Ten Fingers and Ten Toes Installment 4

I was so nervous I could barely take another moment. Andrew was coming to see me. We were going out on an actual date. That seemed strange. After the ordeal I had gone through and was still going through it was amazing, I could do anything at all. Going out with another man was something I had never imagined. I had my reservations. After all, I was carrying another man’s child. Of course, he didn’t care for either of us and hadn’t it seemed. He indeed had quit thinking anything of me for some time. I, on the other hand, had never noticed. I should have seen the signs. Working late, leaving early, business trips that came often and never wanting me to participate in his journeys. Silly of me for thinking that he was a righteous man. Theodore Late was a slimy little weasel no matter how you looked at it. Unfortunately, I had found out too late.

“Ok, this is it, Harper. You had better make the best of it. You may never have another date in your life after this,” I said to the reflection before me. If I had the opportunity, I was going to tell him about the little bundle I was carrying around. There was no sense in prolonging it. If he wanted to be part of my life, he would have to know soon. The baby wouldn’t remain a secret for long. Time was getting on, and Andrew would surely notice. Not only in my profile but in how I did things and when I became ill at every turn.

The doorbell rang and my breath caught in my throat. I stood straight and pushed my dress down before me, making sure the seams were straight. I couldn’t wait to see him, but at the same time, I was utterly petrified of this man. He was too perfect. I couldn’t believe he had stumbled into my life. But then again, no one is perfect. Not really. I was kidding myself if I thought there was such a thing. I was determined to have the upper hand this time. I would go into this relationship if you wanted to call it that, as a player instead of a spectator. I wasn’t going to be such a goody-goody. What was going to happen? I was already pregnant.

Opening the door, I found Adonis at my threshold. “Hold it together Harper, don’t let on he is sinful.” It was unbelievable how he made me feel. Strange and beautiful at the same time. Everything in me longed for him to take me in his arms. I didn’t care what he did to me. If I was going to date him, I wanted it on my terms. I didn’t want to go down the same road again. There would be no pain in this arrangement. I had thought it through a couple of time, and none of what I had come up with seemed right. I would find my way. If being with Theo taught me anything it was I would make it.

“Harper, you alright? You seem a million miles away?”

“Yeah, sure, I’m ok,” I said once I caught my breath. “Come in, please. I’ll be a second.” Andrew followed me in, and I made a trip through my home shutting down lights and checking windows and doors as I always did. It was a ritual I guess, one I couldn’t seem to break. “I thought we would stop by my parents for dinner and then head out either to a movie or out for dessert. Whatever you like.” It had never been my decision before. It made me a little uncomfortable. I was used to being dominated by Theo I didn’t know what it was like to have decisions to make. One thing was for sure I had a major one to make soon.

“Are you sure you want me to meet your parent’s, I mean that normally comes later in a relationship.”

He looked disappointed sitting on the couch. His large form made it look so small. “Of course, if you don’t want to, that’s fine. I’ll contact my mother and let her know we won’t be there.” After a thought, I changed my mind “No, it’s ok. I just wasn’t expecting to meet them so soon. I hope that I don’t make a poor impression on them.” I stood before him, and his eyes followed the curves of my body until he met my eyes. “You are an enigma. Do you always change your mind so rapidly?” I wanted to tell him it didn’t take much when I had a wounded Greek god looking at me. “I’m a woman Andrew. I am always subject to change my mind.” His smile melted me. I looked forward to the night to come. Some time alone with him would be preferable. I wanted to get to know him. That isn’t something you can do in a room full of people. Slipping my coat on, he escorted me to the door. “Shall we,” he addressed as he motioned to the door. The excitement rose in me. Warmth flowed from feet up my spine. I felt like I was on the road to destruction of what was left of my heart.

Within less than a half an hour I found myself sitting at the table of Andrew’s parents. His mother was delightful and down to earth, and I liked her very much. She reminded me of my mother. His father was very charming much like Andrew himself. I was still very nervous. Apparently, Andrew noticed as he reached over and clasped my hand under the table. It had been some time since I had sat at another man’s table other than my own. Theo unfortunately, did not take me around his family much, and he certainly didn’t care anything for us it was apparent. I should have seen that long ago. There was no going back now.

“So, how did you meet Andrew,” Laura Bailey had asked me. It was a simple enough question I just wasn’t quite sure how to explain it. “She met me, in a rather precarious moment mother. I guess you could say I was playing the white knight again. Some guy tried to snatch her purse, and I stopped him,” Andrew answered her for me. I could feel the heat on my face knowing that I again was blushing. Either that or it was pregnancy hormones. “Well, I’m certainly glad to see that you’re fine now. Andrew talks about you it’s almost as if we have known you all your life,” Laura continued.

“We haven’t known each other that long so I don’t know how much Andrew could have told you. I am very appreciative of what he did for me. I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been there.” Laura and Chase picked up their glass and saluted their son. “Well done Andrew, well done,” Chase told his son. It was easy to see that they were a close family. They were a dream family nothing like what I had grown up with.

I knew it was coming. I had felt it all day off and on. That little bit of queasiness had been settling around me all day. I was hoping that it was just nerves and not warning sickness. Of course, it lasted most of the day and into the night anyway. I was hoping I would get by without it for one day, but as soon as Andrew had passed the first platter around, I started feeling a little nauseous. I knew I was going to have to excuse myself from the table. Clearing my throat, I placed my napkin on my lap hoping that it would go away. He passed around the second platter; I looked at him hoping he didn’t see my erupting discomfort. “Andrew. I think I need to use the powder room.”

“Why don’t you show her where it is, we’ll wait.”

He stood and directed me down the hallway. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it in their or not. It was if it was going to be an erupting volcano and it was coming quickly. Thank goodness the hallway was short. Flipping the switch and gestured the way in. “Here you are. All leave you to it then.” He shut the door and walked away. At least he wouldn’t be able to hear what was going on. I didn’t want to explain. What a way to spend your first date.

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