Sugared

by Gina LaManna

  We clutched for each other, the fear and joy and uncertainty blooming between us. This time, it was different. Tender, yet filled with unbridled intensity. Wrought with such emotion that after, when he curled me into his arms to rest, tears pooled in my eyes.

  And as the tears fell to my pillow, he held me tighter, tighter still, his murmured words the sole thing to keep me from falling apart. Tears of exhaustion, of nerves, of happiness.

  We stayed this way all morning, connected and vulnerable, forgetting whatever waited beyond the walls of this house. Instead, we languished in the quiet of the morning, the crystals of sunlight sparkling through the window, the sheer aloneness of us.

  It was mid-morning before either of us moved. Rolling to face Anthony, I smiled. “That was fun.”

  “We’re going to be parents,” he repeated for the third time. “What if I’m no good at it?”

  I grinned, tracing circles on his chest. “You were great with Arnold.”

  “I was crap with him.”

  “You loved him, and that’s what matters most. Everything else will work out.”

  “I didn’t love the robot.”

  “Whatever you say.” I laughed, stretched, and dragged myself out of bed. “A family of three. That sounds so strange to say.”

  Anthony gave one shake of his head, but finally the stunned expression had been replaced with one of cautious excitement. “Are you happy?”

  “I am.” I looked down at my kind, and very gorgeous, husband and wondered if it were possible to be an ounce happier than I already was. “I’m going to make you some breakfast, and I’ll bring it to bed. Don’t you dare move.”

  “Get back here. I’ll make breakfast. Stay in bed, and let me spoil you.”

  “You know how to make breakfast?”

  “Putting marshmallows into the coffee can’t be that difficult.”

  “Oh, no.” I bit my lip, shoulders curled in. “No coffee for me.”

  “Decaf?”

  I crooked an eyebrow at him. “What the devil is that?”

  Anthony looked as if he couldn’t tell whether or not I was serious.

  “I’m kidding,” I said with a wink. “I’m going to grab a bottle of water, and I’ll let you do breakfast and my backrub. Need anything?”

  He rolled over. “I’ll grab the massage oil.”

  “Anthony!” I turned toward him, squealing with excitement. “Guess what?”

  “What’s wrong?” He shot upward in alarm. “Should I call the doctor?”

  “No! No. What?” I offered him my most skeptical look. “This is not how things are going to go for the next nine months, capisce? You won’t threaten to call the doctor at every corner.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “You’re sweet,” I said. “But I really do have an exciting announcement.”

  “I’m holding my breath.”

  I frowned at his sarcasm, but my frown didn’t last long. I was too tickled about my realization to play upset with him. “Guess who is eating for two?!” I thumbed at myself. “That’s right—this girl. If you’re making breakfast, make two for me.”

  “I’m not sure it works like that.”

  “Don’t rain on my parade, Anthony.”

  “Sorry.”

  I spun in the doorway, shared one last, smug smile with him, and then disappeared to the kitchen.

  Unfortunately, we had a guest.

  And with the guest came the bad news.

  Chapter 25

  “Hold on a second.” Meg strode into the kitchen the second I opened the door. “What’s wrong with this picture?”

  “What picture?”

  “You’re about to cook breakfast, Anthony is still in bed, and it’s almost two in the afternoon.”

  “It is?!”

  “And you don’t know what time it is?” Meg stuck a hand on her hip. “What’s going on here?”

  “Nothing!”

  “Liar. First of all, Anthony never eats breakfast at home. He says he doesn’t eat breakfast, but I’m pretty sure he just doesn’t trust your cooking.”

  “That’s not true. My cooking rocks.”

  “Sure. It tastes like rocks. Anyway, Anthony’s always working. He’s not the type to lounge in bed all day unless...” Meg’s eyes bugged out of her head. “Holy guacamole. You two have been having a sex-fest.”

  “We have not!”

  “Look at your hair. A bird could live there and thrive.”

  I tried to run a hand through my hair, but my fingers got stuck. “Look, it’s not what you think.”

  “I’m pretty sure it is what I think! What’d you do wrong? You’re making up for something, aren’t you?”

  “No!”

  “False. Either that, or you’re celebrating. And no offense, but the celebrations aren’t supposed to start until after tomorrow. If you’ll remember, I’m the only person outside of your relationship that actually knows you’re married.”

  “Meg, stop. Listen.” I took a deep breath, extended a hand to her shoulder. “Wait here for a second. I have something to show you.”

  She started to follow me toward the bedroom, but I held up a hand.

  “Fine,” she said. “Though I’m not sure if one glimpse through that door would hurt. I’m just curious to see if Anthony’s fully human, or part robot.”

  “A glimpse would hurt. It would hurt you. So wait here, please.”

  I opened, then very quickly shut the door behind me. I paused inside the bedroom, searching for a viable explanation, but I couldn’t come up with one. Which didn’t matter much because when I raised my eyes to Anthony’s face, he was standing with his arms crossed.

  “What is she doing here this early?”

  “It’s almost two in the afternoon!”

  “No, it’s not. It’s—” He looked at his watch. Then shook his wrist and looked again. Eventually, he gave up and merely looked bewildered. “Fine. Why is she here?”

  “Actually, I forgot to ask. But I’m going to tell her our good news!” I reached for the two mini camouflage vests and repacked them into the gift bag. “You can wait here, but I’d keep the door locked. She might try to run in and congratulate you with a hug.”

  “I’ll be in the shower,” Anthony said. “With both doors locked.”

  I hid a smile and crept back toward the door. But before I could exit our room, Anthony’s arm curled around my waist and drew me in for a snug moment.

  “Don’t think I forgot about this.” His hand traveled down the outside of my bandages. “Now that our sex-fest is over, it’s business as usual.”

  “It wasn’t a sex-fest!”

  “We can let Meg think it was. By the way, she talks loud enough for me to hear every word.”

  “Ugh! Just be at dinner by seven,” I said. “Or I’m going to blame everything on you, and Nora will smack your head.”

  “Please keep her out of our room,” he said, as I reached for the doorknob. “I can’t physically handle any more shocks today.”

  “You have my word.”

  He sealed the deal with a kiss to the forehead.

  When I reappeared in the kitchen, I found Meg staring forlornly into the same empty can of Pringles she’d discovered the other day.

  “You still haven’t replaced these?” she asked. “What in the world did I come over here for, anyway?”

  “That’s a great question. What did you come over here for?” I asked. But before she could respond, I put the bag on the counter. “Surprise.”

  “What is this? It best be more Pringles.”

  “Better.”

  “Better than Pringles? Oh, boy.” She rubbed her hands together. “Exciting stuff.”

  I nodded, attempting to hold back a giddy smile as she tore through the twice-used tissue paper. She pulled everything out, finally landing on the two articles of clothing.

  “Holy smokes,” Meg said, caressing the two vests. “You are the sweetest thing ever. Get in here.”

  “Um, what d
o you think these are for?”

  “Tupac the Cat! I can’t believe you had mini camouflage vests made so he can match his new momma. I’ve never seen anything so adorable before in my life! Good idea to get a boy and a girl one, since I’m not convinced he or she has decided on a gender yet.”

  I blanched, struggling to find words. I couldn’t. “I’m just so confused.”

  “Don’t be. We’ll try both vests and see which one he or she likes more.”

  “No, Meg,” I said gently. “They’re not for the cat.”

  “Oh.” Meg stared at them, stumped. “Arnold?”

  “Why is everyone’s first thought Arnold?”

  “Hold on, everyone? Is this a recycled gift?”

  “No, I just had a similar gift for Anthony.”

  “You gave Anthony mini vests? Why? He doesn’t even have a cat. And I thought he made you give Arnold back to the school.”

  “We’re having a baby,” I blurted.

  “We’re having a baby?” she echoed. “Since when?”

  “I mean... me and Anthony,” I clarified. “You are the aunt in this equation.”

  “We’re having a baby,” she repeated, and then looked down at the clothes. “You’re having a baby. Holy guacamole. Are you having twins?”

  “No!”

  “But—”

  “Nora got two options, one in case of a boy, and one in case of a girl.”

  “I’m gonna die.”

  “What?”

  “I’m so excited I might just die.” Meg fanned herself. “This is crazy! Lacey, come here. Congratulations!”

  I stepped one inch forward, and she did the rest, gathering me into a squeeze tight enough to steal my breath. My arm ached under the pressure, but I fought off the discomfort and focused on the positive.

  “So sorry,” Meg said, dropping her arms as I wheezed for oxygen. “I hope I didn’t squeeze you too tight. Don’t want that baby popping out undercooked.” She lightly patted my stomach. “Sorry, baby.”

  “I’m going to have to think of a name,” I said, suddenly wheeling with realization. “And set up a room for the baby. And buy stuff. Lots of stuff. Strollers, and diapers, and....crap. I need a list. Do you have paper? A pen?”

  “I think you’re freaking out,” Meg said, resting her hands on my shoulders. “Take a few deep breaths.”

  I did as she said, and it helped. “Thank you.”

  “I’m here for you, chickadee. But I do have one question. Didn’t you take a test the other day that said false?”

  “Yes! But it was wrong.”

  “How was it wrong?”

  “I don’t know. Where’d you get it from, anyway?”

  “At Nora’s house!” Meg said. “I told you I was over there for breakfast. I just thumbed through some medicine cabinets until I found a box.”

  “Meg!” I blinked. “I thought you said you picked them up.”

  “Well, I did pick them up. From her house.”

  “Not from the store?!”

  “Why spend money if we had them available for free?”

  “They’re probably expired, and that’s why it didn’t work.” I clapped a hand to my forehead. “I feel so dumb. I should’ve checked the expiration date.”

  “Those things expire?”

  “Yes! And if you found it at Nora’s house...” I trailed off. “Well, let’s just say that it’s probably been awhile since she’s had to worry about pregnancy tests.”

  “Yeah, I can see how you’d be right about that.” Meg scratched her head. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s fine. Dr. Gambino figured it out yesterday.”

  Meg looked pointedly at my arm. “I assume you went to the doctor for that?”

  “Yes.”

  “How come you’re going and getting yourself shot without me? I thought I told you we only do those things together.”

  “It was really last minute.”

  “Well, don’t do it again, understand?”

  “Of course.”

  “And Lacey, I’m really happy for you.” She grinned, looking me over from head to toe. “And Anthony, I suppose. I can’t wait until he has to change a dirty diaper. Please, please, please let me watch.”

  We both giggled at the thought, until finally, I noticed Meg had set something down on the table when she first walked in. A slip of paper.

  “Meg, what brought you over here in the first place today?”

  “Oh, right. Well, see, this baby news is just so distracting.” She reached for the slip of paper and handed it over. “Alessandra left a note for you earlier this morning at Nora’s. I stopped over for breakfast again, and Nora asked me to drop it off.”

  “From Alessandra?” I picked up the paper, flicked it open at the fold, and felt the blood rush to my head.

  “Uh oh,” Meg said as I handed the note over. “This can’t be good.”

  Lacey,

  You’ll find a copy of the recording from my phone in my bedroom under the pillow. I’ve taken the original with me. I’m sorry, but I had to finish this.

  Alessandra

  Meg looked over the paper at me. “I assume this means you know where she’s going?”

  After a long moment of stunned silence, I forced my brain to get moving. Struggling to process, I nodded, filled Meg in on our recent developments, and waited for the dots to connect in her head.

  “She’s going after The Zebra,” Meg finished. “She won’t settle for anything less than a confession.”

  I nodded.

  “I can’t say I entirely blame her, but it’s probably not smart to go alone,” Meg said. “Are you going after her?”

  I flinched at the thought, but it wasn’t the first time it’d crossed my mind. “I guess I have to.”

  “But you’re...” Meg pointed to my stomach. “You’re basically two people now. I don’t think you should be doing that.”

  “Doing what?” Anthony appeared behind me, fresh from the shower.

  I could smell his luxurious gel from here, and it was warming, soothing in its familiarity.

  “Nothing,” Meg said, all too quickly. “We’re doing nothing.”

  “She’s going after him,” I whispered, handing the note to Anthony. “We’ve got to stop her.”

  “What time did she leave this note?” Anthony looked to Meg.

  She shrugged. “A few hours ago? Nora hadn’t thought it was urgent.”

  Anthony cursed and closed his eyes.

  “That can’t be good,” Meg said. “Nothing good ever comes from Anthony looking like that.”

  “Might as well kill two birds with one stone,” Anthony said on a tense breath. “I had planned to pay him a visit, anyway.”

  “Oh, snap,” Meg said. “I feel bad for The Zebra.”

  “We’re going with you,” I said.

  “Absolutely not.”

  “We’re going with you,” I said again. “I’m the one who got Alessandra into this situation in the first place.”

  “No, she got herself into this,” Anthony said. “She was engaged to Beckett.”

  “And if I hadn’t poked around, she would’ve let things go. I’m coming with you.”

  Anthony started to shake his head, but Meg stepped up and crossed her arms. “I’m coming, too. I’m just as much a member of this family as anyone else.”

  “Actually,” Anthony started. “You’re not a part—”

  “Never mind,” I interrupted. “We’ll compromise. We’re coming with you, but we’ll wait outside. Final offer.”

  Anthony still didn’t give confirmation, but his resolve was lessening; I could sense it.

  “He knows where we live,” I said finally. “And he’s sent someone here before. If you want to guarantee our safety and our whereabouts, take us with you. Otherwise we’ll be here, exposed and alone.”

  “Fine,” Anthony said. “On one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “She needs to put a shirt on.”

  Meg op
ened her mouth in annoyance, then gestured to her torso. “This is a shirt.”

  I tipped my head to the side and studied it. It was a nude camisole that looked mostly painted onto Meg’s robust curves. “It’s sort of a shirt.”

  “Fine,” Meg said. “I’ll just grab a t-shirt. I keep clothes here anyway.”

  “Why?” Anthony asked.

  “Who knows when I’ll have to move in with my favorite couple?” Meg put one arm around me, and one arm over Anthony. “And now that there’s a baby in the mix, you’ll never get rid of me. Auntie Meg is here to stay.”

  Chapter 26

  As we cruised across town, Anthony’s lips had turned into a thin line.

  Meg had suggested we take her car. Anthony had refused, and refused again, until Meg pointed out that the Lamborghini he drove for Carlos would not fit the three of us, and it would also attract a heck of a lot of attention. If we wanted the element of surprise on our side, we were taking Patty.

  “You look great behind the wheel,” Meg said from the back seat. “I think Patty likes you. Then again, what woman doesn’t? Give her a little pat. Come on, now.”

  “I thought you said she wouldn’t talk,” Anthony said to me, glancing at Meg in the rearview mirror. “She’s talking.”

  “Yes, I noticed,” I said through gritted teeth. “I think that’s the least of our problems now. What do you think he’s done with Alessandra?”

  “He wouldn’t have done anything to her, not yet. He’s holding her somewhere, most likely. She’s not his main target.”

  “And who is his main target?” I asked. “The money?”

  “The money...you.” Anthony cast me a solemn look. “It was your name on Beckett’s body, which is why he’s focused on you and not Alessandra. She’s emotional, illogical. Her actions are of revenge. Revenge makes a person rash, sloppy. She’s not the danger, you are.”

  “Lacey?” Meg raised her eyebrows. “The only thing Lacey endangers is a piece of chocolate cake.”

  Anthony’s eyes flashed in the mirror. “Lacey is the only person who pushed when she thought Beckett had been murdered. If it weren’t for her, The Zebra wouldn’t be in danger of being exposed. He’s after her now.”