We decide to take both Landen and Isa out for a piece of pie when we pick them up from school so we can tell them about the coming bundles of joy together. After we order, I have the ultrasound pictures in my hand, ready to show them as we share the news.
“Landen, there’s something your mom and I are so excited about, and we want you and Isa to be the first in our family to know.”
“What is it? Is it something for me?” His eyes grow big as he waits for Rod to continue.
“Well, not exactly… not only for you. This is for exciting for all of us. You’re going to be a big brother, and Isa will be a first cousin. Isn’t that wonderful?”
His mouth drops open, and he sits speechless for a moment. I’m a little nervous about how he’ll feel and what he’ll question.
“Will I have a brother or a sister? My best friend has a little sister, and she makes his GI Joe play with her Barbies. That should never happen.” He shakes his little head, leaning on all seven years of his experience.
“You’ll have both, Landen. We’re having twins—a little brother and a little sister for you. Isa will have two first cousins at once. Isn’t that exciting?” I prod a little more, hoping he’ll be happy with the news of our expanded family.
“Yeah, I’ve always wanted a little brother. My little sister can play with someone else’s GI Joe, though. Okay?”
“Okay, we’ll make sure she leaves yours alone,” I agree, knowing he’ll be nearing his teenage years before the babies are ready for those toys, but it eases his mind for now.
“All right then, I’m excited.” He grins from ear to ear, that precious little smile, and my heart melts all over again.
“Me too.” Isa chimes in. “I’ll be a big cousin.”
“That’s right, baby girl. You’ll be a big cousin to the babies. You’ll be the best cousin ever.”
Tracy and Karen arrive within a few minutes of each other for our girl’s night in date. Louise made a full buffet of everything we could possibly want to eat and drink before she left. With quick introductions out of the way, the four of us become fast friends.
We heap our plates full of food and adjourn to Juliana’s room so she can rest while she hangs out with her company. We pile on the bed and sit around her, encouraging her to eat as much as she can, while we talk and laugh like a bunch of schoolgirls.
“Ladies, I don’t know what to do about my man. I severed ties with my family years ago, but he’s adamant he wants to meet my parents to heal the rift between us. I’m not going into all the details but trust me when I say this relationship can’t be fixed, and I don’t want to subject him to them. How do I convince him I love him despite keeping him away from my family?”
“It doesn’t sound like he’s listening to your feelings on the subject. Why do only his matter?” Karen takes a sip of her wine. “There’s a reason you’re not involved with them, so he should respect and support you in that.”
“He’s not like that at all. I’m doing a piss-poor job of explaining the situation. Maybe I need another drink or five to forget the whole thing.” Tracy tilts up her glass and drains the rest of her wine.
“Cut him some slack, Tracy. Like I said earlier, he doesn’t know everything because you haven’t told him. He still believes in family, forgiveness, and how great everything can be when everyone is together. He’s never experienced the things you have. I know how hard it is for you, but it’s hard on him too because he doesn’t understand.”
“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.” She refills her glass from the bottle she brought with her from the kitchen. “Maybe I’ll tell him the whole, sordid story.”
“You know, you look so familiar. Have we met before?” Karen addresses me, effectively changing the subject.
“Hmm, not that I remember.”
“I swear I know you from somewhere. Now it’ll bug me all night.”
Juliana clears her throat and cuts her eyes to Karen, the universal, non-verbal clue to stop while she’s ahead.
“What is it? What am I missing?” My eyes automatically dart between Karen and Jules, waiting for the secret to be revealed. “Tell me, Jules. Don’t leave me in the dark here.”
“Yeah, same here.” Tracy leans in, waiting for Jules to spill her secrets.
A pained expression crosses Juliana’s face, but she’s trapped between three of us now and can’t get out of it. “Daisy, Karen was with me the night of the big fraternity house party on campus. She helped both of us after that asshole spiked the drinks.”
What she doesn’t say is Karen was a witness to the worst night of my life. She was the other person in the car, the one who talked to me during the entire ride. I didn’t put two and two together from Rod’s recollection of that night until this very moment. Juliana’s best friend has been by her side for years. Of course it’s Karen.
Awkward silence fills the room as no one is sure of what to say next.
“That night was the worst. But Rod has hired a private investigator to find my attacker. He thinks I should press charges and get this guy out of society.” I offer what information I can to help put the others at ease.
“I agree with Rod. If you decide to go after him, give the police my name. I didn’t have anything to drink that night, so I was completely lucid and remember it all vividly.” Karen leans over to hug me. “I’m only sorry we didn’t realize you were in trouble sooner.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the concern, but I’m okay now. It took a long time, but I’ve finally accepted what he did wasn’t my fault. He doesn’t deserve all the guilt I put on myself in the early years. I refuse to apologize to anyone for what he did.”
“Does that mean you’re finally ready to put him away?” Tracy asks, narrowing her eyes at me. Over the past several years, she has broached the subject from time to time, but never in a pushy way. Even though she didn’t know everything at the time, her line of work made her suspect foul play from the beginning. She’s always in my corner, regardless of the situation, and despite not having all the facts.
“Yes, I think I am. He’s been free long enough while I’ve spent time in a prison of my own making. When Landen is old enough to understand what happened and what the consequences were, I want him to see his mom as a strong survivor, not a scared victim.” This is the first time I’ve verbalized those feelings, and I’m surprised how cathartic it feels.
“That deserves another drink. I’ll have one for you, Daisy. And you know you have our full support through the entire process. Whatever you need.” Tracy lifts her refilled wine glass high above her head. “Here’s to justice, at last. Let’s castrate the fucker!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Rod
Three weeks ago today, I saw the first ultrasound of my children and learned we’re having a boy and a girl. Two weeks ago today, I doted on Daisy after she had an amniocentesis. She insisted she was fine to return to her normal activities the day after, but I wasn’t ready to let her out of my sight. If anything had happened to her, I never would’ve forgiven myself. So I talked her into taking a few days off work and resting through the following weekend. She thought it was overkill, but she went along to appease me.
Today, we’re waiting to hear from the doctor's office about the amniocentesis results. Will Juliana be able to get a cord blood transplant instead of taking bone marrow from Daisy? The cord blood has so much better results. The preparation for the transplant will be grueling and will push Jules closer to the edge of death than she’s ever been. Knowing what poor shape she will be in is killing me. But if the cord blood is better accepted by her body, I can only surmise her recovery would be quicker.
The faster she’s pulled back from that slippery slope she’s on, the better.
Daisy is at the school, staying busy, while Jules and I are at home, waiting on pins and needles until the office calls with an update. Speaking of Daisy, the doctor warned us about a sudden growth spurt that would make her pregnancy unmistakable. I didn’t think he meant “ov
ernight” literally, but that’s exactly what happened. One morning when we woke, I slid my arm over her waist and felt what was once a softball had become more of a basketball.
I threw the covers back to get a good look for myself. I've never been so amazed with a woman's body before. Now I diligently pay attention to every small change. The next significant milestone will be when I can feel them moving inside her for myself. It's so different knowing these babies are mine—my flesh and blood.
“If you don't stop shaking your leg, I'm going to break it. You're shaking the whole couch.” Juliana glares at me from her spot at the other end of the sofa.
“I can't help it. This nervous energy has to escape somewhere. I'm about to crawl out of my skin here. How long can it take to make a simple phone call?” I jump up and start pacing. “I tried to work, but I can't focus on anything else. This is pure torture.”
Juliana picks up the remote and starts channel surfing, trying to find something to entertain herself while we wait. This situation has me all crazy inside. I can only imagine she’s trying not to get her hopes up in case they have bad news. Either way, we know there’s a plan, but one is preferred over the other.
“Rod, they have a lot of appointments and get a lot of lab results every day. I’m not more important than any other patient. You just have to chill and wait for our turn. The results will come when it’s time.”
She’s right, of course, so I take my seat again and watch a movie with my little sister. Before I know it, time has slipped away, and Daisy walks in with Landen and Isa in tow. Isa runs to Jules to tell her all about her day, and Landon surprises me by crawling into my lap to share his with me. My chest swells with pride, and my heart feels as if it’ll burst.
Daisy remains in the doorway, shocked speechless at the turn of events. Her hand flies up to cover her mouth and her eyes are wide and unblinking. Landen chatters about his teacher, his friends, and his test grade as if sharing this with me is the most natural act.
That’s when I realize it is the most natural act. Why wouldn’t he confide in me? This is his family. My father was never around, and neither was his. He has relied on Daisy for everything, and she’s the absolute best mom, but this little boy wants a dad too. While I’ve loved and included him the entire time Daisy and I have been a couple, I’ve kept an invisible barrier in place so I wouldn’t cross a line I shouldn’t where he’s concerned.
For all intents and purposes, Landen is mine. There are no unspoken boundaries or lines separating her family and my family anymore. I won’t treat him any differently than I’ll treat the babies still growing inside Daisy. This room holds my entire life, and I’m more than ready to be the man and the father they need.
When Landen finishes telling me about every moment of his day, I expect him to hop down and rush to the kitchen for his afternoon snack. Instead, he settles into the crook of my arm and watches TV with me. Isa lies down, snuggled against her mother, and has an expression of pure contentment on her little face. She misses her mom so much more than she tells us. She simply has adapted to this way of life and takes these moments with Jules when she can.
Daisy moves to sit beside me, and her cell rings just before she reaches us. Her hesitation to answer when she glances at the screen speaks volumes. It’s the doctor’s office calling.
“Hello?” Her tone is tentative but hopeful.
I’m holding my breath.
“Yes, this is she.” Daisy confirms her date of birth to prove her identity.
“Okay.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Thank you.”
This one-sided conversation is killing me.
She slips her phone into her pocket and wipes tears from her face.
“Jules… both babies are a tissue match with you. They’re using the cord blood from both placentas to make sure you have enough for the transplant. My obstetrician is coordinating the delivery with your oncologist so everything will occur like clockwork. You won’t be able to see the twins right away, but we couldn’t ask for better news than this for your recovery.”
The five of us huddle in the middle of the room in one giant group hug. I don’t know when the tears started flowing from my eyes, but my face is soaking wet and I can’t stop them.
My babies will save my sister’s life.
Isa won’t lose her mom to this terrible disease.
My family will be whole.
We only have five more months until this nightmare is in our rearview mirror. We’re so close, I can see the finish line… and it is beautiful.
The countdown on my office calendar has so many implications, I can only deal with them by taking it one event at a time.
Every month, Daisy and I have a routine appointment with the obstetrician.
Every week, our babies have grown so much bigger than the last.
Every day, I’m thankful Juliana is still well enough to be at home and not in the hospital.
Every day, I watch Daisy waddle around the house, taking care of everyone else, then she leaves and goes back to her house to sleep.
But every night, I wake up to an empty spot in the bed beside me, and I can’t go back to sleep without my one and only there.
“When are you going to stop moping around here every morning?” Juliana buttons Isa’s jacket before Daisy arrives to pick her up for school. It’s early March, so the warmer southern air is settling into Atlanta, but the mornings still have a chill to them.
Like my cold bed does.
“I’m not moping.”
“You are too. You got used to Daisy staying here to help us. But I don’t need as much extra care right now, so she went back to her place and you’ve pouted ever since. You two had the talk with Landen about being a family soon, about him being a big brother. He and Isa told me all about it. You two are probably confusing the poor kid now. Just ask her to move in with you already. Or better yet, ask her to marry you and give my babies our last name. You’re having twins with the woman, for crying out loud. You’re already attached to her for life. Make it official.”
“Shut up.”
Her mocking laughter only makes my foul mood worse. “Good comeback, Rod. What’s next? ‘I know you are, but what am I?’ Man up already and give me a sister.” She takes Isa outside to wait for Daisy to arrive.
Then I realize Juliana’s right. Daisy needs to live here. I need her here. So I head outside to join Jules and Isa. As I walk down the steps, Daisy pulls into the driveway.
“I’ll buckle Isa in the car. You go back inside before you catch a cold.” I take Isa’s hand in mine and watch Juliana’s shit-eating grin take over her face.
“Yeah. That’s why you’re out here. Who do you think you’re fooling?” She shakes her head and walks back to the house. This conversation will happen in front of the kids, but at least Jules is sparing me a little humiliation by giving me some privacy.
“Mommy said you’d be out here in a minute. She was right, wasn’t she, Uncle Rod?” Isa has the same grin as her mother. I’m doomed.
“Yeah, your mom is very smart, baby girl.”
Daisy stops and I open the back door for Isa to get in. Once I have her buckled in, I climb in the front seat and meet Daisy’s questioning gaze. “I haven’t slept all night in weeks now. My bed is cold. My house doesn’t feel warm and cozy anymore. It’s just big and empty. All this is your fault. If you don’t bring your shit over and move in with me tonight, I will kidnap you and chain you in my dungeon until you see reason. So, what’s it going to be?”
“You don’t have a dungeon, Uncle Rod.” Isa helps me convince Daisy from the backseat.
“Thanks, Isa.” Everyone in the car breaks into laughter.
“You’re sure that’s what you want?” Daisy asks with raised eyebrows.
“Positive. I’ll hire a moving company today. You shouldn’t be lifting anything, anyway. My house is your home to decorate however you want. Just get your ass over here tonight.”
<
br /> “What do you say, Landen?” she asks him over her shoulder but keeps her eyes on me.
“Heck, yeah!”
“All right, then. Sounds like you’ll have a full house soon, Rod.”
“Good, because the silence is killing me.”
“If you’d get me those drums I asked for, it wouldn’t be so quiet.” Isa to the rescue again.
“I told you they’re sold out of drums. Everywhere. Every store. Sorry, Isa. See, Daisy—we need you here. Now, drive safely and hurry home today.”
She drives off after a kiss goodbye, and I already feel as if a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders. When I walk back inside the house, Juliana meets me at the door with my phone in her hand.
“Mr. Stone? This is Justin McGrath. I have all the information you need on that person of interest you hired me to find. This man is shady as fuck and needs to be taken off the streets as soon as possible. When can we meet to discuss next steps and get warrants issued for his arrest?” He proceeds to share some of the more disturbing details of what he’s discovered with me.
This call is the last one I expected to receive today, of all days.
How do I tell Daisy about this today when we should be celebrating our new relationship status?
What do I tell her? Everything? Do I risk the stress it’ll put on her?
“Can you come by the house later this morning to give me the full rundown on everything you’ve found? Once I have all the information, I’ll talk to my… fiancé about pursuing charges on him.”
“I can be there by eleven. See you then.” We disconnect and I fill Juliana in on the details.
“All I can say is, this guy better be glad it was Justin who found him instead of me. I’d make sure he paid for his crime in all sorts of imaginative ways.”
All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) Page 18
