MAVERICK
“That’s our baby, right? Like a little alien.” Lake looked baffled as the image of our baby appeared on the monitor with the fastest heartbeat I’d ever heard. “And that’s the heartbeat?”
“Yes. Congratulations on the first glimpse of your baby about the size of a raspberry.”
“Thank you, Doctor Chesca. That’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. How far is she?”
“Your baby is about eight weeks old. When I saw her name on the appointment, I remembered Striker and London.”
“Wait. You’re their doctor?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I have a few high-profile clients, but I know Lake is Striker’s cousin.”
“Let me guess, Linden’s wife is also your patient?” Lake asked amusedly.
“Yeah. Both babies. I’m happy to be your obstetrician, Maverick. I like your name, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
Once the doctor finished the ultrasound, she gave us a booklet. “You can decide how you prefer your labor. Don’t worry. You still have months to think.”
“We’ll go with less pain, but it’s up to her to decide.”
“We’ll talk about it at home, Lake.”
“Of course, baby.” He kissed my hand.
“Among the three couples, you’re the one couple who both come together for the first visit.”
“Really?” I asked.
“That’s interesting,” Lake said. “I’m going to ask my cousin why.”
“You can’t do that.” I widened my eyes at him.
“Why is that? I thought it would be funny to tease my cousin. He’s always the cool guy, and it’s as if he always figures everything out.” After that, he looked at the picture and traced his finger on our baby in the image. “This is our first child, baby.”
Those words hit me in the heart. He was really excited to have a child. I didn’t even take it seriously when he told me and watched him on that interview.
***
“Hello?” I just used my phone this morning, and I was already traumatized by the unknown caller.
“Maverick?” That voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t pinpoint who he was.
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
“It’s Wallace. Wallace Winston.” Oh shit. What did he want from me? Why was he calling?
I breathed deeply before I could reply. I made sure my voice would not shake. “How can I help you, Mr. Winston?”
“I know I’ve done terrible things, and I’ve hurt you a lot. You’ve endured so much pain from my doing.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I wanted to roll my eyes. He’d been sick for months, and now what? He wanted forgiveness and repentance.
“I’m not asking your forgiveness.” Well, that’s first. “There’s probably no place for that in your heart, but I regret everything. I’ve done terrible things to you, to my ex-wife, to my son, and to everybody I’ve hurt. Now that I can see how much you love my son, and you’re not after what I thought you were, I’m so sorry.” He paused before he spoke again, “I just saw the post my son did.”
What post?
“Congratulations, Maverick. I know you’d be a wonderful mother.”
“Oh. That.” I closed my eyes. “Thank you.”
“Trust each other. I didn’t have that with Beatreigh. I was selfish with her. All I wanted was to be the first in everything until I realized I was losing my family. On the other hand, you and Lake have always each other, aiming together to succeed. And please, love my son unconditionally, that kind of love he feels deprived of. I love him with all my being, but he doesn’t know that.”
“Mr. Winston, you tell him that.”
“My son would not want to see me again. That’s all I’m asking. Can I tell you a secret?”
“Yeah. Of course,” I replied reluctantly.
“Of all the food in the world, he loves apple pie with a lot of cinnamon.”
“Apple pie?” I smiled.
“Yeah. When he was a kid, we did that every Christmas. Even if he ate it every week, he wouldn’t say no.”
“I can see him with a mouth full of apple pie.”
“Thanks for listening.”
“You’re welcome.” I bit my bottom lip. I hoped I would not regret saying this. “Um, I can make an apple pie. You can drop by tonight at his penthouse.”
“I don’t think he’d like to see me.”
“Trust me, he’d love to see you.”
“I will be there.”
I quickly texted Lake after I hung up the call.
MAVERICK: Are you allergic to cinnamon?
LAKE: No. Why?”
MAVERICK: Just asking. Don’t be late for dinner at home. Love you, babe.
***
I made smokey stuffed chicken with ham and olives, which smelled delicious. I was also done preparing the dining table.
The pie crust was ready, and I was about to pour the apple filling into the crust when I heard a doorbell ring. Lake never did that. He had a key, but I hoped Wallace rang the bell.
Before I could reach the door, Homer was already there.
“Mr. Winston,” Homer said.
“Hey. Please, come in.” I smiled politely, even if my nerves were all over the place.
“Thank you, Maverick. I thought I would bring something. A non-alcoholic wine.”
“Oh, thanks.” I smiled as I took it from him. “That’s thoughtful of you.”
I cornered Homer. “Don’t tell Lake.”
“All right, but call-”
“I’ll be all right.” I patted his arm before I went to Wallace. “Please have a seat.”
“It smells delicious. I heard you can cook.” He followed me to the kitchen.
“Not good, but I took culinary arts for a year until I shifted to Economics.”
“If you love cooking, why did you shift?”
“Nana wasn’t on board with my choice.” I put the wine on the table and grabbed two glasses and the opener.
“Let me.” He had already grabbed the bottle and taken the opener from me. He then uncorked it and poured it into two glasses before him.
“You should just sit down.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” He offered me a glass, and I took one for him.
“Why did you not bring a date?”
He smiled. I saw him smile for the first time in months since I married his son. “I don’t want to overwhelm you and Lake.”
“Lake is on the way.” I covered the top with strips in a weave style. Once done, I placed it in the preheated oven.
“That’s impressive.”
“Nana loves to make pecan pie.” Every time I mentioned Nana, there were always seconds of silence. I took a sip of the wine. “You have to forgive yourself first, Mr. Winston.”
“Wallace is fine.”
“Wallace. Nana is fine. I’m sure she’s forgotten what happened in the past. That’s how she lives happy, and she’s ecstatic that I’m pregnant.”
“You should not work hard. You’re having a baby now.”
Before I could reply, Lake just arrived. “Maverick, I’m home. Baby, are you cooking? It smells delicious.”
Wallace shifted in his seat.
“Babe, I’m in the kitchen.”
He emerged seconds later. “Hey.” His smile faded the moment he noticed I wasn’t alone. “Are you okay?” He came to me, hugged me tight, and asked again, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Your father told me you like apple pie. You can eat apple pie every day without getting jaded, so I thought we could have dinner together.”
“Yeah?” He was still puzzled and stiffed all the time. I knew he wasn’t impressed but remained polite nonetheless.
“The smoky chicken is ready,” I announced to ease the awkwardness.
“What are you drinking, Maverick?” He grabbed my glass and sniffed it.
“Relax, Lake. It’s non-alcoholic. I brought the wine.”
Lake nodded.
“I’m almost done.” I went to him to take off his suit. “You should take your dad to the living room while I prepare dinner.”
“I will help,” he suggested.
“I already prepared the table, babe. Don’t worry, I did not prepare a whole camel for dinner.”
That cracked them both. I watched them both walk to the living room. A few minutes later, they started discussing the baby’s plans.
I couldn’t help but smile as I set the food to the dining table.
We started with dinner with a little tension in the atmosphere. When I sliced the apple pie, I saw the excitement in Lake’s eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me you like apple pie?” I set a slice on the plate and a scoop of ice cream on it and gave it to his father. Then, the next plate was for him.
I sat down with my apple pie and took a small slice. “Babe, I’m waiting.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
“You mean, you’re shy to admit you crave apple pie?”
“That’s not true, Dad.” The way he replied made me smile.
“Then what is it, Winston?” I stared at him until he felt uncomfortable. For an overconfident, successful billionaire, he almost squirmed.
“Oh, my God. Seriously?” I wanted to laugh if not for his father sitting next to us. “Your ego, Winston.”
“It’s not it, baby. I just missed those old times when I was a kid when I shared a pie with Dad and Mom.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Aw, babe. Then we’ll make it a tradition again. Of course, we will invite your dad and mom, and I’ll bake apple pie.”
“This is delicious, Maverick.”
I smiled at Wallace. “Thank you.” And I watched Lake eat earnestly with a smile on his face.
After that awkward moment, we instantly fell into easy conversation.