“I know, but when it’s over, you’ll forget all about it. I promise,” Frannie said.
“I don’t ever want to do this again,” Riley said.
Frannie laughed. “I bet you’ll change your mind.”
“I don’t ever want to do this once,” Lacy said.
“Wait until the baby comes and tell me how you feel,” Frannie said.
“Is Dad coming?” Riley asked.
“He’s on his way,” Frannie assured her.
“And Grandpa?”
“I assume Mom called him,” Frannie said.
“And Jason?” Riley asked.
“I haven’t had a chance to call,” Lacy said.
“Go call.”
Now that she could leave, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. For the last few hours, she had been the caregiver. It was harder to hand over the reins than she would have imagined.
“Mom will stay while you’re gone,” Riley said.
Lacy nodded and left the room. Her fingers shook as she pushed the button for Jason’s number. So much had happened. It was almost midnight. She was exhausted. How could she explain everything? Remember how you asked me to be safe? Well, I sort of pushed my way into a murder investigation and almost got myself and Riley killed. Then my pregnant sister saved me, and now she’s apparently turning inside out.
He didn’t answer. The call went to voicemail, and everything came out in a rush.
“Jason, Celia murdered Bob Hoskins and almost killed us, but we’re fine except Riley’s having the baby, and it’s the worst thing I’ve ever, ever seen and I want to go somewhere and hide, but what kind of rotten person leaves her little sister alone in labor, and I don’t think I want kids anymore and I love you so much, bye.”
She hung up and went back to the labor room.
“Is Jason coming?” Frannie asked.
“I got his voicemail,” Lacy said.
Frannie pressed her lips together. “What, Mom?”
“He should be here. This is a time for families.”
Her mom considered Jason family? Or was she simply trying hard to find fault with him for something beyond his control? “He’s almost done with his class. He’ll be home tomorrow,” Lacy assured her.
“What if I’m still in labor then?” Riley asked, near panic.
“You won’t be,” Frannie assured her. “It’s going to be over soon.”
“How do you know?” Riley asked.
“Because you want to give up. You always want to give up, and then the end arrives.”
“Is that what happened when you had us?” Lacy asked.
“I had some fairly strong words for your father about what he could do if he ever thought he was going to touch me again,” she said.
“What did Dad say to that?” she asked.
“He laughed. I kicked him. Hard. And it felt good,” Frannie said. She smiled, but it was a sad sort of smile.
“Mom,” Lacy started, but Riley sat up and clutched the sides of the bed.
“The baby is coming. Mom, go get the doctor.”
Frannie scurried out of the room without a word. Lacy sat by helplessly, unsure what to do. What if her mom didn’t find the doctor? What if it was like on television and she had to deliver the baby? She hadn’t watched enough Grey’s Anatomy to prepare her for that. And on TV it was always breech or twins or something else that required a last minute emergency procedure. Pleasenopleasenopleaseno, she silently prayed.
A minute later, her mother returned with a nurse and Tosh. “Look who I found,” she announced cheerfully.
Tosh rushed to Riley’s side and kissed her while the nurse made her inspection. Lacy stared hard at the clock and tried to block out everything else in the room.
“You’re right, girly,” the nurse said. “This baby is ready to roll.” She looked up and took stock of the room. “We have one too many visitors. Someone has to go.”
Lacy stood, but Riley grabbed her hand. “Don’t leave me.”
“I’ll go,” Frannie volunteered, and Riley didn’t hail her back.
Lacy stared forlornly at her mother’s retreating back. When she pictured this day, it was always her mother and Tosh in the room. Lacy had been prepared to pace in the waiting room with her grandparents and father. Never in a million years had she guessed that Riley would want her there for the main event.
“You’re sure you want me to stay?” she asked, but Riley was beyond conversation at that point. The nurse settled her in position just as the doctor bustled in.
“It’s a beautiful night to have a baby,” he said. “Everybody ready?”
No, Lacy thought, but he probably hadn’t been talking to her.
What followed next was like a beautiful nightmare. At one point everyone in the room was screaming, either in agony or encouragement. An hour and multiple later, the baby was born. Lacy had taken an active roll in the birth process, holding whatever part of Riley needed support, wiping sweat and tears, but when the baby arrived, she stepped back and let the family be. She watched with awe as two became three and a new family was formed. The moment between Riley and Tosh was too raw, too intimate. She pulled off her scrubs and eased away, sure that she wouldn’t be missed now.
Her family was waiting outside. She gave them the news and shared hugs, cheers, and tears, but she was numb inside. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy; she was ecstatic. But she hadn’t had time alone to process her feelings and put them into place. She needed a quiet place to think, and all would be right with the world again.
While her family was in the midst of celebration, she slipped away again, this time to a smaller, quieter waiting room. She sat and let herself feel, purging all of the pent up and difficult emotions. She reviewed her thoughts and catalogued them, emptying her brain so it was no longer too crowded to function. Somewhere near the end of her review, she eased into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Chapter 17
Someone touched her, and she woke with a start.
“Hey, you’re an aunt,” Jason said. He stood bending over her, his face stubbled and unshaven.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“Six in the morning.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I got your message and drove all night.” He nudged her aside and sat before pulling her into his lap. For a minute, he held her close without saying a word.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said, an understatement. She was no longer alone, and that meant the world.
“I’m sorry I missed it. Sounds like it was a crazy time.”
“It was,” she said.
“Still think you don’t want kids?”
“I might be talked into it, but I want drugs, lots and lots of drugs. In fact, I’d like to get an epidural right now, just to make sure.”
He chuckled and kissed her. “You’re sad,” he said when the kiss was over.
“It’s nothing,” she assured him.
“What’s nothing?”
“It’s going to seem so petty,” she said.
“Lacy,” he pressed.
“She used my name.”
“What?”
“Riley. I told her what I wanted to name a girl, if I ever had one. And she used it.”
“What’s the name?” he asked.
“Lucinda, after Grandma, and they’re going to call her Lucy. I mean, I guess it was up for grabs since it’s Grandma’s name, but…”
“But you told her it was the name you wanted to use, and she took it,” he said.
She nodded.
“At least she’s consistently a brat. It’s comforting to know that motherhood doesn’t completely change a person,” he said.
His commiseration eased the pain away. “I’ll have a niece Lucy. It’s not that big of a deal. Do you want to hold her?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve never held a baby. I wouldn’t know what to do,” Jason said.
“It’s like holding a football, only you don’t throw her d
own and spike her if you get really excited. Come on, all family has to hold the baby. It’s the law.” She stood and pulled him behind her. She hadn’t held her yet, either. Now that her head was clear, excitement had taken over and she couldn’t wait to get her hands on her first niece.
They found her in Riley’s room. Tosh was holding her while Riley ate.
“This food is disgusting,” Riley said. “I can’t wait until Grandma gets here with the prune cake.”
“Save some for Jason. It’s his favorite,” Lacy said.
“Mm,” Jason said, rubbing his stomach. He wasn’t a fan of the prune cake, but no one had the heart to tell Lucinda. She served him a huge piece every time she made it.
“Can I hold her?” Lacy asked.
“As if you even have to ask,” Tosh said. He handed the baby over with a jaw-cracking yawn. “I’m going to go scout for coffee. Anyone want any?”
“I do,” Riley said. “And see if they have any ice cream. I’m so hungry.”
There might have been more conversation, but Lacy didn’t hear. All her focus shifted to the new little life in front of her. Lucy was a beauty. She had Riley’s thick brown hair.
“She’s perfect,” Lacy said.
“Yep,” Riley agreed, but she didn’t look up from her Jell-O.
“Your turn,” Lacy said.
“Are you sure?” Jason asked uncertainly.
“It’s easier than it looks,” Lacy told him. She handed the baby over. He cradled her close, holding her perfectly, as she knew he would.
“This is way better than a football,” he whispered.
The door opened and her mom stuck her head inside. “Lacy, can I talk to you?”
“Sure,” Lacy said, but her heart began to pound erratically. Why did she have the feeling she wasn’t going to like what she was about to hear? She shot Jason a look of desperation.
“Good luck,” he mouthed and sat down with the baby.
She followed her mom from the room. They walked down the hall awhile before either of them spoke. “I owe you an apology,” Frannie said at last. “You were right. I did know Bob Hoskins in high school. He used to hang out and smoke under the bleachers during cheer practice. But I did not have any kind of romance with him, I promise you that. We talked a few times, that was all.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know. I was embarrassed, I guess. He was not of the same social caliber. Your dad didn’t know that I talked to him sometimes, and I didn’t want to make it seem like more than it was. It felt like opening an old can of worms.”
“You found his body,” Lacy said.
Frannie’s chin wobbled. “Yes, and it was awful.”
“Why did you go there that night?”
“To ask him not to dredge up the past. There were things from high school I would rather not relive. Again, the can of worms.”
That made no sense to Lacy, but her mother had always been touchy about anything that might embarrass her. It could be that she smoked once under the bleachers. Knowing her mother, that was the kind of secret she would take to her grave and ask someone not to reveal.
“There’s more,” Frannie said, and Lacy’s dread increased. Suddenly she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the rest, but it was too late. Her mother was already speaking.
“Your dad and I, things haven’t been going well for a while now. We’ve decided to separate.”
Lacy stopped walking and faced her. “What?”
“We’re going to separate. When he goes back to Florida, I’m not going with him. I’m going to stay and help with the baby, and after that…Well, after that we’ll see.”
“Mom…” Lacy started, but didn’t know where to go. Her parents’ relationship with each other was different from her relationship with them. She had no right to interfere in their marriage, and yet someone needed to. “Have you tried counseling? You’ve been together since high school. I’m sure this can be worked out, if you try.”
Frannie shook her head sadly. “Some things are too big to work through,” she said. She shook her head and forced a smile. “Anyway, I’d better get back to my granddaughter. Go home and get some sleep, honey. You look tired.” She squeezed Lacy’s shoulder and disappeared.
Lacy remained staring stupidly in the hallway until Jason found her. “I gave the baby back to Riley. It was time for her feeding. What’s up?” he asked.
“My parents aren’t going to be married anymore,” she said.
“What?” he exclaimed.
“My mom told me they’re separating. Dad’s going back to Florida, and she’s staying here.” Impatiently, she dashed at her eyes and sniffed. She didn’t want to have a meltdown, not here and not now.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Can you leave now?” he asked. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
She nodded. “What did you have in mind?”
“Breakfast at my place, and then a nap. I’m getting too old for these all-nighters.”
“Sounds delightful. Can I meet you there? There’s one thing I have to do first,” she said.
“Do you want me to come with you?” he asked.
“No, it’s something I have to do on my own,” she said.
“Cryptic. All right. Don’t be too long.”
“I won’t,” she promised. She kissed him goodbye and asked her grandfather to give her a ride.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” her grandpa asked as he dropped her off.
“Positive,” she said.
“What does Jason think?” he asked.
“I’ll find out after I tell him,” she said.
He smiled. “That sounds about right. Be safe.”
“I will.” Why did everyone make her promise that? She supposed she should be flattered that they cared.
She left the car and took a few steps forward. It didn’t take long for someone to find her.
“Can I help you?” a hopeful salesman asked.
“Yes, I need to make a purchase,” she said.
“Super. We have a special lease option on our Cadillacs this month,” he said.
“No, I don’t want a Cadillac,” she said. “I want that.” She pointed to the blue Vespa.
“It’s almost winter,” the salesman said, and then realized he might be talking himself out of a sale. “But they say it’s going to be a mild one.”
“I don’t care. I want it,” Lacy said. “Let’s go into the office and talk price.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
“Don’t call me ma’am,” she said. “It’s Lacy.”
“All right,” he said cheerfully.
They went into an office and haggled briefly over the price. A half an hour later, Lacy drove away on her new scooter.
The first thing she would need to do was buy a helmet. But for now, for one brief minute, the wind in her hair felt like freedom. She pushed all thoughts away—her parents, Lucy, Bob Hoskins, Celia, and even Jason—and enjoyed the ride.
Ladies' Circle of Murder (A Lacy Steele Mystery Book 8) Page 15
