Chapter 17

“Jim, its Rob. I need your help.” Rob paced in his den, his stomach in knots over what he was about to do.

“You sound worried. What’s going on?” Jim asked.

“I don’t want to get into it, but I need you to find me a doctor.”

“A doctor? What the hell for?”

“It’s not for me. It’s for Teghan.”

“Is she okay?”

Rob sighed. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy, that Jim would ask a hundred questions. “She’s fine.”

“So why does she need a doctor?”

“Look, Jim, I can’t explain it. In fact, the less you know the better. I just need you to find me a doctor who’s willing to do something a little…” He paused searching for the right word. “Questionable.”

“Rob,” Jim said his voice full of cautious concern. “What kind of doctor do you need?”

“A gynecologist. Preferably one with a lot of discretion.”

“Okay.” Jim paused. “I won’t ask. How soon do you need him?”

“Today. Oh, and Jim, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that this is my daughter.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll find the best.”

“Thanks.” Rob hung up and poured himself another scotch. He’d make sure his daughter was cared for then he’d deal with Donnie. Rob made a vow that by the time he was finished, Donnie will wish he’d stayed in Pennsylvania.

***

Rob’s meeting with the doctor Jim found went much better than Rob had expected, and he had a good feeling about the entire situation. In fact, for the first time since Teghan told him about the pregnancy, he’d found some peace with it. Now all he had to do was convince Teghan to see him. Might as well do it now, he thought as he picked up the phone.

“Hello, Teghan,” he said.

“Rob,” she replied.

He cringed at the coldness in her voice. This wasn’t the same little girl who used to light up whenever he’d call. “I want you to come over tomorrow evening.”

“Why? So you can threaten me some more?”

“No. I want to discuss things with you. Talk about your options.”

“There are no options. I told you, I’m having this baby. End of discussion. Goodbye.”

“No!” he said quickly. “Don’t hang up. Will you please come to the house tomorrow evening?”

“No,” Teghan said.

“If you’re serious about having this baby, then you’re going to need some help.”

Silence.

“Teghan?”

More silence.

“Teghan? Did you hear me?”

Finally she said, “What time?”

“Seven. And for now, I’d prefer if just you and I could talk.”

“Okay,” she said then hung up.

Rob exhaled loudly and sat back in his chair. This was for the best. He put his feet up on the corner of his desk and cursed the damn interns Jim had sent to him. They were worthless. Had either of them picked up the phone like they’d been told, Rob might have been able to stop this train wreck before it happened. If he’d only known that Teghan was sneaking around with Donnie…Now he had to do the unthinkable and that didn’t sit well with him.

***

“I can’t believe you’re going to go see him after the way he treated you,” Donnie said.

Teghan held the phone away from her ear. Did he have to talk so damn loudly? “He’s my father, Donnie. I knew he wasn’t going to be happy about this, but I didn’t expect him to disown me.”

“But he did, Teghan and seeing him is only going to hurt you more.”

“I know my father and there’s a reason he wants to see me. I can only hope it’s because he’s changed his mind.”

“Don’t be so naïve,” Donnie said.

“Are you going to come with me or not?” Teghan asked, her patience wearing thin.

“I thought he told you to come alone?”

“He did, but even if you sat in the driveway or waited for me down the road or something. I just need to know that when I leave there tonight, you’ll be waiting.”

“I don’t think you should go, Teghan.”

“I’m going. Will you please go with me?”

Donnie sighed. “I can’t tonight.”

“Fine,” Teghan said and hung up. She couldn’t believe him. He’d promised to be by her side through all of this and the first time she asked him for something, he’d told her no. Her cell phone rang. It was Donnie calling back. She ignored it and tucked her phone into her purse before heading for class, which she was already late for.

***

Teghan arrived at her parent’s house at seven fifteen—a clear message to her father that he wasn’t in charge of her or the situation she was in. She opened the door and stepped into the foyer. The house was unnaturally quiet and a feeling of unease washed over her as she made her way to her father’s den. Stop being ridiculous. Nothing is wrong. You’re just nervous about having another argument with your father. She shook the paranoia from her mind and took a deep breath.

“Dad? Are you in here?”

“Come on in, Teghan,” Rob said.

Teghan entered the den leaving the door open a crack so she could make a quick getaway if necessary. A quick getaway? What was she expecting to happen? This was her father. It’s not like he’d ever hurt her.

“Thanks for coming. Sit.” Rob nodded towards the couch.

Teghan remained standing. “Where’s Mom?”

“At one of her charity meetings.”

No wonder he’d insisted they talked tonight. Her mother had been very upset by the news and clearly her mother still wasn’t willing to speak to her. Teghan had walked out on both of them and hadn’t returned since. Until now. Apparently her father didn’t want her mother present for this meeting. That made her very uncomfortable.

“Why am I here?”

She watched her father make a screwdriver. “Would you like some orange juice?” he asked handing her a glass.

“I’m not thirsty.” Teghan folded her arms over her chest.

“It’s not all about you anymore,” he said. “You’ve got to keep up your health.”

“No, thank you,” she said.

“Fine.” Rob set the glass on the coffee table.

Teghan sat on the couch. Why was Rob suddenly being so accommodating? A week ago he was screaming and threatening her. And now he was offering her juice? What the hell was he up to? She clutched her stomach and bent over, hanging her head between her legs until the nausea passed.

“You look pale,” Rob said.

“Just a little nauseous. I’m fine.”

“Good.” He sat down in the chair across from where she sat on the couch. “I’m very disappointed in you, Teghan. I expected so much more from you.”

“I didn’t come here for another lecture, Dad,” she said staring at the orange juice. She really could use a drink.

“I know, I know,” he said. “I might have been able to accept this if—"

“If what? If it was Alex’s baby?” Teghan snapped.

“Yes.”

“Well it’s not.” Teghan looked away and fought to keep her emotions in check. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t cry and she wouldn’t show her father any signs of weakness.

“Does he know?”

“Who? Alex?” She shook her head. “No, nobody knows yet.”

Rob smiled. “Not even Annabelle?”

“I’m not sure why that is amusing to you,” Teghan said.

Rob’s smile faded. “Just surprised is all. You really should drink something,” he said nodding at the glass.

“I don’t want anything from you,” she said.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about, Teghan.”

“What?”

“You’re letting your feelings toward me stop you from doing what’s best for that baby.”

Teghan glared at him, but still refused to drink the juice. She noticed her hands were trembling. She flexed her fingers and moved her wrists in a circular motion.

“Suit yourself,” Rob said with a shrug.

“Fine,” she said snatching the glass from the coffee table. She’d be damned if he thought he’d somehow won. Teghan took a long swallow. It didn’t taste great, but it was making her feel a little bit better. She took another sip. “On the phone you said if I was serious about having this baby, which I am, that I’d need help. Are you offering?”

“What’re your plans, Teghan? Have you and Donnie talked about what you’re going to do?”

“Yes. Donnie talked to his academic advisor and has started the paperwork to transfer to HFU.”

“That’s a start, I guess. But what college he attends isn’t going to feed, clothe, and house a baby.”

Teghan yawned. She didn’t know what was worse: the morning sickness or the fatigue? “He has some money saved,” she said. “Enough to get a small apartment.”

“And when his savings are gone?”

She shrugged and slouched against the back of the couch. “He’s looking for a job.”

“Are you?”

“I’ve thought about it, about getting a part-time job in the evenings.”

“Who’s going to watch the baby while you two work and attend classes?”

“We’ve still got a few months to figure all that out.”

“This won’t be easy,” Rob said.

Teghan rubbed her eyes and yawned again. Why was she so tired all of a sudden? “Are you going to help us or not?”

Rob steepled his fingers under his chin and paused. “Yes, Teghan, I’m going to help you.”

“Really?” Relief and dread washed over her--Relief that she wouldn’t have to stress about money and dread over how Donnie would react to the news. He’d made it very clear that he didn’t want Rob’s help; that he could, and would, provide for her and their child on his own. Donnie wasn’t going to be pleased.

“It’s going to be on my terms.”

What else was new? “And what are your terms?” She knew better than to have asked that question, but it was too late now. Teghan swallowed the bile rising in her throat and tried to prepare herself for his answer as she finished the juice.

“First of all, you’ll move back in here, without Donnie.”

“No,” Teghan said.

“I’ll hire a nanny to care for the baby while you attend classes.” He got up, went to his bar, and poured himself a shot of whiskey. The smell made Teghan gag. “We can sit down with Donnie and work out a visitation schedule,” he continued. “He’ll have to pay child support of course.”

Teghan leaned forward and dropped her head into her hands. What was her father saying? He sounded like he was a million miles away. Visitation? A nanny? Child support? That’s not what she wanted. She wanted to live with Donnie and raise the baby with him.

“This will give both of you a little freedom. Donnie can finish his degree at CIT while you…”

What? No! She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. She stood and the room spun around her.

“Teghan?”

Her father stood beside her, steadying her. When did he get here? she wondered.

“Teghan?” he repeated.

He gently shook her and she wobbled on her feet. “I love Donnie,” she said.

“You should sit down.”

Teghan squinted at her father. He looked fuzzy—all three of him.

“Sit down,” Rob said, “take another drink.”

She shook her head and closed her eyes. The room was still spinning. Her mouth was dry. She took the glass from her father’s hand and swallowed a tiny sip. Then she bent over and vomited all over Rob’s shoes.

***

“For Christ’s sake,” Rob muttered as he jumped back. Now he was going to have to clean that up. He didn’t have time for this. The doctor had been very clear—give her two and a half tablets, diluted in liquid, and as soon as she was asleep Rob had exactly thirty minutes to get Teghan to the doctor. It was going to be cutting it close now.

Teghan flopped back on the couch and groaned.

“Teghan?” He walked over and kneeled beside the couch. “Teghan?” He nudged her and she didn’t move. When she’d thrown up he was glad he’d decided to double the dosage so that whatever was now on his den floor, he could be sure that there was still plenty more in her system. But he was beginning to wonder if he’d used too much. Had he just accidently over-dosed his daughter?

Rob put his hand on her forehead, she felt warm and clammy. He grabbed her wrist, her pulse was slow, but steady and he could see her chest rising and falling. She was still breathing. Good. He checked his watch. Twenty-five minutes left. Rob scooped her up and cradled her in his arms as he carried her through the house and into the garage.

Sliding her into the backseat, he brushed the hair from her face and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, Teghan. I’m going to take care of you. This will all be over soon.”