Intrigue

Mike and I watched the game and talked, while Brent’s mom occupied Madison. It was a great game and Brent played really well. After it ended, Mike left and I went down to the locker room to meet up with Brent.

He came out freshly showered and I went flying into his arms. “You so deserve a present for that effort” I whispered. He blushed which made me laugh and he dragged me back up to get his parents and the baby. We got back up the suite and I gathered Madi’s stuff.

Brent’s mom pulled him aside and his dad shrugged at me. She hadn’t said much of anything to me and I really didn’t care. After how mean she was, I wasn’t too concerned with her. We went straight back to our place, his parents headed back to the hotel.

Brent seemed awfully quiet. I put Madi in pajamas and handed him a bottle for her. “Can you feed her. I need to send an email to Mike with some paperwork for my jury selection next week.” He grunted an “ok” out and continued to watch SportsCenter. I opened my laptop and sent the email. By the time I was finished, Madi was half asleep in Brent’s arms. I took her up to bed and laid her down.

He had laid across the sofa and stretched out, so I sat on the recliner nearest to him. “So what’s the problem Brent?” I said starting to get annoyed.

“Why did you bring him to the game with you? You spent all day with him and then felt the need to spend all night with him too?” I couldn’t help it and I smiled at him which infuriated him further.

“Real cute Alex. Go ahead and laugh. I had to listen to my mom go on and on about it.”

I stood up. “Honestly Brent, you mom don’t like me all of a sudden since Madison came into our lives. So I’m not too stressed about what she says.” I went upstairs and laid down, annoyed at him for even being mad about a co-worker.

When I woke up in the morning, he already had Madison downstairs and dressed. I gave Madi a kiss goodbye. He didn’t even look at me as I kissed him on the back of his neck and said goodbye. I headed towards work annoyed and upset.

I stopped and grabbed a coffee and a bagel and went into my building. Mike was at the elevators waiting. “Hey boss, how are ya?” he asked.

“Ok, a little sleepy though. Ton of work to accomplish.” I said, rushing into my office.

“So what is the game plan for today?” he asked as I sat down. “Well we can meet in like a half hour or so and start on this list of witnesses for the Mayer case. Once Tuesday hits we are going to be so busy with jury selection its going to be insane. Plus Brent is out of town four days next week so I need to really get this together now since I have no idea what I am going to do with Madison yet while he is away. We also have a simple arraignment at 4 pm for the guy who assaulted me. Alan wants both of us in Court with him.” I didn’t even know that was scheduled for today and it started to unnerve me. Mike left and said he’d be back in a little.

My phone rang and I reach for it. “Hey, where is her bigger diaper bag. I need to take her out. She is grouchy. She needs some air or something.” I just shook my head to myself.

“Brent, she is a baby, she gets grouchy when you are grouchy hun. If you do take her out, make sure you put on a few layers, it is freezing out.”

He sighed loudly. “I think I know how to take care of her Alex.” He said loudly.

“I wasn’t trying to be smart. I was surprised at how cold it is out. Listen I may be a little late today. I have an arraignment hearing at 4pm.” I started to let him know what it was for and he cut me off.

"That’s fine. Madi and I won’t be home until later than that anyway.” He said and promptly hung up. Mike walked back in with a huge candle.

"It’s lavender. Supposed to be calming according to the sales lady."

I thanked him as he lit it. He smiled at me and sat across from me. “So let’s get started” he said enthusiastically.

Three hours later, we decided to grab lunch. We went to a small Jewish deli close the office. We were in the middle of lunch when I saw Kaner walking in the door and Brent not far behind. I groaned knowing this wasn’t going to make things any easier. I still felt like I didn’t need to explain anything to him though. As far as I was concerned, Mike was a co-worker, nothing more. Pat came up and said hi as Brent was in line ordering food. He asked me to take a walk with him and I obliged. “What’s going on Alex? Why are you two fighting?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“I have no idea. He is mad I brought my co-worker to the game last night with me. But he was a huge help all day and just moved here from Jersey. He knows no one and had nothing to do. I was being nice. Brent should know I love him, not looking for anyone else. Shoot, Pat look at how much I am doing just to make our relationship work. And by the way, where is my daughter? “

Pat smiled. “She is with his mom.”

I went back into the diner and saw Brent walking away from the table I was sitting at. I flashed Mike a sympathetic smile as I sat down. "Sorry about that. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."

“Most guys would be jealous Alex, you are pretty, smart, confident and successful.” He said as we got up to leave. We went back to the office and worked until Alan came to get us for the arraignment.

I was a nervous wreck walking into the courthouse, Alan’s arm firmly guiding me as the cameras went off around me. It went quickly with the guy pleading guilty and Alan sent me home right after in a cab. Mike promised to finish up at the office and shoot me an email with what he got completed. I arrived back at our place and it was empty. I felt horrible and lonely. I went upstairs and flopped on the bed.

The next thing I remember is Brent laying beside me wrapping his warm arms around me. I started to open my eyes as he pulled me tighter. “I’m sorry sweetheart. I should have been there for you. I was so wrapped up in arguing with my mom on your behalf I got annoyed and cranky. I was wrong and I am really sorry. I know you and him are friends and honestly he told me like it was today when I talked to him.”

I looked up at him. “So you do realize he has absolutely no interest in me right. Although he kept checking out Kaner. Better tell him to watch himself.”

He laughed and kissed me on the forehead. “I am sorry and I will make it up to you. I need to go pick up Madi, let’s go talk to my mom. We need to get things out in the open. I don’t want any tension trying to plan our wedding.”

Brent and I went over to his parents’ hotel room. I was nervous and felt sick to my stomach, but Brent told me it was necessary.

We walked in and sat down at the table. “Come on Mom, we have to get this all out on the table.“ She came and sat down, looking stone-faced. “Mom, now I know you are upset because you felt that she disrespected me by bringing a guy to my game. He is her co-worker, nothing more. He just moved to the area and she was being nice. I don’t need to worry about them. I also know you are worried that she won’t stay home with Madi. It’s not fair for her to have to quit her career to raise her. She has a great job and it’s important to her. Plenty of kids have a nanny for work hours. I don’t get why it is such a big deal to you. Alex, do you have anything to add?” I felt like I was going to pass out.

“Honestly, I just want it to be like it was a Christmas time. We got along really well and there was no problems. All I have is your family. I consider your Madison my daughter. Brent and I are getting married this summer at some point. He is going to be my husband. I don’t plan on that changing.”

“My job is very important to me. I’m able to put away people that do wrong so they cannot do any more harm. I work hard, but I take care of Madi and Brent. I don’t understand why you are giving me such a hard time. As for my co-worker, I’ve been assigned as his mentor. It is a work-relationship only. If you son isn’t worried, you shouldn’t be. This weekend I plan on interviewing every nanny in Chicago until I find the perfect one. Brent is away for four days next week and I am on a trial. But, I will make sure Madison is taken care of. I love your son more than anyone in this world. He makes me happy when I thought I never could be. He is my family, him and Madi. I intend on sticking around, so hopefully we can work together and not against each other. I’m willing to start completely new today, can you help me do that?” I asked looking at her for a reply.

The tears in her eyes let me know she was really sorry. “I am sorry. I think I just need to get over the fact that my son isn’t my baby anymore. You are a good mom to Madi and I hope I don’t cause any more problems with you and Brent. I’d like to meet you for lunch one day if that is ok. We can start talking about the wedding if you would like.”

I nodded. “Sounds good.” Brent’s dad picked me up and hugged me in typical Seabrook fashion.

“So have you talked to Keith? When is he coming to visit his niece?” Brent asked his dad.

“Not sure, he thinks he may get two days off next week. We have decided to stay and help out Alex through next week. Gotta help out our future daughter-in-law." His Dad said, winking at me.

Notes

Well they made it through another argument.... stupid men :)