In the Blink of an Eye

by S J Batsford

  “YES!” She yells. “She got herself in this situation by fucking a taken man.”

  God, she’s getting louder. I look to see if any of our neighbours are out, breathing a sigh of relief that no one is yet.

  “No, she didn’t. I got her in this situation, and I was far from taken. I never wanted to marry you Ashley and you know it.”

  Shit. He didn't just say that? Oh god, he has just thrown fuel on her fire.

  She comes barrelling towards the car, her face like thunder. I close the window quickly, glad now that the doors are locked.

  She bangs on the window, making it rattle. “Get out here, you little slut.”

  I gasp as her words hit me like a blow to the stomach. Mace squeezes my shoulder.

  She starts yanking on the door handle. “Open the fucking door! This is my husband’s, car.” Ethan’s back appears in front of my window, obscuring me from her view.

  “Ashley, I will not let you harm them again. You almost cost me one, if not both babies with your last stunt. It won’t happen again.”

  I can see through the window, that he’s shaking with anger, but is restraining himself from physically removing her because she’s pregnant. Her belly is small but noticeable.

  “I don’t give a shit. You married me not her. Our baby is all that matters.”

  “You may not give a shit, but I do, and so does Lily, her family and mine. Yes, I married you, and we both know why. But all three babies matter to me. They are my kids.” He grates, clutching the door handle tightly.

  “But you chose me, and now you’re always here or talking to her. You’re cheating on me.”

  Is she for real? She sounds like a five-year-old, stomping her foot. Which funnily enough, she just did. I giggle the same moment Mason laughs loudly.

  “I talk to her about our kids, and I went to see those kids today. I’m not cheating on you. I’m being a good dad.” He practically yells.

  “Mace? I need to go inside. I need to pee,” I squirm.

  “Can you hold it a minute?” he asks anxiously.

  I shake my head. The twins must be dancing on my bladder. If I don’t go soon I’m going to pee all over Ethan’s upholstery.

  Knocking the window, I try to get Ethan’s attention, no luck. I look at Mace desperately and he whips out his phone dialling. Ethan’s phone rings in his pocket, he pulls it out, turning he looks through the window, I open the window a crack.

  “You need to move. I’ve got to get out I need to pee,” I say hurriedly, and his eyes widen.

  “Can you hold on a couple of minutes?”

  I shake my head. “No. If I wait any longer I won’t make it, and I don’t think you want pee all over your seat.” I fumble unlocking the door.

  Mace gets out, hurrying around to help me out of the car.

  “Oh, you finally found your nerve to face me?” Ashley taunts.

  “I’m not fighting you, Ashley. Just going to the toilet. I grew up a while ago. I don’t even stomp my feet anymore,” I snap, needing to hurry.

  Mason chuckles, standing on my left side so he’s between me and her.

  “You little bitch. Don’t you dare make fun of me, you beached whale,” she screams.

  Stopping dead, toilet needs forgotten for now. I turn eyeing her making sure I stand proudly head held high.

  “Beached whale? You see this?” I ask pointing to my body, she just stands there.

  “This is what real men like to sleep beside at night, not stick figures. I’m no beached whale honey. I’m pregnant, with twins, and when they come out, I’ll go back to the way I was. Because I take care of myself. I don’t believe in starving myself for men to notice me,” I chuckle looking her up and down.

  Mason tries to stifle his laughter as does Ethan, but Ashley isn’t amused. She lunges unsuccessfully for me. This time I’m ready and I have her by the hair. My strength overpowering her attempts to get a hold of me.

  “Not this time lady. You almost killed one or both of my babies last time. You’ll never get that opportunity again. You may have Ethan, but you’ll never take my babies.” I growl at her. Her face paling, she actually looks scared.

  “Now, I suggest you leave, before I call the police.”

  “Did you know, my doctor wanted me to press charges against you? She also took an account of what happened and made a report of it. Just in case I changed my mind and went ahead with assault charges.

  The police can retrieve those records from the hospital, then there are the witness statements from Mason, my Doctor and Ethan. So, if you ever come here again, or try to hurt me or my babies. I will press charges and you will be charged with assault.” I let go abruptly, stepping back, I look at Ethan seeing he’s as gobsmacked as Mason.

  Smiling sweetly, I go inside and rush to the toilet.

  Coming out a few blessed minutes later I’m surprised to see Ethan is still here sitting quietly at the table, while Mace and Nan talk in the kitchen.

  “Hey, Nan. What are you cooking?” I ask as my tummy grumbles.

  “Spaghetti Bolognese. Why, you hungry?” She quirks a brow teasing, I’m always hungry these days.

  Mace chuckles, I smirk “yes, we’re hungry.”

  Chuckling, she switches off the cooker, plating up.

  “Come on then,” she says to everyone.

  I hurry to sit down since my belly is grumbling rather loudly.

  “So, where’s the wife?” I ask, making a joke which obviously falls flat, as they all look at me as if I’ve lost my marbles.

  “What?” I ask looking at each one of them.

  “She went home,” Ethan says, hesitantly searching my face for something, anything. I purposefully keep my face blank.

  Nan places a large serving in front of me. My mouth waters, it smells amazing. I eat like I’ve never been fed.

  “Thanks, Nan,” Looking up I find everyone still staring at me. Mace looks surprised, Nan anxious and Ethan sad.

  “What?” I ask again, putting my fork down.

  “Are you okay? With everything that just happened outside?” Nan asks, sitting beside me. I look at Mace.

  “I just filled in the gaps,” he shrugs.

  “I’m fine, honestly. Sorry about the scene in the garden.” I glance at Ethan, wondering why he’s not with his wife.

  “I’m sorry about her, Lily.” He whispers, looking down at his plate. I feel bad that he’s stuck in the middle.

  “It’s okay, I’m sorry if I made it worse for you with what I said.” I’m not sorry I said it, just that it may have caused more trouble for him.

  “She deserved it. She said some horrible things.”

  I hate, 'I told you so’, but I knew she was a bitch, and that he’d regret marrying her.

  “Anyway. When are we going shopping?” Mace asks, excitedly.

  I look at him with wide eyes. Crap, I have been dreading this part. Where am I supposed to put it all?

  “Slow down, Mace. I have to find a place to live first. Then, we’ll go, I promise.” I say patting his arm. I’ve been sending my short stories to publishers, but had no luck so far.

  “Why do you need an apartment right away?” Ethan sounds puzzled.

  “What?" I say, "I need a place for when our kids are born.”

  Nan looks stunned. “I told you, you can stay here, that I’d help.”

  “I know, but I need to provide for them, and it’s going to be cramped with me and the twins.” I sigh wishing I was more settled, older.

  “How about we get a place together?” Mace blurts, and my head snaps in his direction.

  “Before you say anything, I have plenty of money saved, I’d pay my half. I’d be able to help with the babies. Please… just think about it?” I nod, still in shock.

  “How do you have money set aside? You’re with me most the time,” I ask puzzled. He looks down.

  “I’ve been doing freelance graphic designing, when you’re in bed or I have free time,” he mutters.

  “Wh
at? How did I not know this? How long? Where did you learn to do graphic design?” Questions fly from my mouth rapidly.

  “I haven’t told anyone, but I’ve always liked doing that sort of thing. So, I took online classes the past few months. I was going to tell you, but with everything….” he says, looking apprehensive.

  I feel bad for my selfishness. How could I not know something that’s obviously really important to him?

  “It’s okay, there’s been a lot going on lately. I mean…. Wow. A graphic designer? I’m really proud of you,” I say, getting up to hug him.

  “Wow. Mayo, that’s amazing,” Ethan says, but something in his voice is off, I look at him, his face crestfallen.

  “Can we talk for a minute... Alone, please?” he asks, quietly, I nod following him to the living room.

  “What’s up?” I sit.

  “I’ll be providing for you and the babies. I know you haven’t finished college because of being pregnant. Let me sort an apartment for you? I want to, please?”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Ethan. It may be for the best if I live with Mason, he wants to help with the babies. I don’t need your money, I have my own,” I add quickly.

  “I’ll be there to help. I thought we’d been over this already?” He says, exasperated, running his hand roughly through his hair.

  “You can’t be there all the time. Through the night, you’ll be at home with your wife and other baby.” It comes out harsher than I’d meant it to. He looks away, sighing in defeat.

  “Lily, I don’t know how to make this right, I want to be there every step of the way. Night and day, but I have to be there for my other child and… wife.”

  My face hardens, “I know. That’s why I’ll be moving in with Mace, then I’ll have some support.” I say, my mind made up.

  “You can help support us if you really want to, but you can’t be there through the night. You can’t be there constantly, and that’s not your fault. You have another baby coming, and he or she will need you too.” I shrug smiling sadly.

  “Okay, we’ll go shopping once you’ve found an apartment,” he says a little more excited.

  “Okay,” I say giving in.

  “Mace?” I shout, not taking my eyes off Ethan.

  “Yeah?” he asks, coming to sit next to me.

  “Looks like we need to start looking for an apartment.” I say happily, as his face lights up.

  “Really?” He asks, nervously looking at Ethan.

  I nod, smiling, “yeah, once we find a place and move in. Ethan wants to go shopping for the babies. We’ll need a room for them too.”

  “Okay, I’ve been looking and there are a few close to here, and a few nearer my mom and dad?”

  I cringe at the idea of living anywhere near his dad. “Can we stay near here? I’m all Nan has,” I keep my voice purposefully low. Mason nods happily.

  I’m excited for the next chapter in my life to start. Me, my babies and hopefully, a happy future.

  ~*~

  The next couple of weeks, Mace, Ethan and I look for a ‘house’ near Nan.

  I have to have a garden and drive for the babies, according to Ethan. I don’t argue, since he’ll be paying my half of the rent and amenities.

  We strike gold, when we find a house just a few streets away from Nan's. It’s a four bedroom, detached house. With a garage and front and back gardens.

  It has a big porch and I can see myself in a rocking chair in the summer, rocking my babies to sleep.

  ~*~

  Well, it’s March and it’s moving day. I look around my sparse, bedroom sadly. I blink back tears. I’ll miss feeling close to Mom. Plus, I feel guilty knowing I’m leaving Nan alone.

  “Nearly packed?” Nan asks sadly, from the door, I nod, smiling weakly.

  “You know you don’t have to move out. I’d love to have you all here.”

  Sighing, I sit on the bed, patting the spot beside me.

  “I have to do this. I need to learn to cope with these two on my own. I know Mace will be there, I just don’t think it’s fair to ask you to have us all here.”

  “I don’t mind. You’re my granddaughter and they’re my grandbabies,” she says rubbing my big belly.

  I laugh, “I’m only going to be a few streets away. You can visit anytime you want. I’m going to want the company anyway,” I say hugging her.

  “Okay, well, I better get some of this down stairs, the boys are going to be here in a few minutes.”

  “Nan you don’t have to. I’ll ask Mace, Ethan and Niles to get it,” I say.

  Having never met Ethan’s twin, I’m nervous.

  “It’s okay, I may be old, but I can carry a few bags,” she huffs.

  Holding up my hands, I laugh. “Okay. You win, I’ll get this one then.”

  “No, you won’t!” Three male voices shout together, making me jump.

  “Jeez… Don’t scare me like that! I could go into labour,” I gasp.

  They look at me frightened.

  “Sorry, you just scared the crap out of me,” I sit, trying to calm my heart rate.

  “Sorry, we didn’t mean to scare you. Are you okay?” Ethan asks, crouching in front of me.

  I nod, my gaze flicking to Niles. Ethan catches on to my nervousness. Standing, he helps me up.

  “This is my twin brother, Niles. Niles, this is Lily, and your niece and nephew,” he adds rubbing my protruding belly.

  Niles smiles shyly, “Hello, Lily. It’s great to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” he says, smirking at Ethan.

  “Oh really? Maybe we should have a chat later,” I say, grinning.

  “No. That’s okay. You already know everything he does,” Ethan says, smiling sadly at me.

  My grin and jokes evaporate as an uncomfortable silence settles over everyone.

  “And this is Cora, Lily’s Grandma,” Mace adds, breaking the silence.

  “Hello, lovely to meet you. I hope you’re all ready to do some lifting,” she says, openly checking out Niles’ muscles, making him blush.

  “Nan! Ignore her Niles. She’s made a sport out of making these two blush,” I say, pointing at Mace and Ethan, grinning.

  “It’s okay, you’ll get used to it. Cora has some serious sass.” Mason grins, slinging an arm around Nan’s shoulders.

  “Oh, hush. He’s a handsome young man, and I just love that blush,” she says, walking up to him and pinching his cheeks.

  A bubble of laughter breaks free, at the shy, embarrassed look he shoots Ethan.

  “Alright, Nan, leave him alone, you’re embarrassing him.”

  “Oh, let an old lady have some fun,” she giggles at the scared look on Niles’ face.

  “Don’t worry, Niles. She doesn’t bite, often,” I say, walking out the room, hearing his brothers laugh.

  ~*~

  Downstairs, I make sure I haven’t left anything lying around, double checking the laundry room for clothes.

  “It’s lucky you’re only moving a few streets away with all this stuff,” Mace jokes, lugging bags.

  “Well, it’s lucky I have all you strong men to lift all this stuff,” I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes and gasp as I feel a baby move.

  “Lils, are you okay?” Mason rushes over hearing my gasp.

  “Yes, here,” I say pressing his hand to my belly looking at his face.

  “There, did you feel that?”

  “No, are they moving?”

  I nod, disappointed he didn’t feel anything.

  “Come on let’s go,” I say, leaving him to pick up the bags he dropped.

  Minutes later, our cars are loaded, and we’re on our way.

  Nan’s offered to help unpack, because Ethan and Mason ordered a crap load of furniture online. Mostly the basics, like beds, a sofa, a table and chairs. Some kitchen appliances and TV. We still need to pick the soft furnishings, but they’re not top priority apparently.

  Pulling into our street, I smile seeing Isabella’s car out front. It
’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. I’m really excited to see her. So I walk over to say hi, but freeze when Alex steps out of the car too.

  What the hell’s he doing here?

  Scowling, I look from Ethan to Mason, who appears at my side, obviously braising for an argument.

  “Mom, dad. What are you guys doing here?” Mace asks, stepping forward to hug his mom. Smiling, she lets go and steps forward to hug me.

  “We wanted to see where our son is going to be living. Hi, Lily. How are you, honey? Wow. Look at you.” I giggle, pulling back.

  “Hi, Isabella, I’m good, expanding by the day. How are you?” I ask, looking at Alex anxiously as Nan comes storming toward us.

  “Oh, I’m great honey. Since we’re here, Alex can help carry your things in,” she says happily, looking at all the men with a raised brow.

  “Let’s go then,” Niles says, clapping his hands.

  He and Isabella are the only ones oblivious to the tension between Nan and Alex. Nan opens her mouth to say something, and I move as fast as possible to cut her off.

  “Nan, can you help me get drinks please? While Isabella directs this lot?” I plead with my eyes, she nods as she walks toward me. I smile at Isabella, before walking into the spacious hall.

  Inside is sparse, but spacious, the hall is nice, white walls and real wood flooring. On the left is an arch leading to the living room, my favourite room, it has a beautiful fireplace, bay windows, wooden flooring and two bookshelves built into the walls, on either side of the fire breast. It all needs decorating, but that’s to taste.

  The kitchen is across the hall, and is gorgeous. It’s recently been remodeled.

  A huge five burner stove with two ovens, draws my eye straight away, I can see myself baking and cooking on it. Granite Worktops, dark wood cupboards, and a stainless steel double sink. The finishing touch is a good sized island. It has ‘family kitchen’ written all over it.

  “Nan, can we leave the arguments in the past? Isabella doesn’t know that you don’t like Alex. He’s been an asshole, but he’s Mason’s dad, he'll be here now and then to visit his son.”

  “Please?” I add.