Always A Bride (4 page)

She pulled away.
“We have to stop this. While you are engaged to Molly we can’t behave this way.”

“
Then I’m going to have to hurry up and deal with Molly and her father. Because I can’t bear to be near you and not touch you and kiss you, and soon that won’t be enough.”

“
Let me get these flowers in water so we can get out of here. You know what a small town this is, and someone is going to see your car in Mom’s driveway and talk.”

“
I’m ready. We’re going downtown for dinner to try and avoid the small-town crowd.”

The flowers tended to, Alex and Harvey left. They were quiet during the ride into town
. It was about a thirty-minute drive and Alex just enjoyed the very nearness of Harvey. She held his hand and closed her eyes. She thought of their past and future. Hopes and fears ran through her mind.

What if Harvey doesn't get out
of his engagement to Molly?
Or what if he does and we don't get along at all? Maybe it will all work out and everything I've ever dreamed of is about to come true.

Too may
“what ifs”. Alex shook her head and focused on the moment. “Where are we going?”

“
The Varsity.”

“
Okay.” Alex loved the Varsity, but she thought this date was about talking and dealing with their issues. While a chili cheeseburger and a frosted orange would be fabulous, The Varsity was always loud and crowded and not the best place for an intimate conversation.

“
Just kidding. A quiet, little Italian place in midtown. One of those places with booths with curtains and candles in wine bottles. You’ll love it.”

“
It sounds perfect.” Alex squeezed Harvey’s hand and leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment.

* * *

Harvey had made reservations, so their table was ready—a booth in the corner with a semi-circular seat so they could sit next to each other. A bottle of Pinot Grigio was waiting for them.

Harvey’s hand shook ever so slightly as
he filled their glasses. He had a lot to tell Alex tonight, and part of it wasn’t going to be easy at all.

“
Thanks for coming with me tonight. I hope you’ll understand I never intended for things to turn out this way. I always thought you would come home.” Harvey took a long drink. “I don't even know where to start. I had to attend those dang social events and Molly was there. I never planned on things going as far as they did.”

“
Harvey, you aren't making much sense. Just tell me why things are so complicated,” Alex said.

He held Alex’s hands and looked into her eyes.
“I fell in love with you in sixth grade. I never expected to be explaining to you how I ended up engaged to someone else. I didn’t want things to turn out this way.”

“
Harvey, honey, what the heck is going on?”

His stomach churned and sweat
beaded on his brow. “Molly and I started going to those country club events together. The fundraisers, the special occasion events, you know what I mean. I wasn’t seeing anyone else. I had to go and she was always going too. It just made sense for us to go together.”

“
I understand that completely. God Bless Sam. He’s taken me to more of those things than he ever wanted to.”

“
Really? I thought you said you hadn’t dated anyone?”

“
I haven’t. Frank is Sam’s partner. They’ve been together for years. Sam and I work together so much, it just helps for us to be seen together socially too.”

“
Oh.” Harvey was a little bit embarrassed.
That will teach me to make assumptions.

“
I still don’t understand how some social events led to you being engaged and why this is so complicated.” Frustration leaked into Alex’s voice.

“
There’s no easy way to say it. Alex, Molly is pregnant.” Saying the words released his tension and the burden he’d been carrying seemed lighter. He hadn’t told anyone and, other than her parents, he didn’t think Molly had either.

Alex pulled her hands
out of his and slid away from him. “Oh.”

That one small word spoke volumes.
Her voice didn't crack but that one syllable rang with anguish. It hurt him. He had heard it before, when she called to tell him her father had died, and it hurt him then as well. Now the pain pierced his heart because he had caused it.

“
Alex. I’m sorry. I don’t know how it happened.”

“
You’re a doctor. For goodness sake, Harvey. I shouldn’t have to explain that to you,” Alex raised her voice and moved farther away.

“
I mean, I don’t remember the night we…that I…well the night it happened.”

“
What are you saying, Harvey?” Alex rolled her eyes. “Are you sure she’s really pregnant and isn’t just saying so to trap you? You know that what Molly wants, Molly, by gosh, is going to get.”

Harvey looked around the room nervously
. Alex was getting louder and he was afraid people would notice. “I did the blood test myself. She’s pregnant.”

“
And I am supposed to believe that you don’t remember having sex with her?”

“
I don’t. We had gone to a party. Molly’s dad let us use the limo that night so I had a drink or two.” Harvey took another long drink.

“
So she got you drunk and took advantage of you?” Alex shook her head and turned away from him.

“
We had some champagne in the limo. She invited me in when we got to her apartment. I remember going in, sitting on the couch and having another drink. The next thing I knew I was waking up in her bed.”

“
And then she was pregnant?”

“
Yes.”

“
Harvey, honey, did it ever occur to you that the baby might not be yours?” Alex’s voice held a hint of amusement. While that annoyed Harvey a bit, it was better than her hurt and anger.

“
She wasn’t seeing anyone else. So yes, I assumed the baby is mine.”

“
Did you ask about paternity testing? You should know about that sort of thing.”

“
I did ask her about testing, and she flew into such a rage and was so upset I was afraid she'd hurt herself or the baby. I've done an ultrasound myself and, based on how far along she is, the timing is right. I think it's a boy but it was too soon to tell."

“
Are you sure she wasn’t seeing anyone else? Did you go out with her on nights when there weren’t events? Talk to her every day? Even once a week?” Alex asked.

“
Well no, but she went to all of those events with me and…well…I guess I don’t know.”

“
So she’s pregnant. I can understand you don’t want her to be embarrassed. But you can still be a good father to her baby without marrying Molly and living in a loveless marriage.”

“
It would destroy her reputation. Besides, her dad threatened to ruin me. Molly was hysterical. I really was afraid for the baby's well-being. I've seen stress induced miscarriages. I didn't know what else to do. We’re pushing things now anyway. It's going to be obvious she is pregnant before the wedding.”

“
Harvey, get a grip. This is the twenty-first century. Single women have children every day. They aren’t social outcasts. You've fallen into her little trap, hook, line and sinker.”

“
It’s more complicated than that. Besides the threats, Molly’s dad bought everything in my office. He wanted to make sure we got off to a good start. I owe him. I even signed a note. If I hurt Molly and embarrass their family, he can call the balloon payment due anytime.”

“
Oh, Harvey! You’ve let yourself be taken hostage.” Alex reached into her purse and brought out her phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling a cab. I don't know what I'm doing here at this point."

“
I’m sorry, Alex. Please don't go.” Harvey hung his head. The weight that had been lifted was back.

Why didn't I talk to someone else before things got this far?
Molly already wants to expand the practice. If I let her have her way, I'll just get deeper and deeper in debt to her dad.

Alex dropped her phone back into her purse.
“Harvey, I just don't know what to think or feel right now. We've both kept our problems from each other when we should have been sharing everything all along. That's what people do when they love each other. But right now I'm hurt and angry. I just need some time to process this."

"I guess I've just ruined everything."
Harvey covered his face with his hand.

Alex move
d closer to him. When her hand brushed lightly across his hair, then stroked it, he knew he had reached her heart.

“
No you haven’t, honey.” Alex took his hands. “I love you even more for being so honorable.”

“
You love me? After all this? I was such a fool to let you slip away. So what should we do? I can’t just bail on Molly. I’ve made a commitment. And I have people working for me at the practice. I can’t blow things for them.”

“
Harvey, are you serious about us being together?”

“
Alex, I have never been more serious about anything in my life. I may not be able to remember one night with Molly, but every moment I’ve shared with you is etched in my memory and on my heart. I love you, and we have wasted way too much time being apart. I don’t want to go another day without you.”

“
Then the issue with Molly’s dad is a non-issue. I can’t buy out his investment in your business, but whatever you owe him we can get refinanced. I have invested well and have an excellent relationship with my banker, and there is plenty of equity in that New York City condo I’m not going to need any more.”

“
I can’t take your money.”

“
That’s not what I’m saying. I have sufficient capital. I can co-sign on a loan for you to pay off Mr. Cohen. Then you are only obligated to the bank. Get your financial information together and we’ll talk to them as soon as possible.”

Harvey
hopes began to rise. “But what about Molly and the baby?”

“
Let’s make sure it’s your baby to worry about.”

“
She's almost far enough along that we can have a test done. It's a little on the pricey side since it's prenatal, but it can be done. However, I don’t know if Molly will agree to any more tests.”

“
Let’s wait and see what happens before we get to that point.”

“
Thanks for believing in me, Alex.”

“
I always have, Harvey. I do love you and admire your honor. That’s one of your few faults, sweetie. You think everyone else behaves as honorably as you do and that's what got you into this mess. You know Molly has that mini-reunion planned for tomorrow night? I think everything may come to a head then.”

Harvey was puzzled.
“What mini-reunion?”

“
She acted like you knew about it. The old gang is getting back together for drinks and dinner at the country club.”

“
She didn’t say anything to me about it. What in the heck is she up to this time?” Harvey’s phone vibrated with a text message. “Speak of the devil.” Looking at the phone, he read the message aloud. “Call me ASAP.”

“
Do you think someone saw us together and told her?” The pitch of Alex’s voice grew much higher.

“
I can't just ignore her, though. What if something's wrong with the baby?" Harvey typed on the keyboard. “Making sure she's okay and telling her I'll call her later.”

“
About the reunion thing, she told me the two of you have some news to share.”

“
Do you think she’s planning on telling everyone we’re going to have a baby?’

“
I don’t know, Harvey. If I had any idea of what was going on in that head of hers I'd probably be as crazy as she is. I am sick to death of talking about Molly. We've come all the way into to town, we've got a nice dinner here, can we just try to enjoy it and worry about Molly again tomorrow?”

“
Okay.” He lifted his glass. “Here’s to fresh starts and new beginnings.”

“
I will drink to that.” Alex took a sip of her wine.

The rest of the dinner was quiet.
There were several long, silent pauses. Harvey was pondering the future and presumed Alex was too. As they were finishing their dinner, Alex got a text.

“
Who was that?” Harvey asked.

“
Allison. She asked if we could stop by the hotel to see Josh. He might not be able to join us tomorrow night and he wants to say hello. Do you mind?”

“
Do we have to? Can’t you go back after I drop you off at home?”