by Rayne O'Gara
“I’ll go grab her bags and meet you at the car.” His mouth brushes a soft kiss to my cheeks before picking up Shiloh’s garbage bagged possessions and heads out of the door.
Turning to said little girl, I stretch my hand down to her. “Walk with me?” I ask.
I fall in love with this sweet thing when she clasps tightly at my fingers with no hesitation. I passed the test and I am trusted.
The smile falls from my face. Please don’t let me break that trust.
While we walk to the car, Luc has already stowed her bag and attached her booster seat in the back. He lifts her up and fastens her in as I say good-bye to Heather.
With us all in and buckled up, Luc turns around so he is able to look at us both. “Lunch then? The diner okay?”
“Yes, they have spaghetti I believe.”
“They sure do. But you know who makes the best spaghetti ever?” he asks Shiloh.
“Who?”
“Me,” he answers and I laugh at his playfulness.
“Well, next time you will just have to be the cook. But you better do an amazing chocolate cake. You can’t have spaghetti without chocolate cake for dessert.”
“Cake! I want cake too!” Shiloh yells from the back in excitement.
“Of course! Let us eat cake!” Luc laughs out as he pulls out of the parking lot and into the lunch traffic. Heavy traffic in Liberty is like a big city at nine p.m. We make it back over to Millie’s in no time, but it seems long enough for Shiloh’s head and eyes to start drooping. I see an early bedtime tonight.
Lunch was a fun and messy encounter that I can say I loved every second of. Even the four times she needed to go potty and the spaghetti sauce stains on all of our clothing. Never knew how dangerous one very well placed handprint of sauce could be.
Once again back in the car, I thought we were going to go settle her into my apartment. But Luc has other plans apparently, when Wal-Mart parking lot comes into view.
“What are we doing?” I ask.
“Shiloh needs some personal things. Shampoo and body wash, lotion. Is she fully potty trained? And I need some things too.”
“Oh you’re right. Why didn’t I think of that!? And we need some groceries too. Thanks, Luc. You know, I am really happy you’re here,” I say.
He leans over and cups my face with his large hand. He pulls away after a swift kiss to my lips and smiles a knee weakening smile. “Wouldn’t miss a second of it, baby.”
I watch him get out of the car and move around to unbuckle Shiloh. My mind quiet but my heart racing. I am so in love with this man…and I am scared shitless of that.
Chapter Fifteen
Harmony…
Two weeks later…
It’s true. Time really does fly when you are having fun. All of Luc’s and my vacation were spent together. Either at his place or mine we spent every night together. Things haven’t changed much in that respect since we both started back up at work. His hours run longer sometimes than mine but I do have the rare late night myself. We planned out dinner and where we were sleeping that night on who was working late. If I was off, he would meet me at my place and then vice versa. You would think we wouldn’t get to see each other very often with us both being workaholics, but I didn’t want to stay late at work anymore. What really shocked me was the phone call with my father.
My second day back to work he rang me up and said thank you.
“For what?” I asked.
“Getting Luc to mellow. I knew you two would be a good match.”
“What!? I…I am not really understanding, Dad.”
“I figured you were the reason he walked into my office and asked for the desk. Man is taking a step back from the danger and long hours. Now why do you suppose he would do that?” he said with a chuckle. Obviously loving having been right about us. “Have a good day, sweetie. I’ll talk to you later.”
Dad hung up leaving me open-jawed and staring at my office phone in my hand. Okay…so Bronnie was right.
Thinking of Bronnie makes me smile when I remember that conversation. Excitement and ‘I told you so’s’ were abundantly followed by the ‘does he have any single friends’ bit. Love that woman something fierce. Last week I actually went to a girl brunch for the first time with her. Yeah, I have done brunch with just Bronwyne, but not a group of friends. It was nice. Nice in a Sofie is a dirty-minded-riot, followed by a blushing-but-no-less-dirty Cait. I think we laughed more than we ate that day. I think Cait beat out Bronnie in most blushes. I’m really glad to have an awesome circle of friends like them.
Luc talked me into his family’s Sunday lunch last Sunday. His family is huge! Four sisters and a brother. Unfortunately his brother, Viktor, wasn’t there but is overseas fighting for us. He is a hero in his family’s and my eyes. I can’t wait to meet him. I was able to meet some of his nieces and nephews. His older sister, Cara, lives in New York with her husband and son, but will be coming down for Christmas. I was told it will be a lot of fun so maybe I will be meeting them then. His mother gave me multiple bear hugs throughout the day and I finally found out what those Italian words were she called me. I freaked a little over the future daughter-in-law one until I caught sight of Luc holding his littlest niece, Arabella. The warmth coming from his eyes when ours met soothed me. He hasn’t said the words, but I like to think that it is being said silently when he looks at me like that.
I really hope because I fall more and more in love with him every day. I’m still scared of the bottom line. I know I should be positive of a future with us, but I just can’t stop feeling like there will be an end.
I start to relax in our relationship then something happens that sets our tempers off. We never yell or throw dirty words, but there is anger and one of us ends up storming off. I hate those fights, but I love the makeup sex. He was right from the beginning. We experienced all types of sex and makeup is the best. So passionate. So explosive. Even better than drunk sex.
There was one really big down in the life rollercoaster in the past two weeks though. My face falls just thinking her name. Shiloh. Sweet Shiloh. The weekend we had her was incredible. The store trip was even a blast. Her eyes kept lighting up at everything she saw. Of course we had to detour to the clothes and toys. Okay, we spoiled her. Freakin’. Rotten.
I still have her favorite cereal in my pantry and tears fell when on Tuesday after she was gone Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was playing on my TV. Her favorite show.
I was in the bathroom on Saturday morning when she screamed. I jumped up and ran into the living room expecting broken things, even blood, but it was just her dancing around and singing along to the intro of the show. I joined in at the ‘It’s fun inside, come inside’ part and she squealed harder before settling down together on the couch to watch it.
Later that day, Luc came home carrying a plastic bag. Shiloh was sitting in front of me on the floor because I just finished with her hair. I love pigtails, and she was so cute with them. Her big blues widened at him walking in. She turned around to me and smiled hugely.
“Look, look, ‘Armny! Luc, Luc! Hi, Luc!” The speedy little thing was in his arms in a blink.
My ears are still ringing with her excitement over the princess dress he revealed that was in the bag. At first we were worried because she made no movement. I don’t think she even breathed there for a bit. Her little hand reached out tentatively and touched the sparkly fabric. She went to sleep in that dress that night. Before she slipped into dreamland, she hugged me then Luc and looked at us very seriously before saying she wished I was her mommy and Luc her daddy. I cried in the shower after she was asleep. I couldn’t let Luc see how much her words affected me. I also haven’t been able to forget those words. I wanted to be her mommy too. I still want that. I just haven’t had the courage to talk to Heather about it yet. It’s a lot to think of. A lot that has to be done first. Saying good-bye on Monday was horrible. The new foster parents were good people. Nice people. After I did extensive checks on them, I was all
right to let her go. Somewhat.
My office phone pulls my head back to the here and now. Shoving my feelings aside, I answer, but smile again when I hear the voice on the other end.
“Hello, lovely.”
“Well if it isn’t my favorite prego. How are you?” I ask Cait.
“Huh, I wonder. After I’m not pregnant anymore what will I be your favorite of then?”
“Oh, honey, you have two husbands…when will you not be pregnant?” I ask in a serious tone.
“Ha ha, you’re so very clever, aren’t you?” she says before barking out laughter. “You’re probably right. I need to consider my birth control options if I don’t want to be barefoot and pregnant my whole life.”
“Might be a good idea, babe,” I join in with her laughing. It’s contagious.
“You wanna do lunch? I am actually just around the corner from you and thought, I’m starving! But I don’t want to eat by myself and we need to catch up on chitchat.”
“So what you’re saying is I’m convenient for your plans?’ I ask, still laughing.
“Yes, possibly. I could take the Sofie route. You downstairs. Now. We’re doing lunch.”
“I’ll see you downstairs in a few.”
“Wow. I need to take the Sofie approach more often. It works really well. Bye!”
The click of her line ends her ideas. I gather my stuff up quickly then walk by the reception desk letting them know I’m off to lunch. Once outside, I’m not disappointed in waiting time. She’s already there and waiting for me. Either she lied about where she was or she is the world’s fastest waddler.
Cait links our arms together and we start walking down the sidewalk side by side. Only a block away is a great little restaurant. With it being a beautiful day we settle down outside at one of the patio tables under a large umbrella.
We order our drinks then we go ahead and order our food. Both of us eat here regularly so we know the menu by heart, at least what we like to eat off the menu that is.
“Speaking of you being ready to pop, I keep hearing how funny the story is of you telling the guys you were expecting, but no one will tell me the actually story.”
I sip on my water and watch the silly grin appear on her face along with a twinkle in her pretty eyes.
“I have to say that it was one of the best nights of my life. It was at the Fireman’s Ball in Austin. I just found out for sure I was pregnant that day from the doctor. I wanted it to be a surprise so I was keeping it on the DL. When we were dating I felt out their kid response and Roman’s was a little, um…well he almost drove us off the road actually. So I was a little nervous about it.” She stops and sips her own drink.
“You’re killin’ me, Smalls! What happened?”
“Calm down now,” she admonishes playfully. “It was nothing major. No giant reactions or anything.”
“You said it was one of the best nights of your life, so something happened that makes it stand out.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t like what you were thinking.”
“Caitriona. Spill already,” I say with my voice whiney.
“Okay, okay. So late that night, we left the Ball but didn’t go home. We rented a motel room in one of the best places in Austin. When we arrived, it was incredible! Candles and roses spread all over. Champagne and strawberries. Music already playing. They rented a suite. It was so beautiful. If we hadn’t already been engaged it would have been a perfect proposing set-up. I asked why all the fancy and Alex said they wanted to show their love for me and they didn’t need a big reason to do so.”
“Oh that’s so sweet,” I say, seeing a vison in my head of the same scenario but with Luc and I in their stead and it being a proposing set-up.
“I know! I lucked out like nothing before. Don’t get me wrong, we have our fights, oh boy do we. But the good times eclipse the bad ones. Now, we are all cozied on the couch with our drinks and of course they notice I am not drinking. Why not? asks Alex. I say, Oh, just not that thirsty I guess. I can’t help but to play with them a bit, it’s a lot of fun. Of course Roman being my perceptive one just shakes his head at that and says my whole name Caitriona with his deep growly voice. When I hear that, I know I am in or about to be in trouble. So I spill that alcohol isn’t the best thing for my condition.”
“Just like that? That’s how you told them?!” I ask a little surprised.
“Yeah. Later I went into detail though. I wanted to watch the wheels turn,” she explains laughing. “Alex’s looked confused until light so bright seemed to shine from his eyes before he jumped up and literally, I kid you not, hollered and whooped. Roman sat very still and quiet with lowered eyebrows staring into my face before leaning in and kissing the ever-loving daylights out of me. He mumbled something like gun safe and lots of guns before picking me up in his massive arms then said, Bed now. We stayed in that hotel bed for the entire weekend, only getting up to answer room service…and shower…okay, so it’s a safer bet to say we got out of bed and slept together all over the hotel room only stopping to answer room service.” She finishes her story with a long drink from her water this time.
“Wow. That sounds amazing. Congratulations again, Cait. I’m really happy you’re happy.”
Our food arrives before the conversation goes any further. We both dig into our plates and only really share a few words here and there between mouthfuls.
Finished eating, I pay the bill and Cait handles the tip. She argues over the bill but I win. We say good-bye to the hostess and head away from the restaurant. A shop window with sparklies catch our eyes and we pause to look and drool over the jewelry.
After what seems like only seconds, Cait’s arms flutter down to wrap around her stomach. She looks over to me with a grimace and my heart rate doubles.
“Cait? Are you all right?” I ask, putting my hand on her shoulder.
“I think. Um, I’m pretty sure that is, that my…uh...Oh God, Harm, my water just broke!”
Shit!
Chapter Sixteen
Harmony…
The drive to the hospital in Austin was torturous. Traffic sucked. The radio sucked. Cait leaked all over the place…which sucked. But it was so exciting! She was going to meet her little baby boy. He is going to grow up in an unorthodox but loving home. He will want for nothing.
I hold her hand the whole way, saying positive things. When the contractions really started to take off, that’s when Cait started to freak out on me. I promised to do so much for her my head is still swimming.
After reaching the hospital, I get her signed in and with the help of a nurse, we get her to the maternity ward. We get her changed and comfortable, well, as much as you can be in this kind of situation. I have promises and phone calls to do so I start inching out of the door while she is busy with the doctor, but I am caught.
“Where are you going? You can’t leave me, please don’t leave me,” she starts with anger in her voice that fades into almost panic.
“I was just going to make the phone calls. I am not going to leave you until those men of yours get here. I will be just right outside as to not bother you.”
“Oh, okay. Good idea. Please tell them to hurry the fuck up and get their asses over here right now!” she yells.
“Will do,” I say, making my exit to just right outside the door.
Not chancing Alex’s or Roman’s cells, I call the fire station directly. Asking for Roman, I wait only a few moments before his gruff voice comes over the receiver.
“Kavanah.”
“Hello, Roman. This is Harmony. I am actually with Cait right now and we need you to and I quote ‘hurry the fuck up and get ya’lls’ asses over to the hospital right now.’
“What!?” he roars.
“Her water broke! She is having your son so you and Alex need to get here ASAP! Hello? Roman?” He hung up on me. Well at least that means he’s in a rush, so hopefully he will be here soon.
I peek my head around the corner and check on mommy-to-be.
&n
bsp; “The guys are on their way, babe.”
“Awesome. I’ll forget the contract killer and just do it myself. No one would convict me. Free bird, baby!” Cait breathes through another contraction.
I am no expert on having babies, but this seems to be going really fast. Finding a doctor, I ask quick and to the point questions, but I am rewarded with answers that frustrate me even more.
“Every labor is different. All depends on her body.” Well fuck you very much!
Good Lord! I need to get calling! This baby could pop out at any moment!
I quickly dial Sofie’s number first and relay the news and whereabouts before hanging up and calling Luc. Even if he isn’t a part of this baby, he knows all parties involved and…and I need him here for me.
Back in the room, I try to calm down Cait. I wipe the sweat from her brow, feed her ice chips, and suffer through the bone snapping strength only a pregnant woman in labor seems to possess. Thankfully, in the middle of a long and hard contraction, Alex and Roman walk through the door. I think I can sneak out and wait for the good news in the waiting room, but Death Grip Betty clamps down on my poor fingers and starts yelling at the guys. They have the good graces to look ashamed, contrite, and so very apologetic. Alex is finally able to talk her into releasing me to take the pain out on him and it works. Thank God.
Saying a quick, “I will see you later,” I dart out of the room and down the hall to the waiting room. Luc is sitting against the back wall but stands up when he catches sight of me. His arms open wide and for unknown reasons I collapse into him and tears start rolling down my cheeks. Why am I crying like this? Why do I feel so vulnerable?
“Easy, tesoro mio. It’s adrenaline. You’re feeling the low right now. Let’s get some chocolate in you.”
Oh.
That sounds like a reasonable explanation. But it doesn’t seem right.
Luc walks back into the cramped waiting room while we snuggle together and get ready for the long wait. Sofie and Rob show up not long after with smiles, balloons, and the baby bag.
