Page 91 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Lincoln
Three weeks later...
Voices rose and fell around me as I made my way back to my seat on set. I’d been in Canada for two weeks filming the movie I hadn’t planned on accepting a role in. Now we were taking a lunch break before moving on to the next scene of the sweet, holiday romance I was starring in.
I rubbed my temple and collapsed in my chair. Every day since I left, thoughts of Harper had tortured me. My chest twisted, creating a painful reminder of how Harper pulled away from me, how she wasn’t willing to move past her fears.
The joy I once found in acting waned while my desire to be with her grew. I wanted to fight for our love, but battling Harper’s demons wasn’t something I could do for her.
I slipped my phone from my pocket to check for messages. I had one from my uncle and the one from Max asking how I was. From the moment Harper and I broke up to the first day of filming, I’d been a complete wreck. Even now, I found it hard to pull myself together and relied on my acting skills off-set to pretend everything was alright.
The only time I didn’t have to worry about holding my composure together was during an interview Clint had set up with a popular late night talk show. I was angry, and determined to make sure that my message came across loud and clear: Harper and my child were to be left alone. If anyone violated their privacy, I would take legal action. I had enough money to follow through on that threat and could drag it through the courts as long as I needed to.
The only communication from Harper was a brief synopsis and a few sonograms from her follow-up visit with Dr. Solano. I snagged my wallet from the side of my chair. I’d printed one of the photos and put it in there for safekeeping. My finger lightly traced over the baby’s profile, the feel of the permanent crease on the paper caught at the tip of my finger. I’d need to print a new picture soon based on how quickly I was wearing this one out. I’d taken it out just to stare at it so many times. Pain seared in my chest.
As each day passed, I wondered if she’d been right about my career being detrimental to raising our child.
“Hey, Lincoln. Want to join us for lunch?” Amber O’Hare asked, moving to stand beside me. Amber had recommended me to the casting director for this role after the original actor decided this movie wasn’t a good fit.
“Us?” I glanced at her.
“Yeah. I don’t think you had a chance to meet my husband, Jon, the last time we worked together.” She gestured behind her to a man holding a small child.
“Oh, I don’t want to interfere.” After one particularly terrible morning, I’d spilled to Amber the difficulties I was having with Harper. Since then, she made a point to keep an eye on me.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’d love for you to join us,” Jon said as he shifted closer. “And this little scamp loves finding someone new to climb all over.” He tickled his daughter under her chin.
My heart twisted at the peal of the baby’s laughter, and I wondered if I’d get to see my daughter’s first smile or be there the first time she laughed.
“I’d love to, but I’m just not up to company right now.”
“Okay, if you change your mind, we’ll be in my trailer.”
I nodded, and Amber began to walk away.
“Amber, wait,” I called out.
She stopped and pushed back her blond hair as it slid forward across her cheek. Her blue eyes—full of compassion and perhaps a little pity—swung towards me.
“How do you do it?”
Her head tilted while her nose scrunched up in confusion.
“How do you balance being a mom with this job?”
“It’s not easy.” She glanced at Jon and her daughter. “It was tough when she was first born, but we figured out pretty fast that all that time apart wasn’t good for our marriage. We decided they’d travel with me, and we’d set up temporary housing near wherever I was filming. That way, I could see them both as much as possible. We’re lucky he has a job he can do remotely. And we hired a nanny to help out on the days he’s not free.”
“Did you ever consider quitting?” I blurted out.
