Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“I have some tea in my nightstand I drink at night. If I feel woozy, ginger drops help. This should pass in a few weeks.”
His lips form a hard line and the muscle in his jaw ticks rapidly.
“We need to talk.”
“Yeah, we do, but we’re not doing it with the crowd in your living room. You feel up to going for a ride?”
The thought of motion from a car makes me queasy again.
“How about we get you to the bed?”
“It’s early.”
“One of your cousins pulled out a box of cigars. You able to sit in a room with a bunch of men who smell like a gentlemen’s club?”
At this, I gag.
“Didn’t think so.”
“That’s Edgar. He’s a lawyer and always brings cigars to celebrate after a big case closes.”
“Happy for Edgar, but not keen on you puking your night away.”
“Then, bed it is.”
He shifts my weight, lifting us effortlessly and setting me on my feet. “Brush your teeth and whatever else you do each night, and I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”
He kisses a path across my forehead so tenderly, I fight the tears again.
He leaves me alone, and I cringe at the appearance in the mirror reflected at me. I am skinny, and look like I’ve lost a street fight.
A street fight with an embryo the size of a bean.
“Come on, kid. You get my body, the rest of my life, and my undying love. Can you at least try to let me look presentable?”
“You’re still the most beautiful woman in the world to me.” Major’s voice startles me and I pivot so fast, my balance wobbles. He reaches from the doorway to balance me.
“What are you doing?”
“We have company.”
He steps aside, and Mom is standing behind him. The glint in her eyes that tells me all I need to know.
“Mama?” My hand grips the vanity for support, scared to death of what’s going through her head.
“My sweet girl.” She hustles past Major and engulfs me in her arms.
Since the day I confirmed the pregnancy, this is what I’ve needed. A hug from her takes away a mountain of stress.
“I didn’t plan this,” I’m compelled to say, even though it’s glaringly obvious.
She pulls back and Major steps behind me, circling my waist. “We didn’t plan this, but I’m fucking over the moon happy,” he announces, and a fluttering sensation takes flight.
“I know, so stop looking at me like your world is in shambles.”
“Aren’t you disappointed in me?”
“Never.”
“I’m keeping the baby.”
“I expected nothing less.”
“You’re way too calm. Aren’t you going to—”
“Tell you how proud I am of the woman you’ve become? Tell you that this baby is a dream and a blessing? Mention how I stood outside the door and could feel the love this man has for you seeping through the air?”
My lips quiver and I suck in a deep breath to keep from falling apart. “Jeez! When will I quit blubbering like a weepy mess?”
“It’ll come and go.” She pats my hand. “Now, from what I heard, you and Major have a lot to talk about, but clearly not tonight.”
“Not with the house of hoodlums setting up camp in the living room. And I have to figure out how to throw them off when I can’t come back.”
The glimmer in her eyes shimmers deviously. “Leave it to me.” She spins on her heel, rushing out, and shouting into the house, “Which one of you messed with Jewls’ dinner?”
There are murmurs of denial and then a loud, “Owww!”
“Caleb!” Mom admonishes.
“It was a little red pepper,” he whines.
“Bro, you know Jewls can’t handle heat. You trying to make her sick?” Toby asks.
There’s a beat of silence before he follows up with, “Niiccceee.”
“That rat bastard wanted to make me sick and embarrass me with you here,” I hiss. “Ohhhhh, payback will be hell.”
“You guys always like this?” Major’s question is loaded with amusement.
“Sometimes.” I twist my head to find him looking down at me. “I would have been sick anyway. You can stop fretting.”
His hand moves lower, spreading across my abdomen. “I’ll worry until the day I die.”
“Well, now she’s sick.” Mom continues to berate them.
“Don’t need details.” Justin’s voice dips, and I picture his color draining.
“Your little stunt brought you stall duty in the morning. Jewls will sleep in,” Mom declares.
The groans die quickly. “My mom is awesome,” I whisper in awe.
“She’s a master. Get ready for bed. I’ll be back with some hot water,” he urges, kissing along my forehead again.
Exhaustion takes over before I can go through my full routine, so I opt for a major brushing and minor cleansing.
Mom and Major are both waiting for me when I return. Major dips a tea bag into a steaming mug, and Mom is in her pajamas with a glass of wine, poised against my headboard.
“What’s happening?”
“We get a girls’ night, and Major is joining the men.”