"Thank you so much, Dr. Binder. Of course, I understand. No, I'm not sure if my partner will be able to make it," Madelyn glanced at Harry. "Oh, okay. No, it's not a problem, I just didn't realize... never mind. I appreciate you fitting me in on such short notice. Yes, I'll see you this afternoon."

Madelyn dropped her hands to her lap and silently rotated her phone through her fingers a few times. Her eyes followed the motion, but she may as well have been staring into distant space.

"I am so fucking sorry, Mads. I messed up in the worst way. I broke my promise," God, how his heart ached. "What did the doctor say? The pharmacist said it's most effective the sooner you take the pill. Ninety-five percent in the first 24 hours."

Before the sun was up, Harry had taken Knox for a short walk. He couldn't sleep for rolling the situation over in his mind. He could have gotten her pregnant last night. When he got back, he put out fresh water and a bowl of dog food then grabbed Madelyn's car keys. Setting the alarm on the way out, he headed to the only 24-hour pharmacy in town.

She looked at the cheerfully colored box Harry pushed over the comforter toward her. He really did love her. Madelyn shifted to take his face into her hands.

"Harry," she kissed his lips, lingering. "I'm not going to take that pill. We're equally responsible; we both got carried away, and there's no blame. If I'm pregnant, we'll deal with it. The number of days in my cycle line up, but I haven't had any of the other symptoms that normally tell me I'm ovulating. We're probably worrying over nothing. Anyway, if we're going to wait, even for a little while, we need birth control that's more reliable than willpower."

He couldn't argue with that.

"Will you tell me what the doctor said?" he moved his arm over her shoulders but did not pull her closer. Although she wasn't angry, he thought her feelings might be uncertain and he didn't want to crowd her.

Madelyn kept her hands in her lap. "Dr. Binder thought she was answering her private line; her office manager wasn't in yet. Considering I was only expecting to get a referral to a regular OB/GYN, the fact that she's going to see me at 4:00 pm is a surprise."

"Why wouldn't she see you? You said she was your doctor."

"She's an infertility and high-risk specialist. I saw her when I didn't get pregnant right away with Jack. He wanted to find out what was wrong with me."

"I thought she said you were healthy. Do you feel alright now?"

"I'm fine, Harry. Dr. Binder said everything was perfect. Jack was just being Jack, trying to control the world. When I didn't get pregnant on his schedule, he demanded an explanation. She said sometimes it just takes time and pressure didn't help."

"That makes sense," Harry scratched at his morning stubble. "Thing's have to line up just right, but you obviously know how to time things because you managed to avoid pregnancy with him after he showed his true colors."

"I know it's a little uncomfortable to talk about this. Him. Thanks for not being weird about it."

Madelyn snuggled into his side, resting her palm low on his chest. He held her more tightly, feeling reassured by her closeness.

"So, what else did she say?"

"If I want to take the pill, it will be just as effective this afternoon as it would be this morning. Dr. Binder wants to see me first, though. She asked if my partner would be coming to the appointment. I said I wasn't sure if you could make it."

"I'll be there," his response was emphatic.

"Well, that's the thing, she didn't seem to want you there. Not that you need to be since it will be a simple check-in and I'll probably just get some birth control and a referral to a regular gynecologist. I just thought it was strange that she even asked if you were coming. Have you ever met her?"

"No," he laughed. "I've got the wrong equipment. Why?"

Madelyn gave his nipple a soft tweak before sliding out of his embrace toward the edge of the bed where Knox had been resting his head as he waited patiently for her attention.

"I don't know, she made a comment that made me think she'd spoken to you at some point. It didn't really make sense. Anyway, if we don't get this show on the road, we're both going to be late to classes." She gave the dog an affectionate cuddle.

"Taskmaster! I can't wait for this last term to end so I can really be my own boss. Come on, Knox," Harry stood up.

"Where are you two headed?"

"I'm going to run him around outside while you shower. Based on what the trainer said, he'll be happier in the building with you today if he's had some exercise. And Mads, I don't want to intrude on your appointment, but if it's alright with you, can I be in the waiting room?"

Coming around to him, Madelyn rested her hands on his shoulders. Coming up on her tiptoes, she kissed him until they were both feeling warm. Harry's hand slipped to her bottom and squeezed before she pulled back.

"Thank you, Harry, for taking care of us."

"I love you, Mads. I'll always take care of you."

"I love you, too," she pecked his cheek, then headed for the bathroom.

*****

"Hey, big guy! How did you do?" Harry was crouched down to Knox's level, the dog rolling over for a belly scratch.

They agreed to meet on the quad and walk to Madelyn's car to drive to her doctor's appointment together. She had released the dog's harness and clipped a long leash to his collar, indicating that he was no longer on duty and could be at ease.

"What's the verdict, how did he do in classes? He's a genius, right?"

"Harry, he was amazing! I had my little cheat-sheet of commands ready, just in case, but I didn't need it. Knox is a genius! We need to call Sean and tell him he is a brilliant trainer. Knox didn't leave my side, but he was completely relaxed all day."

"What a good boy," he commended the furball that was currently rubbing his entire body in the recently thawed grass. "Let's walk over to Next and let him run off a little energy so he'll be calm in the car during your appointment."

Hand in hand, they walked across the open space at the center of campus, Knox, ambling along near nearby. Eager to enjoy the burgeoning spring, students were tossing frisbees, chatting in small groups on the benches and hanging out on the steps of Main Hall.

"Maddie! Hey! Maddie, wait up." A voice commanded out of nowhere.

Instinctually, she stopped short. Taking a steadying breath, Madelyn turned around, hoping she was wrong, knowing she was right.

"What do you want, Jack?"

Harry dropped her hand and slid a protective arm around her lower back. If he squeezed his hand, he could maneuver her out of his line of fire.

"What are you doing on campus, Jack? Here to see Dr. Clark, again?"

"The dean? Why would I come to campus to see him?" his upper lip drew itself into an almost unseen sneer. "I was looking for you, Maddie. You seem to have some misinformation and I wanted to clear the air. I thought maybe we could talk," Jack seemed to notice Harry for the first time, "Privately."

Sensing the tension, Knox abandoned whatever he'd been sniffing and came to press his side against Madelyn's leg. "Good boy," she stroked the back of Knox's head.

"Whose animal is that? Are you dog-sitting? You don't even like dogs."

"YOU don't like dogs, Jack," she resisted rolling her eyes. "I love them. This is Knox and he belongs to us."

"Us? This thing is yours," his eyes narrowed as he pulled his brows together.

"Ours. The dog belongs to us. Together," Harry's voice was low and firm and allowed no discussion.

"Whatever. I need to talk to you, Maddie, it's important."

"Say what you need to say, Jack, I have an appointment to get to." Madelyn shifted her weight from foot to foot, hoping the movement showed impatience, not the nervous squirm she was fighting down. She figured Jack would always elicit a sense of unease from her. Knowing he was almost certainly behind the situation with her windows at the house, and the photographs that were delivered to her dean in an attempt to defame and discredit her, professionally, pissed her right off.

"I'd prefer to speak alone, Maddie. Please," he added quietly. "This is personal business." He stated the last part with his eyes glued to the other man's hand on her hip.

The fact that he was looking down, seemingly in defeat, and had actually said, "please," softened her. "Fine," Madelyn sighed, "We can talk here. Harry, would you mind giving us a few moments?"

With obvious reluctance, Harry nodded once and stepped far enough away that they could speak privately. Though, not once would he take his eyes off of them. Knox continued to hold to her side, eyes and ears alert.

"Thank you," Jack held back a victorious grin.

"Just tell me what is so important so I can get going. I can't be late."

He wondered what was so imperative that she couldn't spare him a few minutes of her precious time. She had lost her gracious nature while they'd been apart. But there would be time to work on that.

"Darling, I heard a rumor that you were nearly fired because of this nonsense with your student."

Madelyn's eyes widened, color rising in her complexion, nostrils flaring.

"That is none of your business." Her words were clipped, her voice solid ice.

"I beg to differ, Maddie. I'd say it damn well is my business when pictures of my naked wife in a compromising position with another man start floating around." She knew that never in a million years would Dr. Clark speak to anyone about the envelope he had received, and the images were now safely locked away.

"Get this through your head, Jack, I am NOT your wife, not anymore. You gave up that privilege the day you backhanded me in our bedroom. And exactly why, would you think there would be photographs of me "floating around?"" Knox pushed his head under her hand and pressed his weight against her reassuringly.

Jack tried to backpedal. "It's a small campus, a, uh, small business community. People gossip and your name came up. I'm only looking out for you! This kid is going to ruin your reputation and your career, Maddie. You need to get your life back on track."

She took a cleansing breath to avoid a full-tilt explosion. "Is this the misunderstanding you wanted to discuss?"

"Oh, no. I heard there was a problem with your windows. You probably know by now, it was one of my crews that did the original work."

Madeline stared incredulously.

"I wanted you to know I had no idea the work had been shoddy. The foreman on that job has been fired. Apparently, your contractor was looking into another company to fix the problem areas because you thought the job was poorly done on purpose. I'm happy to have the work redone, at no charge, of course. I know how you like your privacy these days and I respect that."

"I'm curious, Jack. Have you always thought I didn't have two brain cells to rub together? I'm not stupid."

"Of course you aren't stupid, darling. I've always been attracted to your abilities." Turning his hands palms up, he seemed sincere, almost pleading. "Why can't you see what is right in front of you? I still love you, Maddie."

"You still love me," she deadpanned.

"More than ever! This time apart has only made me realize how desperately I need you in my life. You were always my most prized possession, Maddie. I know we can figure things out if you'll just give me a chance." A barely noticeable tremor crept into his voice as the pitch rose.

"Shh," she soothed Knox. He had stiffened under her stroking fingers, eyes watchful, ears pricked. "Please, listen to my words, Jack. We are not spending time apart. We are divorced. And I am not your possession. The fact that you treated me as if I had been, is one of the many reasons we will never be together again."

"Maddie."

"And please, stop calling me Maddie! I've told you a million times I don't like that nickname, I outgrew it years ago."

"Okay, okay, I'm trying here. Why can't you cut me some slack?"

Something slipped behind his eyes. He was losing his cool. Madelyn had come to recognize the subtle change and knew it was time to make a strategic exit from the situation. Obviously not immune to Jack's demeanor, Knox's hackles were rising.

"Sure, Jack. Let's just move on. The windows are fixed so there's nothing else to discuss." Planning to ease away, she took a small step back. Harry was in her peripheral vision now, no more than ten yards away.

"No."

The dog was immediately on full alert, a low growl gathering in his chest.

"I need to go, Jack."

"You need to listen to me!"

Madelyn turned to leave, but before she could propel herself in Harry's direction, she felt Jack's hand clamp down on her forearm and jerk her around. Knox didn't hesitate. The playful pup disappeared in an instant as the guard dog leaped in front of Madelyn. Neck extended, teeth bared, paws planted aggressively, he was a frightening sight. Jack lurched backward, cowering from the snarling dog. 

***

Author's  Note:

You may have had to put up with notifications as I put some polish on previous chapters of DELIVERY. My apologies! I hope you enjoyed this REAL update!

Best-

Em,