Emmalin was two and a half months pregnant. Thor sperm indeed. With everything going on, neither one of us could enjoy it. That was soon to change with the news Francisco was bringing before me.

“We discovered how the leak about Meredith came out. Claudia worked at Renewed Energy, the rehab place Meredith was sent to for a summer as a kitchen aide. She became obsessed with you like one would become obsessed with a celebrity. She obtained information about Meredith’s stay to use that against you.” I glanced at the pictures Francisco set out with a much younger looking Claudia on an old ID badge. “There’s enough evidence to charge Claudia Schaffer with a drug-facilitated sexual assault charge. A warrant is being issued within the hour. Because drugs were a factor, she faces up to ten years.” I watched as he pulled out more documents.

I exhaled sharply, feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “What about when she gives birth?”

“Well, seeing how you are the father to the baby, you have choices. The baby can be turned over to you for full custody. You’ll have all legal rights over the child, including if you decide to put the baby up for adoption.”

I pondered the thought. It wasn’t the baby’s fault it was being born into this. As of now, I had no attachment to it and wondered if I ever will.

“I’ll have to think about it, also discuss it with my wife. We’re expecting as well.”

Francisco smiled. “That’s great news. Happy to hear it.”

I rushed home eager to tell Emmalin the news. I stepped in the door and immediately knew something was wrong. A glass of orange juice was spilled over on the floor, and the TV was on. I walked through the house, searching for her. “Emmalin?”

I looked in on Flick and found her sound asleep. I checked her room out, looking in every nook and cranny, before closing her door and locking it. I slowly made my way to our bedroom, and I heard a pained sound. I ran into our room. No sign of Emmalin, but the bathroom light was on. I rushed toward the bathroom. Emmalin was on the floor, doubled over in pain. Her face was streaked with tears and blood was forming between her legs.

I quickly scooped her up, and she cried out at the movement. “It’s okay, you’re okay.” I pulled my phone out my pocket and dialed 911 and begged them to come to my house as soon as possible, as Emmalin moaned in complete agony. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew it wasn’t good. The blood was increasing, and she started to cry more. Even though they told me to stay on the line, I hung up because Emmalin needed me more.

I dialed another number on my phone, while trying to soothe Emmalin.

“What now?”

“Chace!” My voice started to crack, as Emmalin started to go pale. I dropped the phone. “Fuck, Emmalin, wake up baby. Keep your eyes open okay. Look at me.” Her eyes fluttered as she tried to focus on me. “The ambulance will be here soon, I promise, just stay with me okay?”

I heard Flick crying, but I couldn’t tend to her now. Luckily Chace arrived five minutes later, a mere thirty seconds before the ambulance. I looked to him, and he paled seeing Emmalin on the floor. “Your niece. Go to your niece, please!”

He gave me a nod and ran out the room. The paramedics finally came in, assessing Emmalin, and putting oxygen on her. I stood to the side watching helplessly. A hand laid on my shoulder. I turned and it was Chace.

“Isabella took her to our house. She doesn’t need to be around this. I also didn’t want Isabella seeing this.”

I nodded as I watched them load Emmalin up on a gurney. I never took my eyes off of her. I climbed into the ambulance with her, holding her hand and tried answering any questions they had.

I was forced to wait in the waiting room while they did God knows what. I paced the floors, and when Chace arrived, he paced with me.

“Mr. Mandrake?” My eyes shot up to the doctor, as I walked toward him.

“She’s awake now, if you want to come on back.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice as I followed him down the corridor. Another doctor was in with Emmalin. I recognized her from when Emmalin was pregnant with Flick.

“Dr. Blythe,” I shook her hand as I went to Emmalin’s side.

“We did a pelvic exam to check her cervix. It’s still closed, which is good. We also checked HCG levels, and they’re high which is also good. In fact, higher than before. We’re about to do the sonogram. Now even though everything looks good, I do want to prepare you in case the outcome isn’t the best.”

I looked down at Emmalin and kissed her on her forehead. “I love you,” I whispered to her.

“I love you,” she whispered back.

We waited as the sonogram machine was brought in and basically held our breaths as the machine was turned on. “We’re looking for the sac, as well as hoping to hear a heartbeat.”

Dr. Blythe moved the wand around Emmalin’s stomach. The machine was turned more to her, so we couldn’t see what she was looking at. A few more seconds went by, and I swear I stopped breathing. Emmalin’s hand tightened around mine, as if preparing herself for the worst.

Dr. Blythe flicked a switch, and then it happened. The heartbeat filled the room, and I exhaled. Dr. Blythe turned and smiled at us both. “So far so good.” She turned the machine off, and focused back on us. “What you most likely had was a threatened miscarriage. It’s not often it causes heavy bleeding and cramping, but it can happen.” She stood up. “With that being said, I’ve no choice but to put you on bed rest.”

Emmalin’s eyes grew wide. “Bed rest?”

“Bed rest. It needs to be done if we’re going to stabilize this pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.”

I expected Emmalin to fuss and I was prepared to fight her on it, but she simply nodded her head and thanked Dr. Blythe. I stayed with Emmalin until she was given the all clear to go home a few hours later.

I was wheeling her out to the car I ordered, eager to get her home to rest when she asked, “Where’s Emersyn?”

The car door was opened and I helped Emmalin out of the wheelchair. “She’s visiting her Aunt and Uncle.” I got in after her and signaled the driver we were ready to leave. I held her tight to me, as she rested her head on my shoulder.

When we arrived in the garage, I helped her out and didn’t allow her to take more than two steps before I picked her up. She sighed into my chest. “I can walk, Grayson.”

“I know,” I said agreeing with her.

Two days later, I found out the arrest of Claudia never happened. According to the news and confirmation from my lawyers, Claudia had hanged herself in the bathroom of her apartment. She left a note that said:

I wasn’t going to let anyone take my baby. So, I took her with me.

I sat starting at the news segment and rewound it over and over again to ensure what they said was actually true. Emmalin’s hand landed on mine, and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” she whispered.

I was, too.