The next day I get ready for my appointment with Ray Sanderson.
"Good morning, I'm here for Ray Sanderson."
I have no idea what I'm doing here, I don't know if Ray met Amanda before. I never thought I'd have to get so involved in Amanda business. Actually I can't see Amanda engaged on charity at all.
"Oh! Good morning Mrs Redgrave, Mr Sanderson it's waiting for you."
I take a deep breath and head inside the office.
"Darling! You're even more beautiful than the last time I saw you."
Ray is a tall very stylish man, he greets me warmly but I still don't how close he's from Amanda.
"Thank you Ray, but I'll never be as stylish as you."
(I think I can play this flattering game)
"I'm very excited to work with you, darling. Can we start?"
"Sure! Let's do it."
Ray is really funny person to be around, he spend the morning telling me about the Redgrave foundation, I'm really interested on what they do here. I really can't see why Amanda would be interested.
"I have to say, Mandie. I didn't like you before, I was really worried when I found I'd have to work with you. But now I have to admit I'm really enjoying this."
"Oh! You're so kind, I really enjoyed this morning too. I hope I can help you with the gala."
"Don't worry darling, this will be the best fundraising this foundation ever had."
"I believe you. Thanks for you time Ray but I need to get back to my baby now."
"Awee... you're such lovely mother. I can't wait to meet your little bundle of joy. I bet he'll be handsome as his father."
I roll my eyes to Ray and smile. Actually he's right, they have the same features.
When I'm living the Redgrave foundation building I check my phone to see a message from Josie.
**I think the name and number on the key tag may be an address. I couldn't find anything but you have Amanda agenda, maybe you could try to find a match**
I take Amanda phone and go through the agenda.
(Spa appointments, hairdresser, tennis club...What I was really expecting to find here?)
Then something gets my attention. There's an empty space every week, the same day.
(Royal Spring 324)
The same inscription from the key tag. I decide to search that name on the GPS, I found a condo, a restaurant and a building matching partially this info.
I decide to check the condo first, I told Samuel I had some other things to do he cold drive back home. I take a taxi to the first address.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
I ask to the taxi driver looking in disbelief to the old condo, or what used to be a condo.
I still have some time, I don't want to let this for another day. I really need to know anything that could enlighten about Amanda life.
I decide to check on more place, the building.
When I arrive at the second address I'm in front of some fancy building.
(Royal Springs)
I ask the driver to wait for me, just in case. Without second thoughts I head inside.
The building looks like a five star hotel, when I approach to the front desk the concierge greets me warmly like he know me.
(Alice?)
He may be confusing me for someone else.
"Excuse me...?"
I think he really saw me before, I mean he saw Amanda before. But he's calling me Alice. It's even more weird because Alice is my mother's name. It can't be a coincidence.
I take my chance and walk to the elevator, the man don't try to stop me. I check the panel, I press 17 floor for the apartment number 324.
My heart is racing, I have no idea what I can find there. I take the key, for my surprise it fits.
One of the puzzles is solved, I found where the key belongs but now I have many more questions than answers.
The apartment is fully furnished, I'm afraid now. I check around to see if there's anyone here.
I check the bedrooms, the kitchen... nothing. I'm alone here.
I don't want to push my luck any further, I leave the apartment.
I get back to the cab and head back to home.
(Is that possible Amanda is hiding there? But looks like no one was there for a while. I'll have to back there another day.)
When I get back to home I tell Josie what I found, we still have more questions than answers. Seems I'll have to be patient to solve this puzzle.
I'm in the kitchen with Jax while the dinner is cooking. I missed him a lot, just a few hours away and couldn't wait to see this baby boy.
"Looks like you two are having fun together."
"Hey... didn't see you coming"
Jackson said he wants to spend more time with me and Jax, as family. I think it means he's staying more in home. Jax is all smiles when his father is around.
"Who's it baby? do you know him?"
"Come here pall..."
Watching these two together melts my heart, I still have that bittersweet feeling but I don't want to think about it now.
We had dinner together in home for the first time since I got here, it's still weird but Jackson seems to be really trying.
"How was your meeting with Ray?"
"It was nice, he told me a lot about the foundation. We'll meet again soon to start planning the event."
"Really looks like you enjoyed."
"I did."
I keep my head down looking to my fork, I try to avoid his eyes. We don't really talk, it's more like an interview. He asks, I answer.
"I'll talk with Josie about Friday night."
"uh?!" (I need to start checking Amanda agenda more often.)
"The tennis club dinner..."
"Oh! Sure. I don't know where I'm with my head lately."
"I have a hint..."
He says that pointing to Jax sitting on his chair while I feed him.
"Since he got sick that day, it's all you do."
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Samuel told me you're not going to the tennis club anymore."
"Is that really an issue?"
"Not at all. But don't you miss it?"
"I'll be back when I'm sure he's better."
"Amanda..."
"Yes?"
"uh... give him to me, I'll read for him."
(looks like he was about to say something else but I don't want to pry)
"Ok, I'll be in my bedroom."
I give baby Jax a forehead kiss and turn to my bedroom.
Later that night I wake up to check on Jax, I find both of them sleeping together in the couch.
They're comfortable so I'm just taking the book from Jackson hands and putting a blanket over them. They look so adorable now.
I back to my room and try to sleep again. At some point a hear a knock on my door, Jackson get inside with baby Jax, the baby is crying looking upset.
"What happened?"
I was still half sleep but with the sight of my baby crying I'm in full alert now.
"I don't know, I tried to put him back to sleep but he started to cry."
I check the time then I take Jax from him.
"Shhh... it's ok baby."
Jackson looks very worried.
"He's just hungry, Jackson."
"But he eat just a couple hours ago."
I can't help smile how he got so worried for a simple thing.
"Yes, he's a baby."
"Come on baby boy, lets find you a bottle, looks like your daddy doesn't know babies need food even during the night."
I go to the kitchen to get him a bottle, then I get back to my bedroom. To my surprise Jackson is still there sitting on the bed.
I sit on the other side of the bed with Jax on my arms, less than ten minutes later he's already sleeping again.
"You make this looks easy."
"Just feed him and he'll be your best friend."
Jackson lay down on the bed watching Jax finish his bottle. I'm very sleepy, waking up during the night to feed a baby is not appealing to me but I wouldn't complain.
---
The sun is almost rising when I wakeup, I'm in Amanda's bed. It's probably the second time we sleep in the same bed after Jax have born.
It's never more than sex with Amanda, and usually only when she wants something from me.
Now there's something different about her, I still don't know what is this.
I'm watching her sleep holding our baby, I have to admit she's beautiful. She looks even more beautiful now without all that makeup she uses to wear.
Unconsciously I'm running my hand through her blond hair. She looks so peaceful sleeping.
The way she has been taking care of our baby the last few weeks is something new, I think she finally found her motherhood instincts.
(Is it possible there's something else inside her than just beauty?)