Stolen Moments (And Then Came Love Book 2) (26 page)

Trevor threw his head back and laughed. “Beyoncé, Dad?”

“I have grandchildren.”

Trevor touched the call button. “I’m going to talk to her.”

Everett smiled and strolled back to the lobby.

The door opened and Marissa stood there. “She thinks you don’t care.”

“I do care.” Trevor let out a breath.

Marissa pointed to the first room. “She’s in there with Candace.”

He rasped gently on the door.

Arianna opened it. “What?”

“Can we talk?”

She shrugged. “Whatever.” Arianna walked over to where Candace was sleeping and glanced at the monitors. “She’s still in labor, but the medication is masking the pain.”

Trevor nodded. “How far is she dilated?”

“She’s three centimeters and fifty percent effaced. Her contractions are reading she’s farther along than she is.”

“I had a patient who was having full contractions every five minutes, but stayed at two centimeters dilated for five hours before we swept her membranes. She moved to four and we were all prepared for an epidural and she stopped progressing again.” Trevor shook his head. “We had to do the pitocin in order to get her to move any farther.”

“The longer she can hold off on delivery the better it will be for the baby.”

Trevor nodded. “We had a thirty-two week premie born in the middle of the desert, with only field medical equipment and war going on around us. We did everything we could to stop her from having the baby, but nothing worked.”

“Did the baby make it?”

Trevor shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. We put the lady and her baby in a jeep and they headed out to the nearest hospital. I never heard a word about them after.”

“I don’t know if I could deal with not knowing what happens to my patients.”

Trevor leaned against the wall. “I performed triage, saved who I could, and then moved on to the next patient. From there they were shipped out to army hospitals. I could keep up with some who stayed in the area I was in, but a lot I never saw again.”

“I guess emotions wouldn’t be a good idea in a wartime situation.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Emotions were bad in the army, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t have them then and it doesn’t mean I don’t have them now. We started out as a couple and now we’re being thrust into a rough situation. I don’t know what’s going to happen. You don’t know what’s going to happen. The only thing I can tell you for sure is I’ll be here no matter what. And if you need me for anything, let me know.”

A tear rolled down Arianna’s face. “I’m sorry.”

“No reason to apologize. You’re under a lot of stress.” He kissed her forehead. “We’ll get through this, no matter what happens. I’m not going anywhere.”

There was a shout from the hallway. “What in the hell do you mean, your girlfriend is pregnant?”

“Vivian’s here.” Trevor smiled at Arianna.

“Keegan’s mother?”

He nodded.

“She’s a hell of a lot more than pregnant if we’re in a labor and delivery ward.” Vivian yelled.

“We’re in a hospital and patients are trying to give birth, Viv, you need to calm down.”

“Calm down my ass. Our seventeen-year-old son is about to be a father.” She stepped through the door.

Trevor stepped in front of her. “Vivian.”

“Trevor. What are you doing here?”

“He’s the one who called me, Viv.” He stepped around Vivian and held his hand out to Arianna. “Cornelius Wadsworth. It’s pretentious, which is why the family calls me Trust.”

“Dr. Arianna Halsey, I’m an OB. And the young woman in question is my sister.”

“And what does my dear younger brother have to do with this?”

“I’m dating Dr. Halsey.”

“Oh.” Vivian looked over at Candace.

Candace moaned. “Ari, it hurts. It hurts so much.”

Keegan walked over to her and took her hand.

“Let me get Marissa and we’ll see how far she’s progressed.” Arianna moved out of the room.

“So this is her?” Vivian pursed her lips.

“Her name is Candace and I’d suggest you treat her with respect seeing as how I can kick you out in a heartbeat.” Trevor folded his arms over his chest.

Vivian nodded and joined Keegan by the bed. She put her hand on her son’s shoulders. “Have you two at least discussed what is going to happen with the baby?”

Keegan lowered his head. “Dr. Halsey and Uncle Trevor are going to raise him until we’re ready for the responsibility.

Vivian spun around. “No, he got her pregnant. He needs to have responsibility for the baby.”

“I agree.” Trevor nodded. “Ari and I will be the temporary guardians, but it doesn’t mean we’re doing everything. The kids will be a part of taking care of the baby.”

Vivian blew out a breath. “I can’t believe you two got yourselves into this.” She looked over at Candace.

Marissa walked in the room. “All right, I need most of you out of here. Keegan, you can stay. Trevor you can stay if Arianna wants you too.”

“I’m going to step out.” Trevor kissed Arianna’s cheek. “If you need me, come and find me.”

“Thank you.” She gripped his hand. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He smiled and then headed out of the room.

Arianna stood in the doorway and watched as her sister writhed in pain.

Marissa came to stand beside her. “We’re going to have to do a c-section.”

“There’s nothing else we can do?” Arianna pursed her lips. She hated the thought of her sister having the surgery.

“You know as well as I, you’d be saying the same thing if this was anyone other than your sister.” Marissa frowned.

“I know.” She sighed. “I guess I should go break the news to everyone.”

“She’ll be fine and in a lot less pain this way.”

Arianna nodded. “Thanks for taking care of her for me.”

“Just doing my job.” Marissa patted her on the shoulder.

Chapter Twenty-One

May 25th

Arianna walked into the NICU on her lunch break.

Candace sat next to the incubator rubbing little Austin’s back.

“How are you two doing?”

“He seems to be doing better. Ginni said they don’t expect him to have to stay the full six weeks. Maybe only another week or so.” She smiled as she gazed at the baby. “I don’t know how I’m going to leave him when I go away to school this fall.”

“They catch your heart rather quickly.” Arianna stared down at the beautiful blond curls.

The door opened.

Trevor and Greta walked through the door.

“How’s it going?” Trevor kissed Arianna on the cheek.

“I got here. How’s work?”

“I’m enjoying it.” Trevor smiled.

Greta hugged Arianna and then moved to Candace. “How’s my grandson doing today?”

“Better.” Candace smiled at Greta. “I wish Dad had taken me with him when he left Mom.”

“Honey, I think we all wish he would have taken both you girls with him when he left.” Greta squeezed Candace’s hand.

“What do you mean I can’t see her? She’s my daughter!” A loud voice from the hallway sounded.

Candace stiffened.

“Was that who I think it was?” Arianna turned to the doorway.

“It certainly sounded like Mom.” Candace huddled near the incubator. “Please don’t let her take my baby from me.”

“Oh please, like she has a maternal bone in her body.” Arianna huffed.

The door slammed open and in walked Juliet.

“Well, if it isn’t the lying, ice queen bitch with no right to call herself a mother.” Arianna planted her hands on her hips and turned to Greta. “And nothing about making pretty babies.”

“Seeing her, I have to say, you get your looks from your father, honey.”

“What made you decide to grace us with your presence, Juliet?” Arianna cocked her head to the side. “Something you think you can get out of this baby?”

“Arianna?” Juliet stared at her daughter.

“Barely remember your oldest child?” Arianna shrugged. “I’m not surprised. You haven’t seen me since I was fifteen.”

“I-I thought you ran away. I looked for you, but I could never find you.” A tear pooled in the corner of her eye.

Arianna laughed. “Ran away? Which one of us are you trying to fool? We all know you’re a habitual liar. You kicked Candace out the same way as you did to me. I believe your words to me were ‘children are a bother, and I won’t let another ruin my life.’”

Greta’s face flushed and advanced on Juliet. “Pus von einer Warze Hure.”

Arianna stopped her.

Juliet held up her hands. “I didn’t kick her out. She left.”

“I did not!” Candace stood up. “You told me the same thing you told Ari.”

“What I think happened the first time is you knew you were pregnant with Candace when I got pregnant with Mina, your granddaughter. But you’ll never have the chance to meet her.” Arianna walked over and stabbed a finger into her mother’s chest. “So you’re pregnant with Candace and know me having a baby will inconvenience your plan to get Dad to come back to you. So not only do you kick me out to the street, but you send a ridiculous e-mail to Dad so he’ll be convinced I never want to see him again.”

“What gives you the right to speak to me this way?” Juliet pointed at the baby. “He’s my grandson and there are things as grandparent rights in this state.”

“Ha, you think any court in their right mind would give you rights to a child, after you kicked out two of your own children?” Arianna shook her head. “Honey, you’ve got another thing coming.” She pulled the hospital phone out of her pocket and paged security.

“I believe they may see things differently, when I sue the Vitalli family for the rape of my fifteen-year-old daughter by their seventeen-year-old son.” Juliet pursed her lips.

“I’ve had about enough of your—” Greta stalked toward Juliet.

Arianna stepped in between the two women.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Juliet glared at Greta and then turned to Arianna. “You do realize this is the whore who broke up the marriage between your father and me, right? The one who caused all the mental anguish I dealt with all those years. It all stemmed from her.”

“You have no right to talk about her.” Arianna narrowed her eyes. “This woman has been more of a mother to me in a day than you have been in my entire life.”

“To be fair, it has been about a week.” Greta shrugged.

Trevor leaned against the wall. “So before this gets out of hand and you get punched in the face by anyone of these ladies, exactly what did you hope to accomplish by showing up here today?”

“Who the hell are you to ask?”

“Arianna’s boyfriend.” Trevor stepped forward. “And a Vitalli.”

The door opened.

Everett and Jackie looked around the room.

Juliet sneered at Arianna. “I guess it’s a little rough, knowing your boyfriend’s family is full of rapists.”

Jackie’s jaw dropped.

“Excuse me?” Everett narrowed his eyes.

Trevor held up a hand and walked over to Juliet. “I guess it’s a little rough, knowing your grandchildren will call Greta grandma and will never know you exist.” He turned away from her, but stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Oh and if charges are brought against Keegan? I believe the counter charges against you will be neglect and endangerment of a child. Her baby well may have gone to full-term if Candace had proper medical care and had a place to live throughout her pregnancy.”

“I’m sure my Uncle’s foundation would have a field day digging up evidence to add to the neglect charge.” Greta put her hands on Arianna’s shoulders. “I believe I have a copy of a damning e-mail alienating a child from her father.”

Arianna pointed at the door. “Get the fuck out. You never have and never will deserve the title of mother.”

Juliet opened her mouth to say something.

Everett cleared his throat behind her.

She turned on her heels and marched out of the room.

Candace burst into tears.

Greta rushed to her side. She sat down on the bed and put her arm around her. “Oh honey, what’s wrong?”

“I-I don’t want to turn out like her.” Candace buried her head in her hands and sobbed.

“You won’t.” Trevor put his arm around Arianna. “We’ll make sure of it.”

“You want the best for your baby. Even if it means you won’t be around as much as you can be.” Arianna smiled.

“But by leaving aren’t I doing the same thing she did.”

“Absolutely not!” Greta shook her head. “You are not abandoning your son into the hands of strangers. You’re giving guardianship to two people to help you while you get your life together.”

“We’re here to help, Candace. We want you to be able to raise your baby, but you have a great opportunity at Purdue. It’s not something you can pass up.” Arianna took her sister’s hands. “You have a family.”

“A supportive and large family.” Trevor looked back at his parents. “With a ton of people who want to help you. Your mother was only a small part of your life.”

“Let all of us, change the way you see a mother. The way you see family.” Arianna glanced at Trevor. “Because a short time ago, I believed the same thing about family as you did. And then the people in this room changed my beliefs.”

Trevor kissed her cheek.

“They showed me family could be kind, caring, and overwhelming all at once.” Arianna chuckled. “But mostly, they showed me how much love can conquer and with the right people in your life, you can get through anything.”