One Percent of You

by Michelle Gross

  Since meeting Elijah, I was clearer about a lot of stuff—all the little things I never really thought too much about before. I hadn’t seen how easily aggravated Scott would get some nights when I worked and had to stay with Lucy. I never noticed how much he’d rather play a video game than get a job. Scott always used the excuse of being in college preventing him from getting a job. It didn’t matter to him that I wore myself down working full-time and attending college. Not once did I ever imagine that I had a choice.

  Honestly, everything felt too good to be true.

  Elijah was all the things I’d never experienced before. Even before we’d gotten together, he went out of his way to help me. Seeing us every day never seemed like a burden for him. That was how much he wanted to see us. Even if it meant slipping into the apartment after twelve each night the past week just so he could lie with me, and talk to Lucy before our day started each morning. He filled up my SUV on the way home Sunday from his parents so that I wouldn’t have to stop for gas during the week despite my protests. He bought groceries without my knowledge while I was at work and took them to the apartment. I thought it was funny how he asked for the passcode claiming he’d forgotten his wallet the night before and needed it before he went to his shop. I didn’t know what to make of him. Honestly, I was out of my element with Elijah. It was hard to get used to someone doing things for me, especially when I never asked. I wasn’t struggling, anymore either. Since working at the hospital, I saved quite a bit of money, but we argued over Elijah doing things for the kids and me. Every time, he’d tell me, “You better get used to it.”

  My heart swelled and quadrupled in size. Even if I didn’t know how to let Elijah care for us like he wanted, I was still in awe with him. He was beyond perfect and that was what was so scary.

  Well, actually, I knew Elijah wasn’t perfect. I knew how much he cussed, how hateful and rude he could be. He often spoke first and thought later, but with us he gave us something sweet. His eyes lit up any time Lucy spoke to him. He made the effort to know Eli even though he was terrified of him. Eli recognized him when Elijah walked into the room. And to me, the man was my safe place. A place I didn’t know I needed. So, Elijah, to me and my little family, was perfect in all the ways that counted.

  In reality, I had a feeling that Elijah and I were moving quickly. He hadn’t stayed a night away from me all week. Instead of worrying about that, though, my heart was more distraught of imagining him not being in my bed every night.

  The fact of the matter was, I loved him hopelessly and that love only grew every day he looked at me and mine like we were his to love.

  On Sunday morning when it was time for me to head to work, Elijah surprised me by saying, “Why don’t you let Lucy and Eli stay with me today so that they don’t have to get up?”

  I stared down at his bare chest as he sat on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his stubbled jaw as he watched me. “Twelve hours is a long time to watch them…” I said hesitantly.

  “It’s fine. I’ve changed Eli’s diaper a few times this week. I can do this. I know Eli doesn’t mind breast milk straight from the fridge cold. I got this and anything I don’t, Lucy can help me with.”

  “You’ve never changed a poopy diaper,” I informed him. Sighing, I said, “I don’t know…”

  “If things get rough, I can take them to your parents’ house or go to Ma’s. Would that make you feel better?”

  “Why do you want to?” I asked. Scott was their dad and that man couldn’t be bothered to see them.

  “Because I just do. Why would you take them to your parents when I’m right here?” He stood and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m here. Lean on me. I wouldn’t offer if this wasn’t something I didn’t care to do. You’re going to have to use me one day, why not start today?”

  “Oh, fudge.” I propped my forehead on his shoulder. “Let me ask Lucy and see what she wants to do.” I already knew what she would say, though. “Please, Elijah, call the hospital if you need me or my mom. I’ll write down the numbers.”

  “I’m going to go put the car seats in my truck while you’re asking Lucy.” He stepped around me.

  I placed my hands on my hips. “You’re awfully confident.” He simply chuckled as I made my way to Lucy’s room. I didn’t turn on the light as I walked over to her bed and sat next to her head. “Lucy, Lucy.” I shook her until she stirred. She sat up for me slowly. “Elijah said you and Bubby can stay with him today? Or would you rather go to Mamaw and Papaw’s?”

  “I want to stay here with Elijah.” She rubbed her eyes.

  “You sure?” She nodded. “Lie back down and sleep some more.”

  She was back out in seconds, and I hoped she didn’t regret her decision when she awakened.

  _______

  Elijah 12:00 PM: SOS Send reinforcements. I don’t think Lucy and I will come back out alive after this one.

  Elijah 12:10: We survived but Eli’s clothes did not. Jesus Christ. How does something so small make so much shit?!!?

  Elijah 1:00 PM: I don’t think you’d approve of the clothes I put Eli in, so we’re taking the drive-thru at Wendy’s. Lucy and I are starving on just cereal. Neither of us can cook. It’s a serious problem.

  Hadley 1:15 PM: Sorry, I keep my phone in the locker. I’m on my lunch now. Is everything all right? And please don’t scare me like that. -_-

  Elijah 1:16 PM: We’re surviving. We’re at my house right now. Lucy wanted to come out here.

  Hadley 1:17 PM: Has Eli been fussy? What about Lucy?

  Elijah 1:18 PM: Downloading…

  It was a picture of Eli sitting up on the floor in his living room while he watched Lucy draw next to him.

  Hadley 1:19 PM: Lucy is still wearing pj’s.

  Elijah 1:20 PM: She didn’t want to change. We went through the drive-thru, anyway.

  Hadley 1:21 PM: LOL! Thanks for watching them today. I’m sure Lucy’s thrilled about it.

  Elijah 1:22 PM: Don’t thank me. Please, fucking don’t. Every time I see them, I wonder how I survived before you all came into my life. I was a miserable fuck now that I think back.

  Hadley 1:23 PM: Mean? yeah, but I doubt you were miserable.

  Elijah 1:24 PM: Didn’t realize what a lonely sap I was until you guys. Never cared to give anyone my time, but now I’m lonely just at the idea of not seeing you guys for a day. See what I’ve become?

  Hadley 1:25 PM: What have you become? Lol.

  Elijah 1:26 PM: Mundane. I want the ordinary, routine life. The house, the woman to share it with, and the kids. And I want it with you.

  Hadley 1:27 PM: You’re so sweet.

  Elijah 1:28 PM: Only for you. Only. 4. U.

  Hadley 1:30 PM: My lunch is over. I’ll text when I’m on break.

  Elijah 4:23 PM: We’re having another food crisis. Lucy’s really having fun with me not being able to cook. She says I’m old enough to take care of myself.

  Elijah 4:30 PM: We’re heading to Ma’s. She’s cooking for us and before you ask, I told Lucy to change before we left.

  Hadley 4:50 PM: On my break. Is everything okay? Are you strapping them in the car seats properly?

  Elijah 4:52 PM: Downloading…

  It was a short video of Eli laughing at Hank making weird noises.

  Elijah: I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask that. Chill woman.

  Hadley 4:54 PM: Sorry. Can’t help it.

  Elijah 4:55 PM: Lucy hasn’t asked about you by the way… but I miss you if it counts for anything. Can’t wait to see you in a bit.

  Hadley 4:57 PM: Same. Only two more hours.

  ______

  Elijah sent me a text thirty minutes before I got off saying they were back from his mom’s. He never said if he was at my apartment or his house, though, so I guess I’d find out once I got there.

  His truck was parked at his house, but I still walked up to the apartment first. It was a good guess since that was where they were. “Mom!” Lucy rounded the corner of the kitchen as she s
miled at me.

  “Did you have fun today?” I asked as I set down my keys and wallet.

  She nodded vigorously. “Elijah burned pizza, so we got to go to his mom’s and eat.”

  “That was confidential information, Lucy,” Elijah hollered.

  Smirking, my eyes widened on the mess that was my apartment. How did it get this bad when they weren’t even here the entire day? I was seeing all his flaws and knew that I liked him all the more, regardless.

  It was a nice way to come home. I wondered if that was how he felt when he slipped in my bed every night through the week? I hoped so.

  Eli was in Elijah’s lap with just a diaper. I took a closer look at Lucy and saw that she wore a dress with pajama bottoms. I made a mental note to set her out some clothes to wear the next time she stayed with Elijah.

  “You got a plate in the microwave that Ma sent with us,” Elijah voice vibrated off his chest as he stood. The butterflies swam in my stomach as he walked over and placed a kiss on my lips. Eli reached out for me, and I took him with a smile.

  “Make sure to tell her thanks for me,” I said. “Lucy come help me pick up your toys. We have to get you bathed and ready for bed.” I glanced at Elijah. “Do you need to go home and rest? When will your hours at the shop go back to normal?”

  “Just this week. I may extend my hours for Saturday permanently but that’s it.” He walked over to the microwave and turned it on. “I’ll go grab a change of clothes and return if that’s okay with you?”

  His back was turned. Sometimes, in those moments, I almost felt his vulnerability like I did mine. “Hurry up. I might want to snuggle or something…”

  He glanced over his shoulder with a playful smolder spreading over his handsome face. “You can snuggle all you want with me.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Elijah

  “About this weekend…” I let my words drift off as Hadley bent over the crib and placed Eli inside. It was going on ten, and Lucy was already asleep by the time I got there. I hadn’t slept at my place since they spent the night and didn’t plan to unless they were with me.

  “What about it?” Hadley mumbled as she peered down at Eli with the same vibrant lovesick expression. The same one I fell prey to over the months of watching her give that look so freely to her kids.

  “I’ve got to head down to my other parlor, the one in Jeffrey.” I scratched the stubble on my jaw as she sat up and turned toward me slowly. “Would you guys want to go with me?”

  “Would that mean us staying in a hotel all day while you did whatever it is at the shop?” She scrunched up her nose, clearly not liking the idea of being stuck in a room. I never planned it being that way, anyway.

  “No. You guys could come with me to the shop. I might have mentioned you a few times to the employees. They’re eager to meet all of you.”

  “Wouldn’t it be weird?”

  “Why would it be weird?”

  She snorted. “Do you really think I didn’t notice the sign at your shop here? ‘Unsupervised offspring will be pawned’.”

  I grinned and she rolled her eyes. I’d forgotten about that sign.

  “I don’t think it’d be a great idea to bring a five-month-old and a four-year-old to sit around all day while you—what is it you’re doing?”

  “Selling it.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really? What for?”

  “I don’t have the need for it unless you’d want to move down that way later on?” She gawked at me. “I’d take that as a no. I couldn’t see you living more than an hour away from your parents, and Ma would kill me if I left after just moving back.”

  Tucking loose blonde strands behind her ear, Hadley walked over and sat beside me, but I tugged her onto my lap instead. She wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled. “Why does where I want to go mess with your wants?”

  “I think you already know.” I tightened my grip on her thigh.

  “I do want to move out of this apartment sooner rather than later,” she mumbled as I pressed my lips along the side of her neck.

  “Why are we staying here every night when I have a home you could already make yours?”

  She sighed pleasantly as I bit into her collarbone lightly, slipping my hand beneath her shirt and lifted her bra up so that I could pinch her nipple. “Elijah… Could you really handle this life forever?” She brought my head down to her beautiful tits.

  “Fuck, yeah,” I murmured into her shirt as I slowly pulled away from her. I lifted it up and over her head before palming her breasts.

  “Then you should know that I don’t want to live here. I don’t want to live near here either. I’m so tired of these apartments,” she whispered breathlessly.

  “I’ll get you out of here. We can search together. I can resale the house and while we’re waiting it can be ours.”

  “Are you sure?” She pulled my head away until our gazes locked.

  I kissed the inside of her hand. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. Haven’t you figured out what you mean to me already?”

  She leaned down and kissed me feverishly until my skin tingled and burned—until it felt like I would step right out of it. That was how powerful her touch was for me.

  “About the weekend, will you go with me?”

  “I work on Sunday.”

  “Then we’ll make it one night only and be home Saturday.”

  She closed her eyes, sighing into my lips. I watched her eyelashes flutter every time I flicked my tongue over her lips. “Are you sure it’s okay for Lucy and Eli to be there?”

  “If I say it is, it is. Lucy loves drawing. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have her designing tattoos in no time.”

  That made her laugh, then her eyes opened and her expression turned somber. “She’s influenced by everything you say and do, Elijah. That’s a powerful responsibility.”

  “Are you saying I’m a bad influence?”

  She grinned at me like I was being funny while shaking her head. “No, on the contrary, I hope she learns to be stronger than I am through you.”

  “You’re strong,” I told her.

  “I’m easily hurt.”

  I frowned, cupping her cheeks. “It’s too late for that. I think you should know by now that your daughter is the same when it comes to that.”

  Her eyes dropped. “I know.”

  “That’s why you guys have me to tell people to piss off when needed.”

  “Is it now?”

  I helped her to her feet so I could slide off her shorts. “There’s plenty of perks to having me at your beck and call.” Her eyes turned heavy-lidded as I kissed her belly before she sat down on my lap again. “Want me to show you?”

  “I think I might already know, but keep showing me, in case I might forget.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Hadley

  Elijah sold his old parlor to the guy that ran it since he’d moved. Apparently, Ked, which was the guy’s name, had been hounding him about buying it from him, but Elijah hadn’t been ready to give it up.

  Until a certain lady and her kids came along.

  A flourish of happiness hit me as I thought back to all the things Ked mentioned. Stuff that Elijah had told him about not having the time for a lot of shit—Ked’s words—anymore. He had new priorities, aka, us. Ked was really adamant about making sure how much I knew that this wasn’t like Elijah. The new owner said I’d made a man out of Elijah. That fact pleased Ked—a man who was happily married with four kids.

  To say that I was glad we went with Elijah was an understatement. Eli didn’t care much since he was so little, but he was well-behaved the entire time. Lucy, however, loved it. She thought it was cool. Elijah was already convinced she was destined to be a tattoo artist. I told him her stick people had a long way to go.

  We stayed Friday night in a pleasant and clean hotel with two beds in one room. I wasn’t ready for Lucy to see me cozied up to Elijah just yet, so I slept in the bed with her and Eli until they fell
asleep then slipped in with Elijah and snuggled with him until daybreak.

  Early Saturday morning we left, after stopping at the Devil’s Lair one last time. Lucy was ecstatic since she got two quarter machine tattoos on each of her hands—a pony and a dog. She wouldn’t stop talking about them the entire drive back to Sassafras. It made me smile remembering how much I liked getting those when I was younger.

  “Do you care to stop at Walmart? I need to grab some groceries before we head to the apartment.” I took a sip of the soda Elijah purchased for me earlier.

  “Yeah.” Elijah used his signal and turned off the intersection.

  “Why can’t we stay at Elijah’s tonight?” Lucy grumbled in the back. “I want to bring my nightlight over there. Can I, Mommy?”

  I glanced at Elijah who chuckled. “I don’t care where we go. As long as we’re together.”

  “Elijah’s!” Lucy screamed.

  “Lord, no need to yell,” I winced. “I guess we’ll stay at his house.” I leaned over the middle console and smirked back at her.

  A couple of minutes later, we parked and climbed out of Elijah’s giant truck. “Want me to carry him?” Elijah asked me as I opened the door to get Eli.

  “I was going to put the carrier on and carry him that way.” I glanced over at Elijah coming toward me.

  “I’ll carry him.” I stepped aside as Elijah took my spot and picked up Eli, and then went over to help Lucy. Elijah finally caught me staring at him as we grouped together in front of his truck and began walking inside. “What?”

  I tilted my head, giving him an appreciative bat of the eyes. He was holding my child in his arms—arms in which were inked and muscled. At that moment, the ease of being with Elijah finally hit me. Was this wrong? Why was it so natural?

  “Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked with impatience in his voice.

  I sniggered. “I like seeing you with my baby. Why? You got a problem?”

  He arched a brow and tugged me closer. Lucy giggled as she hopped as we walked hand in hand. “Then keep looking.” I shook my head at his flirty words. “That’s why I can’t see you not having another one. Or two.”