Chapter 8
“Mandy,” Danny asked, knocking on the bathroom door.
Mandy quickly dispose of the evidence. She wasn’t ready to tell him. It could just be a false alarm.
She promised herself she’d call the doctor as soon as she could. Set up an appointment and find out the truth. If that test came back positive, then she’d tell him. No use getting him excited and if it ended not being true.
“I’ll be out in a second.” She called, washing her hands.
“You okay?” He asked.
Mandy had to bit her tongue to not tell him. She wanted to tell him it was possible that they were going to have a baby. “I’ll be out in a second.” She said.
“I’m hungry.” He said.
Mandy had to smile. He was probably standing outside the door, his hamburger in hand. He might have it unwrapped a little, but he had not taken a bit yet.
So, Mandy quickly washed her hands, made sure all incriminating evidence was hidden, and then opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom.
Danny stood outside the door. And, just as she thought, he was standing there with his hamburger in hand. And, it was partially unwrapped.
At the sight, she burst out laughing.
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“Hey Danny!” Mira said, spotting the man walk around the hallways
“Hey, have you seen Mandy?” I just got a call from her mom, but I haven’t seen her all day.” Danny said.
“She got called out to a scene. I think Mac is going to send you there once they found you.” Mira said.
“I’ve been on the phone with Momma Lynn for a bit.” Danny said, rubbing his eyes.
“That bad?” Mira said.
“Pretty much.” He said, as he turned to head towards Mac’s office. “Mira, is something wrong with Mandy? She’s been acting weird.” Danny asked, turning to look at Mira.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed one of the secretaries flagging him down. “You know as much as I do.” Mira said stealing a look at her watch. “Look, I promised Ian I’d meant him for lunch.” Mira said quickly rushing off.
Danny jogged over to the secretary, who handed him a phone. “They want Mandy but I told them you’re her fiancé and will have to do.” The secretary.
Danny nodded.“ Hello this is Danny Messer.” Danny said.
“I need to speak to Amanda Williams.” The voice said on the other end.
“I’m her fiancé. I’m afraid I’ll have to do.” Danny said.
“Is there a better time to reach her?” The voice said.
“There’s no telling when she’ll be back in.” Danny said. “Is It possible that I could relay a message to her?” He asked.
“I can’t break any doctor/patient…The voice said.
“I understand.” Danny said.
“Just tell her that Dr. Raymond Greggors called, it turned out positive and we need her to call as soon as she can to set up follow ups.” The voice said.
“I will.” Danny said, hearing a click from them hanging up.
Things started falling into place. The pregnancy test he found in the trash can after he dropped his razor in accidentally. Her turning down anything alcoholic, the salad for lunch. Mandy was pregnant.
Which would explain her mood swings lately. Her was glad it was because of hormones and not something he did. Though, it was something he did, if you wanted to be specific.
“There you are.” Mac said.
“Sorry Mac. Mandy’s mom called.” Danny said.
“Well, I’m giving you a chance to tell Mandy what she said.” Mac said, handing Danny an address.” Flack and Mandy are already there.” Mac sad.
“Say no more.” Danny said, walking off.
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Danny slowly pulled up to the scene, seeing all the cars parked around a run down building.
He carefully climbed out of the car and started walking to the scene.
That was when he noticed Mandy lying on the ground. He went running over, praying that nothing bad had happened.
He felt for a pulse. When he felt it, he let out the breath he had been holding.
“Someone help.” he called. Flack must be inside the building. “Someone call
911.” He yelled.
But then, everything went black.
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Flack went running outside when he heard Danny yell. He couldn’t fully tell what Danny had said, but he had sounded a little frantic.
He burst through the door, sure that he had probably taken out a few of the cops when doors forced themselves shut after being open.
There was no one outside. There was no sign of Mandy who had gone outside before Danny had arrived, and no sign of Danny, They were gone.”
“Oh shit.” Flack said.
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“So Mandy when out to call someone. She didn’t say who?” Mac asked.
“No. She seemed a little frantic. I figured she was probably calling Danny to see what was taking so long.” Flack said.
“But she hadn’t come back in when you heard Danny yell.” Stella asked.
“No. I figured she may still have been on the phone.” Flack said.
“I think I found Mandy’s phone.” Aiden said, coming over with a cell phone.
Mira shook her head. She didn’t like the way this case was looking.
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Danny’s head was killing him. He felt groggy, like he had just been sleeping. His eyes couldn’t make out much, either he wasn’t wearing his glasses or something was defiantly wrong.
“Oh.” He heard Mandy groan.
“Mandy?” He said.
“Danny!” He heard her say, relief in her voice.
“I can’t see anything.” He told her.
“There’s no lights on in here, so I can’t either.” Mandy said.
“Kinda glad it’s not just me then.” He said.
“Footsteps.” Mandy said, hearing people come closer.
Suddenly, there was light in the room. Danny could make out everything about where they were.
“So, you guys decided to wake up.” One guy said, stepping into the room.
“You only need 8 hours of sleep.” Mandy replied
The gut just glared at her. “You’ll be happy to know that we stationed guards outside your door, so there’s no reason to try and escape. Your guns are gone, as are any communication devices you may have. You are stuck here.” Another guy said, as he walked into the room.
“What, no daily beatings?” Mandy asked.
“Only when it is needed.” The first guy said.
“She’s pregnant.” Danny said, watching Mandy turn to face him. Instead of surprise in her eyes, her hazel eyes had one question in them-how did you find out?
Danny turned back to the thugs. “So, please, don’t hurt her.” He said.
The second guy backhanded Mandy across the face, and then looked at Danny. Then, he and his partner left the room.
On the way out, they left the light on for the two. So, Danny carefully crawled over to where Mandy was sitting
She wouldn’t look at him, either from the fear of her not being beautiful from the beating, or embarrassment from him finding out her secret.
“They called headquarters. They refused to tell me you were pregnant, but I put two and two together from the test in my bathroom.” Danny said.
Mandy turned to look at him. Tears were starting to run down her face. She winced every time one hit the scratch on her cheek from a ring the guy wore. “I wanted to tell you.” She said, as Danny scooted closer.
He wanted to just take her in his arms, but knew it would be hard with his wrists being tied, as were his ankles.
So, he just came close. Mandy seemed to know what to do and laid her head on his shoulder. He knew her cheek was still bleeding, but he was sure he’d already want to trash this shirt, if they ever got out.
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“Okay, everything else is going on the back burner until we get them back.” Mac said.
“Do you know how much trouble that could get us in?” Stella said.
“I know, and I’m prepared to deal with that.” He said, as Mira, Aiden, Flack, and Stella nodded. “Okay, let’s set up a timeline of events.” Mac said.
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Danny couldn’t keep good track of time passing. His watch kept ticking away, reminding him that he was still tied up with nothing to do.
He spent a lot of his free time checking on Mandy. There wasn’t a lot he could do, due to where he was and his lack of knowledge when it came to anything doctor related. But, he was helping her as much as he could.
He had already started calling the baby by a name, Annalee. When he first said that name to Mandy’s stomach, she had gotten tears in her eyes. “That was my favorite name back when we were in high school.” She said.
He just smiled and told her, “I know.”
And from that moment on, the baby was named Annalee. There were no thoughts of the possibility of the baby being a boy. It was Annalee, that was it.
He refused to let Mandy use anything but him as a pillow. When they got sleepy, he’d lean against the wall, and then she’d lean against him. The first few times, they got beat for sleeping like that. Danny guessed that once the thugs realized that was not going to stop them from sleeping like that, they stopped beating them.
He swore the one thing getting him through this was Mandy. He wanted her to get out, even if she was the only one. He wanted her and Annalee to get home.
Mandy curled up against him. He placed a soft kiss on her battered cheek, He wanted her and his baby to make it out.
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Mira was staying late. She knew Mac was probably in his office, working his ass off to get Danny and Mandy home. Stella was probably somewhere, working her ass off, as was Aiden. Flack was around somewhere, helping out where he could.
Flack. Mira stopped and thought hard. Flack had been changing since Ian had reappeared. Flack didn’t trust him, always fought with Ian when he saw him. Anytime Mira opened her mouth to say something Ian had said before, Flack just shit down.
“Hey.” She heard a soft voice, Ian.
She turned around quickly. “What are you doing in here?” She asked. Mac would literally have a cow if he found Ian in here. Mira could get fired, protocol would be quoted up and down Broadway.
“I just wanted to see how the search was going.” Ian said, as Mira slowly walked towards him. She had to get him out of that lab.
“You know I can’t discuss that with you.” Mira said.
“I just wanted to know, I mean, with Mandy being pregnant…” Ian said, as Mira gasped.
“She’s pregnant?” She asked, seeing Flack appear. Probably seeing what the gasp was for.
“You didn’t know?” Ian asked. All of a sudden, Ian looked very nervous.
“No, Danny doesn’t even know.” Mira said, noticing Flack’s raised eyebrow.
“He doesn’t?” Ian asked.
“And let me guess, he told you.” Flack said.
When Ian didn’t respond, Flack pinned him up against a wall. “Where are they?” Flack asked, a hand against Ian’s throat.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” Ian said, trying to pry Flack’s hands from around his throat.
“Flack, stop you’re hurting him.” Mira pleaded.
“Not until he tells us where our friends are.” Flack said.
“How do you know he knows?” Mira asked.
“His one fateful mistake.” Flack said. “He knows Mandy’s pregnant. Danny found out right before he went to the scene.” Flack said.
“How do you get that idea?” Mira asked.
“The secretary got a call from a Doctor Raymond Greggors right before Danny left. He promised to take a message to Mandy.” Mac said, joining the group.
“And I called Doctor Greggors. He didn’t say anything just that her test was positive. So, unless he put two and two together, he didn’t know she was pregnant. So, we’re back to only Mandy knowing. And she hadn’t told anyone.” Stella added, also joining.
“So, for you to know she’s pregnant, you would have to have seen her since she’s seen Danny and told Danny.” Aiden said.
All eyes were on Ian.
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There were a lot of voices. More voices than usual.
Danny had awoken and heard the voices. And they had sounde4d frantic.
Then, there was some yells. Mandy must have heard those because she moved and tried to get comfortable.
Next thing he knew, Flack was there. Then, Mac and Stella. And Aiden. And Mira. They all looked so happy to see them.
“How long?” He asked.
“2 weeks.” Mac said.
“Crime scene was set to get you two. Eric was the mastermind and Ian was the puppet.” Stella added.
“We have to get Mandy to the hospital.” Danny said.
“We have an ambulance waiting for you two. The hospital is already waiting and knows.” Aiden said.
“But, Mandy, she’s…” Danny started.
“Ian let the news slip.” Flack said.
“And, we’re already making plans for a baby shower.” Mira added.
Danny smiled.
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“Are you trying to put me back in the hospital?” Danny said with a laugh.
They stood at a nearby church. Mira and Mandy were in another room, waiting. Flack was standing at the front with Danny, fixing Danny’s tie.
Mac, Aiden, Hawkes, Stella and Danny’s parents filled a pew as witnesses. Mrs. Messer had tears in her eyes at the sight of Danny in a wedding tux.
“Just trying to make you look amazing.” Flack said.
Danny fiddled with his fixed tie, and then stuck it underneath his vest. “How do I look?” Danny asked.
“Well, if it wasn’t for the few scratches and such.” Chad said, as he walked in. “I’m suppose to tell you that the bride is ready.” He said.
“Then let us begin.” The preacher said.
Chad walked outside, into the foyer.
Danny stood straighter. Somehow, the fact that this was probably not Mandy’s dream wedding made him tenser. Add to the few days they kept her to keep an eye on her and Annalee.
But, both were in good shape. And, for what they went through, the doctor was surprised. But, they were all still there.
Mira started her walk down the aisle. She avoided looking at Flack.
Danny knew what had happened, what was going on. There was some major making up to do. But, Mira wanted to act friendly today. She didn’t want to ruin her friend’s day.
Even the rushed and unplanned day it was. The reception was going to be at a little nearby park. A nice bar-be-que, stop by home for Mandy to change. Something about the previous two weeks made them want to get married now, even if Mandy’s parents weren’t there, or the reception was just some dorky cook-out.
Danny looked towards the doorway again. And there stood Mandy, in a beautiful white gown. There she was.
When she got to the front, she offered Danny her hand, and he gladly accepted, taking both in his.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered her today…”
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What day is it and in what month
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people
And nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me
And all of the people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you
All of the things
That I wanna say
Just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people
And nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me
And all of the people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you
There's something about you now
That I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Well everything she does is right
'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people
And nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me
And all of the people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you
What day is it and in what month
This clock never seemed so alive
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Danny stepped back from the grill, smiling and talking with his friends and co-workers.
“Hey honey.” Mandy said, coming over to join him. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek.
“Mrs. Messer.” He said, smiling.
“Thank you for everything.” Mandy said.
“It was hardly a dream wedding.” Danny said, shrugging.
“Daniel Messer!” Mandy said. “It had the man of my dreams, my best friend, and the people that I’m close to.” Mandy said.
“What about the extravagant wedding?” The giant cake?” danny asked.
“What all matters is that I’m with you.” Mandy said, as she sat down at the picnic table.
Mac stood up, holding up his beer. “I’d like to raise my glass, or bottle as the case may be, to Danny and Mandy.” Mac said.
“To Danny and Mandy.” Everyone said.
“To their happiness, love and the newest generation they’re bringing into this world.” Mac added.
“Here here.” They all said.
“Now, let’s eat.” Mac said, as everyone laughed.