Chapter Three

 

Several weeks later, Sarah sat at her desk pondering the sudden silence from Harrison. She was somewhat surprised by how easily Harrison had given up. This was not the same tenacious guy that she dated. Yes, she’d been a total bitch about the whole thing and could’ve called him, but she was still so hurt and angry even after ten years. Maybe she should call him, and after the New Year they could have a sit down and talk. If nothing else, it would finally give her the closure she had been desperately needing, and the ability to finally move on. Sarah heard a knock on her door and was surprised when she looked up to see Lincoln standing in the doorway.

“Hey, boss man, what’s up?”

“Just wanted to see how you were doing, and to give you a heads up that your ex would be stopping by this afternoon. Figured you might want to make a run for the hospital before he showed up at three o’clock.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I need to head over and do afternoon rounds with the residents anyway. So, why is he coming by here? And shouldn’t you still be at home with Nicole and baby Landon?”

“Contract negotiations, and honestly, I needed a short break. The owners approved the sell last week, so we wanted to try and lock down the current free agents on the team before they can test the free agent market.”

“Well, good luck. He won’t be cheap.” Sarah said as she got up from her desk. “Oh, and tell Nicole I said hello, and give Landon a kiss for me. He was so beautiful when he was born. He looks just like you. I never got to thank you for letting me deliver your son.”

“No sweat. I couldn’t have picked a better doctor to deliver him. Now, get out of here before you’re trapped.”

Sarah headed to the hospital thinking about what a chicken shit she was for not staying and facing this problem head on, but she felt like she needed to prepare Harry for the onslaught that was sure to ensue after they finally talked.

Harrison walked into the conference room where he was scheduled to meet with Drs. Montgomery and Ryan. He hoped this was simple, because he had long ago fired his agent in order to simplify his life and to take control. He was happy to see that the owners were serious and waiting for him along with the General Manager. Shaking their hands, Harrison took a seat in the middle of the table.

“Welcome Harrison. We’re so glad you could take the time to meet with us. Are you sure you didn’t want to bring your agent with you?”

“It’s my pleasure, and I don’t retain an agent, but make no mistake that doesn’t mean that you get to take advantage of me.”

“I can tell you that you don’t have to worry about that. We want you here in Atlanta for a long time. You’re the heart of this team, along with Rhett Akers. I simply want to do right by you. We prepared an offer that we think you’ll be very happy with.” Lincoln passed the proposal across the table to Harrison.

Harrison didn’t know what to expect but as he looked at the proposal, he knew this was not it. Never in his life could he have imagined the numbers sitting in front of him. Seven years, two-hundre-twenty-five million dollars with a player option for year eight and nine. Harrison almost swallowed his tongue as he looked at the numbers, and struggled not to show his hand. Finally, feeling strong enough to speak, he said, “This looks promising, and I can tell you that I will agree in principle to this deal with one small modification.”

Lincoln never blinked as he eyed Harrison. He never lost his cool because he was curious what else he wanted to add to the deal. “Mr. Cooper the ball’s in your court. What can we do to make this deal?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not about money or special privileges. I simply want a fifteen-minute sit down meeting with Dr. Sarah Buckley. That’s it. The time and place can be of her choosing. Hell, it can be right here in this conference room with you two chaperoning.” He pointed to Lincoln and Cole.

Lincoln studied Harrison intently. “Give me five minutes and I’ll give you an answer.” Lincoln stood up and walked out of the room to his office. Lincoln, shook his head. He had to give it to Harrison. He knew what he wanted and he was going to try and hold Lincoln by the balls to get it. Lincoln actually smiled at the audacity of the Harrison. He picked up phone and dialed Sarah.

“Dr. Buckley.”

“Hey, Sarah. It’s Lincoln. I’m in a small bind and I need your help.”

“You know I’ll do anything I can.”

“You may rethink that statement in a minute. Okay, so here goes. We’re working to sign Harrison to a long-term deal. He’s happy with the money, but he has a counter request that we would like to accommodate, that is dependent on you.”

“Me? What could I possibly have to do with this?”

“He wants a guaranteed fifteen-minute sit down with you. He even conceded to allow you to choose the time and place and you could even request Cole and I as chaperones.”

Sarah sucked in a breath. This wasn’t what she was expecting. She now knew why he was suddenly quiet about sending her things. He was trying to get a guarantee that he could see her. Sarah felt like she owed Lincoln and Cole everything. “Okay.” She whispered into the phone. “I’ll do it.”

“You don’t have to. We can try to work around it.”

“No. We need to do this. I just don’t know what I’ll do about Harry. I don’t know if I’ll tell him or not, but I won’t do it until after the New Year. I want one last holiday without drama.”

“Thanks. We appreciate it, and we’ll have yours and Harry’s back. Head on home as soon as your finished and we’ll talk more tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Lincoln. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Lincoln walked back into the conference room and sat down. “I would say I don’t understand this, but the reality is that I do. I think that both of you need to talk, and I’m not sure fifteen-minutes is going to cover it, but that’s what we’ll guarantee. Anything else is on the two of you.”

“Thanks. Thank you very much. We have a deal.” Harrison stood up and shook their hands.

“You’re welcome, and I hope that you find the answers you both seek. By the way, don’t forget that you and the boys are expected at Cole’s wedding in December. So, I need to make myself very clear right now. You will not fuck it up. You will see Sarah, and she will be a bridesmaid, as she and Marcie have become friends. So, if you see her you may, if she permits, engage her in polite conversation. Also, she said she would meet with you after the New Year. Sorry, but that was her stipulation.”

“Okay, boss. Whatever you say is how I’ll behave.”

Harrison shook hands and walked out of the room. He wasn’t overly joyed that he would have to wait for so long, but at least he was on the right path to seeing her. Every day, he tried to wrack his brain for what he could’ve done. The only thing that made any sense was that Tracey said something to her and she was already so emotional about graduation and what would happen to them, that it pushed her over the edge. As he rode the elevator down, he absentmindedly fingered the chain he wore around his neck. For ten years he had carried around the engagement ring he had bought to give Sarah after graduation, but now he wore it as a reminder. Ten years later, he still loved her. He would do anything to have her again, but only she could decide their future.

As Harrison drove back to the stadium, he felt a glimmer of hope. He could not afford to screw up whatever sliver of a chance he had with her. Pulling into the stadium he parked in his usual spot and headed into the clubhouse to workout. He must have been so lost in thought that he never heard his phone ping with a message. He looked at the message and was confused because it was from a blocked number. When he read the message, he smiled. It simply said January 4th three o’clock conference room B. Well, now he had a date. Now he just had to figure out how to handle the wedding and getting through the holidays.

As he walked through the door, he ran into his skipper who had a big smile on his face upon seeing Harrison.

“Hey, Skip. What are you smiling about?”

“I don’t know. You tell me. I know you just met with the new owners and talked about a new contract.”

“Yeah. I guess I’ll have to stare at your ugly mug for another seven or eight years.”

The skipper slapped him on the back. “Thank God. I’m so glad you’re staying. You’re the heart of the team. I assume they’ll make Rhett a similar offer. I think we’re going to be a much better team next year. Maybe even able to go all the way.”

“Don’t get your hopes up yet. We still need more pitching and a couple of outfielders.”

“For the first time in several years I’m going into an offseason not worried about who we will trade away, but looking forward to who will be joining us.”

“Me too, Skip. Me too.”

Harrison walked to his locker and changed into his workout clothes. Heading to the weight room, he passed Rhett who was heading to the batting cages. Looking at the smile on his face, he knew that he had similar luck with his contract. Harrison was excited that they would both be sticking around Atlanta for a long time. “So, we’re good?”

“We’re great.”

“Tell Alexa that I did what we talked about and it worked. Unfortunately, I won’t get to talk to her until after the New Year.”

“Well, at least it is a start.”

Harrison said goodbye and headed to do his workout. He felt less stressed today than he did last week. Maybe his mom was right, eventually everything would work out for the best. She’d always been his biggest fan and she would be ecstatic that he was staying here. He made a note to call her later and let her know the good news.

Sarah, drove home from the office thinking about her life. Even though she was a little down with the realization of what she committed to, she wouldn’t let anything affect her child. Pulling into the driveway, she saw Harry out front tossing the ball into his net working on his footwork. Sarah smiled as she watched the concentration on Harry’s face. He was the spitting image of his father. That realization made her heart ache as she thought of all that she was keeping from him. As she got out of the car, Harry stopped what he was doing and ran to her, engulfing her in a hug.

“Hey, little man. How was your day?”

“Aw, mom. You don’t need to call me little man anymore. I’m almost as big as you are. My day was really good. School was fun. I made a hundred on my math and science test. Got all of my homework done before the bell rang, so now I get to play for a while.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. Good job on your tests,: Sarah told him. “What do you want for dinner? Nana said she would fix it or we could go out if you got home late. Since you’re early maybe she can make chicken and dumplings for dinner.”

“That sounds great. I’m going to head inside and talk to Nana for a few minutes so just keep practicing.” Sarah walked into the house that she still shared with her mom, Anne. “Momma. You in the kitchen?”

“Where else would I be baby doc.” She said as she came out of the kitchen and hugged Sarah. “You’re home early. I wasn’t expecting you for a few more hours.”

“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I had to do something today because I owe Lincoln and Cole my professional life, and honestly, my happiness and well-being. In order to get a player to sign a new contract, I had to agree to give that person a fifteen-minute meeting. It was Harrison.”

Anne’s hand came up to her mouth and covered the audible gasped that escaped. “I’m sorry, honey. I know how much you dreaded this possibility.”

“It’s okay, mom, to be honest, it’s time. We need to hash things out for our own well-being. I just don’t know what to do about Harry. I don’t want to lose him, and I’m scared to death that Harrison will try to hurt me by getting custody of him.”

“I don’t think he’ll try to hurt you that way. I do think he’ll be angry with you because of all he has missed out on, but I never took him for that type of man.” Anne said as she poured Sarah a glass of sweet tea. “Let me ask you something. We never talked about this. Why didn’t you ever give him a chance to explain?”

“I don’t know, momma. I was a young, immature adult. I always thought I wasn’t good enough for him to begin with. So, I ran and hid. If I had known I was pregnant, I would’ve gone after him, but by the time I knew, he was in the College World Series playing like shit, which was definitely all on me, and then he was drafted, signed and on his way to the Rome to play ball. I didn’t want him to feel burdened as his life was starting, and if what she said to me was true, then he already had a child on the way.”

“Have you ever considered that she lied to you to get to him? I mean in all your cyber-stalking, did you find a mention of a child? He doesn’t seem like the type to not show off his child and wife or girlfriend. As a matter of fact, have you ever seen him with the same girl more than once? Not to mention, he has avoided brunettes like the plague. Anything else, blonde, redhead, raven haired, hell even the girl with the pink and green hair, but never a brunette. What does that tell you?”

“I…I don’t know. That he avoided anything that reminded him of me?”

“Bingo. See, I knew you were the smart one in the family.”

Sarah reached out and hugged her mom. “Thanks. I have a lot to think about and unfortunately, I think I will need something a little stronger than this tea.” Sarah said as she grabbed the vodka and grapefruit juice. “Oh, by the way, Harry wants chicken and dumplings for dinner.”

“No problem. I’ll let you know when we are ready to eat.”

Sarah took her drink out to the back porch, admiring the fall garden her mother had planted. The mums, asters, and heleniums were in full bloom. The colors were vibrant and helped her relax. As Sarah sat there, she thought about what her mom had said, and if she was right, then she had made the biggest mistake of her life. The last ten years of anger and hate that had drained her and defined her were for naught. Sarah thought about it and decided it wasn’t hate. She silently cried as she thought about what she had lost. She most likely gave up a loving husband, father for Harry, and maybe more children. Sure, she had Harry, her mom, and a great job, but she wanted more and the only person she wanted that with was Harrison.

Her mom walked out and handed her a box of tissue. “Figured you could use these. I saw your shoulders shaking and saw the tears falling.”

“Thanks, momma. What if I made the biggest mistake of my life? What if I was wrong?”

“Oh, baby. You can’t think that way. That boy out there loves you and depends on you. You have to stay strong for him. If you decide to move forward, then you have to accept that it will be a long road. There will be nasty words hurled your way. His family will hate you for a time, but when they meet Harry they will fall in love with him. Your private life will be the stuff for page six. Be ready to face the haters out there and stay strong.” Anne said as she put her arms around Sarah and pulled her close.

“Sarah continued to cry on her mother’s shoulder. Over the years she had been so thankful for the undying support her mother had given her, but she feared she would need to lean on her more now than she ever had before. She could see the turbulent seas coming and she was afraid that she was going to need a big life raft. Just as Sarah was about to get up, her phone rang; seeing that it was Marcie she dried her tears and tried to compose herself the best she could.

“Hey, Marcie. What can I do for you?”

“Don’t you what can you do for me, Sarah Buckley. I just heard, and trust me that Cole isn’t enjoying life right now, and when I get to Lincoln’s house he isn’t going to like it either. How dare they hold you hostage to complete a deal. I swear I’ll make this right for you, but in the meantime, I’m five minutes from your house, so dry your tears, put your flip flops on, and meet me out front. We’re going to get mani-pedis and gripe about men.”

Sarah smiled at the blonde goddess who had become her friend. Marcie didn’t take crap from anyone and gave unconditionally to those she accepted into her inner circle. “I don’t know if I can. Don’t laugh, but I still have to help mom fix dinner and…” Sarah looked over to see her mom frantically shaking her head before mouthing ‘don’t worry you go and I’ll take Harry out to eat.’ Sarah nodded to her mom and finished saying, “Never mind, problem solved. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Sarah hurried inside, changed her shoes and gave Harry a quick hug and a kiss before Marcie pulled up. Just as she was about to get in the car, she heard Harry yell out.

“Hey, mom. Can I be called Coop?”

“We’ll talk about it later.” Was all that Sarah could manage. Sarah just wasn’t sure she could call him Harrison’s nickname. He already looked so much like him, she wanted to keep some part of him separate.

Marcie pulled away from the curb giving Sarah a chance to buckle her seat belt and collect her thoughts. She was not going to stay silent for long. “Okay, so I know the basics, but I need to know why. What is so important that he meet with you? Even to the point of jeopardizing a two-hundred-twenty-five-million-dollar deal.”

Sarah gave her the whole story, and braced for the rebuke that she was sure was coming. Mercifully, Marcie remained quiet as she drove them down the road. Unfortunately, her luck ran out just as they pulled into the parking lot.

“Holy Shit. I mean…fuck it you know what I mean. Umm I really don’t know what to say. So, he doesn’t know he has a child, and you haven’t told him because you thought he had a child with someone else. Now, he wants to talk and you want to run away. Screw the mani-pedis we’ve got to go see someone.”

Sarah watched as Marcie made a U-turn and headed up GA-400. Once they reached Lake Lanier, Sarah knew exactly where they were heading and honestly, if anyone could help her, it would be Nicole. Sarah knew Nicole had dealt with her own demons. While not the same situation, she had been the victim of a date rape and then got pregnant from it before giving her child up for adoption, only to be faced with instant motherhood fourteen years later. Then after finding that she was pregnant with Lincoln’s child, her self-doubt drove her to run away before Lincoln found her and brought her back and married her.

Apparently, Marcie had called Nicole while they were driving and she was spacing out thinking about her situation because she was on the front porch waiting for them when they pulled up. As soon as Sarah was out of the car, Nicole was down the steps and engulfing her in a hug.

“I swear to God, I’m going to castrate him for putting you in this position. That man has no common sense, and he just used up all of the goodwill he’s built up with diaper changes.”

Sarah had to smile at Nicole’s candid nature. They had become friends after she joined the practice as a staff physician, and she was somewhat familiar with her story. Sarah had no doubt that Lincoln would be paying for his transgressions, but she didn’t want to put him in harm’s way. “Don’t fret about it, Nicole, he gave me the choice, and I really think it’s time we have a sit down to clear the air, but I’m really afraid about what to do.”

“Well, let’s not stand out here all night, I made coffee, even though it’s decaf I can make you two some regular or you can torture me and drink wine while I sulk.”

Sarah followed Nicole inside, and if she wasn’t terrified of laughing at her boss, she would’ve been bent over double as she watched Lincoln’s eyes widen with fear and almost run into the wall as he ran out of the room. Sarah didn’t blame Lincoln for her predicament. She almost wanted to thank him for providing the conduit for which they could have a sit down. She looked around the house and noticed the normally neat house where everything was in its place was completely disheveled since the new baby had arrived. She looked over the living room as they walked in and saw a beautiful baby Landon sleeping in the bassinet sitting beside the couch.

Nicole led them into the living room and sat beside the bassinet keeping an eye on Landon. “Don’t worry about him, he just ate and will sleep through just about anything, and if he doesn’t, then Lincoln can take care of him. So, tell me what’s going on?”

Sarah filled Nicole in on the rest of the drama including Harry’s father and why she did what she did. She felt emotionally drained after going through all the details but a little more cleansed at the level of her soul. She was able to admit her deepest fears to someone else. She watched as Nicole silently took in her words letting her get everything out.

“So, let me see if I can condense this down. You’re scared that Harrison will want to take Harry away from you, and since he is basically your entire life, you can’t lose him. Also, you still love this man, and you think you made a huge mistake and never let him explain. Did I hit the high points?”

“Yep, on the head. I can’t lose Harry, and I’ve never stopped loving him.”

“Well, I think you need to do a few things. First, does Harry know about his dad?” Nicole watched as Sarah shook her head. “I think you need to spend some time preparing him for what will happen, and for who his dad is, because when this comes out, it will be a media circus. Second, you have to decide how much you want to share Harry, because if this goes to court you won’t look good in their eyes, and they will make sure he has visitation and joint custody. Finally, do you want to try and repair your relationship and move forward with the man that you still love?”

Sarah sat there shaking her head. She was hearing all her worst fears come out of someone else’s mouth and it terrified her. The problem was she didn’t know the answer to any of Nicole’s questions, and she feared that she wouldn’t have an answer anytime soon. “Thanks, Nicole, you just verbalized every one of my worst thoughts and fears. Sadly, I don’t really know the answer to any of those questions, especially about following my heart and moving forward with Harrison.”

“Well, you have a lot to think about, but enough heavy stuff for the night. Let’s talk about Marcie’s bachelorette party. I have some good ideas, and hopefully by then, I can drink a little. Someone, not naming names, Marcie, doesn’t want a stripper, but I think it is a rite of passage, and after what she and Erin did for me, payback is hell.”

Sarah laughed. It felt good to be sitting among other women discussing events that had nothing to do with work or children’s activities. They told stories from Nicole’s party and how they both ended up in their man’s bed after their party, and how the men slipped in to spy on them thinking they wouldn’t get caught. The whole evening which started out with such drama ended with a good laugh shared amongst friends. Lincoln even made an appearance and Sarah hugged him, thanking him for helping her set up the meeting she should have had years ago. The night ended with Sarah holding Landon and cooing over what a beautiful baby he was. She felt her ovaries twinge at the thought of a new baby with Harrison, perhaps a baby girl.

Sarah thanked Marcie for the evening and being there for her when she needed a friend as she dropped her off at her house. She was not surprised to walk inside and see her mother waiting up for her. No matter how old she got, her mother tended to wait up for her as long as she wasn’t working overnight.

“So, how did it go tonight? You seem less stressed than when you left.”

“It was really, really good. Nicole helped me through some things and gave me a lot to think about, but more than anything, I need to talk to Harry at some point and begin to prepare him for what will happen when he meets his father. Everything else will either fall into place or it won’t. I can’t predict or really change the future.”

Anne smiled at her daughter. “Good. I think it’s time he knows. He looks more and more like him every day. Plus, his athletic ability will not go unnoticed much longer.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of that. He’s expected to start travel ball this year, and he’s already a three-time all-star selection. One of the dangers of him playing in the East Cobb baseball league.”

“Well, let me know how I can help, and we’ll move forward when you are ready.”

Sarah smiled at her mother and hugged her before she headed off to bed. She found herself unable to sleep thinking of all the bad things that could happen. It was like she was transported ten years into the past and was a scared twenty-two-year-old again. She stared at the ceiling counting all the imperfection, but she still couldn’t sleep. Not knowing what else to do, she picked up her cell phone and texted someone she didn’t think she would ever text. This time she didn’t block her number. He might as well have it for future use.

Are you absolutely sure you want to meet me and talk about the past? Isn’t the past best left in the past?

Sarah’s hands shook as she laid the phone back on the nightstand.

Harrison stood on his balcony overlooking the golf course drinking his scotch and smoking a Davidoff Dominican Puro when he heard his phone signal an incoming text. Wondering who would text him this late, other than a potential booty call which he had given up months ago, Harrison looked at an unfamiliar number. However, looking at the number he knew immediately who it was from. To say he was shocked to get the text would be an understatement, he contemplated what she had said before replying back to her.

I’m not afraid of the past. I think a lot of things need to be said and settled. First, why do you keep slapping me when you see me? Second, why did you leave me ten years ago. I loved you and never gave you any reason to doubt me.

Harrison stood there looking over the text, and finally hit send before he could change his mind.

Sarah was not surprised when her phone pinged a few minutes later. She read the words and tears sprung instantly to her eyes. She had always had her doubts about her actions, but this honest, almost pained, text really made her doubt her actions.

Sorry I keep slapping you. Knee jerk reaction. What if you don’t like the answers you get? Will they be enough?

Harrison, though initially shocked by the first text, was starting to get a warm feeling in his heart. Sarah had reached out to him and they were at least having a non-violent interaction.

At least I’ll know the truth about why you left.

Sarah couldn’t stop the tears at this point, and she was glad that she was off the next day getting ready for her call day.

Do you mean at least you’ll have closure?

Harrison wasn’t really prepared for this statement.

Sure. I think we both need it. Why wait until January? Why not do it next week before I head to Arizona to help some of the younger guys in fall ball?

Sarah knew this was coming and Lord knows he was starting to break down her walls, but she had to stand strong on the date.

I have several things that need to be resolved before we can meet. I’m sorry, but the date is firm.

Harrison expected that answer, but he felt like he had to give it a shot. Concerned that he would keep going all night and never get any answers he decided to call it a night and end the text session.

Well, I guess we don’t have anything else to talk about right now. Just know two things; one I never lied to you about anything, and two you can contact me anytime. Also, I promised Lincoln and Cole that even though I’d see you at the wedding, I wouldn’t talk to you or corner you, but feel free to speak to me without slapping me.

Sarah couldn’t help but laugh a little bit at that statement.

I understand. No slapping. I’ll be on my best behavior as well. Good night Harrison.

Harrison felt good like they were making headway.

Good night Sarah.

Sarah laid in bed staring at the ceiling again, but this time she felt a little better and finally drifted off to sleep.