Blush

by Anne Mercier

  “She's more than that. She's everything,“ I whisper.

  Everyone pauses, Toni glances at me with a soft smile. I clear my throat.

  “Alright, Mr. Kingston,“ Toni begins. “I need to put some of this on your wife's abdomen, then I'll use this wand here to see if we can get a look at your baby—“

  “Mini-us,“ Sera interrupts.

  “Pardon?“ Toni asks.

  “Mini-us. We call the baby mini-us,“ Sera clarifies.

  “Oh, that's super cute,“ Toni says, setting up the machine and turning it so she can get a look at it. I move closer to get a look. “First, let's see if we can hear a heartbeat. I know the heartbeats were strong in the ER.“

  I look at Lucy's monitor and her heartbeat is regular and stable.

  It only takes a minute before we hear a whooshing. Toni grins.

  “There, Mr. Kingston. That's the sound of your baby's heartbeat.“

  I grab Lucy's hand. “You hear that, baby? That's mini-us's heartbeat,“ I whisper.

  Her fingers twitch and I freeze, my gaze flying up to her face. Her lips quiver. Oh God, not another seizure. Please, God. No.

  Her lips move again. I look up at Xander.

  “Do you see this?“

  He nods, his mouth gaping. “Lean the fuck in there man. I think she's trying to say something.“

  I lean down. “What is it, baby? Talk to me,“ I say through watery eyes.

  “Tis.“

  “What?“ It's muffled and garbled and I have no idea what she's trying to say.

  Lucy's lips stop moving and her face goes slack, looking peaceful now.

  “Uh,“ Xander scratches his head. “Tis the season to be jolly?“

  “Dick,“ Sera chides and smacks the back of his head.

  “What?“ he smirks.

  “You know Lucy'd have smacked you just like that.“

  “Fucking A she woulda. You've got that sisterly thing down pat,“ he tells Sera with admiration.

  “Mr. Kingston?“ Toni calls out. “Let's take a look.“ She holds what she calls a wand to Lucy's stomach, poking and rolling it around in that goopy lube-looking stuff and she focuses on the monitor.

  I look and I don't see anything.

  “There,“ she says, pointing.

  I step closer, still holding Lucy's hand. “That peanut-looking thing?“

  Toni smiles. “Yes, exactly. But wait.“ She frowns.

  Oh man. That's not good. My stomach leaps up into my throat. I lean down and kiss Lucy's hand. I don't know who I'm reassuring: her or me.

  Toni points again. “See there?“

  “What's that?“ I ask.

  “Dude!“ Xander shouts and Toni jumps.

  “What?“ I ask her.

  “Oh boy,“ Sera says, smiling wide.

  “Ooo-kay, “ Toni says with a smirk, her eyes meeting mine. “And, Mr. Kingston, do you see this?“

  “Holy Mary mother of God,“ Trace says, making the sign of the cross.

  Cage, Damian, Ben, and Meggie all kiss their thumbs, their hands closed and murmur an “Amen.“

  “What?“ I ask again, my frustration showing.

  I look at Toni who is printing things off of the portable machine and she then looks at me.

  “Let me explain.“

  “Please do,“ I plead.

  “Here's a picture of your baby,“ she tells me, putting the photo on the bed by Lucy's hip.

  I nod and grin seeing the 'peanut'.

  She puts another photo down. “Here's another picture of your baby.“

  “We get more than one?“

  “If you're lucky, dude,“ Xander exclaims with a wiggle of his brows. What the fuck is he talking about?

  “And here's another picture of your baby.“ Toni sets a third picture down on the bed.

  My brow furrows and Janalee is bouncing next to Meggie.

  “I swear he's not an idiot,“ Janalee announces. “He's just a little slow sometimes.“

  Kennedy laughs and Meggie snorts.

  “Fuckers.“

  The room erupts into chuckles and snickers.

  “Wait!“ I say, my heart beating a gazillion miles an hour. “Hold the motherfucking phone.“

  “Language around mini-us,“ Ben chides. “The fuck dude.“

  I laugh. “You realize you just swore too.“

  “There's no way that peanut can hear me from over here.“

  Toni steps up. “Oh, you'd be surprised at what babies can hear in the womb.“

  Ben's face pales. “Oh man. Sorry, little one.“

  Janalee laughs. “Both my brothers are slow.“

  Ethan grins. “Pretty sure they're both idiots.“

  I give him the finger.

  “So, okay. Here's the picture of mini-us.“

  Toni nods at me.

  “And a picture of another mini-us?“ I ask, swallowing hard as realization is dawning.

  She nods again, smiling wider. “Yep.“

  “Oh man,“ Ben murmurs.

  “Uh, and a picture of another mini-us?“

  “Uh-huh,“ Toni responds.

  “I need to sit down,“ I tell no one in particular.

  “Hang on,“ Toni says and I am paralyzed.

  “No fucking way!“ Damian shouts.

  Toni bursts out laughing. “No, I was just fucking with you.“

  “Are you allowed to do that?“ I ask, recovering from my near heart attack.

  “Probably not.“

  “Well if you can do that, then I can do this,“ I flip Toni off and she laughs long and loud.

  “I'm glad someone is having a good time in here while my granddaughter is in a coma,“ says a man dressed in an expensive suit, likely Armani, with salt and pepper hair combed back off of his face. He's using a black walking cane with a carved hand grip though I can't make out what it is.

  “Giovanni,“ Cage steps forward. “Glad you made it safely.“

  “And just in time,“ Toni tells him. Does she know the old man?

  “Just in time for what?“ he asks.

  “The announcement that Luciana and Jesse are having triplets, grandpa,“ Sera notifies him as she walks over and gives him a hug.

  His brows lift and his gaze meets mine, his eyes momentarily lower to where I'm holding Lucy's hand between mine just over our babies' photos. I ignore them all and turn my back to the room. Rude or not, I need a moment with my wife.

  I sit on the edge of the bed and lean in close to her.

  “Luce, holy shit. Did you hear that?“ I shake my head. “We're having triplets. Three babies, Luce. Three. Babies.“ I kiss her hand.

  “You guys just can't do anything normal, can you?“ Xander asks.

  “Go big or go home?“ I murmur and he laughs.

  “That's what I like to hear,“ Anthony says from the doorway. “Happiness instead of sadness. That's what Luciana needs to hear as well.“

  “Yes, she does,“ Regina says, standing next to me. She nudges me with an elbow and I meet her gaze. “My son-in-law, the overachiever,“ she teases with a lift of her brow as she sees the three photos.

  “By the way,“ Toni interrupts, “Luciana is about eleven weeks along, nearly through the first trimester.“

  “That's good right?“ I ask. Toni nods.

  “Very good, especially with triplets.“

  “Jesus, Jesse,“ Ben chides.

  I shrug. “I can't help it if my guys are super swimmers.“

  “Hell,“ Xander begins, “his spermies are just as hot for her eggs as Jesse's—“

  “Xander Mackenzie, you will not finish that sentence,“ mama scolds.

  “Yes, mama.“

  The room grows silent. A few seconds later it erupts into laughter.

  I turn to Regina as she lays her hand over Lucy's as it rests in mine. I pull her into a hug. “I'm so glad you're here,“ I admit.

  She nods against me. “We'll get her through this, Jesse. Our Luciana is a strong one.“

  �
�That she is.“

  Regina pulls back then cuffs me upside the head. “You didn't happen to notice this baby belly on your wife?“

  “Mama, damn. I thought maybe she was just putting on some weight. She looks healthier now. She was kinda skinny before,“ I plead.

  She nods. “Alright. I can accept that reason.“

  “So that was Lucy's pregnancy test in the bathroom then?“ Trace asks.

  “What? No. We found out from the hospital,“ I tell him, confused.

  “Then whose was it?“ Trace asks, looking between Meggie, Sera, Misty, and Janalee.

  Janalee steps up. “It was mine. Yep, mine. I'm pregnant brothers,“ she announces, looking between me and Ben. “Yay!“

  “What the fuck?“ Ben bellows.

  “My sentiments exactly. Who's the son of a bitch we need to kill?“ I ask.

  She snorts, my baby sister. “This from the man who knocked his wife up with triplets—“

  “Yes, wife.“

  “Before you were married!“

  “Doesn't matter,“ I tell her. “We are married and I want this guy's name.“

  She crosses her arms over her chest. “No. Not happening.“

  “Oh, I beg to differ,“ Ben tells her, stepping up into her face.

  “Beg all you want. Not. Happening,“ she snarls with a poke to his chest.

  He growls and looks down his nose at her, trying to intimidate her. “You will tell me. Whoever he is better step up and take responsibility.“

  She rolls her eyes.

  “Whoa,“ Misty murmurs. “Could there be any more drama in this room?“

  “I don't know,“ Ben asks her. “Are you pregnant?“

  She crosses her arms much the same way Janalee did. “How is that any your business?“

  “Oh, I like these ladies. Serafina, introduce me,“ Regina says, dismissing Ben, dismissing me, and, in her roundabout way, protecting Janalee.

  I frown and murmur to Lucy. “Your mom's evil.“

  “You have no idea,“ Giovanni Russo tells me. “I'd say it's past time we met, don't you?“ he asks.

  I nod.

  “Jesse Kingston,“ I murmur, holding out the hand not holding Lucy's.

  “Giovanni Russo,“ he tells me, shaking my hand.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir.“

  He nods. “Good manners. I like that. Call me Giovanni. How is our Luciana?“ he asks.

  “Honestly,“ I murmur, “I have no idea. She seems fine one minute and then the next she's having a seizure. They said if she has another, they'd probably have to do surgery. They want to do another MRI. Is that safe with the babies?“ I ask no one in particular.

  Giovanni clamps a hand on my shoulder. “No worries, my boy. Only the best are looking after my granddaughter. I assure you she and your bambinos are in good hands.“

  I'm not really comfortable with Giovanni taking care of the expenses and I'm about to tell him that when he beats me to the punch.

  “I know you're a prideful man,“ he begins as Anthony walks up, “and I respect that, but I hope you'll accept this, my taking care of the details and finances, as a gift from me and Carlotta, my wife, to you and Luciana.“

  I consider, then know if I say no I'll insult him and Lucy wouldn't want that. She'd find a way to get me to accept his help anyway.

  I nod. “Thank you, Si—Giovanni,“ I correct as he raises his brow. He nods.

  “You're most welcome. We're Famiglia. We take care of each other.“

  “Does that mean I'm family too?“ Xander asks, resting his head on Regina's shoulder.

  She pats his head.

  “Yes, yes, of course you are,“ Giovanni answers, startling Xander who looks at us in surprise. “Xander Thomas Mackenzie. Father Matthew Mackenzie, prominent obstetrician in the Los Angeles area, correct?“ Giovanni asks and Xander nods, narrowing his eyes.

  The old man looks around the room.

  “Megan Melody.“

  Meggie nods. “Pleasure.“

  He smiles and tips his head slightly.

  “Benjamin Kingston.“

  “Sir,“ Ben replies.

  “Please, call me Giovanni. All of you.“

  “Jace Warner, we're no strangers. How are you, son?“

  “Doing well, Giovanni. It's good to see you again.“

  “You as well. Trace Styx.“

  Trace lifts a brow.

  “No worries. I won't divulge your inherited last name.“

  Trace grins and nods in greeting.

  “Ah, Damian Black. It's been a while.“

  “Sir,“ Damian murmurs, stepping forward to shake his hand.

  “We need to discuss business shortly along with Cage Nichols.“

  “Yes, Sir,“ Damian agrees.

  Cage nods.

  Just who the fuck is Damian Black, I wonder. I look at Sera who looks away. That one knows more than she's told her sister, otherwise I'd know more. Interesting.

  Xander lifts a brow and I shake my head. Later.

  He nods.

  “Ethan Ashcroft.“

  “Sir,“ Ethan begins.

  “No, come now. Giovanni. We are all Famiglia now.“

  “Giovanni,“ Ethan agrees.

  “Kennedy Caldwell.“

  He tips his head and the old man does the same.

  He taps his finger to his lips.

  “Misty Castillo. You are new to la Famiglia, yes?“

  “I am.“

  “My granddaughter, she has a big heart as does Ben Kingston.“

  Ben tilts his head to the side and the old man doesn't blink.

  “They do. I'm very lucky to be part of their family.“

  Giovanni nods again.

  “Janalee Kingston, I presume?“ he asks.

  “Correct, Giovanni Russo. A pleasure.“

  “Mine as well. Such a lovely young woman,“ he tells her and glances to his left. I look to his left. Ethan and Kennedy? What's he looking at—or for?

  “Now that we've all met, found out my granddaughter and Jesse are having triplets, and have security and the media under control, it's time to make some heads roll,“ he tells Cage pointedly.

  “Literally,“ Sera murmurs.

  “Yes, quite literally, nipote. There is no hurting of mi Famiglia. Ever. I apologize to you, Serafina, but the Manzini's must pay for their attack and threats. I believe I have let this go on for far too long and they believe I've gone soft.“ The old man laughs and it's a very sinister sounding laugh. Soft? This guy? Are they fucking crazy?

  “I haven't been a true Manzini for a very long time. And you, nonno, soft?“ Sera laughs.

  “Is a joke to think such a thing. We will correct them, will we not, Cage.“

  It's not a question and Cage doesn't answer but I don't think he really needs to.

  “Now I've just got to say,“ Xander begins and I nearly groan aloud, “I fucking knew you were a bad ass dude, Cage, my man. Damian, you're way more fucked up than I imagined.“

  Damian grins. “You have no idea.“

  “And I certainly don't want to.“

  “No, no you don't,“ Anthony begins. “Papa, what do you need done?“

  Giovanni blinks, but only once, then nods at Anthony. “Are you certain you want to become involved?“

  “They threaten and hurt my family, our family. I won't stand by and allow this to happen. I vowed to not become involved in la famiglia unless it was to protect. Now it also involves revenge,“ Anthony bites out.

  “As you wish. Let us go discuss things. Cage, Damian.“

  “I would like to go as well,“ Regina tells him.

  He pauses. “You are a Manzini by blood but you are a true Russo through-and-through. You are always welcome to sit at the table but, Regina, you know the rules. Females may not participate.“

  “This I know, Giovanni. I would merely like to be in the know.“

  “So be it.“

  With that they leave the room and the tension could be cut
with a knife.

  “Well then,“ Jace says. “That was fun, huh?“

  No one says much.

  “Does this mean we're all part of the Russo clan or cartel or whatever it's called?“ Ethan asks.

  Sera nods. “You're Famiglia.“

  “I'll take that protection right about now,“ Meggie announces as she walks over to Sera and kisses her forehead. “These motherfuckers knew what they were doing.“

  “What do you mean?“ I ask. I hadn't gotten many details.

  “It was assumed it was a rock that hit Lucy. Sharp, jagged, and whoever threw it had impeccable aim and incredible strength, but when I was listening to security talking before we all headed over here, I heard them say it was a chunk of ice.“

  “Ice?“ I ask.

  She nods. “Clever if you ask me. The impact of a jagged ice ball as damaging as that of a rock, but the effect of the sharpness of the edges and the fact that the ice melts, leaving no trace evidence including fingerprints, well…“ she trails off with a shrug.

  I look to Kennedy who nods his agreement.

  Lucy's fingers twitch in my hand and I look down at her. Her eyelids flutter and I say a silent prayer that she doesn't have another seizure. Her heart rate begins to elevate and I begin to panic.

  “Baby, it's alright,“ I murmur close to her ear. “You're safe. Your grandpa is here and the old man has taken charge. You can breathe easy.“

  I watch as her heartbeat slows a little on the monitor.

  “You just rest up, Lucy. Take care of you and our mini-us's.“ I shake my head, knowing I'll have a full-blown panic attack later. “Triplets, Luce. How the fuck did we manage that one?“

  Janalee laughs behind me. “Jeni and I are twins. It's not a far toss that we had a higher probability of having multiples.“

  “Man,“ I whisper.

  I imagine I can hear her laugh and I smile.

  “I have no idea how this has become my life,“ I murmur to everyone in the room who gathers around, “but this is my wife and those are my kids in there. You all are my family. I'm sorry you've stepped into this. If you want to step out until things calm down, take off for a vacation or something, I completely understand.“

  “What the fuck, man? You think we're a bunch of pussies who can't handle a little mafia action?“ Kennedy jokes.

  “The thought had crossed my mind.“

  “Fuck them,“ he affirms. “That's our girl there and those are our kids. No one fucks with Lucy and the mini-us's and gets away with it. I'm fucking setting up camp in the corner over there and I'm not leaving until Lucy's awake and I know she's alright,“ Kennedy tells me, turning and walking to the sofa in the corner. He sits down and kicks his feet up on the table.