I had to spend an hour at my attorney’s office signing forms to drop the lawsuits. They were not happy with me. They kept repeating the same things to me about how he could blackball me in the community and how I might not be able to get another job. They said I could sue him for harassment. I had the proof in my belly. I didn’t want to hear any of it. I knew money was what they were most concerned about and it was theirs, not mine. I still owed them close to a thousand dollars. They hadn’t been all that worried about it because they assumed they would get their money from the billionaire when this was all over and done with. I apologized profusely, but the bottom line was that they couldn’t proceed without me. I assured them that as soon as I got a job, they would be first on my list of creditors to pay. They didn’t seem impressed with that, but it was the best that I could do.
I went by Jason’s apartment after that. He was at work, but I had text to ask him if I could pick up my things. He was curt, but he said that I could. I only really had clothes there. I had left my things in storage when I moved in with him. I could get them out now and the storage bill would be one less payment I had to worry about. God bless Liz.
I got back home around noon with my two suitcases and overnight bag. My dear Liz had the craft room all cleaned out already before she left for work at ten a.m. She’s amazing. I was about to call and find out how much it would cost to have a moving service pick up my things in storage and deliver them with no idea how I’d pay it no matter what it cost when the doorbell rang. I went to answer it and a young man in a blue polo shirt that said, “Anderson Couriers” on it was standing there with an envelope in his hand.
“Can I help you?”
“Hi, are you Victoria Hart?”
“Yes I am.”
“I have a delivery for you.” I suddenly felt sick to my stomach remembering the service of the court papers that day from Alex’s attorneys. I told myself if these were more of that, they wouldn’t have come by courier.
“What is it?” I asked him.
“Just an envelope,” he said. He held up an envelope that looked like the one my paychecks used to come in. Exactly like it. It was even marked with the Reigns logo and it said, “Payroll Department” in the corner. “Can you sign here for it?” he asked me, holding out a clipboard. I didn’t want to. It was either a mistake or a cruel joke. I was paid up to the day I was fired and even paid for my sick leave and vacation time. What could this be? “Miss?” The guy was looking at me strangely. I must have zoned out for a second.
Finally, telling myself to stop being a coward I took the clipboard and signed my name. He handed me the envelope and I thanked him and went back inside. I stared at it for a long time. If it had been a snake, it would have bitten me several times before I finally turned it over and began to rip it open. My phone began ringing at the same time. I almost ignored it, but I worried that the lawyers may need something else from me. I went over and picked it up. I felt like I was caught in an alternate universe. The number on the phone was Karen’s office number at the mansion.
“Hello?”
“Hi Vicki! It’s Karen.”
“Um… Hi Karen.”
“How are you, honey?” She would know if she had bothered to call, was my first thought. My second one was that I was being too harsh. She needed her job too. I shouldn’t even hint that she should have risked it for me.
“I’m doing good Karen. How are you?”
“I’m well too, thanks. How is the pregnancy coming?”
I looked down at my big belly. “It’s fine. The baby is healthy. I’m huge.”
She laughed and said, “I doubt that.” Then she sobered and said, “I’m sorry I haven’t called to check on you. Things have been strange around here to say the least. I’ve had to work twice as hard to keep up without you. The temps they send are just not your caliber.”
I smiled. It was nice of her to say those things about me and it made me feel good. “Thank you, Karen. I appreciate the kind words.”
“Are you working anywhere now?”
“No, unfortunately I haven’t found anything.” I was hopeful. Maybe she was calling to give me a referral.
“Oh no, that’s very fortunate,” she said.
“I’m sorry?” I thought I’d misheard her. Surely she didn’t just say it was “very fortunate” that I hadn’t gotten another job?
“I’m calling you on Mr. Reigns’ behalf to offer you your job back starting on July the first.”
I was suddenly shaking. Alexander wanted me to come back? Was that good? Bad? What about Cassie? “Really?” I said, before I remembered who I was talking to.
“Have you ever known me to kid?” Karen laughed.
I laughed too. “No, I guess I haven’t.” Karen is a sweetheart, but a prankster, she’s not. “Thank you, Karen.”
“Well, as much as I wanted you back, I can’t take credit for it. It was all Mr. Reigns. When you come in we’ll talk about how your duties will change because of your pregnancy and also we’ll need to discuss maternity leave.” I hadn’t thought of any of that. My thoughts were dancing… I have a job!
“Thank you,” I told her again. After I hung up, I did a little happy dance. I wondered if this was because I’d dropped the suit. I wondered if that meant he’d dropped his? I looked at the envelope in my hand again and finished pulling it open. Then I reached in and pulled out its contents. It was a check for a lot of money. I stared at it for a minute and then flipped it over. The stub showed that I was being paid for all of the hours that I hadn’t worked since I was let go all the way up to July. Alex had to have authorized this check. If he were here, I would kiss him. I was so happy. It was so funny, how life could change in an instant. I put my hand across my belly and said, “Things are going to be okay little one. Mama loves you.”