Sisters in Bloom

by Melissa Foster

  “She’s worked so hard for this, and I really, really wanted it to come true for her. We could make it work, with the baby and all, but now? With Lea involved? It’s not even real anymore. She’s not making a decision until after the baby is born, so that buys me some time, at least.” Chaz paused. “I was thinking that I’d contact Lea, tell her to back off.”

  “Because that did so much good before?” Danica sat back down, thinking about the awful situation he and Kaylie were in, and it pained her to think of Kaylie’s hopes dashed by that other woman. She was using Kaylie. That much was obvious. “What do you think her thing is? Why’s she doing this?”

  “I don’t friggin’ know. I mean, she’s a nut. She wants to break us up, but it’s not like I’d go back to her, so I have no idea what she’s even thinking.”

  “Does she know that? In no uncertain terms?” Danica trusted Chaz and already loved him like a brother, and she knew how much he loved Kaylie. But if it came down to it, there was no choice to make. She’d push and make him as uncomfortable as necessary to ensure that Kaylie was protected.

  “Of course. She’s a nut. Max found all this dirt on her trying to break up people, basically stalking them. Cooper is doing what he can, but she’s not physically stalking me or Kaylie, so he can’t do anything about it.”

  “Okay, let’s think.”

  “I think I have to talk to her, tell her to back off.” The pain in Chaz’s voice was palpable.

  “What if she doesn’t? What if she somehow makes it seem like you were going after her?”

  “She’s crazy enough to do that,” Chaz admitted.

  “Well, if she’s waiting until the baby is born, that gives you at least a couple weeks to figure this out. Until then, I don’t think I’d say anything to Kaylie. No need to get her all riled up before she’s even made a decision.”

  “All right. I hope you’re right. I feel horrible. This is all my fault. I should have never hooked up with that woman.”

  Danica thought of all the strange guys Kaylie had dated over the years. “We all make mistakes, Chaz. It just sucks that this one came back to haunt you.”

  “Tell me about it. Hey, can you tell Blake thanks for the sponsorship?”

  “What sponsorship?”

  “Take Enterprises? That’s his company, right? He bought a sponsorship for the festival.”

  Blake walked in the front door as Danica hung up the phone, still reeling from her conversation with Chaz. He sat beside her on the couch, and she nuzzled into him. “Chaz said thanks for the sponsorship.”

  “Hmm.”

  She touched his chest. “You didn’t tell me that you sponsored the festival.”

  “It was a quick decision. He was having all that trouble with that psycho woman, and I had a few extra bucks. I had a banner made with No Limitz on it.”

  “What? Blake.” She kissed him on the cheek, but was distracted by the looming issue with Kaylie’s offer of representation. “That was sweet. Thank you.”

  “No big deal. Hey, are you okay? You seem a little edgy.”

  “I’m just really mad. Chaz called, and that record label that offered Kaylie representation is partially owned by that Lea Carmichael woman. He doesn’t want to tell Kaylie yet. He wants to wait until she makes her decision, in case she decides not to take the offer. He’s so worried about crushing her dreams. You know, she did just find her footing again. As much as I hate keeping anything like this from her, maybe he’s right?”

  Blake leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “That’s crazy. He’s sure?”

  “Seems to be.”

  “Well, I can’t even begin to figure out what’s right or wrong in not telling her, but I do think that after everything your sister has been through, maybe it is best if he waits to tell her. I mean, if she turns it down, then the problem’s solved, right?”

  “I guess, but the whole thing just stinks. I really wanted this for her. You should have heard how excited she was when she called today. It was like she finally got the validation that she’d been looking for all these years.” Danica let out a frustrated sigh.

  Blake approached her and her heart swelled. When he wrapped her in his arms and she lay her head on his chest, she was able to close her eyes for a second and just breathe him in. She knew the whole thing with Kaylie would eventually blow over—either with drama or without—but this…being with Blake…feeling safe and loved…this was her now. This was the present, and it was all she really wanted to think about.

  Blake kissed the side of her head. “How did things go with Sally?”

  How many other men would remember what else their girlfriend had going on after the heavy discussion we just had? I’m so lucky. Danica was ashamed to admit that she’d danced around talking to Sally for most of the day. “It turned out that while I was worried she’d want to talk about Rusty, she was fretting over Gage and Rusty.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  “Are we still on for this afternoon? Lunch and shopping for evil spawn?” Danica had a job to do today—get Kaylie to her baby shower. She was enjoying teasing Kaylie about the niece or nephew she’d already fallen in love with, and when the baby was finally born and given a real name, she knew she’d miss seeing the little annoyance on her sister’s face.

  Kaylie sighed. “Yes.”

  “What? Too much teasing?”

  “No, I know you’re kidding. Something’s up with Chaz and I don’t know what it is. I told him that I was waiting to make a decision about the record label, and I swear he reminds me of a balloon about to burst.”

  “He’s probably stressed about the baby.” Danica hated lying to Kaylie, but saying anything now would only make it worse. Besides, they had a baby shower to attend.

  “Maybe. I guess. But it feels like he’s not telling me something, and if it’s that he doesn’t want me to take the contract, he should just tell me that.”

  “I’m sure that’s not it. He’s so proud of you, Kay. You could see it in his eyes when you were singing.”

  “Yeah,” Kaylie said in a dreamy voice. “That’s true. Maybe it is just the baby. Ow, ow, ow.”

  “What? You okay?”

  Kaylie breathed hard into the phone. “Yeah, it’s those damn Braxton Hicks contractions. I swear they really do suck.”

  Danica waited for Kaylie to breath normally again.

  Kaylie let out a little whoop! “Okay, where are we meeting again?”

  “I’m almost there. I’m picking you up.” Danica slowed as she passed the house Blake was buying. Our house. “Can you believe I’m moving in a mile away?”

  “I know. I can’t wait!”

  They hung up the phone just as Danica pulled up the long driveway.

  Kaylie stood in the open doorway in a beautiful pink sundress. Her hair shone bright and full.

  “Your belly looks lower,” Danica noticed.

  “Tell me about it. I swear this baby is sitting right on my bladder, and it hurts. Whoever said pregnancy is wonderful lied. Between the Braxton Hicks contractions and my bladder, I’m sure it’s some sort of punishment.”

  Danica laughed. “A few more weeks and it’ll be over and you’ll be all googly-eyed at your tiny evil spawn.”

  “At least she’s moved down past my diaphragm, so I can breathe again.”

  Danica pulled down the driveway and headed toward town. “Atta girl. Way to see the bright side.” She watched Kaylie’s hand resting on her belly and reached over and touched her softly. “I’m kinda jealous, you know. I mean, you’re about to have a baby, Kay. A baby!”

  “Jealous? Really?”

  Danica took her hand back. “Don’t get too full of yourself.”

  “I’m scared shitless. What do I know about raising a baby?” The look in her eyes spelled P-A-N-I-C to Danica, and she knew just how to talk her sister off the ledge.

  “Remember how you used to worry about when yo
u finally had sex? You kept worrying about if you would measure up and all that bullshit?”

  “Yeah, you laughed at me and told me to keep my pants on.”

  Danica smiled at the memory. “Yeah, well, remember how you figured it all out?”

  Kaylie looked at her newly manicured fingernails. “I was damn good at it. Still am.” She shot a smirk in Danica’s direction.

  “This is the same thing. You just go with your gut on it. I mean, you do have Mom to fall back on.”

  Kaylie groaned. “Mom was a natural. I’m not at all like her. Besides, we haven’t really talked much since lunch that day.”

  “So, call her.”

  Kaylie looked at her sideways.

  “Kaylie, she’s your mother. Time to move on.” Danica dug her phone out of her console and handed it to Kaylie. “Do it. She’s pound three on speed dial.”

  Kaylie stared at the phone.

  “Do you even know why you’re mad at her anymore?”

  Kaylie shrugged. “She stayed with Dad.”

  “For us,” Danica reminded her.

  “Yeah, I know.” Kaylie ran her fingers over the numbers. “I feel stupid. I mean, I haven’t exactly been nice to her. What if she doesn’t want to talk to me?”

  “She’s a mom. It’s her job to unconditionally love us. You should take a few notes along the way,” she teased. “These are all things you need to learn before evil spawn comes around.”

  “Sassy.”

  “What?”

  “Evil spawn. I nicknamed her Sassy.”

  “Sassy spawn. I like it. Now, call Mom before we get to town.” She watched Kaylie dial her mother’s number and then pretended not to eavesdrop as Kaylie said the two most important words in any relationship.

  “Mom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shut you out of my life for so lo—” Kaylie listened to her mother speak. “But I shouldn’t have—” She blinked away wetness from her eyes. “Okay. I know. I love you, too.” She listened again and turned toward Danica and mouthed, Thank you, then listened again to her mother on the other end of the phone. “Mom, I know you were strong to stay with Dad. It was him I was pissed at, but since I wasn’t talking to him, well, I’m sorry.” She paused. “No, I haven’t talked to him. I know, Mom. Okay, whatever.” She mouthed, Dad, to Danica and rolled her eyes. “I love you too Mom.”

  After she hung up the phone, Danica remained silent. Her sister was growing up, and Danica was relishing in the amazement of it all.

  They walked into the dimly lit restaurant at Bar None. Jimmy Buffet played softly in the background.

  “Why’s it so dark in here?” Kaylie asked. “Do you think I really need to call Dad? I don’t feel like I need to. I mean, it’s been a few years since we’ve actually spoken to each other.”

  “I don’t know, Kaylie. He is our father.”

  Kaylie bit her lower lip, then took Danica’s hand and said, “Before the wedding I promise to talk to him, okay?”

  The last thing they needed was more drama right now. She told the hostess that they needed a table for two and winked when Kaylie looked away. They followed her to the back of the restaurant, where Kaylie immediately buried her nose in the menu.

  “I’m starved. I swear this baby steals my food the second I swallow it.” She pored over the entrees.

  “Hi, I’m Camille, and I’ll be your waitress today.”

  Kaylie spun her head around. “Camille?”

  The kitchen doors swung open and Chelsea, Marie, Michelle, Sally, Nancy, and Chaz’s mother, grandmother, and two sisters streamed out carrying pink and blue balloons, laughing, all heading directly for Kaylie. Danica saw their mother trailing quietly behind, pride beaming from her eyes.

  Kaylie’s jaw hung open. She stood and hugged each of her friends. “I can’t believe it.” She shot a look at Danica. “You little sneak!”

  Camille stood behind her, and Kaylie mocked, “And you! This is why you wouldn’t talk to me about a shower!”

  “What kind of friend would I be if I spilled the beans? Besides, you know you can count on us with any reason for a party! And your baby? That’s the best reason of all!”

  Kaylie hugged Maria. Chelsea couldn’t keep her hands off of Kaylie’s belly. “Don’t worry. Sassy will know Auntie Chelsea!” Kaylie joked.

  Danica watched Kaylie’s and their mother’s eyes meet across the table, where she stood beside Chaz’s sisters Abby, the baby of the family, and Astrid, the eldest. Their mother smiled and nodded, giving Kaylie the space to greet her visitors before tending to her. Danica was surprised when Kaylie made a beeline for her mother. She wrapped her arms around her neck, gently touching their mother’s hair, and said with a smile, “Still red? I guess I can deal with red.”

  “I know you like it blond,” her mother answered.

  “I love it red. I love you, Mom, and if you love it red, then I love it red. I’m sorry I wasted so much time figuring that out.”

  Her mother held Kaylie tight, then whispered in her ear, “I hate the red, too.”

  Just when Danica saw Kaylie’s eyes dampen, her mother released her and said, “Go. You’ve got more guests to welcome.”

  Danica wanted to run over and hug Kaylie, but she remained where she was and gave her sister space to swallow past the lump she was sure had formed in her throat.

  Kaylie hugged Abby. “Thank you for coming.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Abby looked the most like Chaz. She was tall, with thick blond hair and warm blue eyes.

  Astrid put her hand on Kaylie’s belly. “I can’t believe my baby brother is having a baby.” She hugged Kaylie and told her that she couldn’t wait to meet the baby.

  Kaylie approached Chaz’s mother with a nervous gait. “Elise.”

  Danica watched Elise Crew look Kaylie up and down. Her mother touched her shoulder.

  “Let them be,” she said calmly. “She’s a big girl.”

  Elise took a step toward Kaylie. Danica saw the way Elise’s body went rigid in Kaylie’s arm. Elise stepped back and put a hand up to pat her hair. Danica knew that Elise had been cold and not very accepting of her sister in Chaz’s life, but seeing the interaction between them was a whole different ball game, and Danica didn’t like it one bit.

  “Well, you look…” she said, her gray eyes scanning Kaylie from head to toe.

  The hope in Kaylie’s eyes nearly crushed Danica’s heart. She took a step forward and her mother tightened her grip on Danica’s shoulder. Then she stepped forward.

  “She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” Their mother looked at Elise in a way that spoke volumes of protection. A look that Danica read as, If you know what’s good for you, you’ll wipe that judgmental smirk off of your face and admit that you see the beauty that is my daughter. And it made her proud.

  Elise nodded. “Yes, she is glowing, isn’t she?”

  “Thank you,” Kaylie said, and kissed her soon-to-be mother-in-law on the cheek, then quickly escaped to the safety of Max, Sally, Michelle, and Nancy.

  By the time they’d each settled into their seats, the staff had tied pink and blue balloons to the chairs, hung pastel streamers along the walls, and set pink and blue centerpieces on each table. Danica saw the surprise in Kaylie’s eyes.

  “Isn’t it pretty?” she asked.

  Kaylie put her hand over her heart. “The beauty of it takes my breath away.”

  Danica watched Kaylie chatting with Camille and Chelsea and sharing her news about the record deal. Danica knew that when Chaz shared the knowledge that Lea was an owner, it would definitely crush her spirit.

  Her mother whispered, “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Danica said, turning to her and seeing the love in her eyes.

  “I know you pushed her to call me, and I appreciate that.”

  Danica smiled. “She’d have called…eventually.”

  “I know. But thank you. Boy, that Elise is something else, isn’t she?”

  Danica watched Elise a
s she looked in her compact mirror, applying fresh lipstick to her wrinkled lips. She patted her short gray hair again, took one last smug look in the mirror, and snapped it shut. “She thinks Kaylie trapped Chaz, and she’s obviously making her disapproval of the situation known.”

  “Please don’t let me ever get that way,” her mother teased.

  “No way. Chaz’s sisters seem nice, though.”

  Astrid laughed at something, and Abby looked at Kaylie with admiration. “I think Abby is really taken with her,” her mother noticed.

  “Yeah, she’s only twenty-two. I think she admires the rascally side of Kaylie that everyone loves so much.”

  Her mother squeezed her hand. “You have that side, too, you know.”

  Danica nodded. Lately, with all the changes that both Danica and Kaylie had made in their lives, the dividing line between the type of person Kaylie had become and the type of person Danica had become was starting to blur. She found herself looking up to Kaylie for all the attributes she possessed that Danica simply didn’t. She no longer saw Kaylie as her wild little sister. Kaylie was becoming a mature woman. She was handling her issues head-on, and thinking through her decisions and the ramifications to both Chaz and her baby. Danica was so proud of Kaylie that her heart physically ached. Kaylie would always be Barbie doll pretty, effervescent, and flirty—God help Chaz when she got her figure back. But she was becoming a mother right before Danica’s eyes, and that was a transition Danica would never forget.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  They’d been playing silly baby shower games for an hour, and everyone was getting a bit punchy. Kaylie was bent over a tub of baby bottle nipples bobbing up and down in water.

  “Come on, Kaylie!” Abby cheered as Kaylie tried to pick up as many nipples in her mouth as she could.

  Chelsea whispered in Danica’s ear, “That girl can do wonders with her mouth. She’s got this.”

  They both laughed.