Chapter Thirty-Five

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Chapter Thirty-Five

Eleanor's POV 

As soon as I saw Parker walk back into the room with Peyton looking safe and sound in his arms, that was when I let out a huge sigh of relief. I had been waiting impatiently ever since he left. I was in a wreck. So when my eyes instantly landed on them, I didn't hesitate to run over and take Peyton in my arms. 

"Oh I'm so glad you're all right, sweetheart," I murmured to him kissing all over his face.

"Look! Lollipop, Mum!" His hand fisted over a huge blue, lollipop. His mouth was smeared with blue. 

I smiled. "I can see that." 

"I want lollipop too, Mummy!" Luke pouted from beside me. 

"No lollipop you!" Peyton teased his older brother. "Only me!"

"But I want lollipop!"

"We'll get you one too, Luke," Parker appeased him. "Just hold on for a moment while your mum and I talk okay?"

He nodded and went back over to the couch. 

I turned my attention to Parker. "Well? How was it? Was Peyton hurt?"

He smiled. "They can't tell us anything until the tests come back."

"When will we get it? Soon I hope?"

"In fact, Kai said he'll get them as soon as he can. The earliest is maybe sometime later the day," he nodded. He probably saw my expression. "Hey, hey. Don't worry. Kai said that the tests are looking negative for cancer."

"Okay."

"Do you want to go visit Agatha? She hasn't seen you in a while. She's suspecting something's up. Maybe we could also tell her about that bundle of joy in your stomach?" A grin lit up his face.

"All right. I've missed her as well. I'm sure the boys do too." I gathered up my things and motioned for Luke to come over. "Come on, Angel. Time to go see your grandmother."

"Grandmum!" He squealed being the first to run out the exit. "Come on Dad! Let's go!"

I intertwined my hand with Parker's and the three of us followed Luke to the car.

"Elle! Oh you have no idea how glad I am to see you!" Agatha pulled me into her arms as soon as I stepped foot inside their home. "Parker's been keeping you from us! Selfish boy." I laughed as she admonished him like a little kid. 

"Grandmum!" Luke exclaimed hugging her leg. "Look! Daddy got me a big lollipop."

"Hi there Lukey-boy!" Agatha bent down to give him a kiss on the forehead. "Where's your brother?"

"Asleep," he pointed at the carrier Parker was holding with Peyton in it. "Can I go see Granddad?"

Agatha nodded pointing him to Thomas' office. Then she turned her attention back towards us. "Parker told me about some news. Both bad and good?"

My face turned grave and nodded. Parker spoke for me. "Eleanor and I have some things to tell you and Father about."

Her face paled slightly and nodded. "Oh? All right. Let's go have some tea and biscuits, and you can tell us all about it over that. I'll just go call your father. You want Luke in here for this?"

"I was hoping you could find something for him to get busy with," I asked hopefully. 

"No problem. I'll show him the new toys I recently bought for them." Then a hand flew over her mouth. "Oh! You two weren't suppose to find out." She winked playfully leading us into the sitting room. 

She left us alone to fetch Parker's dad. I sat at a chair and scooped out Peyton from the carrier, laying him gently in my arms. Parker sat next to me, with an arm around my shoulders. He gave me an encouraging smile and kissed me on my temple.

"Knowing Agatha," he said, "she'll find something positive in this."

"Mmhm, I bet she would," I murmured leaning on his shoulder for support. "Are we going to tell them everything? Even the issue with Heidi?"

He nodded. "Dad would be able to help us. He has even more connections than me. Besides, he's good friends with Heidi's dad. Maybe he could make him convince her."

"Elle. Parker." I looked up to see the familiar man coming into the room with a small smile. "Long time, no see. Your sister's already left with Jack back to Milan."

"I know," Parker nodded. He took his arm away from around me and instead held it in his. "Listen. We have some things to talk to you about."

"So Agatha's told me."

The both of them sat down from the seats across us. One of their housekeeper quietly slipped in and out placing the tray of our snacks on the table between us. I gingerly took a biscuit to busy myself while Parker talked.

"Shall we start with the good news?" Parker looked at me.

I smiled and nodded.

"No! Wait!" Agatha yelled. "Start with the bad news. So the good news could cheer me up after hearing it." She laughed to herself.

"This morning... Before we went over here," Parker's voice tightened. "We went to Dr. Magowki. You remember? My friend Kai."

Agatha nodded. "The oncologist, yes." Then in a much warier voice she added, "Why? Is everything all right? Has one of you got..." She didn't finish her sentence.

"Nothing's confirmed," I spoke up. I cleared my throat. "Recently, Peyton was taken to the hospital." I looked at Parker for motivation. He didn't disappoint. "The doctors said he had signs of cancer." I heard Agatha's audible gasp but didn't look up. "We went to this friend that Parker knew and this morning Peyton had some tests. We're just waiting for the results now."

"Oh my goodness gracious!" Agatha exclaimed, her face drained of color. "Thomas!" She shook her husband who had the same stupefied expression. "Do something! Help your grandchild!"

Parker laughed nervously. "Agatha, Mum. There's nothing for Dad to be able to do. I've already taken the necessary option. All we can do is wait."

I adjusted Peyton on my lap, so his head was resting on my arm. "The doctor said that it was highly possible that he doesn't have cancer though." I looked at Parker for confirmation. "Right?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes." Then he turned his attention back towards his parents. "Another thing." They stayed silent for him to continue. "Heidi... She's claiming that I'm the father of her child."

Agatha closed her eyes leaning back in her seat. For a moment I was afraid she had passed out, but she soon recovered covering her face. "Parker! For goodness' sakes! Why couldn't you just keep your filthy friend in your pants and save it for your wife only? I am not having a grandchild from that woman!"

Despite the situation, I had the urge to laugh. Parker was right; Agatha could make any situation lighter. He, however, didn't laugh nor crack a smile. I followed his gaze to Thomas, who had a very disappointed look on his face. 

"I thought you changed, Parker," was the only thing he said. "How could you hurt an innocent being like Eleanor? She is your wife."

Parker tensed under my touch. I rubbed his back soothingly. "Heidi could be carrying anyone's child. She's just landed the blame on me."

"Is there any chance, at all, that she is telling the truth?"

"Yes," my husband replied. "But I'm demanding a prenatal DNA test. I haven't talked to her about it, but I was hoping that as my father, you could convince her dad into doing it. Maybe he could be able to talk to Heidi into doing it."

Thomas chuckled his raspy laugh with no humor. "Oh no thank you. I am out of this. You handle your own affairs, young man. You're old enough to do it. You fix your own mess."

"Thomas!" Agatha exclaimed in anger. "We are not leaving our son to handle 'his own problem!' You better make that call to Henry right now or else I will do it myself." Agatha demanded haughtily to her husband. "And you know how I get when I'm angry."

"Agatha, Parker is a grown man. He should know how to-"

"Loretta!" She interrupted. The housekeeper than brought us our food earlier came back in. "Bring me the telephone please. I have a call to make."

Loretta nodded and scurried off somewhere else. 

"Agatha... dear." Thomas sighed rubbing a hand over his face.

The housekeeper came back with the phone just as Agatha asked. She looked at Thomas with a condescending look. "Well? Shall I make the call or you? Either way, Henry will be contacted."

Thomas resigned and held his hand out for the phone and stood up. "Very well. I will be back."

A triumphant look flitted across her face. "That settles it. Ah, now good news yes?" She asked looking at Parker's and I's stunned expression. We knew Agatha had a strong hold over her husband but never saw it in action.

I cleared my throat and nodded. "Yes, um. Well..."

"Ready to be a grandmother for three children, Mum?" Parker asked with a smile.

"Oh with all of these news, good or bad, you're going to give me a heart attack!" She cried out happily. "Elle! Congratulations, honey." She walked over to me and wrapped Peyton and I in her arms. "Now I know that there is no doubt in my mind that this is Parker's child. Unlike people out there..."

Agatha pulled away but still sat on my other side examining my covered stomach. "How old is it? When did you find out?"

"Four weeks," I said proudly. "I sort of passed out because of this munchkin," I rubbed my hand over my belly, "and that's when the doctor said I was pregnant."

"Are you staying for dinner? I have to cook for you! I have to fatten you up, now huh." Parker nodded for us. "Oh this is exciting! I hope it's a girl. I love Luke and Peyton to bunches, but I want a girl to spoil with clothes and what not. I will be the luckiest grandmother in the world!"

I glowed. "Parker wants it to be a girl too."

Just then, Thomas walked in the room. "You wanted me to handle it, so I did. I invited Henry and his family over for early dinner in an hour. We will all talk it out then."

All color drained from my face. Heidi was coming over? I wasn't expecting this. I was hoping that only Parker could talk to her without me having to be there. What if she suspects that I was pregnant? What was she going to do?

I stood up from my seat, handing Agatha Peyton. Parker followed as well, he having to be the one to comfort me instead. "Dad. God, shouldn't you have at least warned us?"

"I'm warning you know," he replied coolly. "Trust me. It will be better if we could all talk this out together. If there's anything I know about Henry and his family, that is they crack under pressure. I have also invited a friend of mine that is a doctor. He could surely tell us all about this DNA testing procedure. "

"I will not have my kids be in Heidi's presence," I stated remembering Luke's discomfort from lunch earlier today. "I don't want this to be a friendly dinner gathering. All I want is the truth from her."

Parker enclosed me in his arms whispering promising words. "We'll get this done with once and for all."

Agatha stood up as well with Peyton who was now awake in her arms. He rubbed his eyes with both of his hands and looked around. His face lit up when he spotted his grandmother. "I'll busy these two boys out in the backyard. We could check out the lake just a little over away."

I gave her a grateful smile and placed a hand over Peyton's head. I was itching to offer to go with them myself and have Parker handle this situation, but that was the reason things didn't work out right between us. We weren't working together like husband and wife should do. I wasn't afraid of Heidi; I had a very good feeling within me that her baby was not my husband's.

For the next hour, I spent it trying to calm my nerves down. Agatha and the kids had already gone off to their little adventure to the lake, and I was this close to joining them. The entire house smelled wonderful. The cooks sure did know how to make and prepare their meals.

We were now seated at the grand dining area where we had our Christmas dinner. The doctor that Thomas invited was already here as well, and he was enjoying himself in Thomas' company on the other side of the table. The Callums were to arrive any minute now, and I wasn't looking forward to it. Parker stayed by my side the entire time. 

"You know whatever happens," Parker whispered to me, "I will always love you?"

I smirked. "What is this? A life or death situation?"

He chuckled and kissed the back of my hand. "Knowing Heidi, it could be."

I gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you already have that figured out."

The doorbell rang all of a sudden, and I straightened up in my chair. All the chatter at the table stopped immediately, and I saw Thomas nod off to Loretta to open the doors. A few minutes later, the Callums entered the room. 

I looked at the entryway where somewhat of a familiar, aging man walked in with no other than Heidi trailing behind. He was wearing a fancy suit, and his daughter was wearing a tight black dress that showed off the huge bump of hers. What was this? A royal lunch with the queen?

"Henry!" Thomas greeted standing up. "Welcome. It's been a long time ever since I retired from the company, huh? Where's Helena?"

"Sure is, Tom! She had a charity ball to attend tonight. She couldn't make it," Henry replied back with a stoic smile. "Parker, it's a surprise to see you. Aren't you suppose to be in northern England for an important meeting?"

Parker also stood up. I was the only one sitting at the table and suddenly felt small by these towering men. 

"I had a much more rather important matters to deal with. Personal things," Parker shook Heidi's dad's hand. "Please. Sit down. Henry, this is Dr. Oliphant." The two men exchanged greetings.

"Parker!" Ah, there was the high-pitched voice I was expecting to hear sooner or later. "It was soooo nice of you to invite me and my father for lunch!" Heidi bent down and wrapped her arms around my man.

Thankfully, he politely removed her arms and instead, grabbed one of my own placing it in his lap. "My father did."

Heidi's face faltered for a bit, but she composed herself once again and sat at the empty spot next to Parker. I narrowed my eyes at her. 

"Your place is right over there," I told her coldly pointing at the two empty plates right across from Parker and I. 

Henry pulled out the seat next to him for her daughter. "Come on, sweetheart. Sit down, so we could eat."

Heidi had no choice but to walk to the other side which was directly in front of Parker. He turned his head looking at me to make sure I wasn't angry with him. I awarded him with a smile and turned back our attention on the food being prepared in front of us.

Throughout the meal, there were polite conversations here and there. I stayed quiet only speaking up when I was being talked to. Heidi had no problem with talking. I didn't know what she was trying to do, kiss up to Thomas? She should know that he would never become her father-in-law nor her child's grandfather. 

I was getting tired of all of this chit chat. I wanted to get down to the purpose of this entire thing.

"Thomas," I spoke out. "Mind if I interrupt your conversation?"

A twinkle in Thomas' eyes told me he was totally fine with it. He gestured his hand. "Go on, my dear."

My head swiveled, so that Heidi was in my line of vision. "It's clear to see that Heidi, here, is pregnant. How many months, Heidi?"

A guarded expression took over Heidi and Henry's.

"Why?" She asked. "What's this all about? Of course I'm pregnant, with Parker's son. I thought that you're okay with that seeing it happened before your marriage?"

I shook my head. "I'm not. Not until it is confirmed that the child you're carrying is really his."

Heidi stood up, her eyes blazing right at me. "We've gone over this. If you don't trust me, fine, but you'll have to deal with it until this baby is born. I'm claiming that Parker impregnated me, and that is the truth."

"Heidi, please sit down," her dad whispered to her. "Let's talk this out rationally."

She whipped her head to her father's. "No! I am being insulted, and I will stand up for me and my baby. How incredibly rude of you, Eleanor, to accuse me of being a liar. You're the one to talk when your kids aren't even Parker's!"

I kept my cool, surprisingly, and held my head high. "If you were telling the truth, you wouldn't be overreacting this way."

"You're just jealous! Jealous of me, because I'm carrying Parker's son and heir to his company. His biological son, may I add. Look at you," she spat at me, "married and isn't bearing his child. It's no wonder Parker's excited for my son."

"That is enough!" Parker's loud voice silenced the entire room. "Heidi, you will not insult my wife especially in front of my father." Nobody spoke a word. Thomas was leaning in his chair, looking proudly at Parker for taking control of the situation. He had an amused smile present on his face. "I have my doubts, Heidi. I always have, but I chose to not act on them. But I will now. 

"There's a procedure. A pre-natal DNA testings before birth. Just to be sure, I would highly appreciate it if you would undergo the operation. Dr. Oliphant is here to explain the entire procedure and the risks."

Heidi's nostrils flared with anger. "Un-fucking-believable. You must be out of your mind to suggest something like that! Especially with risks to the baby."

"It would be the best for everyone."

Henry finally had his say. He was just as angry as his daughter. "Thomas! What is this? A dinner gathering to harass my daughter?"

Heidi gathered her stuff. "Daddy, let's go. I will not be insulted further by these people."

No one made a move to stop them. Parker moved to stand behind my chair. I placed my hands on both of his that were placed on my shoulders. Just before the two of the guests could leave, however, Heidi stopped abruptly placing a hand on the wall. 

"Oww!" She cried out embracing her tummy. "Daddy it hurts!" 

Alarmingly, I turned my head to the doctor beside me who was already out of his seat going over to Heidi. All of us had worried expressions on our faces. I tilted my head up to look at Parker. He kissed my forehead.

"She's probably just pretending. You know her, don't worry."

"What are you feeling?" Dr. Oliphant said in a professional tone of voice. "Any pains in your abdomen?"

"I- I don't know!" Heidi curled on the floor.  

"Doctor! What is happening to my daughter?" Henry's frantic voice yelled out.

"How many months along are you?"

"Four months. Ahh!"

Her answer caught my attention. I stood up from my chair and walked over to the three people on the floor. I looked down at Heidi who seriously needed acting lessons.

"Four months pregnant?"

"Yes," she hissed at me with a glare.

"Last time you said you were six months into your pregnancy." I looked at her belly, finally realizing why I thought she looked off. Her tummy was too small to be six months. My husband walked over to me, his curiosity being piqued as well. "Parker and I have been married for almost six months. Isn't that the same time around he supposedly got you pregnant?"

Heidi stopped her acting. "Did I say four? I must have been overcome with the pain. Yes, I am six months pregnant."

"Miss Callum, your stomach should be much larger than that. I suggest you go to the hospital and see if there is anything wrong with the pregnancy."

"What she needs to do is stop lying!" I shouted. "Admit it, Heidi. That child of yours is not my husband's. It's some other man's."

Her face paled, and she stood up perfectly fine. "Fine. All right! You win! Parker's not the the dad

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