“I say keep it shaved. Makes you look tough and you really need the help.”
Narrowing my eyes at her, I tried not to smile. Harlow laughed at Winnie’s angry expression. I knew they were messing with each other, so I looked to Jace for his opinion.
The kid stared at me with dark eyes and shrugged. “I say let it grow longer. It’ll help keep your fat head warm.”
The girls laughed while I ruffled up Jace’s thick black hair. “You’d know about keeping fat heads warm, wouldn’t you, kid?”
Jace gave me a great smile. He was warming up to me and I realized I wanted his approval. Broken like Winnie, Jace needed people to push past his walls and embrace him.
We were all teasing him about his wild hair when my phone rang. I saw the call was from my mom and considered ignoring it. All the family time with the Todds had likely made me soft because I decided to give Mom a break.
“Hey,” I said while Winnie and Harlow talked ham and turkey.
“Hay is for horses, Dylan,” Mom replied like clockwork.
Rolling my eyes, I wished I hadn’t answered. “What’s up?”
Mom sighed, desperately wishing to tell me the sky was up. Instead, she got to the point of the call.
“Will you be visiting for Christmas?” I’d like you to meet my future husband, Sal.”
Glancing at Winnie, I considered telling Mom my big news. I imagined what she would say and how her dismissive words would make me feel. Fuck it. She didn’t need to know my personal shit.
“I have plans for the holiday.”
“Oh,” Mom said in a snippy voice. “With your father because I thought you two weren’t getting along?”
“No, not with him. I’m spending the holidays with my girlfriend’s family.”
“Oh, who is she?”
I studied Winnie. She’d lost interest in the meat section and was now watching me. I imagined her in the same room as my judgmental mother. How long before mom would bitch about Winnie’s posture or some other stupid little thing? I even imagined Mom making a snide comment about Winnie pinching her hands or flinching at nothing.
“Mom, I’m in the middle of shopping. You have a great Thanksgiving and I’ll talk to you soon.”
After she muttered something like goodbye, I hung up and returned to Winnie’s side. She stared at me nervously even after I wrapped my arms around her. Life would never be easy for Winnie, but my job was to make her feel as safe as possible. Whether beating down a loud college idiot or keeping my mom states away, I’d do whatever necessary to protect what was mine.
Chapter Thirty Five ~ Winnie
Lark began suffering from Braxton Hicks contractions when she reached the six month point. They were merely practice for the real deal. If she rested on a different side or elevated her feet, the contractions ended. Just after Thanksgiving, they began at eleven in the morning and didn’t stop no matter what position she tried.
After a short period of denial, Lark knew a trip to the hospital was necessary. First, I called 911 since she was high risk and giving birth in the car wasn’t happening. Next, I contacted Aaron who was golfing with his dad and Cooper. Finally, I got hold of Raven.
“I’m scared out of my fucking mind,” Lark said as we waited for the ambulance.
“If it’s for real, they’ll give you an epidural and you won’t feel the pain of the contractions. Then they’ll prep you for the surgery. It won’t take long for them to get the babies out then you can see Phoebe and Leo. Oh, and Aaron will be with you during the C-section.”
“Do you remember that from your baby?”
“No. I looked it up on the internet.”
Lark smiled. “It’ll be okay. It’s a good hospital and they know how to take care of preemies. My doctor has experience with them too. It’s okay.”
Rubbing her feet, I tried to stay calm so she would remain calm too.
“By this evening, you’ll know if the babies have curly hair like Aaron did.”
Lark’s eyes lit up. “I’m going to see my babies. I know I might not be able to hold them if they’re in those incubators, but I can touch them and see them.”
The paramedics carried Lark to the ambulance on a stretcher. She looked embarrassed to have the attention, but I teased her about being a queen carried around by hunky slaves. The paramedics like that too.
Sitting up front, I peeked back at Lark whose cheeks were red like when her blood pressure spiked. I heard the paramedics with her say they were already prepping at the hospital for an emergency C-section. It wouldn’t be long, he promised.
I remained with Lark in the hospital room until Aaron arrived out of breath from running.
“My muse,” he said, taking her hand.
Leaving them alone to prepare for the surgery, I walked into the waiting room. Cooper patted the chair next to him and I joined him.
“She’ll be okay,” he said, sounding convincing.