Chapter Two Hundred and Twelve - Hailey's Haven

Hailey's hair tickles me while turning in my arms.

Like every morning since she broke down confessing, hearing her father's voice the day before losing our baby, she hasn't left my side and she hasn't allowed me to leave hers.

Our bedroom has become a temporary office, where my PA spends half of his workday, much to Hailey's delight since she's working with us and doing an excellent job, as both Caleb and Mel brings and carries work for her so that when she returns to the office, she won't be lost.

Yet, she's afraid.

Two things Hailey has yet to embrace. Firstly, leaving the haven she has built in this room and secondly and most importantly, Emmy.

She keeps Emmy at arms length and I'm deeply concerned because she still doesn't know Emmy is now our daughter.

The last time I brought up Emmy's name, she wondered when Emmy was returning to the children's home. I didn't know how to react, but kept silent.

Emmy realizing something was wrong stopped visiting Hailey and if it wasn't for her school, Mel and Mrs. Har, I'm not sure what I would have done. We can't lose her now and if the judge gets wind of this, Emmy will be removed from our home and life.

I have not kept what is happening to Hailey a total secret, since I've made her good friend and fatherly mentor, Mr. Simon and Sister Ally aware of her present situation.

Staring at her scantily dressed body, that's laying on my arm, I sweep the loose strands of hair from her face.

Stirring in my arms, Hailey turns to face me, her eyes opening to meet mines.

With a small smile, she lifts her body so that I can relieve my arm from her weight.

"I'm sorry," she mumbles shyly, laying back down.

Stretching and exercising my arms, "how are you this morning?" I make conversation, while stretching.

"The same as yesterday," she retorted sharply, turning to curl away from me.

Spooning her, I pushed an arm under her again, hugging her from behind, "okay." I responded, feeling at a loss for words.

Moving away, "I need to use the bathroom," I tell her sliding off the bed. Reaching out, I grabbed my phone, taking one last glimpse of her, before locking the door behind me and turning on the pipe for the running water to cover my voice.

"Mr. Gussippie" I greet the criminal lawyer whose handling David Sullivan's appeal.

"Good morning, Mr. Knights," Mr. Gussippie greeted me. "I have the first hearing today and if all goes as expected, your father-in-law could be on bail by next week." He informs me. "Can I expect you to join us?" He asks politely, but I can't because I am confined to this room.

Wiping my face, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. "I can't, I'm sorry." I apologize for being unable to actually meet with him, since Hailey's breakdown, something he is well aware of.

David was adamant about remaining in prison for a crime he didn't commit, even after finding out his Hailey Bear didn't abandon him. He cried when I mentioned Hailey's miscarriage and everything that led to it. After giving him an ultimatum, he finally agrees to get his name cleared in court, for his daughter's sake, since I was going to do it with or without him, especially with the proof I held.

I was putting my wife first and f**k my mother from now on.

"Well I guess you're going to be awaiting updates but it's imperative that you attend the trial, which would follow when the real criminal is charged for your mother-in-law's murder." Mr. Gussippie added and I nod silently to myself, hoping Hailey's stronger by then.

"Mr. Knights, you are aware that we need your wife's testimony to free her father, right?" Mr. Gussippie also reminded me, which is another reason to get Hailey out of this room and back into the real world.

"Adian?" Hailey calls, before knocking softly on the bathroom door.

"F**k" I muttered, "I have to go. You can contact me through my PA," I whispered, quickly hanging up and flushing the toilet.

Turning the lock, I yanked the bathroom door open smiling nervously at my wife who stood outside the, frowning cautiously.

"Are you done?" she asks softly her eyes gazing around suspiciously, still standing on the outside.

Shaking my head, "uh, no not yet." I said, taking my toothbrush of the rack, I started brushing my teeth, waiting for her to follow suit.

I took her toothbrush and handed it to her nodding to the other sink.

Hailey and I showered together the way we have been doing for the last few weeks, before dressing and awaiting breakfast to be delivered to us.

Since Caleb comes in, at nine on the dot, we try to always be ready for him.

Hailey pulls on a short PJ's and takes out my jacket to keep on standby for a video conference which is schedule for ten thirty.

"Don't you look pretty," I chuckle, lifting one of her hands and twirling her.

Blushing, she smiles shyly at me, like she did when, we first met.

Her makeup free skin is flawless. A natural beauty, that's who she is and I never get weary looking at her, especially when she unaware that I'm staring.

"So do you," she scrutinizes me from head to toe, smiling in appreciation at my black ensemble which simply consisted of a T-shirt and joggers, chuckling at my bare feet.

"You know when you go back to the office, you can't dress this comfortably, so maybe we should go shopping and take Emmy with us?" I suggested, realizing I wasn't subtle enough.

Her smile disappearing, Hailey yanks her away from me and glares at me angrily.

Reaching out, I tried to retrieve her hand, "I'm sorry?" I apologize quickly, hoping I haven't pushed her away again.

Without answering, she returns to her favourite spot in the room, in front of the full length mirror, staring at her reflection.