Page 95 of Relentles
“Johnnie, for the love of God, if we were ever friends, please stop.” She’d sniffled, her temples starting to pound. She hadn’t fully stopped her tears before she took the phone call. “I can’t think clearly right now. No matter how he feels about wanting to enjoy a normal pregnancy from me, I trust him.”
“I’m doing this because we’re friends, sweetheart,” he’d crooned. “And I think you need to go away to get you head on straight, away from everyone. Just you for two or three weeks.”
“Tabitha said the same thing.”
“She’s part of the family. I’m sure she only has your best interest at heart.”
“Unlike you.”
He’d laughed softly. “You’ll never know how much I want to protect you. I’ve known Christopher my entire life. I heard a distraught man trying to do the right thing by you. What I saw was ten times worse. He’s not with you because he is seeking a respite from your postpartum psychosis and selfishness.”
“My postpartum what?”
“You heard me, sweetheart. Do you think diagnosing mental illness without a degree was strictly Christopher’s forte? He did it enough with Kendall. Turnabout is fair play.”
“Go to hell!”
“He’s sacrificing his entire life for you. His happiness. Everything.
“He isn’t sacrificing anything!” she’d cried wildly. “Christopher loves me.”
“Not only are you a selfish little bitch, but a brainless one. The evidence is right in front of you. In the nursery with Jo.”
“Are you insinuating he’s having an affair with one of Jo’s nurses?”
“He needs to stick his cock somewhere, doesn’t he? I’m sure you’re a very advanced dick sucker, considering you’re his wife, but he likes pussy too.”
Recoiling, Meggie disconnected.
She’d sat on the edge of the bed, her mind whirling. If Johnnie’s call achieved nothing else, it energized her into action, so she’d headed to the newborn ICU. Although Christopherhad been too engaged in a discussion with Rebel and Torie to see Meggie approaching, she saw absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
Once she returned to the room, though, and thought about the recording as well as everything that Johnnie had told her over the past few weeks, her little remaining peace and confidence eroded and she’d dissolved into miserable sobs.
At the opening door to the hospital suite, Meggie lifted her eyes. Tears clogged her throat. She wanted to tell Christopher she knew how he really felt. But she had to firm up her stoicism and convince herself to have another baby.
Or…
A sob escaped her.
Christopher rushed to her side and swept her into his arms.
God…she couldn’t even think…
“Megan, baby, I love you. Talk to me.Please.”
“I love you,” she sobbed. “So much. I just want you happy.”
“I know, baby.”
What would CJ think? Her potato had been so outraged in the coffee shop at the prospect of another sibling. How would he feel if she ended up pregnant again because Christopher was so unhappy?
After hearing the recording, she knew she had to have another baby or walk away like Johnnie suggested so Christopher could have the happiness he deserved.
Chapter Fifteen - CJ
Christmas Day dawned chilly and overcast.
After breakfast at the hospital, CJ sat in the front passenger seat of Diesel’s Mercedes, while Axel, Ransom, and Ryder piled into the back. Although Mom seemed as if she didn’t want to walk away from Jo, Dad talked to her in low tones, until she agreed to leave at noon to open their Christmas gifts.
