Chapter 5 Back on separate ground

Paul healed and had to return to Nashville. It was hard on them all especially Lola. He had promised to come back to her after this brief tour. He had done a complete turn around in being a husband. He was very attentive to Lola and her needs. When she was working he kept up with the apartment, made meals and helped with the running of the hotel. He even made friends with the ghosts. He had really made Sarah happy by ensuring the family heirlooms were made in a safe exhibit.

Lola was miserable behind closed doors. Crying herself to sleep at night and snippy sometimes. Though she best to hide her emotions. She missed their making love like love sick teenagers.

That's why a month after he left when she got sick and couldn't shake it the remark from Sarah that "dear child you are pregnant" didn't seem to faze her. But she definitely made a doctors appointment. Her first in 5 years, which depleted her savings as Rachel didn't offer a health plan in her benefits.

Her doctor was wanting a full work up. So they ran everything and she was pregnant by a month. She had never been on a regular cycle for some reason. So they had her checked while there. She had signs of PCOS. But not that serious. They told her the next day that they found heart and thyroid issues that could be helped with medication.

She decided then and there that she needed

to talk to Rachel. Other employees had a health plan. Being in a senior position she should get that too.

Rachel and Tom came to her apartment for dinner that night. They were shocked by that oversight on their part.

"Lola let me see the health report so I know we aren't being took for a ride here." Tom said.

"Tom that's outrageous to imply about Lola. She wouldn't do that." Rachel boomed.

"Well we have to protect ourselves Rachel." Tom retorted.

"Here." Lola said slamming the reports and receipts down then rushing to the bathroom and getting sick.

"These could be fabricated. I will talk to her team tomorrow." Tom told Rachel

"If you're going to be a miserable ass, go home yourself. Don't come back to MY PROPERTY until you're in a better state of mind. As for this businesses finances this is MY family business. As our prenup states it's my decision. If you can't butt out them we can divorce and don't forget I stand to gain more pal." She heard a door slam and a car speed off. Rachel came in to apologize.

Rachel stayed in the guest room. She was telling Lola the next day that Tom was becoming more as a husband. He had been trying to get more power and picking fights.

"Rachel if he is that bad leave him. We can share she apartment until I can find a new place." She told her.

"I will. But you're not leaving here because of it. I have been planning to put another apartment over the old carriage house. Just a simple place for myself. Won't take long to put in and I can be closer to help out. Also I want to run past you a thought I have had. What's your opinion on adding another wing?"

"Rachel this is your place. Your decision." She said."

"Lola how would you feel about becoming part owner and operator here? The wing would be named after Paul. He has been a big help." She was surprised.

"Would I need to put any money down?" Money was tight.

"Nope. Actually a big raise. I have been doing great business. But having 2 owner operators will help our reputation." Rachel showed her a number of new wage.

"I accept. As long as the ghosts approve." Sarah vowed their approval.

This change made Lola happy. She shared the new position news with Paul while they caught up. When she was about to tell him about her he had to go. He was on the road in Vermont. He had to sleep so he could be up early in the morning. She knew he was busy.

Luckily the new apartment was done and Lola busied herself with getting a babies room together. She had decided until the end of the second trimester she would find out the gender. She did think about baby names though. Paul seemed to not want to talk to her about her health. So she decided he could find out later when he came home.

He however found it odd when she really began showing around October when she had found out the gender was a boy. She needed to find out Paul's middle name. Which he found odder. She let loose and before hanging up told him. "Because you big dope. If you gave me a chance to talk about my health you would know I am entering my third trimester of pregnancy with our fucking son."

Between dealing with her health, business and Tom who was now Rachel's ex she was mentally any physically exhausted.

Tom was being dealt with by lawyers. The business was taking off even more. But her health issues were taking its toll. The doctors were wanting her to take to bed rest sooner. Her heart wasn't doing well because she couldn't take the only medicine they wanted to put her on. Paul was due back by thanksgiving time luckily.

Paul was stunned by the news. He kept calling Lola with no luck. That worried him. He should be home with her, not on the road. That's why when Rachel phoned him the night before his second tour date letting him know Lola was in the hospital, he didn't hesitate one second to cancel the rest of his tour dates and studio sessions. Lola had put him first when he was down with health issues. Now it was his turn.

He sent the bus and everything back to Nashville while he took the first direct flight to Pittsburgh.

He found the hospital and asked about Lola. When he was told her state he was glad he had made the decision he did. She wasn't in good shape.

He went to her room where she was hooked to monitors. The doctor said she had been found by a "co-worker named Sarah" who had gotten Rachel because Sarah couldn't talk.

He knew who Sarah was and suppressed a laugh. If this doctor only knew.

He called his parents who knew Lola and both decided to come up to help. He stayed with Lola at the hospital. They had put her on some medication that made her groggy. She was shocked looking when she woke a few days later to him there.

She asked if he was there of if she was having a great dream. He kissed her then her big belly.

"I am here baby. I was so worried when Rachel called telling me you were here." He said.

"I am so sorry about our last call Paul. I was just frustrated and..." he kissed her before she could finish the sentence.

"Not your fault it's mine. I got so caught up i forgot I am not the only person in the world. I am going to do better. By the way my middle name is Arron."