“I was just updating Riley and checking in on Addison,” I tell her as she leans over the bed and pushes Penelope’s hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
“And, how is she?”
“She said she was scared right after we left, but that she’s almost asleep. Ry was cuddling with her on her bed and they were watching a movie together.”
“I’m sure the excitement of the ambulance and fire truck scared her. Plus, how scared we were when everything was going on.”
I nod my head in agreement. I know how scared I was, and I’m an adult. I can’t even imagine what it was like for her to see that happen to her sister, and then for both Jillian and I to disappear. I lay my head back on the pillow behind me and let what happened sink in. Tears prick my eyes as it all hits me once again.
I stop holding the emotion back. If I can’t be vulnerable in front of Jillian, then who can I be. She’s just as much my rock as I am hers.
“Derek.” Her sweet voice fills my head as I start to sob. I pull Penelope into a tighter embrace, remembering to be careful of the monitors and her IV line. “She’s going to be okay,” she says, trying to comfort me.
“I could have killed her,” I finally grit out. “What kind of father does that?”
“Honey, this isn’t your fault.” She tries to soothe me.
“I know it wasn’t, but that doesn’t make me feel less guilty or scared about it happening again. What would I have done if you weren’t there to spring into action when I froze? Would things have turned out differently? Would I have known to Epi her and call for an ambulance?”
“You can’t Monday-morning quarterback the situation. Now you’ve seen firsthand what a reaction can look like and will know what to do if it ever happens again. Always Epi and call for an ambulance. That’s our action plan,” she tells me.
“Sorry to interrupt,” a nurse says as she pushes into the room. “I just need to switch out Miss Penelope’s fluids real quick.”
“Of course.” Jillian sits down in the chair next to the bed and I watch as the nurse expertly changes out the empty bag of saline for a new one.
“Her vitals are looking wonderful. No signs of rebound reactions at this point. The doctor said that if that continues while this bag of fluids is pushed, then we can let you guys go home. She will need to be on steroids for the next few days. Do you want me to send those to a pharmacy or have the hospital pharmacy fill them for you?”
“The hospital pharmacy is perfect. I don’t even know where a pharmacy is located. We just flew in earlier today,” Jillian tells her.
“I hope your visit gets better,” the nurse replies. “I’ll get those prescriptions sent down and they’ll send them up to us when ready.”
“Thank you,” we both call out to the nurse as she leaves the room.
Twenty-Six
Jillian
It’s late by the time we make it back to the house. Riley and Addison are sound asleep in Riley’s bed when I peek in to check on them. I stand in the doorway for a few seconds, looking at my oldest. I can’t believe she’s going to be five soon. Off to kindergarten in the fall. My hand falls to my abdomen and cradles my ever-so-small bump that has started to form. Most people would miss it or think I’d just eaten a large meal, but I’ve noticed in the last week it’s sticking around. With this being my third pregnancy, my body knows what to do and is adjusting early on.
“She didn’t even flinch when I put her down,” Derek whispers in my ear as he comes up behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against him.
“I didn’t think she would. The steroids they gave her will make her really sleepy,” I tell him as I lay my head back on his chest. The exhaustion of flying here today, coupled with our visit to the emergency room, the time difference, and it being the middle of the night, I’m just about dead on my feet.
“Let’s get you off to bed,” he suggests, tugging on me to follow him down the hall and into the master bedroom.
We both go about our business of getting ready for bed. I notice the monitor on the nightstand and realize Riley must have unpacked the girls’ things and gotten it set up for me. I slip out of our room and into the girls’ room, finding the monitor in here already on. I look over Penelope one last time, stopping to tuck her hair behind her ear and out of her face. She looks so peaceful. I watch her breathe—normally, thank God—for a few breaths before I slip out of her room and back into mine.
“She doing okay?” Derek asks as he walks out of the bathroom. He’s stripped down to his boxer briefs already.
“Yeah, I was mainly checking to make sure the monitor was turned on. Riley must have unpacked it for me.”
“I saw that in there and wondered if it was ours or was provided by the owners.”
“After tonight’s events, I’m glad I thought to pack it. It will help me sleep better knowing I can hear her if she needs us during the night.”
I watch as Derek stops at the edge of the bed and pulls back the comforter and sheet. He sets his phone and watch on their chargers, then slips into bed. “Come join me. You need to get some sleep.”
I shake my head, the exhaustion causing me to zone out slightly. “I’ll be right there,” I tell him before disappearing into the bathroom. I quickly go through my nighttime routine, then join him in bed.
“In the morning, I want you to sleep in. I’ll get up with the girls when they get up,” he says once I’m settled in bed, my head resting in the crook of his arm. Our legs are tangled together, and my right hand rests on his chest.
“Okay.” Just then, a yawn escapes. “You won’t hear any arguments from me about that,” I tell him before drifting off to sleep.
I wake up to an empty bed. I roll over, feeling the bed where Derek once slept next to me, and find the sheets cold, which tells me he’s been up for a while. The fullness of my bladder tells me it must be late, so I roll over and slide out of this amazing bed. I swear, I haven’t slept that good in a long-ass time. After using the bathroom and quickly brushing my teeth to rid me of my horrible morning breath, I head out to find everyone. When I open the bedroom door, I have to blink my eyes a few times as the sunlight hits them and is bright. The bedroom had blackout shades that do a fantastic job of keeping the light out.
I hear giggling coming from down the hall, so I walk that way. I find the girls playing in the living room, a Disney movie on the TV for them they aren’t really paying attention to. Looking at Penelope, you’d never have guessed we spent most of the night at the hospital with her.
“Mommy!” Addison calls out when she sees me. “You’re awake!” She runs over and throws her arms around my torso.
“I am. Did you sleep good with Auntie RyRy?” I ask, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
“Yes. She let me sleep with her because I was scared.”
“I know, baby,” I tell her, dropping down to my haunches so I’m more at her eye level. “But sissy is okay, the doctors gave her medicine that helped her.”
“RyRy put her food in the trash.”
“I know, sweetie. Her food made her very sick. Have you had breakfast yet?”
“Yes, Daddy made us breakfast.”
I can hear Riley and Derek talking from the kitchen. Addison returns to where her sister is playing, and I go find the adults.
“Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Derek greets me as I enter the kitchen and walk into his open arms. “How’d you sleep?”
He hands me his cup of coffee and I hold it up under my nose, taking a deep breath before I take a large sip of it. The warmth of the liquid warms me from the inside out. The smell and caffeine give me a jolt, helping me to wake up all the way.
“Thank you, I feel great. I slept like the dead. What time is it anyway?” I ask, looking around for a clock.
“Almost eleven,” Riley pipes up.
“Eleven! Holy crap, I haven’t slept in this late in forever.”
“Well, you needed it,” Derek assures me. “You had a
long, stressful day yesterday.”
“I won’t argue with you there,” I tell him as I finish off the cup of coffee.
“What’s the plan for today?” Riley asks.
“I don’t really have one, and if I did, I think that it would be shot. Is there something you wanted to go do?” I ask her.
“Nothing specific. I might need to drop by the store for a few things, but nothing that’s an emergency.”
“If you want to go, you’re welcome to take the rental. I made sure that you were listed as a driver.”
“Thanks, I might just do that in a little bit,” she says as she slides off the bar stool. “I think I’m going to go shower and get dressed for the day.”
Derek and I slip into a comfortable silence as I stand in his embrace, empty coffee cup in my hand. I set it on the counter and attempt to reach for the pot that is just out of my reach. He takes pity on me and grabs it, then refills the cup.
“What time do you need to go today?” I ask, not really loving the idea he has to leave at some point.
“I’m not due back until tomorrow, mid-morning, so I’m all yours until then,” he says, kissing the crown of my head.
“Okay. How has Penny been this morning? Any signs of a possible rebound reaction?”
“She’s been her normal self since she got up. Slept until about eight thirty. I made them both some breakfast shortly after, and we’ve been just hanging out since.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for taking care of our girls.”
“I know I don’t, but you’re also the one in the middle of training camp. You’re the one who probably needs extra sleep, but here I am, the one getting it.”
“Stop that. You need your sleep, you’re growing another human, remember?” he chides. “I can deal with one night’s lack of sleep. You shouldn’t have to deal with it. Simple as that.”
“I like this side of you,” I tell him, pushing up on my toes to press my lips to his.
“Mhmmm…” He moans against my lips. “And I like this side of you,” he says, nipping at my lips. “How about we find you something to eat, then take the girls out back and let them play while we relax in the shade?”
“That sounds perfect. I’m starving,” I tell him. My stomach has been grumbling for a while. I rummage through the fridge before settling on some Greek yogurt for now. With it being almost lunchtime, I don’t want to overdo it and then be off for the rest of the day.
Once outside, Derek helps me pull the lounge chairs out and place them in the shade, then hands me a bottle of water once I’m seated. I snagged my kindle before we came out so I can continue reading my current book. The girls took off for the play structure as soon as they came out here, and we’re sitting so we can see them, no matter where they are.
“Do you want to bring the girls down to the game tomorrow?” Derek asks after awhile. I place my kindle down and look over at him.
“Sure, what time is the game at?”
“It’s a noon start time,” he tells me, his eyes still on the girls as they play. If he’s anything, it’s an overprotective father, and after last night’s incident, I think his overprotectiveness is on high-alert.
“That will work. They might be tired come bedtime without a nap, but that isn’t the end of the world. Plus, they always have fun going to games. Just too bad that we won’t get to see you pitch tomorrow.”
“If you come a bit early, I’ll take them down on the field and let them throw the ball around.”
“What time do you want us to arrive then?”
“Maybe around eleven,” he suggests.
“Okay.”
“I’ll leave tickets at will call for you.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Hey, are you guys ready for some lunch?” Riley asks as she joins us.
“Maybe in a little bit. Did you already go and come back?” I ask, looking down at the time.
“Yep. I only needed a few things.”
“Do you want to come to the game with us tomorrow?” I ask her before I forget.
“Sure!”
“That won’t be a problem?” I ask Derek.
“Nope. I can get as many tickets as I want.”
“I’m going to head back inside. Just holler at me when you’re ready for some lunch, and I’ll make some sandwiches and bring them out for everyone,” Riley says before she turns for the door.
“Thank you,” I call out after her.
I roll on my side, facing Derek as I turn back to reading my book. I’m lost in a chapter when I feel his hand slide across my belly, resting right over my little baby bump. “You’re showing already,” he says, astonished.
“I am. Not a lot, but it’s definitely attempting to pop out. Third baby and all, my muscles are looser and know what to do by now.”
“Can you believe it, babe. We’re going to have another one!” The excitement that laces his voice just about brings me to tears. Knowing this surprise baby is already so loved and, while he or she shocked us with the timing, is very much wanted.
“I know. Some days, I still have to wrap my mind around it, but I knew deep down in my heart that our family wasn’t complete with just two kids. I’ve always wanted a houseful, and I feel like that’s an actual possibility now,” I tell him as he entwines our fingers. He leans closer and brings his lips to mine.
“I love you,” he whispers, and I feel his words down to my soul.
“I love you, too.”
“I can’t tell you how much I love hearing those words come from your lips. I worried I’d never hear them from you again,” he tells me somberly.
“What’s in the past is in the past. Let’s look toward the future, okay?”
“Okay,” he agrees as he presses another kiss to my lips.
“Mommy, can we have lunch?” Penelope asks, interrupting our moment.
“Yes, go run inside and tell Aunt RyRy that you’re hungry. She said she’d make some sandwiches.”
“Okay,” she says in her sing-song voice, then takes off skipping to the back door.
“When did she get so damn big?” Derek asks as he watches her disappear inside.
“I swear, she’s gone from a baby to a big girl in the past six months.”
“She sure has.”
“I think the no diapers or pull-ups mess really made her seem grown up,” I state, then groan. “Ugh, diapers again.”
Derek busts out laughing. “Weren’t you just the one talking about having a house full of kids?”
“Yes,” I whine. “I’m allowed to want a house full of kids but not want the diapers to go along with them.”
“How about this?” He pauses to take a drink of his water. “We’ll have as many babies as you want, and I’ll help change as many of the diapers as I can when I’m home. Hell, hire a nanny to help you with diapers for when I’m not home, for all I care. I just want you happy.”
“Well, aren’t you just the sweetest,” I tease. “And don’t think you can trick me with the whole ‘I’ll change all the diapers when I’m home’ line. I’ve heard that before.” I roll my eyes at him. “You’ve weaseled your way out of way too many diaper changes with the girls, I won’t fall for that again.”
He has the audacity to give me a “who me” look while sporting a shit-eating grin.
“I’m on to you, mister.”
“You can be on me anytime you want,” he says, dropping his voice and raising his eyebrows at me.
I laugh out loud and smack his chest at the same time. “Stop it.”
“What’s so funny?” Addison asks as she pushes herself between our two chairs. Derek slips his hands under her armpits and pulls her onto his lap.
“Just something I was telling Mommy,” he says, winking at me from over the top of her head.
“Guess what, Addy?” I say, grabbing her attention.
“What?”
“Tomorrow, Daddy’s team is playing and we’re going to go watch
them!”
“Yay!” She starts to cheer. “Daddy, are you throwing the ball?” She’s started to understand a little how the game is played, and that Derek doesn’t always play.
“Not tomorrow. I played in yesterday’s game,” he tells her. “But, you, Penny, Mom, and Aunt Ry are going to come early, and I’ll throw the ball with you before the game starts.”
“Yes!” she says as she throws her arms around his neck. “I love you, Daddy.”
Her words have my heart melting yet again.
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
Twenty-Seven
Derek
The past month has flown by. Training camp went about as it usually does. We got back home last night, and have two days until opening day. With today off, it’s the perfect day for Jillian and I to head down to the courthouse to get married once again.
Coming home to her last night was everything. I never want to think about not coming home to her and our kids again.
“Morning, beautiful,” I whisper in her ear after I roll over and pull her against me, her back flush to my front. My hand slides around her hip and rests against her now noticeable baby bump. I was shocked at how much her body changed in the few weeks we were apart after they returned from their time in Arizona. It feels like that was months ago, when it was really just a matter of weeks.
When she left, she had the smallest of bumps, but now it’s not something she can hide easily. Everything on her has changed, and I’m loving it. She’s always been beautiful to me, and pregnancy looks really good on her. I know she doesn’t feel that way sometimes, but I’m here to make sure she believes me when I tell her.
“Morning,” she says, still half asleep. I slip my fingers a little lower and past the elastic of her panties, circling a fingertip around her clit. “Mhmmm.” She moans and presses her ass against my already hard cock.
“You ready to make it official once again, Mrs. Smyth?” I whisper as I plunge two fingers into her.
The Perfect Pitch (Indianapolis Lightning Book 1) Page 18