most of the day. 

             
                          
 
*   *   *

            
 
By the end of my four weeks of bed rest, we have all fallen into a routine.  I changed my cell phone number while Tommy was in jail so I have had no contact with him.  Bed rest was hell and I am glad that today is my appointment with Dr. Hubert.  Hopefully, he will allow me off of bed rest so I can live life with the rest of the world.  I feel like I have lost some intelligence by watching so much television.  I did make an attempt at Sudoku.  That was a total fail.  I tip my hat to those that can actually solve those puzzles.  I prefer crossword over puzzles involving math any day.

“Abigail, are you ready?  We don’t want to be late for your appointment,” my mom calls out to me.  She sure is an eager beaver.  I think it’s because she knows that we get to see the little ones again today and she gets to be a part of that for once.  I have to admit, I’m quite excited to see my babies too.  I want to see how much they’ve grown in the past four weeks.

“I’m ready, Mom,” I inform her.  “Just let me grab my purse and I’ll meet you in the car,” I holler back at her.  It’s just mom and I today.  Jason had to go to the office and work for a few hours this morning. 

We arrive at my appointment right on time.  The waiting room is empty.  I sign myself in and take a seat between
next to Mom.  She is reading some novel she started the other day.  I grab a magazine and flip through the pages.  Man, some of these girls are gorgeous.  Maybe I should ask Katherine to teach me how to do some fancy stuff with makeup.  I push the thought out of my mind quickly.  Asking Katherine to teach me makeup would be a horrible mistake.  My babies would be grown and out of the house before Katherine finished “teaching” me. 

I’m called back in no time at all.  The nurse takes my weight and blood pressure.  I have gained the ten pounds that I lost since my first appointment and my blood pressure is normal.  I’m taken back to my room and told to go ahead and strip from the waist down as before.  Mom wait
s on the other side of the door while I disrobe.  She comes in as soon as I’m done and on the exam table.  The doctor only makes us wait a few minutes before he joins us.  “How have you been?  Have you been on bed rest like I ordered?” Dr. Hubert asks.

“Yes, I have and my mom has been a stickler about it.  I wasn’t e
ven allowed a shower unattended,” I explain as I roll my eyes.

“That’s good.  Just what the doctor ordered,” he says with a smile.  “Well, let’s see how your cervix has healed from the trauma you suffered and then take a look at these babies.”

He puts my feet in the stirrups and starts the exam.  It’s uncomfortable but not painful like it was in the emergency room.  “You have fully healed from the trauma.  If you wish, you can resume sexual activity but please be careful next time.” He says as he looks at me.  I flush and refuse to make eye contact with my mom.

He grabs the ultrasound machine from out in the hall and places warm gel over my belly.  “Now, let’s see how these little ones are doing,” he states as he places the wand over my belly.  In no time at all, we see two babies on the screen.  They are no longer baby beans.  We are able to clearly make out arms and legs and heads.  Oh, they are so adorable. 
I feel like my heart has just grown ten sizes seeing my babies. 

“They are growing right on track.  They are still measuring for a due date for January 10.  However, I must inform you that we usually do a scheduled induction between 35 and 37 weeks because one or both may have a stunt in growth.  What I’m saying is expect these little ones to be here before Christmas.” Dr. Hubert announces.

I glance over at my mom.  She is sitting in her seat rummaging through her purse.  She pulls out a Kleenex and grabs her phone.  I’m certain she’s texting my dad to inform him that the babies will be here before the end of the year.  My mom is going to be a terrific grandma and my poor dad is going to be sent straight to the poor house.  She already started buying for the buggers and we don’t even know their gender yet.

“I will need to see you in another four weeks for a check-up.  So long as nothing happens between now and then, all we will do is get your stats and do an ultrasound.  We should be able to determine the gender of the babies at the next appointment.  Under normal circumstances, we don’t find the gender out until 20 weeks; however, if you want to bring family and friends, we do have a larger room to accommodate up to ten people.”

“Thank you, doctor,” I say as I get into an upright position and my mom leaves the room so that I have privacy to dress.  I quickly dress and grab my purse before leaving the room.  I make an appointment for the twenty-third of July.  I have to say, I’m excited to learn if we are having two boys or two girls.  Secretly, I am hoping for girls but I know my dad and brother really want boys.  Katherine has already said girls only.  She wants to dress them up in frilly dresses and bows that are twice the size of their heads.  The only person who has not said what they prefer is Jason.  All he wants is for them to get here and be healthy.   

“Are we ready?” Mom asks me.

“Yea, I have an appointment next month.  It’s a fairly early appointment.  I’m not sure if anyone will be able to join us.”

“Oh honey, I’m sure the guys will take the day off of work for this.  This is a big deal.  We will finally be able to start the nursery i
n gender appropriate colors,” she shrieks with excitement

“Now mom, we don’t want to break Dad financially with these little ones,” I remark with a smile on my face. 

“Oh, you just shush now!  It’s not every day that you get to become a grandma and I am going to spoil these babies until the day I die!”

As mom is unlocking the door, I hear a man’s voice call my name.  Mom and I both look up and see Tommy standing a few yards away.  I glance at mom and she’s fishing out her phone and walking toward me.  “Tommy, you are in violation of the restraining order.  You were told to stay five hundred feet away from my daughter.”

Tommy holds his hands up to indicate that he is not a threat.  “Mrs. Wilkinson, I am not here to harm either of you.  I just want to talk to Abigail.  I need to apologize to her.”

I look at mom and ask her to give us a few minutes.  My heart is pounding but I need to talk to Tommy and hear him out.  He is the father of these babies.  “Fine Abby, I’ll be in the car.  You two have ten minutes and then the conversation is done!”  She exclaims as she climbs in the driver seat of the car. 

I lean up against the trunk of the car and cross my arms over my belly and wait for Tommy to talk.  “I know I was an asshole, Abigail.  I don’t deserve a second chance to be with you; however, I think I deserve a chance to be a father to these babies.  All I’m asking is to be there for the babies.  I want to be included in the appointments for them, their birth and their life afterward.  Can I please have that?”

I just stand there staring at him.  I am stunned.  I figured he wouldn’t want anything to do with the babies after I left him.  After a few seconds, or minutes, I finally made my decision.  “Tommy, I don’t want to keep these babies from you.  At one point, I did love you and it was, through that love, that we created these babies.  I still do not trust you so I refuse to be alone with you but I don’t see an issue with you being a part of their lives.  Now, Jason is part of my life and I will not pick you over him.  You accept him or you get no part in the babies lives.  It’s as simple as that!”  I say staring him in the eyes.  I refuse to back down and I refuse to show that I both fear and love him still.

“I get it Abigail.  I don’t expect you to take me back but I still love you and I always will.  I hope to get you back one day but I don’t expect you to ever take me back.  All I can hope for is to be a part of our children’s lives.”

I am almost rendered speechless.  If he were to be this sweet and caring all the time, I could see a future with him and our children.  “My next appointment is July twenty-third.  If you want, you may attend.  We will find out the gender that day.  I’m hoping the rest of my family will be there so be prepared to be met with hostility.  You have to prove yourself to more than just me,” I say as I turn to head to the passenger side of the car.

“I’ll be there Abigail.  Thank you,” he says before heading back to his car.

Mom and I don’t say a word on the car ride home.

             
            
 
*   *   *

Mom is starting dinner.  We’re having brisket and she always starts cooking early to make sure the meat is cooked through enough.  I take my place beside her and help her out while she teaches me her secret seasoning.  “You know, sweetheart, we don’t spend nearly enough time in the kitchen together.  You’re going to be a mom soon.  I need to teach you to cook some wholesome meals for your family.  They will depend on you to nourish them.”

“I have watched you a lot, Mom, even when you thought I wasn’t.  I’ve learned to cook, but I do need all the recipes.  I can’t cook from memory yet and I want to enjoy your dishes and pass them down to my family.”

Mom and I finish preparing the meal while talking about nothing in particular.  Before I know it, Mom and I have the table set and dinner finished.  Mike, Katherine and Jason walk through the front door just ahead of Dad.  We are having a family dinner for the first time in a few weeks and I’m excited.  I’ve missed the guys and I want to hear about their new jobs.  I find Mike first and give him a big hug.  “Hey sis, how have you been?  Look at that belly,” he exclaims.

“I’ve been great.  Yea, the belly just keeps growing and growing,” I blush.

“I can see that.  Glad to see my nieces or nephews are doing well.  They sure gave us a scare a few weeks ago, didn’t they?”

“How many kids do you know that don’t give their family a good scare or two?” I reply.

“This is true,” he mutters as he makes his way to the dining room.

Jason wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek.  “Sorry, I couldn’t be with you today at your appointment.  I won’t miss the next one.  I promise.”

I blush and smile at him.  “It’s fine Jason.  You have a life outside of being my protector.  I don’t expect you always be around.”

“Oh quit that!  You know I love and care for you.  You are the most important
person in my life.  Well, you and the babies.”

I blush and head to the dining room.  Jason follows behind me and pulls my chair out.  He really is a sweetheart.  Conversation is already in full swing around the table. 

“So, how is work treating you, Michael?” Mom asks before we’re done plating our food.

“It’s good, Mom.  I like being in Human Resources at Freud’s,” he says.  Freud’s is a local shipping company.  Mike landed a position in human resources since he received his bachelor’s degree.

“How about you, Jason, how’s your new job going?” 

“Well, Mrs. Wilkinson, it’s a lot of hard work.  I didn’t realize that being a financial advisor would be stressful but I love it.”  Jason landed a position as a financial advisor for a firm downtown.  He’s in the position of helping people manage their money, both in investments and debt relief.  Maybe Tommy and I can get some advice from him?

“Well, Abby has some exciting news to share,” Mom says looking toward me.

Oh yea, the gender reveal next month.  I almost forgot.  Everyone is glancing at me waiting for me to speak.  I finish my mouth full of mashed potatoes before speaking.  “Well, the doctor said that the babies are good and healthy and that we should be able to tell the gender with my next appointment.  He said I can bring up to ten people to this next appointment.”