Laura's Secrets

by Shannon Greenland

  A man appeared next in the doorway. Laura assumed he must be Rico, Maria's father. They looked identical. He stood the same height as Will, but looked fuller through the shoulders and chest, like he lifted weights.

  "I can't believe you're finally here, Uncle Will,” his niece said, hugging his neck. Then she turned to Laura and extended her hand. “Hello, I'm Maria."

  Surprised at her adult-like greeting, Laura shook the small hand. “Hello, I'm Laura."

  Rico extended his hand as well. “Welcome to our home, Laura. I'm Rico. Mi casa es su casa."

  Will hadn't told her Rico had a Spanish accent. Laura shook his hand. “Thanks for inviting me."

  Will put Maria down, and the two men embraced and exchanged greetings. Then like a whirlwind, a small woman burst through the door, her long, black hair flying behind her, and leapt into Will's arms.

  "Will,” she squealed.

  "Veronica,” he squealed back. They both laughed and hugged and kissed.

  Veronica turned and gave Laura a huge hug, too, surprising her. “It's so nice to meet you, Laura. I'm Veronica."

  Laura awkwardly received the embrace. “Thanks for inviting me into your home."

  Veronica pulled back and held Laura at an arm's length, studying her with twinkling, ebony eyes. Under other circumstances, Laura would've felt uneasy with the close scrutiny, but she found Veronica's smile warm and welcoming, much like Will's.

  Veronica grabbed her hand and led her inside their home. “I'm so excited the two of you are here.” She stopped and looked at her again. “You're so pretty.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Will, she's very pretty."

  "Um, thank you,” Laura said.

  "Veronica,” Will warned.

  She shrugged, turned back to Laura. “Let me show you around our place, then I'll let you get settled in."

  Ten minutes later Veronica left Laura in the office, which doubled as a guestroom. A futon couch sat under the window, a desk and computer occupied the corner, a bookshelf loaded with novels, instructional manuals, and kid's books lined the wall. Someone had already placed her duffel bag on the futon.

  "Hey, wha'd'ya think of the grand tour?” Will asked from the doorway.

  Laura turned. “Their home is very nice, and your sister is beautiful. You two favor each other a lot."

  "Well, thanks, but I prefer to be called handsome or sexy, not beautiful.” He shot her a devilish, up-to-no-good grin and held out his hand. “Come on, there's eggnog to drink and Christmas presents to open."

  She took his hand, and he led her into the living room where a sparkling tree decorated with white lights and shells filled one corner. Spanish holiday music played softly in the background. Maria was already kneeling beside the presents, bouncing with excitement. Rico and Veronica sat snuggled on the couch. Laura and Will settled on the floor.

  Maria began handing out presents, and as the pile in front of Laura grew bigger, she peeked at a few of the nametags to verify some mistake hadn't been made. They were all addressed to her. Giving into curiosity, she fingered the ribbons and wrapping and picked one up to feel the weight.

  Will noticed Laura's child-like handling of the packages. Her inquisitive expression melted his heart. This was her first family Christmas, and he'd been able to give it to her.

  "Usually we take turns opening gifts,” Veronica said. “But how ‘bout we all tear into them instead?"

  With that, the place became a mad house. Will inconspicuously observed Laura as she gently pulled the ribbons and tape, but then she noticed everyone else ripping and clawing and got into the spirit. He had more fun watching her than he did opening his own gifts.

  When she finished, she stared at the presents in front of her, a mixture of stunned delight and wonderment on her face. Maria had given her an Amelia Island T-shirt and a collection of shells in a blue bottle. Veronica had given her a lingerie catalogue with a gift certificate and a bath kit that smelled like vanilla. Rico had given her an inspirational book and a pen.

  Will tried to get a closer look at the lingerie catalogue, but Laura had slipped it under the T-shirt out of his view.

  "Thank you.” Laura swept her gaze over all of them. “This is the most amazing Christmas I've ever had."

  The emotion laced through her voice made everyone pause and look at her, at an obvious loss of words.

  "You're welcome,” Maria broke the silence. “Thank you for the play makeup set and fingernails."

  "There's one more thing you haven't opened.” Will pulled a small, flat, square package from under the couch and handed it to her.

  Laura eyed it suspiciously. “What is it?"

  "Open it and find out."

  She untied the purple ribbon, then tipped the package sideways. A CD slid into her hand. She glanced curiously at Will.

  He smiled, hoping to the heavens she'd like it. “It's our song."

  Laura blinked. “Are you serious?"

  "Yep."

  "When did you do this?"

  "Ed mixed it for us when you were still at the cabin."

  "Did the other guys like it?"

  "They loved it. Now, are you going to ask me twenty questions or put it in the stereo?"

  "Here, I'll do it.” Veronica took the CD and placed it in the player.

  The music started, and Will's voice filtered through the speakers. Laura slid a surprised look toward him. He knew she'd be shocked that he'd sung it himself instead of Tourist's lead singer.

  Will scooted over behind her on the floor, stretched his legs along the sides of her body, and pulled her back to rest against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her temple, and tenderly rocked her to the beat of their music.

  The song they'd written together.

  * * * *

  Will sat in an overstuffed leather chair, cradling Maria and reading her a bedtime story. Dressed in cloud-patterned pajamas, his niece lay curled in his arms with her head snuggled against his shoulder as she tried desperately to keep her eyes open. Laura watched them from across the room, warmed by the special moment they were sharing.

  As if drawn by her stare, Will raised his eyes to hers. Her stomach did a slow roll as she held his gaze. The corners of his mouth curved up a little, then he went back to reading.

  "Okay, sleepy head, time to put you to bed,” Veronica called from the kitchen.

  "Nooo,” Maria whined. “I'm not tired."

  "Way past your bedtime,” Veronica said.

  Will picked her up and sat her on her feet. He straightened her pajamas. “I'm gonna take a shower anyway, cutie."

  Maria hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. “Night Uncle Will.” With a yawn, she scooted into the kitchen while Will headed to the bathroom. “Night Mommy, night Papi."

  "I'll be there in a few minutes to tuck you in,” Rico told her.

  Then Maria padded over to Laura and gave her a hug, too. “Sleep well, Laura."

  Laura returned the small hug, loving the cuddle of it.

  "Want some coffee, Laura?” Rico asked from the kitchen.

  "Sure. Anything I can do to help?"

  "Yes, come keep us company. Have a seat at the bar and tell us about your traveling."

  Laura pulled out a stool and climbed up. “Well, let's see. I started with Tourist when they were in Canada, then—"

  The bathroom door opened. Will emerged holding a towel around his waist. “Don't mind me. I forgot my razor.” He walked over to his suitcase propped in the corner of the living room.

  In all the months they'd known each other, Laura had never seen him without a shirt. She'd seen him in running shorts, jeans, T-shirts, long shirts, and a variety of other clothes, but never almost naked.

  She told herself she shouldn't be staring, but couldn't tear her eyes away from him. Away from the tightly knit muscles in his stomach, the striated curves of his biceps and shoulders, the light dusting of dark hair across the top of his pecks, the line that started at his navel and disappeared down below.


  Then he leaned over to grab his razor, and his towel opened, revealing his entire upper thigh.

  Dragging her gaze away, Laura pondered the mug in front of her. Who'd set it there?

  "Are you naked under that?” Veronica teased her brother.

  Laura swallowed and skittered off the stool. “I-I-I'm going to step outside for a few moments."

  Will followed her hasty retreat with his eyes down the hall and out the front door. He glanced inquiringly at Rico and Veronica.

  "Brother, you scrambled that woman's brains."

  Rico laughed. “That about sums it up."

  Will looked down his body. He shouldn't have come out in a towel. He hadn't been thinking. “I hope she's not upset."

  Veronica took a sip of her coffee. “I don't think she's upset. I think she's very aware of you, if you know what I mean."

  He hadn't meant to make her uncomfortable. But maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that she'd seen him almost naked. It'd set off sparks. Make her feel alive inside.

  Or in Laura's words-like a normal woman.

  Fifteen

  * * * *

  Laura smoothed her hand over her pregnant belly. She turned sideways and gazed lovingly at her round reflection in the mirror. She and Will would meet their daughter any day now. They couldn't wait to see her and hold her and hear her. Laura had suggested they name her after Will's grandmother. He loved the idea. So in a few days Emiline would be here, and they'd be a family.

  Humming the song that he'd written for their baby, Laura moved about the nursery, tracing her fingers over everything, imagining Emiline there. A slight rustle in the doorway caught Laura's attention. She turned with a pleasant smile, expecting to see Will, and instead found Aunt Jane.

  Laura blinked in confusion, assuming her aunt was a mirage. But then Jane moved from the doorway and glided across the room.

  Laura backed up. “H-h-how did you get in here?"

  Aunt Jane's face transitioned into an evil smirk as she approached her niece. Through eyes narrowed to skinny slits, Jane surveyed Laura from the top of her head down to her bare toes.

  Laura placed her hands over her stomach and gathered her courage. She hiked her chin. “What do you want?"

  "You always were a prissy one, thinking you were better than everyone else."

  "Where's Will? Where's my husband?"

  Aunt Jane let out a long, slow snicker. She tapped a red-tipped fingernail on Laura's stomach. “He can't come right now. He's busy."

  "What have you done with him?” Laura demanded, hating the frantic sound of her voice.

  Jane placed her hand across her heart and fluttered her lashes. “Why, my dear niece, are you accusing me of something?"

  Laura pushed past her and started for the door. Aunt Jane yanked her by the hair and slung her back against the wall. Pictures crashed to the floor. A sharp pain shot through Laura's side. She grimaced.

  "Save your energy, you idiot, he's gone."

  Laura grabbed her side. “Wh-what have you done with him?"

  Hugging herself, Aunt Jane spun around with a sinister little laugh. “I love it when your voice gets shaky. It's food for my soul.” She stopped and pinned her niece with an evil glare. “I killed him,” she whispered.

  Laura screamed and lunged at her aunt.

  Jane dodged to the right, then used her foot to push her niece back against the wall. Laura stumbled and fell on the broken pictures. Her aunt charged forward.

  Laura wrapped her arms around her stomach and curled up into a tight ball. “Get away from me! Don't hurt my baby!"

  "I've always hated you!” Jane shouted and kicked Laura. “All you've done is ruin my life!"

  "Stop. Please, stop,” Laura cried. “Not my baby."

  Jane aimed for her stomach with each kick. Laura crawled across the broken pictures, struggling to protect her daughter. She tried to fight back, but her cumbersome weight left her at a disadvantage. Every time she shifted her body, her aunt followed her, continuing the abuse.

  Suddenly the assault halted, and Jane towered above her, heaving heavy breaths. Laura squeezed her eyes shut and prayed to God that it was all a nightmare, that the warmth seeping between her legs wasn't blood, that the pain in her stomach wasn't real. But when she opened her eyes again, her aunt knelt down, picked up a chunk of broken glass from the pictures, and squeezed it in her hand. Blood trickled down her fingers.

  "I'm ending this once and for all,” Jane hissed and raised the jagged glass high above her head.

  "Noooo,” Laura screamed as the glass plummeted toward her.

  "Laura ... Laura ... Laura.” Will shook her. “You've got to wake up."

  Her arms flailed as she let out another guttural cry.

  "Wake up."

  Laura's legs kicked out. Her body thrashed from side-to-side. “Nooo,” she moaned.

  Will caught her shoulders and tried to pin them to the futon bed, but she was strong and quick and her knee connected with his side. His breath rushed out on a groan. He launched his body across hers, using his weight to keep her down.

  "Wake up!"

  Her eyes shot open. She stared unblinking into his face, her quick pants for air puffing against his cheeks.

  "It's okay. You're alright. You were having a nightmare."

  Laura swallowed, blinked a few times. He eased his weight off her body. She threw her arms around his neck. “Oh my God, you're alive. Oh, thank God you're alive."

  Will held her as he turned and waved his sister's sleepy, concerned family back to bed. Laura's screams had awoken the whole house. He tightened his grip. “You're okay now. It was a horrible nightmare. That's all. I'm alive. You're alive. We're both okay."

  How many of these had she gone through alone?

  Laura pulled back in his arms. Her gaze touched the features of his face like she was trying to memorize every detail and reassure herself that he was definitely okay. Silent tears began to roll from her eyes. She reached up, wiped her hand across her cheek, and with furrowed brows, studied her wet fingers.

  Will quietly watched her.

  After a moment, she lifted her eyes to his. “I'm crying?"

  Will smoothed his thumb over her damp cheek. “You deserve it after a dream like that."

  Laura gave him a watery smile. “I didn't think I could do that anymore."

  Puzzled, he asked, “Do what?"

  She sniffed. “Cry. I don't remember crying before now. I thought I was too frigid. I thought Aunt Jane had taken that emotion from me.” She inhaled a trembling breath and let more tears fall. “It feels really good."

  Moisture welled in Will's eyes as he watched her experience the emotion. He leaned forward, kissed her wet lips, and gathered her into his arms. He held her until his T-shirt grew damp and her tears subsided.

  He lay down with her on the futon bed and cuddled her in the spoon position. “You want to tell me about the dream?"

  She slid her hand under her pillow and pulled out her blue rabbit's foot. “I was pregnant,” she began in a hushed tone, “walking around the nursery, humming, touching the baby's things. Then Aunt Jane appeared in the doorway. I don't know where she came from. I thought I was imagining her. She said she'd killed you."

  Will tightened his hold around Laura and pulled her tighter against him.

  "She attacked me and kicked my stomach, my baby. There was some broken glass on the floor. She grabbed a chunk of it and came at me with it. She told me I'd ruined her life and deserved to die.” Laura gripped Will's hand and pulled it under her chin. “There was blood between my legs,” she whispered hoarsely.

  Will leaned up and kissed her cheek. “It's okay. It's over now."

  "Emiline. We we're going to name her Emiline after your grandmother."

  He shut his eyes and placed his cheek against hers. “You were pregnant with my baby. Oh, Laura, I like the sound of that."

  "Can you-can you stay in here with me?"

  Will nodded and climbed beneath the covers. They
lay curled together for a long time while she continued to slowly rub the rabbit's foot between her thumb and forefinger.

  Finally, he asked, “Where did you get that?"

  She shrugged a shoulder. “I'm not sure."

  "How long have you had it?"

  "As long as I can remember."

  "Did Bizzy give it to you or Aunt Jane?"

  "No."

  Will reached for it, and she gave it to him. “Why do you carry it?"

  "It settles me. It gives me peace.” Laura's lips curved into a faint smile. “I know that sounds strange, but it's sort of like a kid's blanky."

  "I don't think it's strange,” he murmured, studying the blue rabbit's foot in the dim moonlight filtering through the window. A silver clasp held the fur together. Along the outer edge of the clasp danced a row of tiny, engraved, stick-figured boys and girls. “Do you ever give it to anybody for good luck?"

  "No. Never."

  "Hmmm.” He gave the charm back to her and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her temple and told her goodnight, and after she closed her eyes, Will lay there wondering what Ed's rabbit's foot looked like.

  * * * *

  The digital clock beside the futon bed clicked to seven a.m. Laura stared wide-eyed at it. She'd been that way for over an hour. She glanced over her shoulder. Will still lay dead to the world, curled on his side with his back to her. Careful not to wake him, Laura pushed the covers back, swung her legs over the side, then tiptoed from the guest room.

  Five minutes later she emerged from the bathroom. No one was up yet. The entire house was dark except for a pale yellow beam escaping the crack in Maria's door. Laura padded over and peeked inside, expecting to see the child snuggled in bed, but instead she lay stretched out on the floor, coloring.

  "Hey,” Laura whispered. “What are you doing up so early?"

  Maria turned and looked over her shoulder. “I couldn't sleep.” She waved her inside.

  Laura stepped into the aquatic-themed room and clicked the door closed behind her. She stretched out on the throw rug beside Maria and picked up a colored pencil. “Mind if I color this mermaid purple?"