11. The plot thickens
My stomach is huge nowadays.
I'm struggling with the added weight of my baby, swollen ankles and a sore lower back.
Harry continues to visit me quite regularly, lavishing multiple gifts each time. Some for me and most for my baby and his or her nursery.
Currently, most items are in yellow or grey because heaven forbid we mix blue and pink for the wrong gender.
Harry won't listen to me when I explain that colours don't make the gender any more or any less if a boy were to wear pink or a girl to wear blue.
Sadly, there is no current way to prove the gender of my baby, so it's a waiting game at best.
Given Harry knows about Zara wanting the baby once breastfeeding is complete, he's been delicately dancing around the ideas he has to prevent such an action so that my hormones won't swing in reaction to his words.
If I wasn't so fearful of Zara making this happen in the not-so-distant future, I probably would have laughed at Harry's delicate and hesitant ways. But at the same time, the way he is incredibly sweet acting in that way.
I'm in my seventh month of pregnancy, so preventing Zara from taking my babe is a critical problem to deal with as soon as possible.
My secret admirer keeps requesting I use my baby against Harold - however, I know it's something I cannot do. I want my baby to have his/her father in their life. Giving my baby away is just not an option.
My heart was pounding deeply and loudly when Harry next came over because I knew the upcoming conversation was going to be intense, emotional and important.
I asked Harry if he had a lawyer separate from the one both his wife and himself used, or if he knew one discreet enough for me to use.
Harold said that he would have a lawyer reach out who was not affiliated with Zara but is also trustworthy and discreet.
When he asked why this was necessary, I explained, as calmly as I could, that I wanted legal documentation preventing Zara from gaining access to my baby, in any way. If something were ever to happen to me, that now legally my Mum and Dad will gain custody, or, upon their passing each sibling would be offered custody.
But the baby will always be under a family members care.
Harry grasped my hands in his and agreed with me wholeheartedly. "I don't want Zara to ever get her hands on our baby to try and mould it to fit her own twisted needs of an offspring."
This statement sent a shiver of dread to slither up and down my spine.
I also asked Harry if he approved of two birth certificates being made. One listing him as the Father, of which we can each have a copy and another with no Father listed at all. The latter one I being the one used in day-to-day life.
Again, Harry agreed and let go of my hands to cradle my protruding stomach and speak to it, softly.
"Boy or girl I will always love you as much if not more so than your Mother."
Gently caressing all of my stomach from top to bottom he gently sang the words to a slow Frank Sinatra hit. That man took the world by storm a few years ago with his beautiful, lilting, bluesy-sounding voice.
Watching Harry croon, my eyes misted with tears for these are the rare moments I need to enjoy before my secret admirer ensures no more moments like this are to occur.
Since I won't use my baby as blackmail material against Harold, I just know they are going to provide me with another way to achieve what they want before my contract with them is over, which it nearly is.
Harry and I will never have the option of being together permanently or being married. This will upset my parents once they know the truth of the matter for I'll be having their first grand baby.
Out of wedlock.
Fear of what's to happen in the near future is a major stressor in my life. I'm almost constantly thinking about it.
I hope I hear from this lawyer soon!
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Harry's lawyer was here yesterday.
Together we crafted an iron-clamped "Final Will and Testament," for in case something happen to me to cause my death.
Once this was signed and witnessed, Alan Curruthers filed it in his suitcase, locked it and placed the suitcase at his feet and folded his hands on the tabletop.
"Can I get you a drink? Tea, coffee or bonox?" I offered.
Mr Curruthers declined and I was forced to ask, "Is there something else you need from me?"
He gave a slight shake of his head in answer and checked the time on his pocket watch. "Mr Holt is due any minute to discuss the birth paperwork you are requesting. Both parties need to sign in front of a witness, which can be myself."
I nodded as if the law was something I knew about.
Harry arrived and knocked on the door no more than five minutes later. When I pulled it open he was on my doorstep with a massive smile and at least 24 roses in a bunch that were handed to me with a kiss on the cheek.
I blushed as I led him to the dining table where Mr Curruthers was awaiting his arrival.
Each man stood to shake hands and meet officially face-to-face before each taking a seat. I offered Harry the same drink choices as Mr Curruthers to which Harry also declined and patted the seat next to himself.
I slowly waddled myself towards the seat and Harry stood to pull it out for me and made sure I was comfortable before sitting down again.
The three of us were able to make the request for three prints of Birth certificates that are legal. Two will be of Harold listed as my baby's Father, and one will be "Father unknown."
Once the documents were signed and witnessed by Mr Curruthers, he again, filed them in his suitcase, locked it and stood in preparation to leave.
He shook Harry's hand and placed his hat on his head before tipping it lightly in my direction and walking towards my front door. "Don't get up," he said as he wrapped his hands around the handle. "Rest with Mr Holt and I'll be in touch if we have any problems."
And with that, he was gone.
Harry and I spent the rest of the day relaxing on my bed. He made me food and drinks and bought them upstairs for me amid our discussion of baby names.
"Gerald, if it's a boy and Katherine if it's a girl," Harry suggested.
"Gerald, maybe, for a boy but not Katherine for a girl. I want something more feminine yet unique. What do you think of Rose as a first name?" I countered.
Harry's responding smile was so big I genuinely pondered how it managed to fit on his face.
"Rose? I love that idea. And as a compromise, what about James for a boy?"
I guess my smile was as broad as his, for he grabbed both my cheeks and gently kissed my lips. "Agreed," I responded.
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I invited my sister Anne to tea, yesterday.
Given how suspicious she is about my pregnancy, I decided to confide in her about it, but without any names attached.
When she arrived, I took her coat from her as her eyes drank me in. "You're pregnant." Were the first two words out of her mouth once her eyes met mine.
I attempted to show and feel regret as I looked at my feet and mumbled a "yes, I am" in answer to her observation.
Anne's face went through a myriad of emotions before she settled on sympathy.
"Is the gentleman in your life and willing to make an honest woman of you? Or he isn't and that's why you kept it a secret?" Anne asked.
I know there was no judgement in her tone but my hormones reacted badly.
"I'm not 'easy', Anne! The gentleman in question is married and not able to divorce her. He is supporting me, but this is my baby, my life and I will deal with it the best way I can." I snapped.
Anne came to me and offered me a hug. I stepped into her arms and immediately burst into tears on her shoulder.
"What do I do, Anne? Mum and Dad are going to be so hurt that I'm doing this, this way. But the gentleman's wife has made it clear that once I am done breastfeeding, she wants me to hand the baby over! I can't, I won't!" I cried.
Anne held me in her arms for quite some time, cooing softly in my ear and rubbing her hands up and down my back.
"Shhhhhh, don't cry. Adelle, you are far too strong of a woman to think these events even have the potential to happen in the future. Let me guess, you already have an idea that will handle it all. Am I wrong?" Anne gently questioned me.
I sniffed before nodding.
"No, you're right. I had a lawyer here the other day making legal preparations for once my baby is born. But that doesn't change the fear I feel inside." I answered.
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