7 6

She wasn't the only one dazed by the news. Madison however, recovered faster than both girls did. Geegee was having trouble digesting the words the doctor said. Lucille found herself standing in the corner of the room hoping the edge would open up and swallow her. She blinked rapidly, her eyes stinging with tears. A throat cleared. "How long?"

"Three months." She answered her mother before she realised it.

She turned sharply to look at her daughter backing her. "Give us the room would you?" The doctor nodded and left. "Lucille." She started towards her. Seeing Lucille's body shake as she cried. "Lucille." She reached out for her.

"Mom I'm sorry." Lucille turned abruptly. Looking extremely helpless.

Madison pulled her into a tight hug. "No no. Shh..." Her voice soothing as she stroked Lucille's hair. Her heart shattered seeing Lucille that way for the first time since she was a little girl.

"I'm sorry mom, I didn't-"

"It's okay."

Lucille gasped. Only then thinking about her father. She stepped out of the hug. "D-daddy's going to- he'll-" She placed her hand on her stomach.

"This is not about your father. This is about you and no one else. Okay?" Madison wiped away her daughter's tears with her thumbs. Geegee only watched. It was like a movie playing in front of her and there was nothing she could say. She couldn't even think straight. "Who's is it?" Madison asked.

Lucille shivered just thinking about him. His face flashing in her mind. "N-n-nick. Nick Atkins."

"Nick Atkins?" Geegee found her voice. "As in, you slept with Nick Atkins?"

That's exactly how it works Geegee. Madison's forehead creased. "Who's Nick Atkins? Bryan Atkins son?" Lucille nodded. "Okay. Geegee get the doctor. Let's make sure everything is alright, then we'll go home."

"Home?" Geegee paused by the door when Lucille asked.

"Yes. You need to tell your father." Lucille's heart dropped to her stomach. Her mother saw the fear in her eyes. "It's okay. Geegee please go get him."

The drive to the mansion was quiet. Geegee was dropped off at her place before they got to the house. Madison held her daughter's freezing hand as they walked to Quincy's office. It seemed like a longer walk than usual today. Lucille waited outside while her mother went in to talk to him first. With the door closed in front of her, she leaned her head on the door. Hoping to hear what was being said even though she knew she would only hear if someone was yelling.

Quincy hung up the receiver and went back to work like Madison wasn't in the room. "Quin." She called. "Lucille's here, she wants to-"

"Tell her to go home." He said calmly. Of course he already knew.

"Quin, it's important." She shifted her weight to her right leg.

"Tell her to go home Maddy. I'll see her when I'm free."

"Quincy she-"

"Damn it Madison!" He banged the desk. She jolted. As did Lucille behind the door. "Tell her to go home!" He enunciated the words.

"Okay."

Lucille stepped into the office, trembling and still reeling from hearing her father yell. Of course he already knew. She pulled on a straight face and her best act of confidence as she entered Bryan Atkins' office. Silently begging her legs not to turn to putty when she had to answer his questions.

"Lucille, what are you doing here?" He assessed her, from her flipflop to her knee lengthened A-gown. "Are you feeling better?"

"No. Not really. I Umm..." She closed the door, stepped closer to his desk and gently placed a letter on his desk. "This is my" Her voice squeaked, threatening to do more. "Resignation letter." She took a deep breath to shove the lump back down.

Creased forehead and wide eyes stared at the letter and then at her. "What? Why?"

"My dad needs me to work for him. I'm sorry, I know it's short notice. But he needs my help with a few things. And I start as soon as I'm well enough to."

He pressed his hands together and held them in front of his nose, looking at the sheet of paper. "Alright." He dropped his hands and got to his feet. "I have to say, I'm sorry to see you go. It's been a pleasure working with you." He stretched out his hand for a handshake.

She took it. "Thank you sir."

"Don't worry about your things I'll have someone take them over to your place before evening today." She nodded. There's no way she's doing this and telling Nick today. Thank goodness Suzanne wasn't in her corner. The lady probably wouldn't stop talking or asking questions.

Sitting in a taxi, wind hitting her face from the wound down window; every extreme thought crossed her mind. What if her father wanted nothing to do with her? She'd heard stories and seen girls with such stories and worse. What about Nick and his parents? When the car started to slow down close to her house, a shiver ran up her spine when she saw one of her father's cars parked in her drive way. Suddenly she didn't want to leave the taxi. But she had to face this. And if it was what she thought it would be then she'd leave and find away to take care of her baby. She let out a puff of air and stepped out of the car. Her father was leaning against his car.

Her movement towards him was slow. Having already heard him shout, she tried to place the expression on his face as he watched her approach him. However, his face revealed nothing. He gestured to the house and let her lead the way in silence. Everything felt different inside. Like she was seeing the inside of her house for the very first time and yet she still felt comfortable in it. "Sit." He said, pulling her out of her thoughts. She obeyed and he sat beside her. More silence. "I've thought about it. A lot." She nodded, looking at her hands as she wrung them, she missed the honest care in his eyes as he looked at her. "This could have been worse." Then she looked up. "You're not seventeen or younger and you know who the father is. You were in the hospital. It could have been cancer or something worse that's got no cure and who knows then. Thinking about what it could have been and knowing that it's this, is so much better. Because I lost you once. You and your sister. And thinking that I could lose you again with no chance of getting you back this time makes the fact that you're having a baby so much better." He placed his fingers under her chin, lifting up her face. "You're responsible and you'll do the right thing so it's okay." He smiled.

"You're not angry?"

"Not anymore. So don't look so scared."

She nodded, blinking back the tears. "Daddy i-"

"Don't you want to know?" He changed the subject.

"Know what?"

"When I found out." Still smiling.

She nodded once. "When did you find out?"

"Before you did."

She flashed a smile. "Days maybe?" Her attempt at a joke.

"No. Maybe five minutes at the most." He got to his feet. "I've got a meeting to get to. But you know we're here for you right?" She nodded. "Your mother hasn't said anything, but I know this is her chance to make up for nearly eleven years of absence. And mine. So don't cry anymore."

She got up. "Okay." He hugged her tightly before leaving. And as the door closed in front of her, her legs gave in and she sank to the floor. Doing the exact opposite of what her father told her to.

It was a lovely three seconds of waking up before the events of the day before came crashing down on her. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach. The strange sounds which meant someone was in her house got her out of bed. In the kitchen, Nina was pouring flour into a bowl. "Way to go Luce. You get pregnant and I hear it from Geegee?"

Lucille blinked, her heart in her stomach again. "What? She told you?"

"She thought I knew." She'd called Geegee just to talk the night before and couldn't help noting the tone of her voice. "You don't sound exactly like your usual self."

"Well wouldn't you?" Geegee said. "I still feel like I'm the one who just found out. I can't even begin to imagine how Lucille must feel after hearing she's having a baby."

"What?" The script in her hand fell. "Who's- Lucille's pregnant?"

"I-I thought you knew. She didn't tell you?"

"No she didn't. When?" Nina cleared her throat. "So I took a redeye. You were asleep. It took a lot not to wake you up to answer my questions. Hence me blurting it out. Don't be upset with Geegee."

"She didn't tell you anything else?"

"I thought it would be best if you did. How did this happen? Not how, but you know."

"We were at a party. Work party. He offered me a ride home and there was an accident..."

She sighed dramatically. "Lunch time. I think I might stray from my diet." She picked up his jacket. Nick chuckled, buttoning up his shirt. "You've got candy in here." She dipped her hand into the inner pocket.

"I'm not always on drugs. Or you." He took the jacket.

She bit her lower lip smiling. "You bad boy." Then she pat her hair down and smoothed her dress.

"Come on." They stepped out of his office, his hand over her shoulder. "Lucille." He called out when he saw her for some reason. His girlfriend looked up at him and then at the girl he'd called out to. "I heard you quit yesterday. You had Mister Atkins very upset. What are you doing here?"

"Hi." She had to do this. Be strong, don't let your voice break. She looked at the girl then at him. "I need to talk to you."

"Sure. Babe, head down would you?"

"Don't take too long." She kissed his cheek.

How would he take this? "What is it? And I'm in a bit of a hurry."

Oh to ruin his lunch date with two maybe three words. Then there was the fact that he didn't look like he wanted to go to his office. What the hell. Why not say it here? "Umm... I'm" She was choking again. Just one more word. "Pregnant." The word almost sounded faint. Could she bring herself to repeat it?

Did she just say what he heard or was it his ears that were the problem? He kept his face the way it was.

"Three months."

Crap. This can't be happening. He nodded, then, "Excuse me a minute." He kept a steady pace till he was safely in his office and leaning over his desk. Three months. He ran his left hand over his brown hair, then across his face and under his left eye. Three months. When she ran out of his apartment, all that time they were working in his office she was pregnant, all those times she came into his father's office with him in there and all that time she was mad at him she was carrying his child. He sat on the nearest visitor's chair to process the news, face buried in his palms.

When he was finally ready to talk, he walked back out to where they had stood but Lucille was gone. He hadn't been in there for more than five minutes. "Where did Lucille go?"

"She took the stairs." His secretary informed him.

Meaning down. She was leaving. He rushed to the elevator. Spotting her leaving the building while searching for her, he ran after her. "Lucille." He caught up with her outside. "Lucille." She stopped and turned around. "Uhh..." How to put this. "Let me know. I mean Uhh... how much do you need, for what ever you want to do?" There was a look in her eyes he didn't like. A blend of sharp, crazy, dangerous and yet calm. Then she scoffed.

A spark of anger coursed through her. "I have no need or for your money." She backed him. "Have a great day." She walked without turning back.

"Aren't you Bryan's secretary or whatever? What business do you have with Nick?"

"More than you'd know." Lucille answered and started to leave. Of course Nick's girlfriend's attitude would be crappy. "I was Mister Atkins assistant." She turned back to say. "There's a difference between assistant and secretary. Be sure to find that out." The girl scoffed. And moments later Nick came running out, chasing his father's assistant. That didn't sit well with her. But what can she do? Nothing.

Quincy walked with his wife beside him, making their way to the table for four. The Atkins heading for the same table from the other direction. Madison looked at her husband for assurance. He squeezed her hand in response. The open air in the garden mixed with the warmth of sunlight made her feel calm. He squeezed her hand again. "Quincy." Bryan called out when they were all at the table. Shaking Quincy's hand and giving Madison a kiss on her cheek. The process was reciprocated by the Lawes. "When I got your message, I was shocked that it was you, let alone that you wanted to meet with us.

"I can imagine." Quincy smiled, rubbing his beard. "It's good to see you both."

"You know, Lucille quit yesterday. Said you wanted her to work for you. I have to say, it was unexpected. She's very good at her work." The pair nodded in response. "How is she, I hope she's feeling better?"

"Yes, Bryan said she's been a little under the weather." Renee added.

Silence, then Madison looked at Quincy before saying, "She's pregnant."

Bryan realised immediately and let his forehead slip into his hand. "Oh." Renee started. "That's nice." She looked at Bryan and got nothing. "For who?"

"That's why she quit?" Bryan asked. And got no answer. He didn't need one.

"Your son. Nick."

"What?" Renee flashed a smile, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Three months. She found out yesterday." Quincy finally added something on the subject.

Renee looked at her husband again. The look on his face was enough to keep her from asking anymore questions.

Madison stood up, followed by Quincy. "My daughter had no need to work as an assistant. Not when she can run both your company and mine with her eyes closed and her hands tied behind her back. She was more than very good at that job."

His phone rang and his pager buzzed. "Come home." His father said calmly when he answered. In twenty minutes, he was heading straight for his father's study. Where his parents were waiting for him, standing side by side. "Lucille's pregnant." Bryan blurted. After nearly a minute of silence.

He walked over to the shelf, tracing his hands on the books. "Uhh... yeah. I know."

"You know?" Bryan tilted his head.

"Sit down Nick." He let his hand drop to his side, undid the button of his suit and did as he was told. They stood a few steps away from him.

"Of all the girls, you had to sleep with my assistant?" Bryan began to pace.

"It just happened."

"When? How?"

"You really want to know?" He arched a brow. Bryan swat and and invisible fly as he turned away in anger. "She told me this afternoon. I told her I'd pay for whatever she decided to do. But she refused."

Renee slapped him across the face. Shocked by what he'd said. She didn't care that he was glaring. She was ready to do it again when Bryan stopped her. "We did not raise you like this! We didn't! We didn't raise you like this! How dare you?! You want to pay off the woman who's carrying your baby?!" Bryan held her, she was wriggling in his arms. Then she stopped.

"She could be lying. What was I supposed to say?"

More shock. This time from them both. Renee gasped. "Nicholas!"

Bryan let her go. "Do you know who she is?"

"You kept that to yourself. And I'm guessing you know too right mom?" She didn't answer.

"You didn't try to find out?" He shook his head. "Lawes. You know that name?"

"Quincy Lawes. There's his daughter the actress."

"And the younger sister, Lucille Lawes. His younger daughter." Nick rubbed his hair. "She has no need to lie to you and has no need for your money." Bryan scoffed. "I should have known. All that tension whenever she was in the room. That stupid argument you had that got her so angry."

"There was no tension."

"Would you know? Every time she walked in the room."

"You put her in my path, making us work together, you probably wanted this. And now you call me in here talking to me like I'm sixteen years old."

"You might as well be!" Renee yelled. "What is wrong with you? She's carrying your child, our grand child."

"My assistants have always worked with your department. And you?" He pointed at him. "You sleep with every girl you meet. Your cousin would be better. If I wanted her to be with anyone. And I don't have that kind of power or right over anyone. Put her in your path." He scoffed, shaking his head.

With raised eyebrows, Nick chuckled. "apologise to her. We didn't raise you to be- what is wrong with you?" Renee asked.

"I'm disappointed in you." Bryan backed him. "You didn't see her yesterday. Puffy eyes, red nose, she could barely get herself to talk." It made more sense now. He rubbed his forehead. "She'd been crying. She found out yesterday and the first thing she did was quit. That's not someone who's lying." He sighed. "Nick-" He turned around, Nick was standing.

"I know." He walked out. Damn it. He needed a drink, and more.

He'd all but slid out of the couch. Letting himself drown in the music and the drug. Feeling calm. The dimly lit hall filled with people dancing, his girlfriend and his friends all sitting and talking around him. Three months. She didn't know all this time. And everything that had happened in that time. He's always been careful, they had been careful. He closed his eyes as he drew on his joint. Damn this day. Damn the whole thing.

Nina sluggishly got up from the couch when the Butler announced that Mister Nick Atkins was at the door. She slowly moved to a corner with a glass of water in her hand as he walked in. Tall, handsome, really good brown hair and something she didn't like. She remembered Geegee wouldn't stop talking about him. And this is the man whose child Lucille's carrying. It was the thing she didn't know that she didn't like. Or perhaps it's because of what she knew. She watched him. Her eyes never wavering. Not even when her parents came into the room. She didn't even realise he had greeted her.

"You're Nick Atkins?"

"Yes Mister Lawes." He felt very uncomfortable. And the way Nina was staring. The actress in person.

"What is it?" Madison asked when her husband went to stand by the fire place. "Please sit." Only the two of them sat.

"I" Such confidence. Nina thought. "was hoping to see Lucille. I went by her place and she wasn't there."

"She's not here. Charles!" She called for the Butler. "Lucille's not at her place. Call and find out where she is." Silence followed. Quincy stuffed his hands in his pockets, staring at the wood in the fire place. Nina kept her eyes on Nick while trying not to tell him her mind. She wanted to so badly. Madison broke the silence. "Would you like something to drink, eat maybe?"

"No thank you. I'm fine."

Fifteen minutes later. "Ma'am. She isn't answering her calls, she hasn't been by to see the children today and Geegee hasn't heard from her."

"What? Is there anyone else you can call?"

"You can try" Nina chimed in. "But you won't reach her."

Madison got up, completely worried. "What do you mean by that? Didn't you see her this morning? Where is she?"

"I don't know." She shrugged.

Quincy looked up. "What do you mean you don't know?" Madison asked, creased forehead.

"It means she doesn't tell me anything. I didn't know that she slept with Nick here. So why would I know where she is?"

"What is that, a line she wrote out for you to say to us?"

Nina drew back and scoffed. A little stunned by her mother's remark. "I told you, I don't know." She looked at Nick who looked a bit too relaxed.

"She cannot be out on her own, she needs to be here." She looked at her husband. The man who knows everything. "Quin."

"Yes?"

"Where is our daughter?"

"I don't know"

Shock. She shook her head. "You're lying, you're both lying."

"I don't know where she is Madison."

"Then how can you be so calm about this? She's pregnant and emotional. She could get hurt or worse. She should be with us."

"Maybe she wants to think. Her life's changing. I mean, yesterday she thought she was sick and in less than twelve hours that thought's suddenly changed to she's having a baby." Nina stated.

"That's not reason enough. Nina, where is your sister?"

"I don't know."

Back to her husband. How is he not worried? Why is she the only one worried? "One of you tell me now." Quincy looked at her, exhaled through his mouth and started to walk away. "Quincy!" She followed after him. "If you really don't know where she is, then send people to look for her."

"And have them drag her back here?" He stopped and faced her.

"At least so we know where she is and we can see her."

"Alright. If it'll stop you from worrying. I don't like seeing you worried. And you do enough of that for both of us."

"Thank you. And have people watch Nina and Geegee. If they know where she is an-"

"Done." He hugged her.

"You're not worried at all? It's your baby." Nina strolled over to Nick.

"I didn't even know her house till today. I don't think I can be much help when I barely know her."

"You know enough. She told me what you said. You find it easy to insult her don't you Nick?" He shifted in his seat. "Pet, slut... opportunist."

"He said that?" Nina blurted when Lucille told her about her meeting with Nick while she packed. "What an ass. He might as well have said get rid of it."

"It's insulting. And it's not the first time."

"What?" Lucille explained. "Then how did you end up in his bed?" Lucille stopped packing long enough to glare at Nina. "Right, I remember. It happens. I just can't believe he's that much of an ass." She sighed. "So you're going to uncle Richie's house for how long?"

I don't know. I just need to think. And they wouldn't think to look there."

"Cause he's gone." She nodded. "And even if he weren't, I'm sure he'll be happy to hide you there."

"Thanks. I want to go before someone decides to pay me a visit."

"Okay. Take care of little Nina okay." She placed her hand on her sister's stomach. "Or Marvin."

"Nina? Marvin? After great grandpapi M? Or you?" Lucille glared.

"Why not?"

"We had nightmares for days. And we cried seeing all those tubes in him and looking so frail. That's why we had nightmares."

"He was old. And it could be a girl. Unless it's twins."

"Not twins. We checked."

"So it could be a Nina." Nina smiled.

"I didn't mean to insult her. And-" Nick started.

Nina moved closer to him, cutting him off. ."And here's what you need to know. Lucille Lawes, doesn't need your money." She stopped. "Get up Nick, and leave. As you can see, we're all worried about my sister and we need to find her. Clearly, you don't care. For all we know, it might have something to do with something you might have said."