The Lion’s Cross Species Baby

Chapter 8

Annie wished Buddy a good night as they walked to their separate rooms at the hotel in Rio. As Buddy stepped off the elevator on his floor, he took her hands, squeezed them, and offered his assistance should she ever need it. She thanked him and let the elevator doors close. She didn’t plan to be up before he left, so they’d said their good byes as well.

Once she reached her room, she placed a call to Leah’s cell phone. She answered, and Annie told her to get on her email so they could talk.

ANNIE: So I told Cooper about the baby. I’m pretty sure he was in shock because he didn’t really speak much for a minute or so. When he finally could speak, he asked why I wasn’t getting an abortion. That a baby right now would ruin our careers, we aren’t old enough to deal, etc.

LEAH: What?!?! How could he suggest that! He’s not as much like Mark as I thought he was. Where are you?
ANNIE: I’m at a hotel in Rio. No way was I staying at that campsite after our little discussion.

LEAH: Are you okay?

Annie didn’t answer right away. That question had so many answers, depending on what meaning she decided the question had. If Leah was asking if she was okay physically, the answer was yes. She felt really good, actually, although she was a little hungry and was contemplating room service at ten o’clock at night. If Leah was asking if she okay with having a baby in a strange country by herself, the answer was maybe. Annie had been an independent soul her whole life; she could handle anything, even if she was a little scared.

But if Leah was asking if she was okay with what happened between her and Cooper, the answer was no. She hated to admit it, even to herself, but Annie had fallen for the man who had fathered her child. His suggestion had been like a knife to her heart. Logically, she understood his reasoning, but her heart wouldn’t allow her to do such a thing. Worst of all, Annie never would have thought Cooper would make such a suggestion, which made the fact that he had done it even worse.

Her laptop pinged; Leah was asking for an answer.

LEAH: Annie? Are you there?

ANNIE: I’m sorry. I was flipping through the room service menu. I’m starved!

LEAH: So are you ok?

ANNIE: Yeah, I’m okay. I’m just surprised that he would make that suggestion. He didn’t seem like that kind of guy.

LEAH: I’m sorry.

ANNIE: Me too, but it is what it is.

LEAH: The apartment Mark and I found will be available Sunday evening, so you can move in Monday morning. That will save you a lot of annoyances over the next couple of weeks. And don’t worry about rent. Mark and I have covered it for three months.

ANNIE: Leah!! I can pay my rent! And I only need it for two months, not three.

LEAH: You won’t want to rush back after the baby is born, so this way you’ll have a little time to do as you wish. What are you going to do while you’re there?

ANNIE: Work on my thesis. I got almost everything I needed at the dig. I’m going to make what I have work. And I have to go to the doctor tomorrow.

LEAH: I thought you didn’t have to go back until next week.

Annie proceeded to tell Leah about the adventure she and Cooper had shared while in the jungle. Leah was fascinated by the story and told her she should write it up as part of her thesis. Annie laughed but decided the current Brazilian natives’ behavior has nothing to do with the ancient Brazilians, so she’d just leave that out. Before ending the conversation, Leah wrote to her that she and Chloe would be flying into Rio in two weeks to stay with her for the rest of her pregnancy. Annie had explained, once again, that she didn’t have to do that, but Leah had insisted, so Annie had capitulated.

After ending the email conversation, Annie called downstairs and asked if the kitchen was still serving. She’d chosen this hotel because it was upscale and so had more amenities. Although she’d have to pull money out of her trust fund, she had decided it was worth it. Luckily, the kitchen was open, so she ordered a burger and fries to be sent up in thirty minutes.

She took a shower during that time, feeling cleaner than she’d felt since arriving in Brazil. While the water washed away the grime of several days at a campsite, Annie let her thoughts run. She was sad about Cooper, but she would just have to live with it. He had made his choice, and it wasn’t one she could live with. Mentally, she said good bye to him, hoping she’d never have to see him again.

*****

When Cooper had returned to camp nearly an hour after walking away, his decision had been made. He wanted to be a part of the baby’s life, and he wanted to be a part of Annie’s life, if she would have him. He hoped her emotionless reaction to his statement about the baby being a burden was a protective defense mechanism rather than her real feelings for him. Before that, he’d felt like they were heading in a direction that would end up in a relationship. He knew he loved her, but he still questioned her feelings for him.

And now that he’d screwed up so badly with the news of a baby, he hoped she’d at least listen to him when he explained his first bad reaction and that after thinking, he realized what he truly wanted. He wanted her, and their baby, and a life together.

Nervous, he knocked on the door of the camper, which seemed ridiculous to him because it was, after all, his camper. But he wanted to give her space just like she’d given him. When there was no answer, he opened the door and looked in, but it was empty. He closed the door and looked around as if expecting her to walk up at any moment. After what happened with the natives, he knew she wouldn’t travel far from camp alone, so that left only one place for her to go.