The Saintwood Series

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

A new addition to the family

Carrington

As the months passed, I longed for Gloria. While I pined for my love, Christine and Troy welcomed a daughter and named the baby Sarah. We visited Christine and her new family in the hospital. My siblings came, bringing Cole and Dean, who were over a year old.

I cradled the baby in my arms. Sarah was sleeping. I became eager to start a family with Gloria. First, I needed to extract her from Maurice. One day, I will give her the world, along with a family.

While we welcomed Sarah into the family, the Frazier boys had kids, namely Mateo and Maximilian. Max had a child named Max, and he was around the same age as Cole and Dean. Mateo had a child, calling the kid Mario. Leave it to an i***t brother to name his kid after a plumber in a video game.

The Frazier boys having kids and bastard kids are their i***t gene and family increases. God, save us all.

Charles held Sarah, then handed the baby back to Christine. He withdrew from the hospital room. What was up with him?

I stepped out of the hospital room while the family visited with the baby, including Maggie, Luci, and Mary. Charles was looking out of a window in the hallway.

“Are things not better between you and Maggie?” I asked.

“Our relationship is better, and I’m on the straight and narrow, keeping myself in check with other women. I’m lucky that Maggie forgave me and gave me a second chance.” Charles continued to look out the window.

“But…”

“I don’t think I will have kids.”

I glanced at my brother with concern.

“When I mention the possibility of kids, Maggie changes the subject. I wrecked any chance of having a family since I broke Maggie’s trust. Who wants children with a liar and a cheater?”

That question bothered me.

“I’ll spend time with our niece and nephews, and that will help me with wanting a family of my own.”

It doesn’t matter how much we persuade ourselves to forgo a dream. It still nags at us. It did with me. I wanted to graduate and leave with Gloria. I paused there with Charles as he stared out of the window. I struggled to tell my brother it’ll be okay, but not sure if it would be.

“Can I chat with my husband?” Maggie asked.

“Yeah, sure.” I turned, walked towards the room, then reached it.

“Are you positive?” Charles asked.

I noticed Maggie nodding.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Well, I took a pregnancy test, and it showed a positive result. I will confirm with the physician.”

I peeked at my brother’s face. Charles wanted to show excitement, but he’s afraid he'll lose his chance at parenthood if he does.

“Aren’t you happy?”

“I am, but I’m afraid of losing a chance at parenthood.”

Maggie noticed Charles's expression.

His brows furrowed as he fidgeted with his fingers and stared at the floor. “I’m afraid that you’ll leave and take the baby. I won’t blame you if you do. You have every right to leave. I did a terrible thing and hurt you. If you never forgive me, I understand, but I hope you allow me to be a father.”

My brother was an i***t for what he did to Maggie and proved foolish in every way, but he longed for a family. Our parents’ deaths devastated us, and we all wanted an opportunity to continue their legacy.

Maggie took Charles’s hands into hers. “Charles Ryan Jones, you look at me. Yes, you made a foolish mistake, and it hurt me, but no one is flawless. I offered you a second chance because I received brilliant advice from someone. The person told me that people make mistakes. That’s what makes us human, and no one is flawless, but you have a big heart.” Maggie pressed her fingertips on Charles’s heart. “I pray if we have a boy, he has your heart.”

Charles smiled. “Whether we have a boy or girl, I beseech the baby has your intelligence because I married a brilliant woman.”

“Yes, you did.”

They laughed.

I beamed as Charles and Maggie embraced. My brother will be a terrific father one day. Fatherhood changes things because it did with Mason, and Mason mellowed with Cole, unlike with us.

*****

3rd person

While Charles celebrated his news with Maggie, other issues were popping up, namely Frank Shaw. The prison released Frank, and he wasted no time knocking up his old lady, but his wife wasn’t the only one.

Frank’s wife was two months pregnant with their child when he headed to the bar to celebrate. After many rounds of alcohol, he hooked up with a girl in his car. Frank ignored the woman’s identity and didn’t bother to ask. When you’re drunk, you’re not exchanging information with each other.

Frank remained in the back seat as the girl moved back and forth while he thrust inside her. With loyalty, all bets were off with Frank Shaw. The guy couldn’t stay loyal if you paid him, and he enjoyed the young girls. The girl was willing and able with Frank, taking full advantage of it.

It wouldn’t be until later that Frank would recognize the girl from the bar as Henry’s wife. Henry’s wife kept a secret from Frank and Henry because of Frank’s drunken escapade. That secret was disturbing, and Carrington would learn this information many years later.

Here is the problem with people’s secrets. They never stay a secret. No matter what you do, that information rears its ugly head at the worst times. It would be for Carrington when he least expected it.

*****

Gloria

Carri wanted to leave. I had planned on going with him, but Maurice watched me like a hawk. Maurice dragged me to meet his nephews, which I didn’t wish to do. He warned me to behave, or I’d receive a punishment. Mateo was worse and threatened me. I complied.

I watched the brothers with their families, and it disgusted me. Maurice’s brothers didn’t discipline the kids, and Maurice’s brothers taught the children poor behavior. That made me not want any kids with Maurice because I didn’t prefer my child to misbehave.

It didn’t matter. The minute I had the opportunity, I was leaving with Carri. I can’t live this life anymore. Carri and I would begin a life together and enjoy happiness, except a situation will prevent that from happening. Someone will come before my pleasure, and it will be the ultimate sacrifice in my life.