Chapter 26

Carlos stood at the door, confused when he didn’t see Alex right away. Alex then stood up from where she was crouching next to the bed and ran over to him.

"What the hell is going on? What did you do to me and why?" she yelled at him.

"Calm down," Carlos said in a soft voice.

"What do you mean, ‘calm down?’ How do you expect me to calm down when I was apparently drugged by my own seriously disturbed brother?" Alex shouted.

"I can’t talk to you when you’re like this," Carlos told her. "I’ll come back later when you’re calmer." Alex grabbed his arm.

"Don’t you dare leave me here!" she yelled as he shook off her arm and left, closing the door quickly behind him. Alex heard the lock click. She grabbed the doorknob and turned it, knowing that it wouldn’t open. "Carlos! Let me out! Why are you doing this?" she shouted as she banged on the door. No answer.

Alex went back over to the bed and threw herself down onto her stomach. She didn’t cry---she was too mad to cry. She was confused, too. She knew that in his twisted mind, Carlos had a reason for locking her up in…wherever she was, but that didn’t mean that she was going to be okay with it. She was anything but okay with it. Alex turned over and looked at the ceiling. She sighed---and prayed that Carlos would come to his senses.

San Francisco

Maria was tired and stressed out by the time she arrived at her father’s house. She grabbed her suitcase off of the limo’s seat and got out when the driver opened the door. Maria thanked him and began walking to the front door of the house. It opened before she got there and Maria was shocked to see her brother, Joey, standing there. He reached for her and hugged her tightly.

"What are you doing here?" Maria asked him after he had let her go.

"I took some personal days to come and see Dad and the baby," he told her. Maria looked over his shoulder and saw Sarah standing behind him.

"I guess it’s a family reunion, huh?" Maria remarked. She looked around uneasily. "Mom’s not here, is she?" Joey laughed.

"No way. That would be just a little uncomfortable," he said, smiling.

"Just a little," Maria agreed, rolling her eyes. She walked into the foyer. Sarah looked at her and gave her a small smile.

"Hey," she said. Maria smiled at her.

"How are you?" she asked. Sarah shrugged.

"Sane," she said. Maria laughed and went over to hug her. Sarah fought the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.

Joseph then entered the foyer to see Maria. He hugged her after she had let go of Sarah. "I can’t believe all of my children are in one place," he said. Maria hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. "Is everything okay?" he asked softly in her ear. Maria shook her head. Joseph let go of her and frowned.

"We’ll talk later," Maria told him.

"Maria!" Maria looked up to see Marilyn descending the stairs. Maria smiled and went over to hug her. Marilyn felt closer to Maria ever since their talk the last time that Maria had been there. "How are you?"

"I could be better," Maria said. Marilyn caught the distressed look in Maria’s eyes. She knew that Maria’s calling and asking if she could come visit at the last minute had meant that something was going on. She hoped that Maria would be able to talk to her with Joey and Sarah there.

"Well, it’s nice to have you here. Sarah’s got the big guestroom. If you don’t mind staying in the other one with Joey…" Marilyn said.

"No, that’s fine," Maria told her as Joey put his arm around her and pulled her to him.

"I don’t mind, as long as you don’t snore," he said.

"I do not snore!" Maria protested. Joseph smiled. This was great for him. He missed his kids and was glad that they were here. Something, though, was obviously bothering Maria.

"Here, let me get your bag," Joey said as he took Maria’s suitcase and headed to the guestroom that they would be sharing.

"I want to see Braddy," Maria told Marilyn, who smiled.

"I just put him down for the night, but you can come see him," she said. Maria followed Marilyn up the stairs. Joseph put his arm around Sarah.

"Wanna finish that game?" he asked, referring to an interrupted game of pool they had been playing. Sarah smiled and nodded. They headed to the rec room.

Maria smiled into Bradley’s crib. She ran a hand over his small back. He was sleeping on his stomach. Tears came to Maria’s eyes before she could stop them. All she could think of was, ‘I’ll have my own baby in eight months.’ It was a scary thought.

"What’s wrong?" Marilyn suddenly asked. She had seen Maria’s eyes tear up and figured that whatever she was upset about must be pretty bad.

Maria looked at Marilyn. "I had so many plans for my life, you know? Unfortunately, nothing is going right," she said and wiped at a tear that had managed to slide down her cheek.

"Did something happen?" Marilyn asked. Maria went over and shut the door. She picked up a teddy bear that was on Bradley’s dresser and hugged it to her.

"I’m going to have a baby," she said. Marilyn went over to Maria and hugged her. Maria was unable to hold back anymore and she cried on Marilyn’s shoulder.

"Shhh. It’s okay," Marilyn said. She felt sorry for Maria. So much was happening to her in such a short amount of time. "What did Jacob say?" Marilyn asked as she pulled away and handed Maria a tissue.

"I haven’t talked to him. After I found out about the baby, I came here," Maria said, wiping her eyes. Marilyn frowned.

"If I may be honest---that was just stupid and wrong," she said. Maria looked at her sharply. "I know you love that young man and I also think that he won’t be thrilled when he finds out that you’ve run away again." Maria looked surprised at that. Marilyn smiled. "I’m more observant than you think and I noticed that the last time you were here was because you were running away from something---most likely Jacob, but I didn’t know why. Things were better after you returned from the cabin, so I assumed that you had worked out your problems with him and then when we talked about your feelings for him, well, have you told him how you feel?" she asked.

"Yes," Maria replied. "I love him." Marilyn nodded.

"So why, then, are you running from him again?" Maria sighed and walked over to the window, the teddy bear still in her hands.

"I’m afraid…afraid of what this means for us and afraid of what this will do to my future and my dreams," she said softly.

"Sometimes life throws a curveball at you when you least expect it," Marilyn told her. Maria smiled.

"You’ve been with my father too long," she joked. Marilyn laughed.

"You know what you have to do, right?" she asked, putting her hands on Maria’s shoulders and turning Maria to face her.

"Talk to Jacob," Maria said. Marilyn nodded and hugged Maria again. Maria sighed. She already felt calmer about things.

As the limo got closer to Joseph Carpenter’s house, Jacob became more nervous. A baby. Maria was going to have a baby. It was not a good situation---at all. Plus, the Mikes were probably already planning on how they would kill him when he got home. Jacob closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the seat. He prayed that God would help him through all of the shit he was dealing with all of a sudden---he needed all the help he could get right now.

Orlando

"Dan, talk to us, bro," Erik ordered as he, along with Ashley, entered Dan’s bedroom where Dan was putting clothes away.

"I can’t talk about it, guys," Dan said as he hung up a shirt in his closet. Erik closed the door.

"If it’s got to do with Jacob and the band, we need to know. We deserve to know," Erik told him.

"It’s got to do with Maria," Dan said.

"Yeah, but his leaving affects us," Ashley remarked. "And since we’re his band mates, we should know what’s going on."

Dan was torn. He wanted to tell them what was going on. After all, Jacob hadn’t said that he couldn’t, but he still didn’t think it was his place to talk about Jacob’s business with them. "Look, fellas, I want to tell you, but I don’t think I should. It’s Jake’s business. Let him tell you," Dan said.

"Can’t you give us a hint?" Erik asked. Dan shook his head. "Fine. Whatever." Erik left the room. Ashley sighed and lay down on Dan’s bed.

"Is it bad?" Ashley asked. Dan shrugged and then nodded.

"It could be," he said.

Erik went to his room and picked up the phone. He dialed Alex’s number. He wanted to see her. He needed to vent. The band didn’t need Jacob’s constant defiance and rebelliousness. It was getting annoying. Now the Mikes would be mad at all of them and they would all likely be punished because of Jacob’s actions.

Erik frowned as the phone continued to ring. Finally, Alex’s voice-mail picked up. Erik didn’t want to leave a message---he wanted to talk to her. Sighing, Erik hung up and closed his eyes. Where was Alex? He needed her.

Alex sat up when she heard the door being unlocked. She squinted as the lights were turned on. Carlos had come in carrying a tray with what appeared to be Alex’s dinner on it.

"I thought you might be hungry," he said, placing the tray down. Alex glared at him.

"How do I know that the food isn’t drugged? I thought about it and I know how you did it now. When I was on the phone with Susan, you put something in my soda, didn’t you? How could you do that?" Alex asked. "I thought that you loved me."

"I do love you. That’s why I’m doing this," Carlos said.

"That’s a load of garbage. You don’t drug someone that you love and drag them to who-knows-where and lock them up like an animal."

"I’m protecting you," Carlos told her. Alex laughed.

"You are going to have to explain that because I fail to see how locking me up in this shithole of a room is ‘protecting me,’" she said.

"I went to the police and told them who the guys were who attacked us at your apartment," Carlos said. Alex waited for him to continue. "Al, those guys have friends…lots of friends who don’t want to see their ‘brothers’ put in jail. They’ll do anything to shut me up---and to shut you up. You realize that there will be a trial and we’ll both be forced to testify, right?" Alex nodded. "Well, those bastards’ friends aren’t too happy with that, so it’s possible that they’ll come after us again."

"Why can’t we get police protection? Instead of drugging me and bringing me to…where are we, anyway?" she asked.

"I can’t tell you," Carlos said, looking away.

"Please, Carlos. I can’t stay here. I want Erik. Please, just let me at least talk to him," Alex pleaded with him. Carlos shook his head.

"I can’t take any chances. I failed to protect you before, I can’t take the chance that you’ll be hurt, maybe even killed, again," he told her.

"How long am I going to be here?" Alex yelled. Tears now started to form in her eyes.

"Until I am sure that you are safe," Carlos told her as he stood up. "The bathroom is right there." He pointed to a small room off of the bedroom. "I’ll go pick up some things from your apartment."

"What about my job? I’m supposed to start a new job, you know. Maria will be looking for me, not to mention Mr. Walsh and Susan. And Erik," Alex said.

"I’ll figure out something," was all Carlos said before he left the room, locking her in once again. Alex picked up a glass of water that was on the tray and threw it at the door. It shattered loudly. Glass and water went everywhere. Alex lay back down and cried. "Help me, Erik. I need you," she said softly.

San Francisco

Maria and Marilyn entered the rec room. Sarah and Joseph were still playing pool. Joey was watching them. Joseph handed Joey his stick and walked over to his fiancé when he saw the look on her face. Maria looked like she had been crying.

After Marilyn had led Joseph out of the room, Maria went over to the bar. She stopped herself as she reached for the wine. ‘No drinking, you’re pregnant,’ she told herself. Sarah cautiously approached her.

"You look tired. Do you feel okay?" Sarah asked. Maria nodded, even though she felt terrible.

"Hey, come play, Sar," Joey called over.

"Wait, I’m talking to Maria," Sarah said to him. Joey came over and pulled Sarah into a headlock.

"I don’t want to wait," he said.

"Joey! Stop it!" Sarah yelled. Maria smiled. It had been too long since the three of them had been together like this.

"So, ‘Ria, what brings you here? Dad didn’t say that you were coming," Joey remarked as he let go of Sarah, who smacked him on the arm.

"It was a last minute thing. Why? You don’t want me here?" Maria asked him. Joey went behind the bar and put his arm around her.

"It’s always a pleasure to see you…and an honor since you’re always so busy, you’re, like, impossible to see," he told her. Maria poked him and he grimaced.

"You should be so honored," she told him.

"I’m joking. I love you," Joey said, kissing Maria’s cheek. Maria nodded and looked at the top of the bar. She didn’t know what to tell them. She didn’t know what to do. She felt tears sliding down her face again. Joey didn’t say anything---he just pulled her to him and held her as she cried.

"What’s wrong with Maria?" Joseph asked Marilyn.

"You have to be patient and understanding, Joseph," Marilyn told him. He frowned.

"Why, what’s going on?" he asked.

"She’s…" The doorbell rang.

"Hold that thought," Joseph said. He sighed as he went to answer the door.

Marilyn followed him and smiled when she saw who was at the door. "Jacob!" she said. Jacob was surprised when she stepped forward to hug him. "I’m so glad you’re here."

"You are?" Jacob asked.

"You are?" Joseph asked at the same time. Marilyn nodded as she pulled Jacob into the house.

"And I’m sure Maria will be glad, too," she said, pointedly. Jacob nodded. Marilyn obviously knew the situation.

"I’m glad that she’s actually here. I’m really sorry for just showing up like this, but Maria has this habit of getting on a plane and coming here instead of talking to me when something comes up that she doesn’t want to discuss," Jacob told them.

"What doesn’t she want to discuss?" Joseph asked him. Marilyn and Jacob exchanged a look.

"Um…why don’t we bring Jacob to see Maria and then we’ll talk," Marilyn said to Joseph, who nodded, a confused look on his face.

Maria had stopped crying and was sitting on the couch when she heard the doorbell ring.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" Joey asked her. Maria nodded. Sarah looked closely at her. She’d never seen Maria looking so…defeated before.

"Maria?" The three of them turned to see Marilyn, Joseph…and Jacob enter the room. Sarah looked embarrassed and looked away. Joey looked confused. Maria looked shocked.

When Jacob’s eyes locked with hers, Maria jumped up. "Jacob, what…?" she started.

"I have to talk to you," Jacob said, his voice soft, but firm.

"Ever hear of a phone?" Joey asked. He saw the way that Maria and Jacob were looking at each other…and didn’t like it.

Maria put a hand on Joey’s arm. "It’s okay. Joey, this is Jacob."

"I know. I remember him from the poster. What’s going on?" Joey asked.

"And Jacob, this is my brother, Joey," Maria finished, glaring at Joey, who was frowning.

Jacob nodded at Joey and looked back at Maria. He hadn’t expected her whole damn family to be present. His anxiousness regarding the situation grew.

They all stood staring at one another for a minute. Jacob finally walked over to Maria and took her hand. "Please, can we talk?" he asked. Maria frowned.

"Were you allowed to come here? Did the Mikes let you leave?" she asked.

"No, but I don’t care. I need to speak to you," Jacob replied.

"Do you know how much trouble you’ll be in?" Maria asked him.

"Forget about that! Maria, I need to talk to you," Jacob said, firmly.

"Pal, relax. If Maria doesn’t want to talk, then…" Joey started to say.

"No, it’s okay. We do need to talk," Maria said, looking into Jacob’s concerned and somewhat desperate, eyes. She led him by the hand as they left the room.

Joseph looked at Marilyn. "I want to know what’s going on…and I want to know now," he stated. Marilyn nodded and together, they also left the room.

"What’s going on?" Joey asked Sarah, who shrugged.

"I have no idea," she said.

"That guy…he’s in the band that Maria was traveling with, right?"

"Yeah. That’s Jacob Underwood of O-Town. Maria hooked up with him during the tour," Sarah said. "I don’t know what’s wrong, though."

"He’s a good guy?" Joey asked, worriedly.

"Yeah," Sarah replied, softly. "He’s a great guy." Joey frowned. He didn’t know what was going on---and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to find out.

Maria led Jacob to her father’s study and shut the door. She had no idea what to say to him. She was still shocked that he was even here…in San Francisco…with her.

"Jacob, I…"

"You’re pregnant, right?" he asked. Maria nodded.

"You were right. Good guess, by the way," she said with a smile. Jacob didn’t smile back.

"How?" he asked. Maria raised her eyebrows.

"Uh, I think you know how," she said. Jacob shook his head.

"We were careful."

"Yeah, well, as my doctor pointed out: the pill isn’t one hundred percent effective. Accidents happen and one happened to us. I’m sorry," Maria told him.

"It wasn’t your fault. I’m to blame, too," Jacob said. "Now, I guess we have to figure out what we’re going to do."

"I’m going to be honest, Jacob. I don’t want a baby," Maria said. Jacob frowned.

"I’ll be honest, too, then. If you get rid of it, it’s over between us. That baby was made out of love. If you destroy it, you’re destroying our love. I would never be able to forgive you," he said. Maria nodded.

"I understand. I don’t think I could get rid of it anyway. It’s a part of both of us and I wouldn’t be able to do it," she told him.

"That’s good. Now, before we discuss the baby, let’s talk about how you keep running away from me. It pisses me off and I want to know why you don’t stick around when things get tough," Jacob said, looking intently at her.

Maria was actually ashamed. "I’m sorry, Jacob. When it comes to ‘fight or flight’ I seem to always choose ‘flight.’ It’s not that I can’t face you, but…I don’t have an answer, really."

"Maria, there is absolutely no reason why I should have to chase after you when you get upset about something. This baby is our problem. Do you understand? Ours. And I will not be pushed aside so that you can decide for the both of us what you’re gonna do about it," Jacob said, his voice rising with annoyance. "I love you, but sometimes your actions confuse the hell out of me!"

"I don’t blame you for getting angry, but you have to believe that I had no intention of doing anything until we talked. I just needed to get away to think about things."

"Yeah, well, I’m in deep shit because you decided to leave. Talking about this over the phone wouldn’t have worked. I had to come after you," Jacob told her.

"I’m glad that you did." There was a moment of silence before Maria said, "So, I guess I’m having a baby. I’m scared to death."

Jacob took a deep breath and walked over to Maria, pulling her to him. He closed his eyes as he held her. "You mean, ‘We’re having a baby.’ We’re in this together, sweetheart. I would never let you go through something like this alone."

Maria backed away from him. "Jacob, there are so many things to consider. My God. I thought that loving you would be the hardest thing to deal with, but a baby? I couldn’t begin to tell you how hard it’s going to be. I’m not exactly the maternal type, not to mention the fact that you’re gonna be gone all the time, your mother is going to totally freak out, I know the Mikes will freak out. You have an image to protect and having a pregnant girlfriend doesn’t exactly make you ‘teen-friendly’ material. It’s a total nightmare. I’ll be labeled ‘Jacob’s pregnant girlfriend.’"

"Then why don’t we get married?" Jacob asked without thinking. Maria looked at him like he was crazy.

"Excuse me?"

"We can get married. That way…"

"That way, people won’t see me as some kind of slut that you knocked up, right?" Maria asked, angrily.

"No, of course not. I want to get married because it’s the right thing to do," Jacob told her. Maria laughed. Jacob frowned. "It’s not funny."

"Yes, it is! Jacob, I don’t want to get married because we have to, I want to get married because we want to. No way. I love you, but marriage?" Maria shook her head.

"Fine," Jacob said, sadly. "I just don’t want you hurt by the publicity."

Maria took his hands in hers. "I know and I appreciate it, but right now, marriage is the last thing on my mind," she told him. Jacob nodded. Maria leaned forward and kissed him gently. Jacob hugged her close to him.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Maria opened the door to see her father standing there.

Joseph’s eyes immediately landed on Jacob. "Maria, I need to speak with Jacob. Alone," Joseph said, sternly. Maria knew that voice. She looked at Jacob, who didn’t appear nervous or uneasy at all. Maria smiled to herself. She walked over and kissed Jacob on the cheek before walking to the door.