Look for three things in a person.
Intelligence, Energy and Integrity.
If they don't have the last one,
don't even bother with the first two.
-
Warren Buffett

______________

"I'm sorry. Could you say that again?" I asked Dr. Kelly, a beautiful woman with kind eyes and a soft voice.

"The test is positive. You're pregnant," she said firmly.

"Are you sure? I'm on pill. I think you're wrong."

She looked at the results again. "Not according to this."

"But my pills." I shook my head, feeling dizzy and disoriented and sick to my stomach, which was why I was here in the first place.

"Did you throw up sometime? Maybe the pill might have come out too."

I remember my allergic reaction and I might have threw up my pill too.

She smiled gingerly and opened a paper calendar on the counter. "When was your last period?"

"Uh..." I tried to think. "Second week of December?"

She looked up from the calendar. "So you missed one in January?"

My brain was reeling. Had I? I must have. "My life has been sort of upside down. And my periods have been irregular when I'm stressed."

She nodded. "That can happen. Your weight is in the healthy range now, but let's see if we can pinpoint when you might have conceived."

Conceived.

Oh my God. Mother? You? Wow!

"So today is March tenth. You know for sure you missed one in February and maybe January."

"I'm pretty sure I did," I said, reality sinking in. "And my best guess is that I conceived somewhere between Christmas and New Year's."

"I take it this baby is a surprise?"

"Yes." To say the least.

"You're married?"

"Yes," I said, trying to gain control.

"Would he be supportive?"

I nodded and dabbed at my eyes with the tissue. "Yes, he is part of my life, and he's wonderful." I think he'll be supportive.

"Good. And let's get you scheduled for an ultrasound."

An hour later, I pulled at my home and sat behind the wheel of my car, staring out the windshield but seeing nothing.

September nineteen. That was my due date.

I was nearly thirteen weeks along.

I'd scheduled an ultrasound after two weeks, at which I'd be able to see and probably even hear the baby's heartbeat.

Oh my God. I put both hands on my belly. There was a heart beating inside me. A heartbeat that Daniel and I had created.

I closed my eyes, feeling joyful and terrified all at once.

At least it all made sense now—the nausea, the crying at every little thing, the dizziness, the sore breasts, the gradual but steady weight gain.

Oh my God! How is Daniel going to take it? I barely get to see him after he has been transferred to Avery Hotels. The board members didn't want to let him go and they cancelled all contracts with Annabelle. Daniel is struggling, he's always working. He reaches home when I'm asleep and goes before I wake up. The hotel is almost on the verge of shutting down so his job is to built it up into something better. I hope everything goes well. From somewhere deep within me, a voice spoke up—not a voice of doubt this time, but a voice of strength.

That's enough, Allison. Stop fretting about this and go in and tell Daniel he'a going to be a father.

It's an incredible, unexpected miracle that will mean more love in this family and in this world.

I opened my eyes and smiled when I saw my home in front of me.

"Your Honor, my client is a much better person than a woman who didn't hesitate before trying to kill herself. How can such a woman care about her child? What if she does the same thing again or maybe to the child? Mrs. Clark is highly unstable. I agree they might have had some disagreement," Lawyer Lane said, turning towards the Jury. "But he's still her husband and she choose to run away from him without his permission and taking their child along. Don't you see the pain of a father who doesn't know where his child had gone? Mrs. Clark is a woman who has no right to gain the custody of a child."

I try my best not to roll my eyes.

"Your Honor, we have a witness to call to the stand."

"I'm going to have to object," I said, standing up from my feet and I can hear the shock in my voice. "There are no other witnesses listed on the pretrial order."

"It's a rebuttal witness, Your Honor."

What?

"Rebuttal?"

"In the form given to Mrs. Clark, she'd denied adultery but I have a witness to prove otherwise," Lawyer stated and the judge sighed knowing where this is going.

Judge waves us both forward. "What is this about?"

"I have proof regarding Mrs. Clark cheating on Mr. Clark."

"It's irrelevant, Your Honor. This is an abuse case."

"Your Honor, this witness can help the jury know about Mrs. Clark's character and moreover adultery is checked when you work on a divorce case."

Judge nodded. "I'm allowing to allow the witness but Mr. Lane, don't go ahead and try to make it all about adultery. This is an abuse case and that's the priority here. You're offering this witness as a rebut to her denial for your questions."

"Yes, Your Honor."

I get back to my seat and my heart breaks as the lawyer questions the witness. The witness, Mia gave her statement that Merlin performed sexual acts in exchange of money while she was in a relationship with Mr. Gavin Clark

I lean over to Merlin who had tears in her eyes. "Is she telling the truth?"

"No," Merlin whispered. "Mom was sick and I had to work in a strippers club but I did nothing more."

"Were you in a relationship with Gavin?"

"No, he used to visit the club. The owner was his friend and we started dating after two weeks. He helped me with mom's operation after I moved in with him. I stopped working after I started dating him and he was okay with me being a stripper."

I nod as I turn towards the jury. I find few members staring at the witness while few had their gaze on me. I gave them my sweet smile as if everything is fine.

"Your Honor, Mrs. Clark had worked as a prostitute while she was dating my client and he was unaware of it. He might have got into an argument when he heard about his wife being a prostitute after so many years and he knew nothing about it. He has right to be angry and he might have hit her once which I agree is unacceptable but we need to consider his emotions here."

I looked at the Jury who were convinced about what the lawyer was telling.

I rise to my feet. "Your Honor, may I ask few questions to the witness?"

"Go ahead," Judge muttered while writing something down on his paper.

I move towards the witness. "Mia Will, right?"

"Yes."

I nod lightly. "So you're saying that Mrs. Clark worked as a prostitute while she was in a relationship with Mr. Clark?"

"Yes."

"Are you a prostitute like Merlin?" She hesitated and I hide my smirk. "Answer me, Ms.Will. You don't want me bringing another witness to prove that you are a prostitute, do you?"

"Your Honor, this is not acceptable. She's trying to scare the witn-"

"Will you let me finish?" I ask the lawyer as I turn towards the jury. "Ms. Will is brought here to question Mrs. Clark's character so we should also consider the credibility of Ms.Will's statement before move forward, don't you think so?"

Few members in the jury nod their head while Judge glares at me and I turn towards Mia. "So, answer me."

"I did."

"Why?"

"I have a family to feed," she snapped, glaring at me.

I smirked. "Really? You have a family to feed? So, why did Merlin do it? For fun?"

"She..her mother was sick."

"That's all, Your Honor."

I smiled as I settled back on my seat. Lawyer Lane looked at me in confusion while Judge asked, "You have no more questions, Lawyer Avery?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I know I take this into something more but there's no use. I know how to tackle this.

"Okay, Lawyer Lane, any more questions?"

"Your Honor, now I would like you to give me permission to question, Adriene, son of Mr. Clark and Mrs. Clark."

Merlin gasps and the Jury looked surprised too. I rise to my feet. "What are you going to ask a five year old child? That's not acceptable your Honor. Adriene is too young to bring in for questioning, it can affect his mental condition."

Judge doesn't reply as he thinks it over. No, don't! Please, say no.

"We need to know what the child thinks about the situation. We're not going to ask him about rocket science, Laywer Avery. It's just some basic questions," Lawyer retorted and I really wanted to kick his ass.

I stare at the Judge who nodded his head as if he'd made his decision. "I'm going to allow the questio-"

"But Your Honor," I plead. This is going out of my hands.

"Your objection is noted, Lawyer Avery. This is a divorce case and a custody case so this is just to know what is there in the child's mind."

Ten minutes later, Aiden is brought into the witness seat and he stared at his mom and dad with wide eyes.

I feel my back hurt as I lean back in my seat.

"Aiden," Lawyer calls out. "You want some chocolate?"

Aiden immediately gets out of the chair and runs towards...me. I rise to my feet and he hold my legs with both his hands. I smile as I lift him up and settle him on the desk.

"My teacher said when some steanger talks about chocolate, I should run to my parents," Aiden mutters. "He's a bad man. We need to call 911." The court room fills with laughter while I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing out.

"Why did you run to me?"

"You're an angel."

I smile wide as I bring Aiden to his feet and take him to his seat by holding his small hand in mine. I lift him up and settle him on his chair. "He'll just ask you some questions. Be a strong boy and answer them, got it?"

"Yes!

I turn towards lawyer. "I suggest you get into actual questioning that does not involve chocolate, otherwise he might call 911."

Lawyer Lane glared at me. "You may go back to your seat."

"I'm standing right here."

"Your Honor, she can't stand here."

"Lawyer, Aiden feels more comfortable when Lawyer Avery is standing beside him. We will do what's best for Aiden. So do not waste the time and get to the questioning."

Lawyer Lane sighed as he turned towards Aiden with a smile. "Aiden, you want both your mom and dad to be together right? Take you to park and buy you so many clothes and sweets."

Aiden nodded his head.

"You want mom to go back to your dad, right?"

"Yes," Aiden whispered after a long silence.

Dammit!

"You like your dad?"

"Yes."

"Does dad punishes you?"

"No."

"But your mom does that, right?"

"Um..Yes."

"You want to be with your dad?"

"Yes."

No! I take a deep breathe, trying to calm myself down.

"That's all, You-"

"Why does dad hurt mom?" Aiden asked and the whole room fills with silence. "Is that because I'm a bad boy?"

My heart clenched tight. "Your Honor," I say as I turn towards the Judge. "May I ask some questions?"

Judge nodded, his eyes fixed on Aiden.

"Aiden, did you see dad hurt your mom?"

He nodded his head, his eyes filled with tears. "He..he hit her with a chair."

Jesus Christ!

"Did he hurt you?"

Aiden is silent. "I awked him to play with me and he threw the ball here," Aiden said, pointing at his head. "I fell and hurt my hand. I didn't tell mom because Dad will hurt mom. She cries a lot."

Aiden sniffed and I pick him up in my arms. "Do you want to go back to dad without mom?"

Again he's silent. "Will dad stop hurting mom? I don't want mom hurt. She's happy now. I like Mark, he's nice and plays with me and kisses mom. She's swmiles a lot now." I glance at Marco to find him staring at us with emotions rushing through him.

"Dad didn't hurt mom because you're bad boy. They had a fight so he hurt her. It's not your mistake or your mother's, got it?"

He nodded his head. I kissed his cheek. He smiles at me. "Your shoes are beawutiful."

"Yeah?" I ask, staring down at my black heels. "Tell them, I'm pretty."

Aiden giggles before turning towards the jury. "Angel is pwetty." He smiles and his cheeks turn red.

"By angel he means ME," I said, earning chuckles from the jury.

I send Aiden back to Marco as I turn towards the Judge. "Your Honor, I plead you to grant me permission to display the photos of Ms. Merlin's body regarding physical abuse."

"I object, Your Honor," Lawyer Lane says, moving towards me and then faces the Judge. "The defense lawyer cannot display the photo without prior permission."

I turn towards the jury. "Lawyer Lane brought a witness without mentioning it in the list and he asked to question a five year old child without prior permission then why can't I ask to display the photos in front of the jury?" I turn towards the Judge. "Your Honor, the photos were already submitted in the court as an evidence of physical assault but we refused to display it in an open court because Mrs. Clark wasn't comfortable with that. It was a matter of privacy but now we take back the request because at this point of the case where Mrs. Clark's character has come in question, we need to show the photos to the jury."

"I'm giving permission to display the photos."

After five minutes, the photos were displayed on the white board. Gasps fills the room when they see the pictures.

"Any person who does that to a woman can never give a happy life to a kid. Her ribs were broken, hands fractured, face bruised and she had a miscarriage because her husband couldn't help but kick her on the stomach," I say as I move forward towards the jury.

Twenty minutes later, we're asked to give the closing argument. I know damn good and well that ninety percent of any jury argument is passion and only maybe ten percent is law and reason.

"This case was filled by Mr. Clark telling that his wife who is mentally unstable kidnapped his child. Then later the criminal offence of abuse and then divorce and custody rised up. Look at the pictures and tell me can you stay at a place where you're being treated like a dog. A place where there is no safety for your child. Can you?" I asked the jury as I take a step forward. "Mrs. Clark once tried to do suicide and that should definitely be considered. The doctor who gave testimony told that Mrs. Clark was mentally unstable after her miscarriage. Do you think that's a big deal? A woman lost her child because her husband kicked her hard on her stomach. Her husband killed her child and do you think a woman who had been abused can be sane after everything?" I turn towards the Judge. "I have already submitted a report of Mrs. Clark's mental state which tells that she's out of depression and is taking therapy since past two months and will continue to take it."

I turn my gaze back to the jury. "You all heard what Mia Will told about Merlin. She did prostitution because her mother was sick. Won't you do that for your mother, Mrs. Brie?" I take a second to take a deep breathe. "Her mother needed a surgery and needed money. An uneducated girl like Merlin couldn't earn such a huge amount of money through any other job. She had two option: let her mom die by holding on to morals or save her mother by sacrificing her respect. She choose the second option. Do you really think that is wrong? Just because she was a prostitute once doesn't mean she should be treated like a slave. No woman deserves that.

"Moreover, Mr. Clark knew Merlin worked in a strippers club so whatever happened before their marriage shouldn't be a reason for Mr. Clark to hurt his wife. There isn't even enough proof to confirm that Mrs. Clark exchanged sexual favors for money.

"You all heard what Aiden asked? Why does his dad hurt his mom? Can you all give an answer to him? Why? What did his mother do? A five year old is asking the question after he saw his father hit his mom. Do you think such a man is capable of being a good father? Is he worthy to be a part of that little boy's life who cried in the court about his dad throwing the ball at him and hurt his hand? Do you think that wonderful boy needs a man who doesn't know to respect women? Who killed his own child before he/she came out of the womb."

I lean toward the members. "Do you think so Mr. White? What about you, Ms. Kelly?" I continue to ask every member and then steps back. "Being married to a man doesn't mean a woman should tolerate abuse. It doesn't mean she should forget about her dreams, her integrity and herself. Everything Ms. Mia Will told about Mrs. Clark has been denied by her because it's an utter lie."

More than half of the members of the jury nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, Merlin being depressed, attempting suicide or being an ex-prostitute or not has nothing to do what has happened. Because I think we are all in agreement here that the love she had in her for her mother and her emotions after her child's death shouldn't be held against her. At least not here, not in this courtroom, when it has absolutely nothing to do with this case. Has nothing to do with Mr. Clark abusing Merlin for the past seven years. Has nothing to do with the fact that Merlin was hurt and mangled by a heartless and arrogant man with a God complex, fueled on his ego."

I take a deep breathe, trying to control my emotions. "Now, you all in the jury can help Merlin and Aiden to lead a healthy and safe life which is away from this cruel man if you look into this matter beyond the accusations of Mr. Lane has pointed out..

I continue to speak when suddenly Mr. Clark jumps out of his seat and charges towards me with a knife. My breathe hitches when he grabs hold of me, wrapping his hand my bicep and other hand with the knife on my neck.

"Gavin," Lawyer Lane shouts but things were already out of hand. He just made my job easy though I might end up dead.

Are you serious woman?

"Angel," Aiden shouted, running towards me. Marco and Merlin try to catch him but it's too late. He held my legs tight while Mr. Clark tried to push Aiden away.

"Don't hurt him," I whispered as I held Aiden close to me.

"Shut up, bitch."

I look at Judge who is out of his seat, his eyes filled in panic. I give him a slow blink letting him know I'm okay. I notice Gavin's grip on Aiden's arm as I take a deep breath. Slowly, very slowly, I lift my right leg and stamp his right feet with my high heels. He winces and the second he looks down at his foot, I hold his hand with the knife and backhand. He lets out a loud cry as I pull Aiden away from him. Before I move away from him, he pushes me hard that I loose my balance with my hand on Aiden'a bicep.

Before I could fall over the huge table I take a tight grip on the table, not letting myself fall on my stomach. I sigh in relief when I get the balance. Tears wells up in my eyes.

My baby!

Thank Lord!

I look down to find Aiden holding my hand and looking at me with scared eyes. I look over my shoulder to find Gavin in the arms of the security. Within seconds, James and Marco are beside me, making sure that I didn't break any parts of my body.

Judge stared at me without blinking. With narrowed eyes, he was studying me, taking in the dampness of my cheeks, how my hand had settled on my low belly, her shirt that was a bit tighter because of my fuller breasts. After a second, his dark gray eyes warmed. He'd figured it out.

"Do you want to go to the hospital?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine. I have a check up tomorrow anyway." He nodded his head and a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

My eyes narrowed when I saw a figure enter the court room and suddenly I wasn't sure if I was relieved or annoyed when I recognized the person.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded when Daniel strolled towards me.

"Your hand is bruised, Allison."

"Not much." I rubbed a hand under my nose. "I've got myself a case here, Daniel, and it's the last part. Go away."

He shook his head while crouching down, examined the bruises. "You're bleeding slightly." Rising, he stroked a hand over my hair. "There's not even a week in your life without visiting hospital."

I caught James' smirk out of the corner of my eye but decided to let it pass. "I don't have time for you, Daniel. I'm working."

"You either come with me to home willingly or I drag you in front of all these people. Your choice. I bet you don't want to destroy your reputation." His eyes were cold and flat as he scanned me.

Wow! Why does it sound so hot?

Shut up!

"Go, Allison. I'll take care of everything. You already won the case after what has happened," James said, patting my head.

"Okay," I mutter while glowering at Daniel.  "Do not carry me. I'm a hero now. Don't destroy my image."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Fine, you can work out of this courtroom with your damn dignity but after that I'm going to carry you."

"Bu-"

"Do not test me, baby," he said as he helped me to my feet.

"Will you seduce me when I reach home?"

That brought a smile on his lips. "Depends. Do you want to be seduced?"

"Only by you," I whisper as he lifts me up when we're out of the room.

Sometime later, I lay with my head on Daniel's shoulder, tucked against his side, still shimmering with pleasure. The man had incredible control.

How much I loved him.

And now…I needed to muster her courage. With a sigh of effort, I moved up onto one elbow. The moonlight shone through the balcony doors, illuminating the bed like a fairy tale.

At my movement, he opened his eyes. His lips twitched. "Baby, if you want more, you're going to have a dead body in this bed."

I laughed and loved the way a grin transformed his features. "You're safe for now, hubby." With one finger, I traced over his thick eyebrows, the lines beside his blue eyes. His lower lip was slightly fuller than the top. "Daniel, I'm fine. You're not still worried about the attack, right?"

Under my fingers, his brows drew together. "No. I feel much better after having few sessions with the therapists and the pills help too. I don't think I need them anymore." He took my hand and kissed the fingertips. "Been looking for this all my life. I was scared of loosing you but I know I can't spend my life with fear. Let there be any problem, we'll deal with it together."

Well, that was firm enough.

He ran his hand through my hair, pushing the long strands out of my face. His brows drew together. "What's wrong, Allison?"

I flattened my hand on his chest, feeling the slow thud of his heart under the thick pectorals. My pulse had increased as fear slowly unraveled my assumed composure. "I need to talk with you about something else."

"Okay."

"Let's discuss children," I said in an even voice. Hopefully, he wouldn't notice my hand was trembling.

He blinked. "You move fast, baby." His lips curved as he ran his hand down my waist, over my hip, to squeeze my ass. "I  like to keep you barefoot and pregnant.”

"Very funny." My lips curved.

He grinned, then sobered. "Allison, I love you. I'll give you as many babies as you want if that's what you're asking. I want them too."

I could only stare at him. His statement was…more…than she'd dreamed of. Never have I imagined myself with a man or children. Everything has changed and I love it.

His gaze deepened, his grip on me growing painful. "I love you, Allison," he said slowly again.

Still on one elbow, I stroked his cheek, feeling the dense bone structure like an outward representation of his solid character. I indulged herself with a slow, sweet kiss before whispering, "I love you, Daniel. More than anything in this world."

The rising moon lit his face, showed the warmth in his blue eyes.

Oh, I really, really did love him.

The next sentence required all her courage.

"As to giving me babies?" I took his hand and flattened it on my stomach. "You already did that."

"Funny."

I didn't laugh.

"What?" The import of my words circled inside his head, buzzing faintly, like an insect that couldn't quite be seen and then hit him hard.

I was still holding his hand on my belly. His voice came out higher, not his at all. "A baby?"

"Mmmhmm. I'm pregnant." I sighed. "This wasn't exactly in my plans."

"But, you're on the pill." He stopped, knowing he was stuttering.

"Throwing up everything including pills during my allergic reaction."

"Jesus, Allison." He pulled me down, wrapped his arms around me, tried to express how he felt with his embrace. He laid his cheek on the top of ny head. "We're going to have a baby."

My laugh was soft. No, he wasn't angry with me. Wasn't unhappy about the baby. He is happy and that means the world to me.

"You're going to be a mother," Archer muttered for the third time as if he's trying to memorize the sentence.

"I know," I reply, petting Max as he nuzzled against me.

"I think it's finally getting inside me but not fully. I didn't expect this news for at least another year."

He leaned back on the couch as he continued nibbling on his cupcake.

"Neither me," I answer, grinning brightly as I scrolled through my iPad, checking out the list of new cases.

"Did you tell everyone?"
I nod my head. "I informed everyone through one simple text in the group."

He rolled his eyes. "Typical Allison."

That bought a smile on my face. Three months has passed since Archer entered our lives and he'd learned a lot about me and Daniel. He finally accepted that this is home just like it is ours.

"Alex and James will be here soon with lots of ice-cream," I told him and his eyes twinkled. The door bell rang and I immediately stood up. "They're already here."

I move towards the front door, Max trailing behind me as I opened the door wide. My smile vanished when I realized it's not Alex and James but someone else.

"You need to die."

I froze when I saw the cold expression on Annabelle's face. She was wearing a purple dress which looked loose on her thin body, eyes bloodshot, makeup gone, her hair a huge mess and a sharp edged knife on her hand. My eyes widened in the horror when she lunged at me with her knife.

Jesus!

No!

Hey, my sweeties!!

One more chapter to go!

Give me all your thoughts and feedback about the book. It's finally coming to an end.

Love you all!

Allison