"Hey. I was just coming by to check on you. I see you have company though." She was not impressed.
It was just a matter of hours ago that I was scampering around my house, like a lunatic, dripping blood everywhere. Now I had a house full, wishing I could be alone. "Come on in," I said reluctantly, being careful to lock it immediately behind her.
"What's she doing here?" Aliah asked, while glowering at Maddie.
I was happy that she didn't ask about the huge bandage wrapped around my wrist, since it was already going to be enough of an event to explain to Edwin when he got home.
"Just visiting," Maddie replied sweetly.
"Aren't you supposed to be sick?" Aliah said, scowling at Maddie. “Stay back. I don’t want what you got.”
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Maddie replied arrogantly.
"What is she talking about?" Aliah snapped, looking to me.
"Why don't you tell her yourself Maddie? Maybe you should take a seat first," I suggested to Aliah.
"I don't need a seat. Tell me what?"
"You asked for it. Hunter and I are pregnant."
Aliah laughed instantly and looked to me for a hint that it was a joke. She found a blank stare on my face, without so much of a smile. "You're full of shit. I just talked to Hunter on the phone like ten minutes ago. He didn't say anything about a baby."
"Call him back and ask him, if you don't believe me," Maddie taunted.
"Believe it Aliah. I was with her at the doctor’s. She is definitely pregnant," I said.
"She may be pregnant, but it doesn't mean it's Hunter’s. She's a whore. It could be anyone's baby."
"No. Actually, it can only be his. It is his," Maddie stated with 100% certainty.
"Well. Isn’t. This. Just. Great! I see you two are all buddy-buddy now too. And this whore’s gonna be my man's baby momma? Fuck this! I'm so out of here."
"Aliah wait!" I called after her, as she yanked open the door and slammed it in my face.
I couldn't bear to follow her out into the darkness. "Seriously Maddie? Do you know all the trouble you cause me?"
"That's why you love me."
"No, that's why it's always been a love-hate relationship between us."
She giggled. "Aliah will have to get over it. I am having Hunter's baby, and if she doesn't like it then she can back off and let me have him."
"Go easy on her. This has got to be a total shocker for her; even more, that Hunter didn't tell her."
"Well it's not exactly the kind of thing you tell your girlfriend over the phone. Uh, hi. I'm having a baby with another girl. Love ya. Bye," Maddie mocked.
"Good point."
"Well I should probably get going too. I told my parents I would stop by when I was done here. I'm just trying to muster up the courage to tell them. That should be fun," she said sarcastically.
"Good luck with that."
"You're welcome to join me if you like." She pleaded with her eyes.
"Not a shot in hell," I replied.
"Well if you don't hear from me on Monday, it's because my mother killed me."
"Okay," I responded, laughing.
We exchanged a hug, her warmth wrapping my subconscious with motherly security blanket, before she left. I closed the door behind her and turned over the dead bolt. The house was quiet again, but it felt secure. I felt safe. In fact, I was actually feeling relieved to be alone again.
All fear of the attack of the glowing monster had disappeared after all that flowing chatter. Now my mind was only bombarded with thoughts about my station in life. All the worrying in the world couldn't prepare me for what may or may not happen between me and Edwin. There was about a one percent chance that he would say he didn't want children. This would mean that I have no reason to worry. Then why am I so damn anxious?
I watched some mind-numbing TV and that did the trick. My house was still chilly, but I now know that it's only because of the effective air conditioning unit we had just installed last year. I curled up on the couch, huddled under a blanket and stared at the clock that read 10:00 pm. I half expected Edwin to be late, but I didn't anticipate my solemn disappointment when he wasn’t home by now. He couldn't be much longer, since he had planned a day trip for us tomorrow, but I couldn't seem to keep my eyes open to wait up. Closed they go, and off to dreamland I went.
When my eyes fluttered open, I winced from the brightness and covered my eyes with my arm. Squinting at the early morning sun, I saw my bandage was soaked with dried blood. And where was I? Lying in my bed? Unsure how I got there, I rolled over and there, right next to me, was Edwin.
"Babe, you up?" I asked, sleepily unaware that Edwin's eyes were closed.
He shifted next to me. "Well I am now," he groaned.
"What time did you get home?"
"Uh, it was maybe ten. But you were already fast asleep. Thanks for waiting up for me,” he teased. “You must have been tired. I carried you to bed and you didn't even wake up."
Yes, he would make such a great father. "I wondered how I got here."
"I may have taken advantage of you last night," he teased again, attractively raising his thick eyebrows.
"Did you now? Well I guess I'll have to get you back for that." I rolled all the way over, and drew my knee up his leg provocatively.
"Seriously? Cuz that would be awesome. You can use me any time. Really. Please do. I insist."
From the feeling of his early morning stiffy, I decided I would take him up on that offer. Right away. I wiggled out of my lacy panties and dangled them out of the blankets before dropping them to the floor. Edwin’s hand skimmed firmly over my body, his grin stretching from ear to ear. It felt so good to have his hands on me again.
Driven by impulse, I ripped off my shirt and yanked down his underwear, freeing him from his only clothes. Edwin slipped his hand between us, where he found me wet, willing and ready. He groaned with desire, as he lifted me up and dropped me on top of him, his hands driving the heavy urge to unify us again and again.
I screamed out in pleasure as he continued to fill my request, forcing himself deeper until his body jerked deliciously beneath me. After the most satisfying ride of my life, I crashed next to Edwin on the bed to catch my breath.
"You must be feeling better," he chuckled.
"Huh?"
"You said you weren't feeling very well yesterday. You must have just needed to rest."
"I guess," I said, unable to think up something closer to the truth. It was true: I must have needed the rest, because I sure slept soundly last night. No doubt, the stress had finally taken me out.
"What happened to your wrist?" Edwin finally asked, still breathless.
"Long story.” And I really didn’t want to talk about it.
"I've got all day baby," he teased, skimming his fingers over the curve of my hip.
"Really? Ugh," I moaned, flattening myself into the bed. "It was just an accident. I fell and cut myself. No biggie.”
"Well I hate to say this, but it looks like you tried to slit your wrist."
"How would you even know what that looks like?"
"I know you've been really stressed lately, and even though Jenny's been coming to you in your sleep you haven’t started back up on your meds."
True, those pills would knock me out at night, but I doubt they’d stop Jenny from coming to me while I'm awake. "How do you even know that?”
"Come on Abs, I know you like the back of my hand. At least I thought I did. But now you're keeping things from me, and I'm not sure why. Is it Jenny? Did you try to kill yourself to be with her."
I screeched with disbelief. "Hardly. If I wanted to kill myself, I'd be dead. I just dropped the damn knife and fell on it."
"That sounds absolutely ridiculous. You do realize that. It looks like you nearly chopped your hand off. You actually expect me to believe that you had this oversized knife out and your wrist accidentally fell on it?"
"Yes. Because it's the truth."
He pul
led the bandage open and gawked at the fresh scabby gash across my wrist. His fingers trailed next to the wound and he shook his head trying hard to make sense of it. "You're sure you didn't do this to yourself? I'm afraid this may be one of those warning signs of suicide, like a cry for help or something. I would never forgive myself if something ever happened to you."
I smiled, foolishly happy to hear how much he cared. "Well, for one, I don't think that you ask the suicidal person that."
"So you are suicidal."
"Edwin! Please drop it. I know what it looks like, but I assure you it was totally an accident. I. Do Not. Want. To. Kill Myself!"
"Why don't you fill in the blanks for me then? I want to believe you. Make me believe you."
"What do you want to know?"
"Like why you had that knife out in the first place."
Shit! "I want to tell you, but you'll freak," I said, covering my eyes with my good hand.
"Now I'm gonna freak either way, so you better tell me."
"Can I at least get dressed first?" I begged. At least then some of my dignity could remain intact.
"Make it quick. There's no more changing subject. You're telling me now."
"Ugh. Fine! I may have thought I saw someone staring at me through the window," I explained anxiously, monitoring Edwin's eyes, gaging his reaction.
"So you grabbed a knife? Why wouldn't you call me… or the police?" he hollered, suddenly swelling with rage.
I clambered out of the bed, walked to my closet and began to redress, trying to ignore the flames shooting from his ears. "I did grab the phone, but I thought maybe I was just seeing things. Then I saw that we forgot to lock the back door. I got scared, so I pulled out the knife.” I spun around to face him. “I was just trying to protect myself."
His rage had already subsided, his blue eyes warmed to teal. "Nice, and instead you end up stabbing yourself. Worst of all, it's my fault."
"How could it possibly be your fault?"
"I'm the one that used the back door last, and I should’ve locked it. The kicker is, it would have been all fine had I been home to protect you. I knew it was a bad idea to go out last night," he said, frustrated with himself.
"Eddie. I'm fine. Nothing happened. I just overreacted."
"Someone was there though, right?"
"Yes," I replied calmly. Fully dressed, I walked back toward him and stood next to the bed. I reached my hand out and pulled him toward me.
Edwin continued to shake his head in disbelief, then pressed a kiss to my palm. "Maybe we should get a security system. I know I’d rest easier."
"We don't need a security system. I've got my own personal body guard right here," I said, cupping his stubbly chiseled chin.
"What good was I last night?"
He was really taking this bad. What can I do to make him see that it wasn't his fault? I want my sexy, sarcastic, boy toy back.
"I guess you'll have to keep a better eye on me from now on then," I teased, fluttering my eyelashes with a smirk.
Edwin pulled on his t-shirt. "You laugh, but I'm totally not taking my eyes off of you now. I would've killed someone if they hurt you. We're getting an alarm."
"I don't want to get into it, but I don't think an alarm will cure this problem."
"Damn it Abigail. You are seeing Jenny again. I should have known; what with all your sleep-talking lately. Ever since our trip to the Southwind…” His voice trailed off. “I was banking on the possibility that you didn't remember it when you woke up, but I knew better."
"So I've been talking in my sleep? And you didn't think to fill me in?"
"Abs, we’ve had full out conversations. It wasn't until recently that I figured out you were still asleep. I thought you’d remember."
"I don't. But good then, now I don't have to fill you in."
"No, but maybe you should fill your shrink in."
"Maybe later."
"Definitely later," Edwin insisted.
I'm not going to the shrink. She thinks I'm crazy. I'm not crazy. I don't believe in ghosts. And yet my dead sister is haunting me. I can't explain it. She's just here. No shrink can ever fix that. I'm not going to the shrink.
"So... what did you do last night?" I asked, moving the conversation away from my craziness.
He rolled his eyes, acknowledged my stubbornness, and reluctantly moved on. "Just like I expected, the meeting ran late. Then we did dinner. Of course, after dinner the client invited us out for drinks. Miller couldn't stay, but he suggested I go to socialize. It was good as far as networking goes, but it was pretty damn boring."
"Did you make any good contacts?"
"Who knows? I guess time will tell."
"Well I certainly hope it was worth your while, because I missed you." I made a teasing pouty face.
"Well I'm here now," he said smiling, and pulled me between his legs. Sitting on the edge of the bed he tilted his chin up to me, silently pleading for me to come closer.
I dipped my head down for a sensual kiss and my lips matched his. "Are we still on for today?" I whispered, as he pulled me onto his lap.
"Oh, babe, I'm sorry. I was hoping to get an earlier start to the day. My head’s still pounding."
"So is that a no? We don't have to go if you're not up to it." I didn’t admit it, but my hand was pounding too.
"I told you I would take you and I will. You shouldn't have to suffer from my drinking." He looked deep into my eyes, assessing my keenness on going.
My eyes slipped away from his, and locked on my bare toe that I slid back and forth across the smooth, cold floor. "I don't know. I think I'd rather just hang out today and go to the Festival of Lights tonight, if that's good with you."
Edwin's eyes met mine and he didn't seem to be disappointed at all. "I'm good with that."
"You think you might be up for a walk this morning though?" I asked, eager to get out of the house. I was desperate for some fresh air.
"I guess I can handle a walk. Maybe it’ll help clear my head."
I leapt from his lap and pranced toward the door. Edwin stood from the bed and stretched for the ceiling, letting out a loud growl.
"Where are you going?" he said on a yawn.
"To wash up."
"You look fine."
I spun around and stalked back toward him. "That's the worst thing you could tell a girl. Now I have to get in the shower."
"What I meant is, you look good to me," Edwin carefully corrected, but it was too little too late.
"Better, but we'll have to work on that. I promise to take a quick one."
"Oh, Abs. Wake me up in an hour," he teased, hopping back in bed.
"I told you I'll be quick," I said scowling, hands on hips.
"Yeah, that means you'll be at least an hour," he said, waving me off.
I grabbed a stray pillow from the footboard and hit Edwin over the head with it, leaving it on his face. He didn't seem to mind it too much, leaving it covering his eyes, ending our pointless conversation.
I was done looking fine. I wanted to look FINE! I planned on having a very important conversation with Edwin today. I would have to look super cute to make it as difficult as possible for him to say no to me. After coating my hair with leave in conditioner, I looped it into playful braids that dangled over each shoulder. I couldn't get away with that look at work, so I thought I would play it up today; especially since I know how much Eddie loves it when I do. Being five minutes off of ready, I texted Edwin from the bathroom.
____________________
9:42 AM
Hey baby, I'm ready to go. GET UP!!! :-)
____________________
9:44 AM
I’m up. Btw, nice ass! ;-)
____________________
I whirled around, with phone in hand. There he was standing in the doorway watching me read his message, wearing a huge, devilish grin and an inviting cocked eyebrow. He looked all ready to go, in more ways than one.
"Don't even think about it," I sa
id, though I was tempted.
"About what?" he asked playfully, mocking.
"You know what."
"You're no fun. What's taking you anyway?" he asked, leaving his lusty libido alone.
"I just have to brush my teeth and I'm good to go."
"Then I'm one step ahead of you, because I'm all ready," he bragged.
He insisted that he had brushed his teeth while I was in the shower, but I hadn't heard him. My mind was failing me more and more each day, between spazzing out and getting lost in my own head. Maybe I should consider making a visit to my psychiatrist. After dabbing my mouth on the hand towel, I skipped after Edwin in my short jean shorts and white top. I stomped down the stairs, squatted next to my sparkly pink sketchers and quickly slipped them on.
Edwin and I walked silently, content for a time, but I knew it was only temporary. I had yet to tell Edwin first about Maddie's new development and then, more importantly, about mine. I didn't want to ruin the relaxed charge in the air, hoping to gain the courage as the day progressed. Not likely.
"So there's something I wanted to tell you," I blurted.
"Uh, oh. That sounds like trouble. Does it have to do with me?"
"It's about Maddison."
"Okay."
"And Hunter."
"Oh, this should be good. What did he do now?"
"Let’s just say fixing things with Aliah is the least of his worries now."
"I don't get it. What did he do?"
"Maddie. And now she's knocked up."
"Oh shit! Hunter must beside himself."
"Actually, from what Maddie tells me, he's taking it pretty good. He's stepping up.”
"What else could the poor guy do? Trust me, he's freaking out."
"Well, it was his own dumb fault," I said, annoyed with Edwin’s response.
"Oh, and Maddie's just a saint? I think not. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some premeditation going on there," Edwin said, cold and callous.
I disagreed. And I suddenly wished I had started with my own issues first. Hearing Edwin dish out his opinion about Maddie was not helping my situation. "I think we can agree that Hunter and Maddie can share the blame for this one. It doesn't matter which way you look at it now. They’re linked together for life."
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