30. Daniel

30

DANIEL

“ S ir, your coffee?” Jill’s head popped into my office unannounced. I knew the moment I saw her that something wasn’t kosher. The worry lines on her forehead told a story of stress and conflict. I looked up and furrowed my brow, restraining the urge to snap at her for entering my office without being called upon.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her as she tiptoed across the carpet and set the coffee down. She never entered my office without knocking.

“I, uh… Just bringing your morning brew,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Jill, don’t mess with me. You never just walk in here. What’s going on?” I rose, straightening my tie. My gut clenched, and I had a suspicion that Emily was part of whatever it was that was going on.

“Sir, I just…” She sighed. “I have to go back to my desk. I’m sure Michael will explain in a moment.”

I wanted to rush out to the foyer and find out what was happening, but before Jill even made her exit, Michael walked in and held his hand up. I had already rounded the end of my desk, ready to follow Jill out as she exited. Michael’s hand pressed into my chest and he shut the door behind Jill.

“Calm down, Dan.” He gently nudged me backward, and I clenched my fists. “It’s done.”

“What’s done?” I asked. I tried to sidestep past him, but he stepped with me.

“Emily is gone. Terminated, with a very nice parting gift.” I watched him flip the lock on the door, and then he pressed both hands to my chest as if to calm me.

“Mike, I need to speak with her.”

“No, you aren’t doing that.” He was firm, pushing back as I stepped forward. “This went too far the entire time. Even if it was just a threat, she was horrible for your reputation. I’ve taken the steps necessary to protect you even if you won’t protect yourself.”

“You’ve done what?” I pushed back. “What did you do?” I knew they planned to terminate her, but I hadn’t given approval. Human resources knew better than to do anything without my consent.

“She is gone, Daniel, and you need to let it go. We filed a restraining order on her. She won’t be in contact with you, and you can move on with your life now.”

Michael stood between me and the door, and all I could think was that if he wouldn’t get out of my way, I’d make him. I balled up my fist and drew back, taking a swing at him. He dodged the swing, hooking me around my gut, and pushed me backward until I slammed onto the couch and smacked my head on the wall.

“Dammit, Michael,” I shouted, pushing myself back up. He held his hands out as I balled my fists again, but this time, he didn't stop me as I advanced toward the door. “You had no right.” I swung the door open and burst into the hallway, already reaching for my phone to call my driver if necessary.

“Dan, stop!” he yelled, chasing after me. “Dan, as partner in this firm, I have a right to hire and fire as I see fit.”

I stopped abruptly and turned on my heel to glare at him. “Yeah? So do I. And you’re next on that list, so keep talking.” My chest heaved, and he glared at me. We’d been through a lot of things together, and this would be a shitty way to dissolve our partnership, but be that as it may, he was just a cog in the wheel. Emily wasn’t. She was everything to me, and it took almost losing her to know that. “I don’t care if she sues me. I’ll pay it. I don’t care if the firm goes under. I’ll file bankruptcy. I’ll start over somewhere.”

“Dan, you can’t mean that.” Now his voice was calm. He was getting the point. She was my everything, and he sent her away like a common whore.

“I do. And if you want to take the firm and the clients, you can fucking have them. I love her, and I’m going after her. If you try to stop me, I’ll fire you and Grace, and anyone else who tries to get in my way.”

“Dan, please.”

“I mean it, Michael. Back off.”

I punched the elevator button, hoping she hadn’t gotten too far, but it took too long. I couldn’t stand there waiting. I had to do something. I darted to the emergency exit near the stairwell and raced down. My feet couldn’t go fast enough, and sending a message to my driver while I ran, I nearly fell a few times, catching myself on the banister, but it didn’t slow my progress. I slammed the door open on the ground floor and rushed out to the sidewalk, but it was empty. No sign of her.

I only had to wait a few seconds for my driver to pull up. I climbed in quickly, barking out, “Emily’s place. Now. You remember, right?”

“Yes, Mr. Jacobs,” he said calmly and pulled into traffic. The midmorning rush was worse than normal. If it were me behind the wheel, I’d have laid on my horn a billion times. My foot pressed into the carpet beneath it, unconsciously imagining pressing the gas pedal. I needed to get there faster. If traffic would just clear, I could beat her home. Or maybe she wasn’t going home, but I had a good feeling that she was.

When the car was only a few blocks away, still only rolling a few miles an hour, I snapped, “Stop. I’ll walk.”

The driver obediently stopped the car, and I climbed out, running as fast as I could the last few blocks. I must have looked strange running through the worst neighborhood in Chicago dressed in an Armani suit, but I didn’t care. The only thing on my mind was getting to her, convincing her that Michael didn’t speak for me. That he didn’t know what I wanted. I had to know if what Evelyn said was true. Why would Emily come to work if she planned to sue me? Why had Grace and Michael not thought of that? This was all just some huge miscommunication.

The elevator was waiting on me when I entered her building. I pressed the button for her floor repeatedly until the doors shut and it began its ascent. It stopped at every floor, worsening my agony. I paced the tiny space like a lion in a cage. There was so much emotion pent up in my chest, I thought my heart would explode.

The second the doors opened, I ran to her door and pounded. “Emily! Open the door.” I pounded so hard my hand hurt. Emily’s neighbor popped her head out the door and watched me. “Emily, please open up.”

There was no response from the other side, not a sound. I turned to the neighbor who was staring. “Is she home? Did she come home a bit ago?”

The woman nodded. “Yeah. I heard her crying.” She jerked her chin upward. “Is she crying over you?” the woman asked, looking at me as if I were a snake in the grass.

“Yes…” I turned back to the door and pounded harder. “Emily, please, it’s Dan. I know you’re home. Let me explain.”

I felt my own eyes welling up at the thought that she was refusing to open the door. I was about to start shouting my apologies and questions when the door opened a crack. The chain was on. All I could see was one eye, and the mascara streaking down her cheek.

“Emily, please let me in. There has been a huge misunderstanding.”

“I don’t know, Dan…” Her voice was small, timid.

“Please,” I begged, praying she’d give me a chance.

The door shut. I heard the chain being removed, then the door opened again. Emily stood there with a bathrobe on, hanging open in front. She wore only a bra and panties. Her creamy skin… God, I missed that. And her stomach bulged just above the waistband of her panties. So it was true.

She caught me looking at her stomach as she shut the door, and tears cascaded down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry that Evelyn did what she did. I’m sorry that you had to see me like this, that I hurt you so badly that you had me fired. Dan, I’m sorry. I?—”

I gripped her face in my hands and covered her mouth with mine. I didn’t care that she hadn’t told me or that she had left and not spoken to me in days. I didn’t care if she wanted to sue me or even if she wanted nothing to do with me ever again. She stood in front of me as beautiful as she’d ever been. I loved her enough that I’d give up my whole world to have her, even if it was only for the next five minutes before she kicked me out.

“God… I’m so sorry,” she mumbled as soon as I pulled away, so I kissed her again, harder this time, until she relented. She kissed me back and ran her hands through my hair. When she was calm, no longer apologizing, just crying, I picked her up and carried her to the couch. I didn’t even care that the cushion was broken. I sat and held her to my chest while she sobbed. Her body was so frail in my arms. Despite her protruding belly, it felt like she’d lost weight. Guilt plagued me over why she hadn’t told me, as if I’d done something to make her think I wouldn’t be thrilled over this news.

Her head was down, chin tucked to her chest, hair covering her face. I pushed the hair back, curling it around her ear as she spoke.

“Evelyn… whatever she told you was a lie. I don’t want to sue you.” Emily sniffled and rubbed her nose.

“So, you’re not pregnant?” I asked, confused.

She sat up and shook her head, shrugging her shoulders at the same time. “No, I am pregnant. I just—she told you that too?”

“Yes, she did. Yesterday.” I pushed more hair out of her face, and she grimaced.

“God, I hate her. I’m so sorry you had to find out like that. I was so scared you’d think I just wanted your money. I didn’t try to get pregnant… And then you said you didn’t see yourself being a father, and I panicked when I found out. I was so afraid you’d?—”

“Oh, fuck, Em.” I pulled her lips to mine and kissed her again. She pressed her hands against my chest, and I let her go. “I meant, I didn’t know if I’d be any good at it. I never meant that I didn’t want children.” I touched her stomach where it bulged. “I want to put so many babies in your belly, you’ll never have time to work again. You can’t believe how happy I am to be a dad.”

She chuckled, and the strange combination of tears and laughter made me grin. “Well, I’m glad you feel that way.” Her eyes sparkled.

“Yeah?” Hope filled my chest.

“Yeah, because you’re having twins.”

As if I weren’t shocked enough to be seated here with her on my lap, the news overwhelmed me again. “I’m what?”

“Yeah, two babies. I’m having twins.”

“Oh, no way. Seriously?” I asked, rubbing her belly. “You’re being serious?”

She nodded and blinked more tears out. I couldn’t think or speak. All I could do was pull her lips to mine and kiss her again and again. “God, I missed you,” I breathed against her mouth. “Please tell me you’re not leaving me, not moving home. Not planning to break my heart.”

“Never,” she said, and as she did, I stood, taking her with me.

“Where’s the bedroom?” I asked, coming up for air. She pointed, and I walked that direction. I needed her now. I needed to cement this in my brain, let our bodies connect. Something to bring me back to reality.