Book Two
Chapter Nine: Happy New Year!
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Chapter 9
Happy New Year!
Ivy had decided the day after the Grey’s Christmas party that she needed to get her own apartment and within days signed a lease with an apartment complex in Cordova not far from her mother’s home. This would be a counter move just in case she didn’t marry Grey in the summer. Plus, she still needed a place for the baby once he or she arrived. As a favor to Ivy’s current state, Trina moved also to provide support both financially and mentally.
Much to her surprise, Ivy had not spoken to Grey in nearly a week. He had text messaged her to make sure that she was physically well, but refused to speak with her personally for fear that his anger might overcome him.
Nicola had been missing in action, too. He had not called once since he left her dorm room the morning after his discovery of the child. She wasn’t sure if the lack of communication from the men was good or bad, but she used to time to prepare herself for the next hurdle of her life, which was telling her parents.
There was, however, a small sentiment of pride that she was moving forward without approval. Moving out of the dorms into an apartment was a decision that she had made on her own, using her own resources. For once, she was taking charge of her life and leaving little room for suggestions.
As Ivy pulled into the Registry at Cordova apartment complex, her cell phone vibrated on her hip. Debating whether or not to answer it, she looked at the caller ID. It was Nicola of all people. Without explanation, her heart began to flutter.
“Hello?” Ivy said turning down her radio.
“Hey. Happy New Year,” Nicola said in reasonably good spirits.
“Happy New Year to you, too,” Ivy said happy to hear his voice.
“Uh, I was just calling to see how you were. I know that it’s been a minute since you’ve heard from me.”
“Yeah.” Ivy pulled into her parking spot and turned off her car. “I’m fine. Just in the process of moving.” She was proud of her accomplishment and couldn’t wait to share the news with him. “What have you been up to?”
“Nothing much. I’m just leaving a bust in South Memphis and…moving? Where to?” His first guess was her fiancé’s house. Such a decision would surely make it more difficult for their already overly complicated situation.
“Trina and I have our own place in Cordova now. It’s at the Registry at Woodhaven.”
“Huh.” He was impressed with her selection. “Yeah, that’s a nice neighborhood. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” she said smiling. “It’s not exactly the most exciting New Year’s Eve plans, but I’m happy. I’m surprised that Brooks didn’t tell you.”
“He tends to forget anything that isn’t about him. Well, do you need some help? I know with the baby you can’t do a lot of moving.” There was a strange and awkward silence as Nicola tried to move past his first recognition of the pregnancy as a form of life.
“No, thanks though. For the most part, the movers took care of everything yesterday. Trina is going to take care of everything else.” Ivy tensed up as well when she thought about the word baby. She was actually going to be a mother. Oh, God.
“Alright.” Even as long as Nicola had waited to call he had absolutely nothing to say to Ivy. There was always an awkwardness about their situation he could not get over. He wasn’t ready for fatherhood. He wasn’t ready for responsibility. He wasn’t ready for Ivy!
“Hello?” Ivy said hoping that she had not lost her signal.
“I’m here. Um, you can call me at any time day or night if you need me,” Nicola said taking a long, deep breath and trying to calm his silent panic attack. .
“Thanks, again,” Ivy said hearing his familiar voice of concern.
“Alright then.” Nicola felt as though he had said more than enough. “I better get back to doing what it is that I do.”
“Alright. Talk with you later,” Ivy said softly as she hung up the phone.
“Who was that?” Trina asked standing at the car door while Ivy finished her conversation.
“Nicola. He just wanted to know how the baby and I were doing.” Ivy got out of the car and smiled.
“Alright now,” Trina said shaking her head. “Don’t forget your bargain with Grey.”
“I didn’t agree,” Ivy frowned profusely. “I won’t separate Nicola from this child if it is his just because of Grey’s insecurities.”
“It’s not the child Grey’s trying to keep from Nicola,” Trina said grabbing a box from Ivy’s back seat. “It’s you.”
“My God, Trina. You act like the guy is a blood-sucking vampire,” Ivy said defensively. She didn’t want anyone to spoil the fact that Nicola had taken time to call her.
**
Across town in the historic Central Gardens estates, Grey sat quietly in his father’s study watching his father smoke an Ashton cigar. As the smoke billowed up to the ceiling, Grey poured another glass of scotch and sipped it lightly savoring the taste and contemplating a plan of action for Ivy and Nicola.
“You want to tell me what’s wrong with you, boy?’ Mayor Henderson said putting down his newspaper. “You’ve been here two hours and haven’t said one full sentence.”
“Here’s one for you. Ivy is pregnant,” Grey blurted unconcerned with his father’s approval.
“Oh,” his father said taking the cigar out his mouth. “Well, that explains the face.” Looking back at the newspaper, his father tried to let the news settle before he began his interrogation.
“Go ahead. Ask your questions. I’ve been preparing myself all day,” Grey said feeling his father’s eyes glaring at him.
“Alright.” Mayor Henderson sat up in his chair. “How does this affect the family?”
“Negatively. The child could possibly belong to someone else,” Grey said irritated. “Some cop.” Grey gulped down the potent contents in his glass and set it down
