Pandora looked at her dad’s house, taking a few deep breaths, trying to muster up the courage to go inside.
‘I am a grown woman with a job, a car, and a house!’ she told herself, but she also had that small voice in the back of her mind repudiate. ‘Did you forget the ex-husband whom your father asked you not to marry?’
Pandora groaned, knowing she was about to start her engine and just leave with how conflicted her thoughts were.
She jumped when she heard a sharp knock on her car’s window.
“Sorry,” Nina smiled as she looked through the window. Pandora let out a nervous laugh and opened her car door. “Is everything alright?” Nina asked as she looked her stepdaughter over.
“Yeah,” Pandora muttered and shut the door.
Nina and she walked to the house the older woman shared with her father. They had known each other since high school. They went from being close friends to raising Pandora together. Nina’s husband cheated on her ten years ago and Pandora’s father, Walter, stuck by her side.
Her father had just retired from being a prosecutor and started his own law firm around the time and Nina became one of his first clients. Of course, Nina couldn’t stay with her estranged husband during a divorce, so she asked Walter if she could rent a room in his house. And as months passed, the two fell in love and got married. This was a few months before Pandora’s marriage fell apart.
“Hello, dear,” Walter said, looking up from his paper. “Pandora?” he carried on when he noticed his daughter. He put the paper away, frowning. “You look terrible.”
Pandora rolled her eyes before sitting down. Why did people think it was okay to point out that she didn’t look as lovely as usual? Wouldn’t they assume that people who looked like crap probably felt like crap as well? She somehow doubted anyone wanted to be reminded that they looked like hell had frozen over.
“Is there something wrong?” Nina asked and touched Pandora’s hand.
“Not really,” she whispered.
As her eyes stayed on Pandora’s, she frowned.
“What’s wrong? Do I need to call the doctor?” her dad inquired frantically.
“No, Dad. I already saw the doctor,” she said. This information further worried her father.
“How bad is it?”
‘Depending on how bad you think it is to have a daughter who is divorced and pregnant. At least, I am not dying, right?’ Pandora thought about her response before taking a deep breath.
“I’m pregnant,” she let out the news finally.
Walter just looked at her, his brows pulled together. His mouth opened but he quickly closed it to rub his fingers over his chin. He looked thoughtful and confused. “How?” he asked, seeming that it was the only word he could say after a long time.
“Dad, I think you are old enough to know how babies are made,” she joked.
Walter crossed his arm and gave her the look. The same look her prosecutor father had used to make grown and hardened criminals confess their terrible crimes. The look made her buckle and spill all her secrets.
“I was drunk and met a friend in the bar. One thing led to another.” She knew she was not telling him the truth, but it wasn’t a complete lie either.
Her father looked away from her and clasped his hands in front of him. “I have never been fond of Derrik, even less after what he did, but if you are going to have a baby with him. I will get over my hatred for him.”
Of course, her father sensed that she had lied, but he had gotten the contents wrong. She couldn’t believe Walter thought she would allow Derrik to touch her. It was bad enough that they were in the same city. Never again would she share her body with that man.
“That was a lie. I hate that jerk and always will. I can’t help but think of ways to kill him if I see him again. But, I will make sure my grandchild will never know of my hate for his father.”
Pandora couldn’t help herself anymore and let out a snort. She walked over to her father and hugged him. “It’s not Derrik’s,” she said. When she pulled away, she saw her father’s curious look. She let out a deep sigh and said the truth. “I was drunk and met someone I only knew little about. One thing led to another and now—” She waved her hand around her stomach.
Walter rubbed his face before he spoke. “I love you, Pandora. And we will support you no matter what. But I think you need to call this man and tell him about the baby. Who knows, he might be your happily ever after.”
Pandora snorted and he tapped her arm gently.
“Just trying to give hope to my daughter. I also want hope that my daughter will marry a good man and have a baby on the way.”
“I was married, Dad, no baby… but married. Now, I don’t have a husband but a baby on the way,” she chuckled. It was a good exchange, in her opinion.
“I am here for you,” Walter said, kissing the side of Pandora’s head.
“So, I can be excited then?” Nina asked, clapping her hands in excitement.
“If you must,” Walter answered, sounding nonchalant.
“Of course, I should!” Nina exclaimed, hugging Pandora to her.
After she got home, Pandora ran a bath. She had just propped her head on a bath pillow and closed her eyes when a loud bang made her jump. She looked around the room as her brain tried to work out what it was. The loud thumping sound came again, but this time she was able to determine that someone was knocking on her front door.
Her heart pounded as there was a third round of knocking. This time, it sounded more like they were trying to break her door down.
She quickly got out of the tub and put on her bathrobe before grabbing her cell phone. Instantly, she jumped as it started to vibrate in her hands. She hissed when she saw Derrik’s name flashing on her screen. She pressed accept to answer the call and forewent all formalities when she spoke.“That better not be you at the door!” she stated as she went to the window.“Get your ass here and let me in!” Derrik sneered.“Fuck you,” she hissed out and disconnected the call. Right away, she dialed the emergency number. “I warned the asshole, this is on him,” she muttered as she waited for someone to respond. “Pandora!” she heard Derrik yell and he started pounding on the door again.“What is the address of your emergency?” The monotone male voice asked over the phone.“Pandora!” Derrik yet again bellowed followed by the pounding on her door.She stated her address, her voice breaking.“Answer the fucking door, you stupid bitch!” Derrik screamed again, continuing to pound on the door.“What
“Where is my bracelet?” she asked herself as she looked through her jewelry box. She groaned, unable to find it. She closed her eyes, trying to remember where she had last worn it. But she wasn’t fully awake and after a night of no sleep because of Derrik, it was hard to function.Just as she was about to give up, she imagined the bracelet on her wrist. She could feel someone touching her softly and with so many emotions that it made her whole body tingle from that one spot on her wrist.“Where did you get this?” a smooth voice with the smell of alcohol asked, and her eyes sprang open.“Vegas,” she declared and she shuddered. She moved to the closet and got her bag. She took out the small jewelry bag she had taken with her. She dumped everything out and grabbed her bracelet. As she put it on, a silver ring caught her eye.“Where did that come from?” She lifted it up to inspect.It was a simple silver band. She frowned at it and turned it around in her fingers. Suddenly, what looked li
“See! You don’t pull over for an unmarked car. Similarly, you shouldn’t be talking and going with a person who doesn’t have a uniform on. Part of why I am in the Special Victim cell.”Pandora looked at him playfully. “Well, I shouldn’t be talking to you right now.”“Here it's fine. This is the police station, after all.”“You have a point. I am taking that you wear a uniform to the first meet and greet. Then once they know you are the real deal, you walk out wearing a suit. It’s a bit like a superhero, isn’t it?”“Batman. I like batman, thank you,” he said. “Of course, the best detective in the comic universe.”They walked into his office and Milton pulled out a seat and gestured for her to sit down. Once she was settled, he pulled out a seat to sit down next to her.“Your ex was let out an hour ago. He was not happy. But I did make it clear that he would be in trouble if he went anywhere near your home or work.”Relief overwhelmed her.“Now, we need to work on the restraining order.
“Of course not. He’s married,” she said with a nervous laugh, which everyone picked up on.“Okay, spill,” Keira demanded. “During my exam, I—” she stopped talking. “You what?” Keira prodded.“I got aroused,” she whispered, her face hidden in her hands. She closed her eyes and dropped her eyes, her embarrassment building as the girls started to laugh.“Do you think he could tell?” Sia asked after controlling her laughter.“I am sure he did. He was down there.” She pointed downward. “And I was really wet.”“How wet are we talking?” Keira asked excitedly.“I would have been a water slide if I got any wetter.” They laughed, making Pandora groan. “But he didn’t say anything. I am grateful for that.”Sia took hold of her hand and made her look. “Come on. A lot of women become turned on, more so during pregnancy. I am sure he has seen and dealt with that situation before. Don’t be embarrassed.”Pandora nodded, trying to feel better about the situation. “Anyway, it is better than drooling o
“I don’t like how I needed to hear from the DA that my daughter was threatened. You had better report him if he comes near you or even tries to make contact with you again. I mean it. He is not all there in his head, I think we know that by now.”“Again, I’m sorry. I promise I will. I plan on getting a full restraining order, too,” she said, hoping to amend the situation and make her father less worried.“I am not happy about this, Pandora,” he stated. Pandora closed her eyes, knowing he was just worried about her. “So, what is the officer’s last name?”“Dad,” she moaned out. Her father wanted a full report on the officer in charge and would probably give a stern talk to him.“Don’t argue with me on this, please. I want him to go over and check out your security at the house. I need to know my daughter is safe. If you’d rather I come down and do it myself, say so.”Pandora cleared her throat. “You don’t have to do that, Dad. Milton already said he would check over the house and the pe
“Please remove your jacket and lie down,” he instructed. She did just that and the nurse walked in. “Can you move your top up a little and your pants down?”She adjusted the article of clothing like he asked and watched as he washed his hands at the sink. When he walked back to her, he rubbed his hands together.“I am warming them up,” he informed her.“Don’t people say that cold hands make a warm man?” Her words made her chuckle slightly.“I think they do, but moms don’t appreciate it when my hands are cold. The gel is cold enough for them as it is.”“Derrik’s hands were always so warm. I was bothered by them. I mean, who likes holding a hot plate all the time?” she muttered and Dr. Parks hummed and went on with his exam.“Your little Bean seems to be doing well. I am going to use the Doppler to listen to its heartbeat.”Within seconds, she heard the galloping sound again and she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment. “Sounds good,” Dr. Parks affirmed and she opened her eyes to look at
A range of emotions flashed across his face. “Do you not want me to come back?” she asked, wondering if he was implying that he was not comfortable with having her around. He was giving himself an out to not look bad.He revealed a sad smile. “I would be saddened to lose you as a patient just like any other patient here.”Pandora nodded, sensing there was more to his words than met the eye. Still, she ignored it. “I would like to continue coming here. And I am sorry for my inappropriate behavior earlier.” She bowed.Dr. Parks let out a light chuckle. “You have been wonderful, don’t worry. Today will be enough to keep Miss Smith from stepping foot in the clinic again. I will see you next week. Be sure to call if you continue feeling sick.”Pandora agreed and watched her turn and go back to his office. For some reason, she felt as if her embarrassment from earlier had been lifted slightly because of that interaction.- - - - -She arrived home and found an unknown car parked in the dri
Milton grinned evilly. He nodded his head but his cackle slipped out. “My brother-in-law is a good guy. He never drinks more than one beer. The only girlfriend he has had is a girl he met in his first year of college.”Pandora motioned him to go on.“It took him two years before he asked her out officially and then another year before he lost his virginity to her.” Milton rolled his eyes like it was a bad thing. Pandora slapped his arm, giving him a displeased look. “Anyway, they stayed dating for four years and she dumped him because he didn’t ask her to marry him. He didn’t even ask to move in with her. Three years pass and she returns triumphant. She has slept with half the city and is ecstatic that my brother-in-law remained single. He was doing well in life by this point. He didn’t hear anything we had to say and started dating her again. Four more years pass and she demands him to propose. He says he is not sure and she starts making trouble right before the second sister’s wedd