Broken Pieces (Riverdale #2) Read online

  “Well?” Phillip said, exasperated.

  “I’m pregnant.” Sam said motionless as she held the pregnancy test in her hand.

  Phillip’s eyes bulged and he turned to Mallory. “I’ll get the Irish Crème.” He said and made a beeline towards the kitchen.

  Sam sat down on the couch and stared down at the positive pregnancy test. A million thoughts raced through her head, her emotions were all over the place. She was going to have a baby. She bit her lip in deep thought. She was having Nick’s baby. She had always dreamed of being a mother one day and even sometimes allowed her to dream of Nick sharing it with her. She felt Mallory sit beside her and wrap her arm around her shoulder.

  “Samantha, tell me what you’re thinking.” She probed.

  “I’m going to have a baby.” She whispered and turned towards her friend. “I’m having Nick’s baby.” She said almost as if she didn’t believe her own words. She couldn’t describe all the different emotions that she was feeling. Mainly, she was scared, not to become a mother, but that she made a mistake last night. She began to think that maybe she acted in haste and should’ve at least heard Nick out. She allowed her anger to overcome her senses and now she was suffering the consequences.

  “And we’re happy about that, right?” Mallory asked, trying to figure out what was going on in her friends head.

  “I’m happy about the baby. I mean that is something I’ve always wanted. I may not have planned on this pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything other than embrace it.” She said certainly and laid her hand over her flat stomach, protectively.

  “Okay.” Mallory smiled.

  Phillip walked into the living room. “What about Hot Stuff? You might want to answer his calls now, considering there’s a bun in the oven.” Phillip said in a matter of fact tone as he cocked his head to the side.

  Philips words triggered something in Sam. What if she told Nick about the baby and he thought the worst.

  “He’s going to think I’m trying to trap him or something ridiculous.” Sam stated nervously. “I stormed out of his apartment as soon as Erica showed up. I have no idea why she was there other than maybe to get Nick back.”

  “Your phone did not stop ringing all night. I doubt he and the hussy had the reunion you concocted in your head.” Phillip said with his patience running thin.

  Sam looked up at him. Maybe he was right. Maybe she should give Nick a chance to explain what was going on. He did look surprised that Erica had shown up and even mad that she had. After they cleared this mess up, she would tell him about the baby. She took a deep breath, her nerves getting the best of her. She could only hope Nick would embrace this unplanned pregnancy like she had.

  “Regardless of what’s going on you have to tell him. He’s not going to think you’re trying to trap him. Did he make an effort to use protection?” Mallory intervened.

  Sam shook her head. They both equally had been irresponsible in that department. A flash of a memory of Nick sharing a pizza with Ava, took over her mind replacing every other thought. She stood up abruptly. “I have to go to him.”

  Phillip looked up the heavens. “Hallelujah!”

  Sam hurried around the apartment collecting her belongings. “I have to at least hear him out. I owe him that much.” She grabbed her pocketbook. “We’re going to have a baby together. It just became bigger than him and I.”

  She stood on her tip toes and pressed a fleeting kiss on Phillip’s cheek. “Thank you for helping me to see the light.” She moved towards Mallory and hugged her tight.

  “Go get him, champ!” Mallory exclaimed, and pumped her fist in the air, watching as Sam headed out the door.

  Once the door closed Mallory turned to Phillip. “What do you think?”

  “I think I’m going to bed and if this shit, don’t work out, it’s your turn to pull the all-nighter.” Phillip declared as he grabbed his throbbing head and headed towards his bedroom.

  * * * * * *

  Erica stared at Nick from her seat beside him in the back of the yellow cab that was taking them to the airport. He stared out the window as the taxi slowed, in front of Sam’s apartment. He turned around and acknowledged Erica for the first time since he set foot into the cab.

  “I’ll be just a few minutes.” He said flatly and didn’t wait for her response. He jumped out of the cab as quickly as possible, taking long strides down the walkway to her door. He leaned his forehead against the door and silently prayed she was home. He didn’t want to leave without seeing her face, without telling her he’d be back himself. He brought his hand up and knocked on the door.

  He knew she would assume the worst. He needed to be the one to explain the reason he was going was to put Seattle behind them. He didn’t want anything to interfere with the life he was building in Riverdale, the life he wanted to share with her.

  He knocked again, this time a little harder. He glanced back at the street and didn’t see her car anywhere. He rubbed his face tiredly and defeated. Nick lingered for a moment, not ready to walk away, but there was nothing he could do, she wasn’t home. He debated sitting in front of her door and waiting until she came home, but he remembered the flight he had to catch.

  Reluctantly, he walked back towards the cab and stopped at the curb, turning his head from side to side hoping to spot Sam driving down the street. There wasn’t a car in sight other than the yellow one waiting for him. He climbed into the cab and leaned his head back against the head rest. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, feeling helpless much like he did seven years ago when he left this town.

  The taxi peeled away from the curb and Nick stared out the window, watching the streets fade away and feeling as if everything he cared about was fading along with them. He reached into his pocket for his phone and tried calling Sam once more. Like all the times before, it went straight to voicemail. He sighed, there was nothing left than for him to put his faith in Luke. He hoped Luke would make her realize he wasn’t leaving her behind again.

  “I really appreciate this.” Erica said beside him.

  He glanced over at her and nodded shortly. The cab pulled onto the highway and Nick eyes wandered to the familiar sign that haunted his thoughts years ago that read,

  “You are now leaving Riverdale. Come back soon.”

  * * * * * *

  Sam pulled into the parking lot of Rudy’s. She found a spot close to the side of the building where the staircase was that lead to Nick’s apartment. She hurried to get out of the car, hoping she wouldn’t lose her nerve. She grabbed the iron banister and started to climb the steps when she heard her name being called.

  She stopped in her tracks and turned around and spotted Luke making his way through the parking lot. His face was solemn as he closed the distance between them.

  “Where are you going?” He asked softly.

  “I have to talk to Nick.” She said and went to turn around to climb the stairs again.

  “Sam, you can’t.” Luke said, and then sighed. He knew his sister and knew that what Nick asked of him would be damn near impossible. What was it with everyone asking him to look out for their girls? He wasn’t exactly the poster child for keeping one around.

  She looked at him perplexed. “Why not?”

  “He’s not there.” Luke ran his fingers through his head. “He told me he tried to get in touch with you, even went to your apartment. You two have a fight?”

  Sam cut through her brother’s question. “If he’s not here, then where is he?” She swallowed the lump in her throat, suddenly gripping the banister in fear.

  “He needed to go back to Seattle to tie things up.” He watched the color drain from his sister’s face. “He’ll be back at the end of the week. It’s not a permanent thing, Sam.”

  Sam’s eyes filled instantly, but she turned her head not to meet Luke’s gaze. “Right.” She said as her body went numb. Her biggest fear now her reality.

  “Sam, it’s not like last time.” Luke said, his vo
ice sounding miles away to her.

  No this time he left before she could tell him they were having a baby. This time he left without her even knowing. She glanced at Luke. “No, it’s not.” She whispered hoarsely.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sam sat in the sterile examining room at the gynecologist office. She folded her hands in her lap as the nurse tested her urine sample. She turned around and smiled warmly at Sam, confirming the positive test she had taken at home was indeed correct.

  “Okay the doctor will be in to examine you in a few minutes. Congratulations.” The nurse said as she placed her chart in the pocket of the door, before she left Sam alone.

  Sam took a deep breath as she looked around the room. Pictures lined the walls of a baby’s development through the three trimesters along with a list of do’s and don’ts during pregnancy. She took it all in and felt a little bit sorry for herself. She never pictured herself doing this alone. She hadn’t told a soul other than Phillip and Mallory that she was pregnant because she didn’t think it was fair for anyone else to know until Nick did. Despite the fact that he left, he was still her baby’s father. She wondered how co-parenting would work if decided to stay in Seattle, she knew she shouldn’t think like that, Luke had assured her countless times last night that he would be back. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if he really would come back, in truth, she knew nothing about his life in Seattle maybe there were things there, people there that would make him want to stay.

  She had stopped herself from dreaming of him coming home and being the perfect little family, fearing that she would only get her hopes up to get them squashed again. She needed to be level-headed and prepare herself for any outcome. It wasn’t just about her and Nick anymore, it was about this baby she was carrying. With or without Nick in her life, she vowed to give this baby the best life possible. To shower this baby with unconditional love and let he or she know she was always wanted.

  There was a soft knock on the door before the doctor entered. He was middle-aged and presented himself as quite the gentlemen, making Sam feel comfortable.

  “Hello. I hear we have a baby on the way.” He said as he skimmed her chart. “How are you feeling?”

  Sam lifted her gaze to the doctor and smiled slightly. “I don’t feel much different. If anything I kind of feel like I’m on the verge of getting my period.”

  “Well, that is an early sign of pregnancy. You may feel some cramping in the first trimester, they can compare to menstrual cramps. Not to worry though that’s the uterus expanding to give the fetus room to grow. You’re also going to feel tired. Have you been experiencing any morning sickness yet?”

  Sam shook her head and tried to think if she had been feeling anything out of the ordinary. The doctor sat down on a stool and wheeled over to her side next to the sonogram machine.

  “Okay, because you’re approximately six weeks, in order to see the fetus we need to do an internal sonogram. So lean back and relax.” He said as he covered the probe with what looked like a condom. Sam leaned back and placed her legs in the stir-ups. She inhaled sharply and glanced at the blank screen while the doctor covered the tip of the probe with a blue jellylike substance.

  The doctor slid the probe inside of her and the screen began to display a black and white fuzzy image. He focused on a circular image and zoomed in by pressing a few keys on a keyboard.

  “Okay, this is the uterus and this is the sac and there is your baby”. He said as he took some measurements of the fetus to better depict how far along she was.

  Sam stared at the little image that was inside of her, her eyes welling with tears. She smiled and when her vision, blurred she blinked releasing some of her tears. She couldn’t get over the tiny miracle that was inside her. Seeing the baby made it real for her. She was having Nick’s baby.

  “You see that little fluttering right there?” The doctor pointed to the screen. “That appears to be the baby’s heartbeat, making you about seven weeks. Should we try and listen?”

  Sam nodded anxiously and wiped away some of her tears with the back of her hand as the doctor poked around trying to position the sonogram wand so they would be able to hear the heartbeat.

  “Swish. Swish. Swish.” Sounded throughout the room and Sam looked at the doctor.

  “There we go, that’s the baby’s heartbeat.” The doctor said as he measured the distance of beats, calculating the beats per minute. “Heartbeat is good too.”

  Sam closed her eyes briefly relishing in the sound of her baby’s heartbeat. Nick crossed her mind and she wished he was there with her to share that moment. She swallowed the lump that was lodged in her throat. The doctor finished the sonogram and printed out the pictures before going back to her chart to make some notes.

  “Okay, Samantha, so we will see you in four weeks. I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins and also a referral for your twelve week sonogram. You can schedule an appointment that way you will be assured a spot during the twelfth week of pregnancy.” He closed her chart and turned back towards her. “Just make the four week appointment with the receptionist on your way out.” He smiled. “Do you have any questions for me?”

  Sam bit down on her lower lip, certain that she had a ton of questions, but at the moment she was blank. “Not right now.” She said, finding her voice. The doctor handed her the sonogram photos and smiled at her.

  “Okay, just call my office if you have any questions or concerns. Congratulations.” He said before leaving the room. When the door closed softly, Sam looked down at the pictures, pride tugging at her heartstrings.

  * * * * * *

  Lucille Foti sat in the waiting room, waiting for her name to be called for her yearly mammogram. She was flipping through a magazine when the door next to the receptionist desk opened. Hoping it was the nurse calling her into the examining room, she lifted her head. Samantha walked to the receptionist her head down, her eyes staring intently at the paper she was holding.

  Lucille leaned forward and listened as Samantha scheduled a follow-up appointment.

  “Okay, so you’re appointment is on the back of this card and here is your prescription for the prenatal vitamins. Lastly, here is the referral for you twelve week sonogram. If you have any trouble making the appointment just call our office and we will call the facility for you. Again, congratulations!” The receptionist beamed at Sam.

  “Thank you.” Sam said as she gathered all her paperwork.

  Lucille’s eyes widened and she leaned back against the chair she sat in, bringing the magazine she was reading higher to shield her from Sam. She couldn’t believe her ears. Samantha was pregnant and Lucille knew very well that her son was the father. She saw how they were together at Jake’s funeral and then when she went to visit her son, she saw the love in his eyes for Sam shining bright. She gave him her mother’s engagement ring in hopes that he would pursue his future with her. She was happy he did, but sadness overcame her. She had hoped and prayed that they could turn a new leaf and try to become a family again. Her own son was having a child of his own and didn’t bother to tell her.

  “Lucille Foti? The doctor will see you now.”

  * * * * * *

  Nick walked down the familiar hallway that led to his father’s corner office. He donned a charcoal suit and the finest pair of Italian loafers he owned. He knew his father would size him up and he expected the scrutiny. However, he wasn’t going to willingly give him something to pick on and showing up in a pair of jeans and T-shirt would do just that.

  He ignored his father’s secretary and didn’t bother knocking, he didn’t think the pleasantries were necessary and besides, he was here to wrap this deal up as quickly as possible. He stormed into his father’s office.

  Nick Foti Sr., swirled around in his chair and glanced at his son, a devilish grin working along his lips. “Son, how good it is to see you.”

  Nick cocked one eyebrow towards his father. “Really, we’re going to play it that way?” He walked tow
ards his father’s desk and braced his hands on the edge. He leaned over the desk and was eye level with his old man. “Wipe that shit eating grin off your face.”

  The elder Foti leaned back in his leather chair and studied his son for a moment. “Someone seems agitated.”

  “Agitated? You think I’m agitated? You ripped me from my life to come back here and close a deal for you.” Nick straightened his shoulders as he peered into his father’s eyes. “You used Erica as a pawn to get me here. That’s a pretty low blow even for the likes of you. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Mr. Foti rose to his feet, the grin falling from his face. He braced his arms on the other side of his desk, and went head to head with his son. “Watch it boy, I’m not too keen on the tone of your voice.”

  “Well, that’s a damn shame isn’t it?” Nick said sarcastically as he stood his ground. “I will tell you exactly what I told Erica. I will close your deal, and probably close it before the week is over, because I’m that good, and because I’m in that much of a hurry to get back to my life. Nothing can keep me here anymore.” He waited a beat. “Be a man and give the damn girl, her job back.”

  This made, the older Nick laugh out loud. “Why should I do that?”

  Nick shrugged his shoulders slightly. ‘Be a man? Or let Erica keep her job?” He waited a moment and decided he could never persuade the coldhearted man in front of him to be a noble man so he chose the latter. “She doesn’t deserve to be fired because I no longer have a desire to work with you. She does for whatever reason and she’s willing to work harder for you.”

  Nick’s father raised an inquisitive eyebrow towards him, but didn’t say a word.

  “Another thing,” Nick started. “Don’t try using her as a pawn to get me back here after I close this deal. It won’t work. This will be the last deal I close for this company, regardless of what tactics you try to use to sway me here.” Nick declared icily before pushing off of the desk and standing to his full height. He unbuttoned the button on his suit and casually slipped one hand inside a pocket. He grinned just as mischievously as his father had. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have investors I have to meet with.” He tipped his head towards his father before turning around and with a casual stride full of confidence he left the office.