Aaron grinned. “Poetic, man. Who knew a guy would get all worked up over Bailey? Not that she isn’t hot, but her mouth scares most guys.”
“I’m not most guys.”
After giving me a knowing grin, Aaron worked his magic again. Each letter was drawn beautifully across my wrist. Even if I was a mess most days with Bailey, I knew her name would remain on my flesh until the day I died.
Chapter Twenty Seven ~ Bailey
Lark Barnes was one of my favorite people. She had the biggest heart and a great sense of humor. With all her qualities, the chick’s petite body wasn’t built for pregnancy.
Knocked up with twins, Lark had become a giant baby bump on two legs. By the time the babies were born, I suspected she’d look like Humpty Dumpty with spiky hair.
Around ten, I sneaked into the house to find Lark still asleep on the couch. Every morning she got up with Aaron, only to return to sleep once he went to the tattoo shop. Leaving her to rest, I opened the backdoor so her ugly dogs could do their business. Next, I focused on the laundry.
With Lark on bed rest, everyone in the crew was helping out so she could stay off her feet. Though I hated cleaning floors and left the crap work to Raven. My skills shined with laundry.
Folding Aaron’s millions of wife beaters and the moo moos Lark called maternity clothes, I thought about kids. I had no interest in the stink machines. Besides, I was just learning to pull my head out of my ass. The last thing I needed was to be in charge of a kid. Young in ways I wasn’t, Nick especially needed time to settle into being a man.
When we were ready, Nick and I would make awesome kids who would play with my nieces Scarlet and Lily. They’d be pals with the twins too. Once he’d felt safe in Ellsberg like he never felt when growing up, Nick would be a great dad. We could make a great life together if I was patient enough.
“You’re folding them wrong,” a sleepy voice said from behind me.
Turning around, I found a baby bump with Lark attached to it.
Bed head beautiful, she grinned. “Rich girls can’t fold for shit.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“Only if you’re planning to sweep the floors,” she said, waddling away. “If not, keep folding them in your goofy way.”
Carrying the basket with me, I followed Lark into the living room where she eased onto the couch and propped her feet up on pillows.
“How do you feel, fatty?”
“Svelte actually. Thanks, jealous hag.”
I laughed. “Need something to drink or eat?”
“Yes on both. A diet soda and a fruit cup would be great.”
In the kitchen, I found lots of food with sticky notes labeled, “Lark.”
“What’s with the food? Are you and Aaron already fighting over stuff?” I asked, sighing. “So sad to see love die.”
Lark said nothing, only lifted two middle fingers then laughed. “On my last checkup, I had high blood pressure. Nothing serious, but the doctor put me on super duper bed rest. I might need to crap in bed at this rate.”
Despite worrying about her health, I laughed. “What’s that have to do with the food?”
“Low salt diet. I’m supposed to drink tons of water, but I need soda or else I’ll puke. I already had to give up coffee since the caffeine made me weird.”
Once I let the dogs back inside, I brought her the soda and fruit cup. “Is feeling so shitty for so long worth it?” I asked, sitting at the end of the couch.
“Hell yeah. I’m having my man’s babies. I can’t wait to see what they look like and what personalities they have.”
Reaching over, I placed my hand gently against her bump and one or more of the babies moved inside her. Lark didn’t seem to notice as she ate her fruit cup.
“Farah knows what her baby is. She already named it Lily.”
Lark grinned. “I’m announcing our baby names at the first baby shower.”
“Tell me now.”
“Nope. You’ll blab,” she said, finishing the fruit cup.
“No, I won’t. I promise,” I said, but even I didn’t believe me. “Fine, chunky. Keep your secrets.”
“How’s Nick?”
“Changing the subject, huh? Sneaky,” I whispered and she grinned. “He’s amazing. Everything I hoped for, but better. He’s mine.”
“I’m glad. Nick’s a good guy. Are you treating him right?”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“You know,” Lark said with her eyes closed.
Frowning at her dogs, I wanted to defend my awesome. I didn’t though.
“I nearly lost Nick when I gave him an ultimatum and he called my bluff.”
“What kind of ultimatum?” Lark asked, opening her eyes to giving me a disapproving look.
“I said he needed to give up fighting or I’d dump him.”
“I wouldn’t want him fighting either. Did he call your bluff or did you just back down?”
“Does it matter?”
Lark shook her head. “Things are good though?”
“He said he loves me.”
Poking me with her toes, Lark grinned. “How could he not?”
“Hell yeah.”
“And you love him for real?”