Chapter 40

"Did you tell him yet?" was the first question Landon asked when he got into Ana's apartment the next day.

The smile that had been on Ana's face disappeared and she frowned in confusion. "Tell who what?" she asked.

"Tell Jack about his mother's visit," Landon said, a bit confused she had forgotten so quick.

"Oh," was all Ana said then she got a guilty look on her face. "I... I forgot. We were... occupied."

Landon grimaced and turned his head. He had a clear idea of what she meant by they were occupied. And it fucking hurt.

"Oh. Oh well. Never mind that. But be careful. I hope he trusts you well enough to believe you. I don't want to see you hurt," Landon muttered. That was the only thing that comforted him. That Jack was not hurting Ana and he was making her happy

Even though Landon would have loved to be the one to put a smile on Ana's face, he was kind of content at the fact that she was happy.

"Oh, Mike, you said you were going to tell me about you and Jack's cryptic conversation of yesterday," Ana called from the kitchen, where she was taking the muffins she was baking out of the oven.

Landon grimaced again. If he told Ana the truth, she would be pissed at him. Because he knew how much she had wanted to meet Jack to tell him that he was the father of her child. Just for him, Landon, to try and sabotage everything.

And if he lied to her, he would feel tremendously guilty. But at least he wouldn't have to see that crushed look on her face. Yes. He was a coward. That was something he could admit now. He had seen a lot of things but one of the things that hurt him the most was seeing hurt in Ana's eyes and knowing he was the one who had put it there.

"Uh, he asked for my services. As a Private Investigator I mean," Landon gave the short version. It technically wasn't a lie anyways. Jack had asked for his services. He didn't have to precise what. He could just tell Ana it was confidential.

"Oh? What did he want you to?" she asked, coming to the living room with a curious look on her face.

"I- it's confidential," he said, stuttering a little. He knew she could ask Jack. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her. He didn't want to see that disappointment on her face.

Ana frowned a little. But she didn't press the issue. "Okay then." She knew Landon was lying to her. But she didn't know why exactly. Were he and Jack involved in some kind of illegal activity? Was that why he didn't want to tell her what the deal between them was?

She let it go anyways. She thought of asking Jack but that was going to make it seem like she didn't trust Landon. And she did. She trusted him one hundred percent. He was her pillar, her best friend and he had never given her reason not to trust him

Well except for the time that he dated this really horrible girl and almost broke their friendship because he was believing whatever lies the girl was feeding about Ana. But that was in the past, they were over all that now.

She smiled at him then jumped on the couch he was sitting on and snuggled next to him. She had missed spending time with him. She made a silent promise to him. No matter what, she was never going to neglect him again.

***

It was Friday the next week. Jack had invited Ana for dinner. It was the first time they were doing something together out of the premises of both their places since Jack had found out about the pregnancy.

It was fun. Luckily, anyways from Mel's point of view, Jack hadn't taken her to someone cliche and over the top expensive restaurant.

She had become a little self conscious with her pregnancy. She had a huge appetite and she knew just how cruel rich people could be. She didn't want anybody looking at her and judging her for eating too much. She could eat however the fuck she wanted.

Anyways, Jack had taken her to a small French restaurant. He had told her it was his favorite restaurant in the whole city and Ana was honoured he had thought of taking her there.

Your favorite place was usually your haven, a place you didn't want sullied by anybody else. But the fact that Jack had taken her there, meant a lot to Ana. It showed her how much he considered her special.

After their meal, they went for a walk and found themselves in a park. The park was quiet. And if was normal by that time. Usually, in the day, there was a flurry of activity with children shouting and jumping in all directions, frazzled parents or nannies on their last nerve and just a lot of noise. It was a stark contrast to now. It was cool and silent. The perfect time for Ana to talk to Jack.

"Babe," she started, tracing lines on the lapel of Jack's jacket.

Jack sensed she was a little agitated so he took her hand into his and placed a small kiss on it. Then he kept in enveloped in both his hands.

"I- what's your mother like?" Ana settled for this question, thinking it would be a suitable opener for what she was about to tell Jack.

"She's extremely protective. And loving. And strong. You remind me of her in a way," Jack said fondly and missed the grimace Ana's face. She sure hoped she was nothing like Jack's mother.

"I- what happened to the other girl who said she was pregnant with your baby," she asked again. She didn't know why she was so hesitant to tell Jack.

No actually, she did know. Jack always spoke about his mother in the fondest of terms. And so hearing something as uncharitable as that about her was going to be a shock. All Ana hoped was he believed her.

"Ana. What happened? Did my mother come see you?" Jack was smart. And he knew Ana well enough to know that she was scared to tell him something. And with the way she was asking questions about his mother, the only thing he could assume was that the woman in person had paid Ana a visit.

"I- no! I mean- yes. She did," Ana finally said, sighing and putting her head down.

Jack clenched his jaw. This was just like his mother. All he hoped was she hadn't said anything too hurtful to Ana. He loved his mother with all of his heart. But Ana was his sunshine, she was that day that appeared after a rainy day and damned if he was going to see that smile dimmed. Not for anything on this Earth.

"What did she tell you?" he asked, pissed off. Ana bit her lip and almost wished she hadn't said a fucking thing. Now Jack was pissed at her.

"I.. she said I should stop trying to pin the baby on you," Ana admitted.

"She threatened you." It was not a question. Jack knew his mother. When she didn't get what she wanted, she resorted to threats or blackmail. And it was obvious in this case that she had said something to Ana.

"I... I- she did," Ana said finally, after trying to lying for a moment.

"What did she say?" Jack's tone was deadly. Ana had never seen this side of Jack before. It was not very appealing.

"It doesn't ma-" Ana started but he quickly interrupted her.

"Tell me Ana. What did my mother threaten you with?"

Ana stayed silent for a while then she said, "My mom. She threatened to hurt my mom."

Jack gritted his teeth and clutched at Ana's hand. "Nothing will happen to you or baby. Nothing will happen to your mom. Understood?"

Ana nodded, then let out a small yes when she realized he couldn't see her.

Jack smiled then stood. Ana took his outstretched and followed him. She knew it was dumb, but she could literally follow this man around anywhere, even to the ends of the Earth.

All of a sudden, she let out a small gasp. She, Ana, was unequivocally in love with Jack.