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Chapter 12

Chapter 12

As Jeremy turns to leave, Sheryl sits up.
“Wait,” she says softly.

Somewhere else in the darkness, James is awakened from a deep sleep. He sits up in his bed, listening. Reaching for his black silk robe, he moves to the window and looks out into the night.
“Something is not right,” he says to himself, clinching his fists. “Something…is not right.”

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

In the shadows of a tree lines street in the suburbs, a black car lies in wait.
“I can’t believe I’ve become a stalker!” says Jeremy, settled in behind the wheel with enough Vault to get him through the night. “If she won’t talk to me, this is the only way I can protect her. James is evil. I know it’s only a matter of time until he hurts her….well, not if I can help it.”
Suddenly the front porch light comes on and Sheryl slips out and into her car.
“Now where is she going? The doctor put her on bed rest!”
Sheryl pulls out of her driveway and Jeremy proceeds to follow at a safe distance. Soon the lights of suburbia are behind them and they are driving through beautiful farm country.
“Where the hell is she going?” Jeremy slams the steering wheel in frustration. “Wait, she’s pulling over.”
On the side of the road, Sheryl storms toward Jeremy’s car as he pulls in behind her.
“WTF, Jeremy! This has got to stop! I’ve made my choice…the only choice I can make and you have got to deal with it!” Sheryl screams right into his face.
“No! I do not have to deal with it! James is evil. Peach knows it. Meghan knows it. I know it in my heart. The only person doesn’t get it is you! I’m trying to protect you the only way that you will let me. How can I make you believe me?”
Sheryl sighs. “Proof,” she says. “I need proof. You all have your feelings and notions and ideas, but no proof. Right now I have to deal in facts. The fact is I’m pregnant. James is the father. He has agreed to marry me and we are going to raise this child together. I have to think of what’s best for the baby.”
“But what about what’s best for you?” Jeremy says softly.
“I’m a mom now. It’s not about me anymore.” Sheryl looks at the ground.
“Look at you. You’re shaking.” Jeremy says gently taking her hands and rubbing them between his own.
“Stop that.” Sheryl says.
“Stop what?”
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Looking at you like what?” Jeremy says with a sly smile as he steps in closer.
“Looking at me like you want to…..OW!” The pain is so intense, Sheryl is almost knocked to the ground.
“ Are you Ok? We’ve got to get you home and back into bed.” says Jeremy.
“Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Oh yeah, you’re real hot right now, pale and doubled over in pain. I can hardly contain myself. Now be still and let me drive.”
Turning the key, Jeremy is greeted by silence.
“It won’t start.” He says.
“Stop messing with me and start the car now.” Sheryl demands.
“I’m not playing. It won’t start. Let’s try yours.” Jeremy says.
Painfully, they make their way to Sheryl’s car and find that it too won’t start.
“What is this, some cheesy horror movie? Two cars that won’t start? What are the odds? says Sheryl.
“Looks like the odds are against us. I see a farm house over there. Let’s see they will let us use their phone.” says Jeremy.
It takes awhile, but Jeremy and Sheryl make it onto the front porch and knock on the front door.
“It’s dark inside. I don’t think anyone is home.” says Sheryl.
Jeremy leaves the front door and looks around for an open window.
“What are you doing?” says Sheryl.
“Looking for a way in. You need to lie down and country folks are always kind to strangers. We’ll just help them help us.” Jeremy finds and open window and slips in.
“I was anxious to add breaking and entering to my to do list for today.”
“You, too? And it’s not breaking, just entering. I’ll meet you at the front door.”
Once inside, they find the master bedroom and Sheryl settles down onto the bed.
“You know, I’m feeling better already. I think I’ll be okay if I can just rest awhile.” Sheryl says.
“Well, that’s good, ‘cause there is no phone.”
“ I can’t believe I left my cell! They’ll come looking for us, won’t they?” Sheryl says hopefully.
“Of course they will. If Peach doesn’t hear from you at least hourly, she’ll put out an all points bulletin.” Jeremy says with a smile.
Sheryl playfully slugs Jeremy in the arm.
“ You better behave or I’ll have to restrain you.” Jeremy says. “Doctor’s orders.”
“Well, you are the professional……I am glad you are here.” Sheryl says shyly.
“Yeah, me too. Why don’t you get some sleep and I’ll keep a look out for our friends.” says Jeremy.
“Thanks.”
Jeremy pauses for a moment at the door to watch Sheryl settle down under the covers. A look of utter sadness crosses his face and he turns away.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

As Peach enters the room she gives James the stinkeye. James responds with a sly smirk and a wink. There is just a moment of uneasy silence between everyone in the room then James blurts out, "Hello ladies, how are you doing today? Have you heard the good news about Sheryl and me?"
Meghan and Peach turn to look at each other in bewilderment and reply in unison, "No".
"Well me and Sheryl are having a baby and we're getting married. . .before the baby is born of course."
Peach replies with disbelief, "Naw-uh."
Then Meghan asks, "Um, how did this happen?"
James quickly quips back, "Well Megan, I'd be happy to show you but the chocolate love lord is currently off the market. Maybe I'll let you be my mistress after Sheryl and I are married."
Meghan stands there speechless while Sheryl glares at him and sternly says, "Watch it mister".
"You know you're my only true love, sweetness," James says with a deep voice.
Sheryl smiles a little as she replies, "And you better remember it too."
"Just remember that you heard it here first, I'm leaving the bookstore to go back to school so that I can actually support my future family. Don't cry you two, all of this chocolate goodness will come to visit you every now and then."
During all of this Peach is thinking that James is up to something nefarious and that he needs to be stopped. She doesn't want her friend sucked into James's web of deceit and lies. Even though she has a little secret of her own. She decides to enlist the help of Meghan, who happens to be Sheryl's roommate. On the other hand Meghan is genuinely happy for her friend and has no reservations about James. At the same time James decides to woo Sheryl because he never takes anything for granted. After the obligatory small talk about the pregnancy and future plans, Peach and Meghan leave. James stays behind and reassures Sheryl that he loves her and would never do anything to hurt her. Unbeknownst to him, what he is going to do next will hurt them all in the long run. James decides to find Jeremy at the hospital and share the good news.
"Hey Jeremy did you hear about Sheryl and me?"
"No," Jeremy lies already knowing about the baby.
"Well, we're having a baby and getting married."
The part about getting married devastated Jeremy, yet at the same time it infuriated him. At that exact moment he could have beat James to death with his bare hands and would not have cared about the consequences. But he put on brave face and congratulated James, all the while he knew that he needed to too something fast to convince Sheryl that he should be the one that she spent the rest of her life with.
The next day at the bookstore with Peach and Jeremy both working the news spreads fast. James is deluged with questions after he comes to work and puts in his two week notice. Sometime during the workday Peach and Jeremy find themselves alone in the back talking about James and Sheryl.
Peach says, "I still don't believe that those two are having a baby and getting married."
"Me neither, what are those two thinking?," Jeremy replies.
"I don't know but I don't like it. James is up to something; he is one of those sneaky types. He is just going to use and hurt Sheryl. I can't let him do that."
"I agree but what are we going to do about it," says Jeremy.
"We?," questions Peach.
"Yeah we. Listen I have to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. Me and Sheryl have feelings for each other."
"But James and Sheryl are getting married, so that's gonna be a problem."
While they agree that something must be done, they decide that they must devise a plan first. Peach tells Jeremy that they could use Meghan to spy on James and Sheryl. Then Jeremy decides that a more direct approach may work at first. So he tells Peach that he going to attempt to convince Sheryl not to marry James and that they can go from there. After Jeremy learns that Sheryl was released from the hospital earlier in the day he proceeds to call her at home. A familiar voice answers the phone but he is not too happy about.
"Hello is Sheryl there?," Jeremy asks.
James answers back, "Why yes she is, may I ask who's calling?"
"It's Jeremy, James."
"Hold on, I'll get her for you."
James calls for Sheryl to get the phone and notices a reaction as he hands it to her and tells her that it's Jeremy on the other end. Taking this as cue he excuses himself so that she can talk in private.
Jeremy dryly says, "I guess I should congratulate you on the good news. I hear that you and James are getting married."
"Well it's not going to be like next week or anything. . .;"
"Sheryl you know we feel about each other and it tore me up inside when James told me about the marriage. We should be the ones planning to get married. I know I would be a better father than James. You should go with your heart and not some archaic, weird sense of obligation to the biological father."
Sheryl is a little taken aback but she adds, "You know how I feel about but I know in my heart what is best for our child. James has been nothing but a gentleman to me since I told him about the pregnancy and he really cares about me and the baby's well being. I have no doubt that he going to make an excellent dad. He is even going back to school so that he can be a better provider. Plus he's kinda cute so I can learn to live with that."
"But Sheryl . . ."
She cuts him off and for some reason is getting a little incensed, "I am going to marry James and I don't care what anybody says or thinks!"
Jeremy resigns and lets out a sigh, "No matter what I will always love you." Then he immediately hangs up the phone and calls Peach to inform her of the conversation. They decide to enlist Meghan to their cause tomorrow. Meanwhile back at Sheryl's place James senses that something is wrong with Sheryl and tenderly asks her if everything is alright.
She tells him that everything is fine but he is not convinced. He knows that she is hiding something from him, so James decides to persuade Meghan to help him find out what is really going on with Sheryl.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

So after work James rushes to the hospital to visit Sheryl and their possible lustchild. As he enters the room with his vase of flowers, Sheryl and her friend Danni have a look of bewilderment on their faces.
James says in a high-pitched voice. "Hello sweetness, did you miss me?"
Sheryl snaps back, "I don't wanna talk to you right now mister."
"What did I do now? I can explain", James replies with a boyish grin.
"You are so lucky that you are so cute and I like you, but we do have something serious to talk about. Danni could you leave us alone for a moment " As Danni leaves, James suspects that Sheryl is going to give him some good news and he smirks a little.
"James, do you remember anything about that day when you came to my house after your accident?"
"Yep, you comforted me in my time of need and for that I will be forever grateful."
Sheryl incredulously replies, "Oh really, is that what they're calling it nowadays? Well Mr. comforted-in-my-time-of-need-but-didn't-call-me-after, I hope you are ready to be a father because you knocked me up."
This is just what James wanted to hear but he doesn't let Sheryl know that. He proceeds to give the standard spiel about doing the right thing and being there for the baby. Then he drops the bombshell by telling Sheryl that he wants to marry her before their child is born. Sheryl is quite apprehensive about it but she does agree that it would be the best thing for their child. James tells her to keep it on the lo-lo until he gives her a ring and makes it official.
Meanwhile, Meghan and Peach enter Sheryl's room unaware of the news that awaited them. . .

Chapter Eight

James comes to work the morning totally unaware of the events that have transpired. As he nears the receiving area he overhears two voices.
"Did you hear what happened?"
"No, what happened?"
"Well Sheryl collapsed in the cafe and had to be taken to the hospital."
"Did they say what was wrong with her?"
"I think it was stress or something like that."
"Is she alright?"
"Yeah, and I'm going to visit her after work. Do you want to come?"
"Sure, I can be late for my young communist league meeting."
Just then James enters the back and is instantly aware of the tension that his presence brings. But he chooses to ignore it as he carries on as if nothing ever happened. After all Melinda is the only one who can implicate him and she has no memory of what happened. It also helps that she is on permanent vacation in Florida. His thoughts turn to Sheryl's well being as he wonders if his seed has taken root.
"Good morning Peach. Morning Meghan"
"Good morning," they both reply one right after the other.
"James, did you hear what happened to Sheryl?," Peach asks.
"Nope"
So Peach recites the same news that she told Meghan.
"Man, that is so unfortunate, I am going to visit her after work."
"Really?", Peach answers suspiciously.
"Believe me Peach, Sheryl is more than a just a coworker to me. She really helped me out in my time of need. You wouldn't believe how giving she is."
There was something about the way that he said that last statement that made both ladies glance at each other. They knew that he meant something but they couldn't quite put their finger on it yet. Peach never did trust James because she thought that he put on a facade at work. This little conversation piqued Peach's interest, because she knew that James was up to something and she going to find out one way or another.

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Sheryl is rushed to the hospital. After she is revived the doctor tells her that she collapsed due to sudden stress that caused her blood pressure to rise. Sheryl's motherly instincts kick in and her thoughts immediately turn to the unborn child.
Sheryl nervously asks the doctor, "How's the baby?"
"He's fine. Now if you don't want any complications then I suggest that you take it a little easy from now on. Try to keep your stress levels down, okay?"
"Well, that's gonna be a little hard, since one of my coworkers is one of the people that stresses me out," Sheryl snarks back.
"You should only maintain minimal contact with her if it's possible. Is this your first child?"
"Yes," replies Sheryl.
Then the doctor asks, "Are you married?"
"No"
"Does the father know?"
Sheryl gave a timorous answer, "Not yet."
"For you and your baby's sake, you need to tell him."
After the doctor leaves, it all starts to sink in. Sheryl realizes that her life is forever changed. What she doesn't know is if the change is for the better or worse. Now she contemplates how to tell James or even if she is going to tell him.
At the same time Jeremy is visiting Michael elsewhere in the hospital. He brings his portable dvd player and some classic movies in an attempt to bring some cheer to his injured friend. Michael wasn't really feeling the movies, so they chat for awhile. As Jeremy is leaving, he learns that Sheryl is in the hospital too. He decides to stop by her room for a visit. He learns that she is a fan of classic cinema also and offers to watch his movies with her. As they're watching the movies and chatting they find that they have a lot in common and the seeds of romance begin to blossom. At one critical juncture their eyes meet and Jeremy's gut instincts guides him to lean over and kiss Sheryl. But her reaction confuses him.
"I'm sorry Sheryl, I didn't mean to. . "
Sheryl interrupts, "No, it's not you. I just have a lot on my mind right now. Before we go any further, I have something to tell you. . ."
"You can tell me anything."
"I'm pregnant."
"Wow that was quick. I thought making babies was a little more involved than that. But I'm only a doctor so what do I know," Jeremy replies with lighthearted snark.
Sheryl giggles a little, then her serious countenance returns as she says, "James is the father."
Jeremy is taken aback at this news as he wonders how James has lately become a dominant force in his life. A force that can unravel Jeremy's plans for lifelong happiness. Jeremy quickly decides that he must get rid of James somehow, especially now that the woman he loves is carrying the Dark Lord's child.