Chapter 27
The situation with Goodwin Goode was definitely a complicated one for Bailey. She really wanted to be his friend, but what if it turned into something more? She shuddered to think. My parents would disown me for sure! However there were still a lot of things she wanted to ask HIM! For example, Do you realize that I am the daughter of the man who is now your biological daughter's father? Or, How can I trust you'll be good to me after the way you treated my mother-in-law? It hurt her head just thinking about it all. So much so that she decided not to worry about it anymore. She would continue living her life doing her job and let Goodwin or Sinbad be the one to contact her about hanging out.
A few weeks passed and she hadn't heard from them, which was okay. She was busy working and getting the dirt on some very respected people in the community. Before she published those stories, however, she was asked to write a positive story about Lawrence Lum and his services to the community. Bailey was more than happy to do that for her old high school friend and felt this would help with her negative reputation. To her surprise, it didn't. In fact, people were disappointed with the article. It seemed that people liked her news and local gossip articles better. I just can't win can I?
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Not long after that Bailey was sent over the Military Base to interview a young Private who told the agency he had a secret to tell about one of the Military Officers.
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This was a HUGE opportunity for Bailey to write a good article and possibly get that promotion she was working toward. The secret was a good one and Bailey couldn't wait to publish the article! When the news reached the public, the response was just what she had hoped it would be.
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A few days later, Bailey received a call from Goodwin. I don't ever remember giving him my number.
"Hello?"
"Hey Bailey, it's Goodwin Goode."
"How did you get my number?"
"I was introduced to a man from the fire department, who says he is your brother?"
Oh, Derrick is going to get it later!
"I mean, he had the same last name as you so I figured you two had to be related."
"So, my brother just gave my number out to a complete stranger?"
"Not exactly. I told him I spoke with you about getting together and that you were...maybe okay with it? I asked him how I could get in touch with you and he decided to give me your number."
Bailey just stood there not saying a word. She really couldn't believe Derrick. What if Goodwin had been a stalker or a serial killer!?
"I hope that is okay?" Goodwin asked worriedly, "See, Sinbad won free tickets to a game at the stadium tonight and he is taking a date and there was one extra ticket so...I thought about asking you to accompany me? It sounds like it's going to be a great game."
Oh...I dunno! Bailey whined in her head. He's asking me on a date already? I hardly know him and what I DO know is...not good.
"Goodwin?" Bailey addressed, hoping he was still there.
"Yes?"
"We're just going as friends right?"
There was a pause, but he piped up and said, "Of course! I mean, we've only met once after all."
Good. "How about I meet you there? What time?"
"It's tomorrow at 6 pm."
That night Bailey wanted SO badly to call Derrick and give him an earful, but then she would have to tell him who Goodwin really was and... she just didn't want to face that right now. She didn't want rumors running around in the family unless it was HER who told them FIRST about it. I have to keep my relations with him a secret.
**************
Tomorrow evening's Hockey game really was an enjoyable one and Bailey couldn't remember the last time she got out with some friends and had a good time. Sinbad and his date were totally drunk, shouting different things out at the players. It was really quite entertaining. Goodwin kept apologizing for his roommate, but Bailey didn't mind. During breaks in the game she had the chance to chat with Goodwin about all sorts of things and learned that they had similar interests. His sweet and witty personality made him look all the more handsome and a part of her regretted looking at him that way. A feeling of uneasiness kept lingering in her throughout the rest of the game. When it was over, Sinbad and his date took off somewhere and the only thing left for Goodwin to do was walk his date back to her car.
I can't hold this in anymore, Bailey said in her head, I just can't! When they reached her car door, Bailey thanked him for walking her there and then said, "Goodwin?"
"Yes?"
She found her hands shaking as she held her purse in front of her. "You..." she began, but lowered her head unable to finish.
"What's wrong?" Goodwin asked, leaning over to look into her eyes.
Bailey lifted her head with her eyes closed and let out a huge breath. "You know who I am don't you?" she asked him.
Goodwin stood up straight. "Of course," he replied, "You're Bailey Holland. A well known writer in town."
"No, Goodwin," Bailey corrected, "do you know who I am?"
Goodwin pursed his lips and stared at her for a few moments. Gulping he answered, "You are Bailey Holland. Daughter of the man who married my ex-girlfriend, who bore my child." He then lowered his head and scraped the tip of his shoe on the asphalt.
"Yes," Bailey said.
Looking up at her he asked in a mellow tone, "How long have you known?"
"For years," Bailey replied, "but I had forgotten, until the night we first met and I couldn't figure out why your name sounded so familiar to me. Then I figured it out."
"I see," Goodwin said taking a step back. "I guess...we won't be seeing each other anymore?"
Bailey wanted to nod, but she suddenly found herself fighting back tears. "That's the thing, I don't want us to!" she blurted out. "I can't get over how complicated this is, but...you and Sinbad are so fun to hang out with and if nothing else, I want to be your friend!"
A look of relief came over Goodwin's face. "I've enjoyed hanging out with you tonight too," he said, coming closer. "I hope we won't wait so long to do it again."
Bailey cracked a smile.
"But please Bailey," Goodwin continued, taking her hands as if he were begging, "I hope you can believe that I'm not the guy I was fifteen years ago. I've made mistakes that I am not proud of. I want to make things right, but it is a slow and hard process. Please, please trust me!"
Bailey removed her hands from his grip and placed one on his shoulder. "I do," she said sincerely, "but you better not let me down because I have trust issues with men as it is. You and Sinbad have inspired me to trust again so you better not kill my faith in men forever."
Goodwin looked her straight in the eye and said, "I promise I won't let you down."
**************
As the days turned into weeks, Bailey found herself hanging out at Goodwin and Sinbad's place almost every night. They were like her family away from family. They also felt like big brother's to her, especially Sinbad.
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They would even invite some of their other friends over and Bailey was able to make new friendships. In many ways she was feeling like a new person again. She even went out and changed her whole wardrobe. The guys liked her new look, especially Goodwin. It wasn't long after that that she discovered Goodwin and Sinbad arguing a lot more around her.
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When Sinbad stormed into his room, Bailey approached Goodwin about the matter.
"What was that all about?" she asked him.
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Goodwin glared at Sinbad's door and replied, "Oh nothing. He's just been super cranky lately since his girlfriend dumped him."
"She did? Aww, I'm sorry to hear that."
"I'm sorry you've had to see us fighting like this lately. You know it's not uncommon. Sometimes I wonder why we are still roommates."
While Bailey's personal life was looking up, her job on the other hand was still going slow. Bailey's boss had been hearing rumors about a certain town council member and wanted Bailey to do some investigating on the matter. She sort of felt like a detective and that was new and thrilling for a change. She discovered the town council member was good friends with the Pidgin family, so she headed over to their large mansion to do an interview. The ladies were really sweet and offered her a tour of their home when the interviews were over. Bailey couldn't believe they had a whole separate, beautiful room just for an indoor trampoline! She had a lot of fun with that for a few minutes.
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As she left their home and started for her car, her phone rang. It was an unknown phone number, but she answered it anyway. To her shock it was Shark Racket again...wanting to get together with her and chat.
"Are you serious Shark?" she asked in annoyance, "I don't want to talk to you...EVER! Now quit calling me or I will get the police involved!"
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"Ugh!" She muttered, hanging up the phone. "The nerve of him!"
After all of the interviews, Bailey put the story together and her boss was pleased with the final result. It was published the next day.
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That story finally earned her the promotion she deserved!
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YES! Blogging...SO MUCH FUN!
That night she called her dad about her promotion. After having a long chat with him, she texted Goodwin to see if it would be okay for her to come over. She couldn't wait to share the news with him too! They had a joyous evening together and stayed up chatting until two in the morning.
The two were sitting close together on the couch. Yawning, Bailey stood up and stretched. "I guess it's time for me to head home. I can't believe how late it is."
Standing up next to her, Goodwin yawned too. "Yeah," he said, "time always flies when you are having fun." He smiled at her.
Returning the smile Bailey said, "I hope I will stay awake enough to drive!"
Goodwin paused for a moment and said, "You know...why don't you just stay here tonight? You could get up early, head home and get ready for work."
Bailey thought she would feel uncomfortable with him saying that, but she honestly didn't. And sleeping right away didn't sound bad at all! Sinbad was out of town so she decided to sleep in his bed. It was a bit of a surprise when Goodwin joined her in the bed, but she didn't complain. Over the past few weeks she began to have strong feelings for him and she could sense he felt the same. There was nothing in the world she enjoyed more then being near him.
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**************
A few nights later, Jade invited Bailey to spend the night at her and Derrick's house. She was happy to hang out with them again when it had been so long, but she longed to see Goodwin. That night when she and Derrick conversed by the fire he asked her about her love life and she had to make up a few things. She really hated keeping secrets from her family. I dunno how I am going to reveal all this to them, especially to Dad, Jenni and Sue...
Things really began to heat up between her and Goodwin. She couldn't fight her feelings for him any longer.
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They began dating exclusively and Bailey shared her very first kiss with a man since being with Shark.
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She really felt like she had met the man of her dreams. They were so compatible and many of their friends said they could definitely feel the chemistry between them. For once in a LONG time Bailey was truly happy. Their first woohoo, which was her first time, was amazing!
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The morning after that breathtakingly wonderful night, Bailey woke up feeling that uneasiness in her stomach again. She sat up and felt herself being drowned in anxiety.
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What have I done? She thought to herself. This relationship feels SO right to me but I know my family won't feel the same. Gosh I don't want to disappoint them! She buried her face in the palms of her hands and cried. They are going to find out about this if I don't tell them soon. I'm going to lose my family aren't I? She couldn't bear that thought. If she lost her family she would die. Her shoulders shook as she wept. Oh what am I going to do?
***************
One evening, Bailey got a call from her father. He asked her to come over and he didn't sound too happy. He knows, she thought, he definitely knows! She began to hyperventilate and soon found herself throwing up in the bathroom. I can't do this! Oh Lord help me! When she was finally able to get a hold of herself, she sadly made the drive over.
Walking up the steps to the door felt like an eternity. Within a second after ringing the bell, Michael answered the door. With an angered look on his face he asked her to come in. The two stood in the foyer, Michael's hands were on his hips. Bailey's were behind her back. She noticed the house was extremely quiet. Jenni must have taken everyone out. I sure hope so...
"Yes father?" Bailey asked hesitantly.
Michael let out a deep breath and said, "I've been told by a few of patients this past week how 'cute your daughter looks with that Goodwin guy.'"
Bailey gulped.
"When it was first said to me I of course asked which daughter and it was you! I didn't believe it, but then when others starting asking me I realized that something really must be going on."
Bailey lowered her head.
"So tell me, Bailey, what IS going on between you and Goodwin?"
Looking up to face him Bailey said nervously, "We met during an interview and became friends. Then we just started hanging out with each other more and more. Dad, he's not the same guy he used to be, he's..."
"Are you dating?" Michael interrupted her.
Bailey gulped again. "Yes."
Michael grew furious. "Are you out of your mind Bailey? Why him!?"
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"Dad please, calm down!" Bailey begged, feeling the tears well up. "I can explain."
"Well you sure as H*** better! Do you realize what you are doing?"
"Yes, dad I do, but..."
"How can you do this to me? To Jenni and Sue? Are you trying to cause a rift in this family?"
"No!"
"Then WHY Bailey? You deserve better than him!"
"Dad, he is a changed man. Trust me! He's completely turned his life around and is trying to make things right?"
Michael huffed. "Well, if he has changed and is trying to make things right, why hasn't he contacted Jenni or Sue huh?"
Bailey froze, speechless. She never thought about that. She always just assumed that he did make things right with them. "I don't know dad," she said, "maybe it's too hard for him and he needs a little more time to get up the strength to do it."
"Yeah, I don't buy it. He will deceive you the same way he did with Jenni and then bolt like lightning when he knocks you up!"
"No he won't! The Goodwin I know would never do that again!"
Michael turned his back to her and said, "I can't believe you are doing this."
Coming closer to him, Bailey said, "Dad. This has been conflicting for me too. I've wanted to stay away from him because I knew there was no way we could be together given his history with our family but...I feel chemistry with him. I couldn't deny my feelings for him any longer."
"Why did you keep this from us?"
"Because dad I couldn't bring myself to tell you," she cried, "I knew you all could never understand."
"So what I understand is you are jeopardizing your relationship with this family over a man that you think you love?"
Bailey paused. "I do love him. I'm not trying to jeopardize my relationship with all of you. I love you all more than you will ever know. I just," she sobbed, "I had to listen to my heart. It feels right to be with him and I know there's a reason for all this. Please daddy," she said taking Michael's hand, "please understand. I wouldn't be with him if it didn't feel right."
Michael removed his hand from hers and continued staring at the wall.
"Dad, maybe this could be a good thing? It would give Sue the chance to be reacquainted with her father and..."
Hearing that word, Michael spun around and said sternly, "I am her father! Goodwin was just a s-p-e-r-m donor."
Bailey stared at him in disbelief.
"You know what?" Michael said throwing his hands in the air, "you're a big girl Bailey, do what you want. Date the scumbag for all I care, but don't even think about bringing him into this house or to any of our family outings! You got that?"
Sobbing, Bailey replied, "Yes, father."
Turning towards the stairs Michael said, "I'm so disappointed in you I can't even look at you right now."
"Dad, please don't walk away!" Bailey begged, running to him and grabbing his arm. Michael shook it off and continued up the stairs. "Dad please!" Bailey wailed, laying over the bottom steps and burying her face in her arms. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
An hour later the rest of the family returned home and were shocked to find Bailey laying on the steps crying. Jenni asked her what was wrong, but she said she didn't want to talk about it and hurried upstairs to her father's room. When she entered she discovered Michael sleeping. Without hesitation she ran to the bed, got in beside him, wrapped her arm around him and whispered in his ear, "I'm so sorry dad." Then she kissed his head. "I love you." She refused to leave his side and fell asleep.
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To be continued...
(forgive any typos. I don't have time to read over this. I've gotta head to bed, it's 1 am! ;) )
