“I’ve missed you too. I’m not going to lie that I wish it was us running Books A Latte but I understand it needs Abby too.”
“I also love the time that Max and Jonathan get together. Cash is great but Jonathan was missing something and I think it was Max. Do you think Kennedy and Jason would approve of him?”
“Definitely. He reminds me a lot of Jason.”
“He does! I’m taken aback from him sometimes and it’s funny because I often tell him that’s what Jason would have done. I miss them.” We both sniffle.
“I know you do and so do I. Kennedy, you and I had some great times. She was the older sister I never had. I always go to her grave when I need advice.”
“Me too!” We laugh through the tears as we are talking about the trouble the three of got into growing up and relax through the rest of the treatments. Nicarra always knows how to fix my sadness.
Sarah
I feel like a total tool for the way I treated Reagan earlier and to hear Abby talk about how great she is, isn’t helping me one bit.
“Abby!” I snap. “Can you stop talking about Reagan for one god damn minute?”
“Whoa. What is your problem?”
“I want to spend the day with my best friend and not hear all about the precious and perfect Reagan.”
“Are you jealous?” Abby laughs, “Because you certainly don’t need to be. You are my best friend and no one can replace that but Reagan is a very important person in Cash and Max’s life. This woman has changed my brother for the better. We are business partners but you are my person.” I hate that she was quoting ‘Greys’s Anatomy’.”
“Then why is she the baby’s godmother?”
“Because it wasn’t fair to Cash that I took both and I wanted Max to be the godfather. You are Aunt Sarah, nothing changes that.”
“Max is more important than me? I’ve known you longer.” I’m taken about by the words coming out of my mouth today. It’s like I have no filter. “We always told each other that when we have kids, that we were the godmothers so they would be best friends like our mothers were and we are.”
“Sarah, where is this coming from? I don’t understand. Is this because of your parents being in town?”
“It’s been building and I’m finally ready to blow.” My tone is full of anger and sadness. I can’t explain why I chose now to come out with everything that I have been feeling. “I moved miles away from family and friends to be with you. Instead of helping Max and I in our business, you start a new one without me! You never even mentioned it to me until the papers were already signed. I had to hear about the godmother from Shawn. Why am I here?”
“You are here because you are my best friend, sister from another mister, partner in crime and my soulmate. I couldn’t do any of this without you. I just can’t figure out why you are feeling this way about mine and Cash’s friends.” I pull into a parking spot, shut off the car, and take the keys out. I swivel to face Abby.
“I’m tired of being second in your life. You need to figure out how to make it work or I’m gone.” I get out of the car slamming the door and start walking around the park. I found this park one night when I couldn’t sleep. It’s so peaceful here that I love it.
There is a pond in the middle of the park that has a bridge going over it. I walk onto the bridge and take a deep breath. I know I am acting childish but I miss the way things were before Miami. I hate change and I’m losing everyone close to me. I start to cry.
“Please remember that I am thirty months pregnant and can’t keep up with you.” Abby huffs and puffs coming up behind me and I can’t help but chuckle.
I turn around to face her and as I lean up against the red railing on the bridge. “I hate change, I love the group but I’m jealous.” I sigh, “Jealous of you and Max finding love and knowing where you are going in life” Abby laughs.
“I don’t know where I’m going. For once in my life, I don’t have to fear my dad for making choices that I want. My therapist is wonderful for helping me through all of that. Do you think that some of this panic has something to do with your parents being in town?”
“I think that is part of it plus seeing you and Reagan having your inside jokes.”
“Sarah,” Abby grabs my shoulders to make sure that I am really hearing her, “My friendship with Reagan is different than ours. I have things in common with Reagan that you and I don’t share but, hear me good, you are my sister and nothing and no one will ever take that from us.” I pull Abby into a hug and squeeze her so tight.
“I’m sorry. You would think that I was pregnant with all of the mood swings that I have been having lately.” My cell phone chimes with a text message from my mom.
Mom: Do you think that you can find time in your busy schedule to talk with us?
Me: How long are you in town?
Mom: For a few days
Me: I can try. Let me check to see if I can do lunch tomorrow.
Mom: Let me know
I stomp my feet and scream out loud. “Why do I feel like the horrible person when it comes to my parents?” Abby shrugs. “If we hurry, we might be able to catch Reagan and Nicarra at the spa. I need to apologize and beg for forgiveness.”
“You don’t have to beg. I bet they are more understanding than you give them credit for because don’t forget they went through the same too with us.” Abby and I link arms to walk to the car when Abby stops to hunch over. “Are you okay?”
“I think my water broke.” Abby cries. I look down at her feet to see her standing in a puddle.
“What do I do?”
“Call Cash and take me to the hospital.” I run to the car and stop when I hear Abby scream out in pain. I turn around to go back to her. Oops I forgot the mommy.
“Let me help you.” I wrap my arm around her back and slowly walk with her as she practices her slow breathing in and out. I’m trying to breathe with her but my body is shaking. I help Abby into the car and start driving.
“Call Cash”
Jack
After Max told me that we need to be in our room so not to spoil the surprise. I decide to take a nap. I toss and turn trying to get comfortable as sleep finally grabs me.
“Abigail Stephens get your ass down here right now.” I yell from the bottom of the steps. Maggie called me at the diner and told me that Abby came home from school a muddy mess. Sarah and Abby thought it would be fun to run through the mud on the way home and now my carpet is a mess. “NOW!” I walk into my den where my desk is sitting near the window. I draw the curtains so it’s dark in here. I turn on the lamp that is sitting on the corner of my desk. There is a soft glow in the room as I start to roll up my sleeves of my yellow dress shirt that I wore to the diner since I had meetings with the bank and contractor to expand. I’m too tired to deal with it and Abby is working my patience. I hear a soft knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“You wanted to see me daddy?” Abby’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Stand.” I pointed to the spot in front of me. Abby is wearing a pair of sweats and a t-shirt while her brown hair is dripping wet like she just got out of the shower. Abby never makes eye contact with me anymore. I exaggerate my sigh for dramatic flair to see what she will do but stays looking at her feet. I’m standing there looking at our miracle baby and feel slightly guilty for treating her like this but she is my flesh and blood so that means there are certain standards that must be upheld. Abigail is different than the other kids and she will be treated as so.
When Maggie first told me that she was pregnant, I didn’t get too excited because we have had disappointment after disappointment; it’s one of the reasons we became foster parents. If we couldn’t have our own children, then we can give some kids that are less fortunate a home to live in. We never had more than six at a time and Maggie was born to be a mother. The way she would light up when they called her mom or heard laughter coming from the once empty house.
“Abigail, why is my house ful
l of mud?”
“Daddy?” She looks up at me with a confused look on her face.
“Abigail, you are not a dumb person, so answer the damn question.”
“I don’t know about the mud. I came home after Max and Marshall and there was mud all the way up to their room.”
“Why does it look like you took a shower?”
“I took one when I got home. There are nine people living here so I take mine at night.”
“You need to clean up the mud and if I find out you lied to me again, you will never leave this house again.” I turn to go sit down at my desk.
“But, I didn’t lie.” I pivot on my heels and grab her by the back of the neck in a swift motion.
“Excuse me? I don’t remember asking for a reply.” I whisper harshly. I let go of her neck and she rubs the spot that I held so tight. “Do as you are told!” I yell into her face that I could see where my words spit on her.
“But,” I raise my hand and it connects right with the corner of her right eye. Abigail whimpers as her hand goes to her eye. Abigail starts to cry and she knows that I hate to see weakness. Abigail turns to leave the room but I stop her.
“Wait,” I walk towards her. “What did I tell you about tears?”
“Tears are for suckers and no Stephens will ever be a sucker.”
“You are nothing but a waste of Stephens’ blood. You are fat, disgusting and you’ll never find love in those damn fairytales that you read.” I take my belt off and wrap around my right hand, and punch Abigail right between the shoulder blades. When her knees start to give out and she starts to stumble into the door, I grab her shoulders. “Now go to your room and I’ll have your mother bring up dinner.” Abigail nods and runs up the stairs.
“Woah slow down Mario Andretti.” Marshall laughs. Marshall’s demeanor changes from joking to mad. I watch him try to get Abigail to stop running when he looks in my direction. Here I am a grown man, belt wrapped around my hand, and lurking in doorways. He knows what I have done.
“Marshall wait!” I yell after him as he pushes past me and slams the door. Abigail stands at the top of the steps crying before running into her room. I hear her lock the door. I hang my head. I sit in my den sipping the scotch when I hear a knock.
“Not now Maggie.”
“It’s not Maggie.” Marshall’s voice rings out from the other side of the door.
“Come in.”
“Why? How long has this been going on?”
“Abigail is not your concern so leave it alone.” I wave my hand at him to let Marshall to know that he can leave.
“She is my concern, she’s my sister. Why would you hurt your own flesh and blood? You treat us all like we are your children but Abigail you treat like she is nothing.”
“Leave. It. Alone.” I say through my clenched teeth.
“I can’t leave it alone. You are abusing your daughter, my sister!” Marshall punches a hole in the wall. “How could a man who has a heart of gold who takes in strangers to raise them as your own; how can he beat his own child? I hate you! I wanted to be like you as a man, father and husband but now I need to be far away from you. If I could legally take Abby, I would.” Marshall storms out of my office. I hear him leave the house and the burning rubber on the street. I pour myself some more scotch as I lay down on my couch in the den.
I sigh out loud. I lost the respect of my son and with each mean word and handprint on Abigail, I lose her too.
I sit straight up.
“Jack, are you okay?” Maggie comes over to me. My clothes are drenched. I lay in Maggie’s arms and cry.
“I was remembering the day that Marshall left. Can I fix things with Abigail?”
“Shh. I know we can. It’s not going to happen overnight but in time it will. We can’t lose hope.” Maggie and I lay in the bed, cuddling and remembering the times when we first had Abigail.
Cash
“Sally, what's the new issue?” I laugh at Sally standing there with her pinky in her mouth, chewing on her fingernail.
“What? Nothing. I keep looking at this table and something seems off. Sorry it’s the OCD in me. How are you doing papa?” I hug her and kiss her cheek.
“I’m a nervous wreck. I’m not going to lie. What if the kid doesn’t like me?”
“Oh naïve younger brother,” Sally grabs me by the shoulders, “he’s not going to like you at times.” Sally laughs, “But he will always love you. It’s going to be hard at times. But it’s one of the most rewarding times of your life.”
My phone rings and I see Sarah’s name pops up so I put in on speakerphone so I can move around some tables for Sally, “Hey Sarah, what's up?”
“AHHHHHHH” I hear Abby screaming in the background.
“Cash, Abby’s water broke. We’re heading to the hospital.” Sarah shouts over Abby’s screams.
“Okay. I’ll get Max and meet you there. Abby, I love you. Remember your breathing.” I start walking towards the door of the ballroom.
“Cash? What about Max?”
“What are you talking about?” I stop in my steps. Sally repeats the sentence that I just said and we laugh.
“You need to get Max. He’s in your office with Jonathan. I’ll call Reagan.” I run to my office with a million things running through my head. I turn the corner and runs smack dab into Max and Jonathan.
“Woah. Slow down. Let’s go.” Max turns me around and we walk across the parking lot to his truck.
My legs are bouncing around because I thought that I would be with Abby when this happens and not so far away. Is she okay? Is she doing her breathing? How far are the contractions? Will they make it to the hospital in time? Will I make it in time? All these thoughts run through my head. I hate not having control.
“Uncle Cash, everything is going to be okay.” Jonathan tries to reassure me but it’s not really working.
“Call Hot Buns.” Max tells his truck to call Reagan and I make a gagging motion, “Yeah babe. Go to the house and get the bag. You know where it is, right?”
“Yes. Abby has filled me in on the birthing plan in case Cash was out of town or cracks up.”
“He is doing that right now. I’m trying to keep the truck on the road but his leg shaking is taking over.” I laugh when I hear Reagan laughing into the speakers of the truck.
“Cash, they are at the hospital. Sarah had texted Nicarra because Sally answered your phone.”
“Oh. I thought it was in my hand.” I laugh as I’m holding a keychain with the Books A Latte logo on it that I made for Reagan and Abby’s party tonight. “Is she okay?”
“Yes, she’s good. She is three centimeters dilated. The baby’s heart beat is solid.” Reagan’s reassuring voice echoes through the truck and I sigh with relief.
“Oh, thank god. Thanks for keeping me updated.”
“See Uncle Cash, told you to relax.” Jonathan says but Max shoots him a death stare through the rearview mirror.
“Jonathan? Why is Jonathan there with you? He should be in school.” Reagan’s mom’s voice is throughout the truck. I cringe and feel so bad for the trouble Jonathan and Max are going to get it from Reagan.
“Babe, we’ll talk about it later.”
“Oh, you bet your ass that we will.” Reagan’s tone is stern and leaves no room for discussion, “Alright, I’m getting ready to walk into the hospital. She’s in maternity which is on the 4th floor. Love you guys and be careful.” Then silence.
“Oh, you two are dead. Nice, knowing you both.” I laugh. “Why are you out of school?” It’s like my brain just connected with the fact that the Jonathan’s here.
“Skipped and made a big mistake. When are you going to tell Abby that her parents are here?”
“Well played. Remind me to beat you up later. Max, what are we going to do?”
“I’ll get them and bring them here. If she is only at three centimeters, it could be awhile plus if she is on the good drugs; that could help too.” We pull into the hospital parking lot
and pull into the spot next to Nicarra’s Escalade and head in. We get into the elevator and I keep hitting the fourth floor.
“Expectant father?” The doctor in green scrubs says to Max.
“That obvious huh? It’s his first child.”
“Good luck to the family. I have two kids myself.”
“Dr. Causer.” Jonathan says shaking the hand with the doctor.
“Jonathan, how are you?”
“Doing alright, let Bennett know that I’m grounded and will talk to him in school.”
“Hi I’m Max. You’re Bennett’s dad?”
“Yes. Oh, you’re Reagan’s boyfriend, right?”
“That I am. Bennett is a great kid so is Jana.”
“Thanks. I’m fond of them too but love them extra when they are sleeping.” We all laugh about that comment as Max nods in agreement. The elevator dings at the fourth floor and we see Nicarra and Reagan standing in the hall.
“It was nice to meet you Dr. Causer.” We shake hands and he stays on the elevator and heads up while we find where Abby is. “Where is she?”
“She is in that room. Abby’s been asking for you.” I kiss Reagan on the cheek and head into where I hear Abby.
“Oh, my god, it hurts!” Abby cries out in pain. “Cash.” Abby sobs into my arms. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”
“Abby nothing could keep me from being here.” I kiss her forehead. “Has the doctor been in?”
“Yes, he said that she has some time to go so be ready for the long haul.” Sarah answers because Abby starts to hold her stomach and the machine that starts spitting out a piece of paper.
“What the fuck is that?” I ask Sarah. She laughs at me and explains that it is a CTG or cardiotocography that monitors the baby’s heart rate, contractions and lets the doctors know if the baby is in distress.
“It’s not hurting Abby, is it?”
“No. In fact this will help her.” Sarah lets me know. “I’m going to let you and Abby spend some time together.”
Heart of the Matter (Love Me Book 2.5) Page 4
