mm_j (mm_j) wrote in morningstar_mnr, @ 2010-03-08 13:00:00 |
|
|||
Robert Rossi walked into his daughter's office like he owned the place because, well in his mind, he did mostly. Driven by anger and frustration, he didn't slow to take in his surroundings. The news had reached him this morning from one of his contacts in the city and he had to talk to Isabella now and hopefully make her see reason before the situation was beyond fixing.
Daphne looked up from her desk a little startled, but stood with a straight spine and looked down her nose at him in the way she always had. He'd almost hoped she'd be on his side in this whole thing, help Isabella see reason, but he knew with one look at her she wouldn't be. That woman was devoted entirely to his daughter, and while it was something he'd always admired and been extremely grateful for, it was endlessly frustrating now.
"Robert, you shouldn't be here," she said in a clipped voice, the usage of his first name making it sound like she thought he wasn't worthy of the respect that came along with being referenced as 'Mr.' or 'sir' instead of using it because they were old acquaintances.
"I need to talk to her. Now."
"She's in a meeting."
He took a seat in a plush chair of the waiting room. "I'll wait."
Daphne's mouth thinned, but she didn't argue further. She knew from years and years of experience with Isabella that the Rossi stubborness wasn't something you could fight against and win.
Isabella emerged from her office a few moments later with an extraordinarily handsome blonde man, and her pleasant laughter at the man's kiss on her cheek died away when she saw her father.
"Dad," she said, entirely startled and Robert stood. "I need to talk to you, Bella. Now."
Isabella glanced at Daphne who looked a bit pinched about the mouth and frowned, but nodded and stepped back so he could enter her office.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he said in a low voice when the door closed.
Isabella blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Pregnant, Isabella. You're actually having this man's child? Have you thought of nothing but yourself?"
Isabella actually took a step back at that. How would he know? She hadn't told anyone but Micah yet, not even Daphne or Del.
"How do you -"
"It doesn't matter," he said and cut her off. "What matters is we need to remedy this situation now. There are several good doctors, my personal doctors, that can handle this and no one has to be the wiser."
"What?!" Isabella said, feeling like the air had been smacked out of her body. "No. No."
"Bella - please. See reason. Think of something other than yourself. Lawson won't have a bastard in his home or as his heir. You know that."
"Wait - what?!" Isabella started to shake. "I do not give a fuck what Lawson does or doesn't want. I want nothing to do with him, and the fact that you could dare suggest this..." She shook her head. "Get out."
"Bella," Robert started. "Please. How long is this thing really going to last, anyway? You know yourself. Are you going to destroy everything to have this man's kid? A bastard? You know it'll never be accepted. He might not even stay with you. Guys like that -"
"Get out!" She screamed it that time, tears starting to leak from her eyes and Robert took a startled step back. The door opened to reveal Daphne and she looked between the two of him before pointing. "Get out, Robert. If you don't, I'll have security come help you along."
Robert turned, mouth and jaw hard, and walked out. Daphne waited until he was gone and then went to Isabella and pulled her close.
"Oh honey," she said softly, smoothing back her hair and holding her. "He's an unforgivable prig."
"He wanted me to abort the baby," Isabella cried into her shoulder and Daphne stiffened in shock for a moment herself.
"Baby? He - Oh honey," she squeezed her tighter. "He's entirely clueless. And a complete asshole. Would you like me to call Micah?"
Isabella pulled away and shook her head, feeling far more emotional than usual. She wiped at her eyes. "No. God. Micah would kill him."
"Wouldn't be any less than he deserves," Daphne said, then softened for a moment. "A baby?"
Isabella nodded and Daphne beamed. "Oh Bella, that's wonderful! It'll be so beautiful. When's it due?" She squeezed Isabella again and Isabella smiled just a bit, and still sniffling, put a hand on her stomach. "I think it will be. I'll find out more at my next doctor's visit, but the doctor said he thought late October/Early November."
"How could it not? Oh my goodness. Another little Bella! Well, if it looks anything like Micah it won't be exactly little but, oh sweetie. That's wonderful. What a special gift." She handed Isabella a tissue. "Would you like me to call Del? You should just go home."
Isabella shook her head. "No, he's busy getting ready for his trip."
"Does he know yet?"
Isabella shook her head. "I haven't told anyone but Micah."
"Good. I was going to be quite put out with you young lady if you'd told everyone but me."
Isabella smiled and blew her nose, then waved her hands at her face. "I should go put my face back together. I have another appointment, don't I?"
Daphne's mouth thinned again, but she nodded. "I'll call and tell them you're going to be a few minutes late."
"Thanks Daph."
Daphne nodded and went back out to her desk. A baby! How wonderful.