Wanting More (Mitchell Family #5)(58)
Author: Jennifer Foor

There were still so many unanswered questions that needed to be solved, but the burning matter was getting out and away from Rick.

I spent the better part of the night catching up with my father. His wife had taken the boys out Christmas shopping and they never returned before I left, but my father assured me that it would be fine if I came and stayed with him until I could get situated with Conner. He didn’t say much about me going straight into another relationship, although, I could see that it was a concern for him.

I loved Conner so much and as it became obvious that I was finally going to be free, I needed to tell him the truth. He needed to know that I was having his baby and that no matter what he decided, I was going to keep it.

He drove on the way home and I cuddled my body up close to him. The doctors had told me that the pain I was experiencing was my body adjusting and my skin stretching from the baby. When I left that hospital, I’d tucked the little sonogram picture into my underwear and hid it in my wallet. I wanted to pull it out and show him, but I was so afraid.

Once I got home, I packed a bag of everything that was important to me. I was surprised when it turned out to be a lot less than I realized. I sat down on my bed and looked around at the house that I had called home for years. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember one good memory. I pulled the ring off of my finger and sat it on his pillow. It made me smile picturing him finding it there.

My next thought went to Rick and I wondered why all of the sudden he was trying to be a different person. It wasn’t like I was falling for it, but I wanted to know what he was up to.

I knew that leaving was not going to be me just walking out the door. Rick wasn’t just going to step aside and let me be happy. His need to control me was probably never going to change, unless someone stepped in and prevented it.

Once I moved out, I could file for separation and get a restraining order. Once I knew that he wasn’t going to come after me, I could hire someone to look into his financials and find out what else he had been doing behind my back.

Conner called me right as I was getting ready to walk out the door.

You got your stuff all packed?

Yeah, I was just about to leave.

Call me as soon as you get to your father’s.

I will. I love you, Conner.

I love you too.

I didn’t even take a second look as I walked out of the house and got into my car. It felt so good to drive away from it all, even though my heart was beating out of my chest.

By the time I got to my father’s it was very late. He and his wife Elizabeth had been waiting up for me. I was surprised how much she had aged, but knew that two little boys could take a lot out of someone.

After letting Conner know that I was safe, I got myself situated in the guest room and tried to get some sleep. I was lying there staring up at the ceiling and playing with the little picture of the peanut growing in my stomach, when I felt a fluttering in my abdomen. I sat up and held really still. There it was again.

I started crying again, but they weren’t tears of pain or being scared. I was having a baby. Something that was always going to love me and be mine. Even if Conner didn’t want me, I’d still have this beautiful piece of him.

I ran my hands over my belly. “I promise to always keep you safe.”

I woke up to the sun shining in my window. To make things easier and prevent my worries, we contacted the alarm company at the salon and gave them our new information and phone numbers. I was petrified of Rick doing something that would be destructive. If he was willing to beat me, then destruction of personal property was definitely a possibility.

My father had hid my car in his large garage. Even if Rick tried to find me, he wouldn’t be able to. Elizabeth sat with me and helped me call all of my appointments for the day and cancel them. The weather was supposed to get horrible, so they didn’t seem to mind, although with it being so close to Christmas, I knew some were just saying that.

Conner called me as much as he could. He was helping Ty and his dad get everything ready for the whole family to come and stay, so in between duties he was calling me and checking on me.

I didn’t want to spend the holidays without him, but knew that we couldn’t exactly come out just days before Christmas. His mother was coming in with her fiancée and they needed to all spend time together.

My little half-brother and step-brother had gotten so big. Even though they seemed excited to see me, they ran up to their rooms to play video games the first chance they got. Being with my father and seeing him love his children was what I needed. My sister was too busy with her family and my other brother was God knows where, but I had my dad and two little siblings that I wanted to get to know.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged and I don’t think that my father ever hugged me as much as he had since I showed up at his house. Each time he would pull away I would see the tears in his eyes and feel just how sorry he was for what I went through.

My father and his wife had made plans to attend a neighbors Christmas party, and even though he invited me to tag along, I opted to stay behind and just relax.

I had a nice fire going and was waiting for Conner to call me, when my phone started to ring.

The call was coming from a weird number, but since only a few people knew that I had this phone, I answered anyway.

Hello?

Did you just think you could run away with your little boyfriend and I was going to let you go?

Rick?

Who else would it be?

How did you get this number?

The alarm company called to verify my new address and phone number. Imagine my surprise when I got that call.

I know the salon is mine, Rick. You can stop pretending that you want to reconcile. I don’t know what you’re up to, but you won’t come near my place of business. I will call the cops and have you arrested.

Are you threatening me you little bitch? I’ve tried to be nice to you, but I’m sick of this acting shit. You will get your ass home, or I am coming to get you.

What planet are you on? We are done! I don’t want anything from you. You stole from my father and lied to him to keep me away. I hate you, Rick. I wish you were dead. Don’t call me again and if you go anywhere near my salon, mark my word, you will be sorry.

You’re threatening me now? We’ll see which one of us comes out swinging. You have two hours to get your ass home.

Fuck you! You ruined my life. I would never come back to you and you’re crazy if you think that. You do nothing but lie and hurt people. Call your girlfriend Heather and have her move in.