She glances down, her shoulders drooping. I want that fire in her to come alive now more than ever. I was the reason for it being extinguished.
“Can I be candid with you, Ms. Minter?” the judge asks.
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you love Xavier?”
“Yes.”
She says it with no hesitation in her voice but an odd look in her eyes.
“Do you love Charlotte?”
“Yes.”
Another with nothing between them.
“What do you think of Xavier as a parent?”
She spares a glance at me, but I can only offer a peek of a smile. This is pure torture. She doesn’t owe me shit with the way I have treated her.
“He loves her with his whole heart. He puts her thoughts and needs in front of his own at all times, and he tries to be the best version of himself he can for her. If that doesn’t make a good, stable parent, I don’t know what will. And one day, I hope the father of my children will fight for them the way Xavier does for Charlie.” Naomi’s voice rings with sincerity. She presses her fingers to the corners of her eyes trying to stop the tears. Only it doesn’t help; one misses and rolls down her cheek.
Her confession, her truth, rendered me speechless.
“Thank you, Ms. Minter. Anyone have more questions for her?”
“No, sir.”
“No, Your Honor.”
“You may leave. My understanding is you will not be able to be here after today?”
“No, sir. I will not. My flight leaves tonight.”
Tonight.
She will leave again. Just as fast as she came in, she’ll be gone. With my child in her stomach…and I can’t fight her on it.
“The court thanks you for your time, and have a safe flight.”
She stands and offers me a glimpse over her shoulder before walking out.
As soon as the door closes, the judge starts speaking. “I don’t usually do this. In fact, I have never done this. But over the course of the last two days, I have heard many things on both sides, but the one that keeps coming back up and lingering on the surface is that Mr. Scott is a fit parent. One who seems to love his daughter more than himself. I’m going to walk out this door and go to the bathroom. I want you both to come up with an agreement that’s in the best interest of this little girl. Keep in mind, I can change the support payments when I make up my mind.” His smile is directed at Zoey.
And it’s in that moment I know what’s best for Charlie won.
I spot the red truck before I even turn into my driveway, and I take a deep breath when I see it’s her, not Lock, waiting. And my heart beats wildly in my chest. I was sure she wouldn’t stop here. She didn’t have to. But she didn’t have to say anything about what kind of parent I was, either.
I take long strides to my door. Naomi is sitting on the stairs with her dress still on, but the makeup that was on her face is now gone and her hair is up.
“Hey. Didn’t expect to see you.”
Naomi doesn’t look up as she talks before standing. “I know. I just needed to tell you one more thing before I left. But first…how did things work out today?”
“Great, Zoey agreed to full custody as long as the money I pay doesn’t change. You know how she is. The judge was disgusted with her by the time we left. But Charlie will be here full time so I couldn’t care less about the money I have to pay. Want to come in? Charlie stayed at Reed’s for the night,” I say as I open my front door.
“Oh, that’s awesome. Congrats. Yes, I will come in,” Naomi says, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth as she strolls through the archway.
“Want something to drink? I have some tea or water.”
“No, thank you. Really, I just wanted to be…” She trails off before cradling her head in her palms.
“What is it, Naomi?”
“I got what you were saying last time, but I thought you may want to see something. I went back to the doctor and…” Naomi braces herself on the wall before falling down on the ground.
My heart stops.
Dear Lord, my mind races to the worst case.
I knew something was wrong today.
And I still didn’t make sure she was okay.
Poison.
I’m failing again.
I cradle her face in my palms, the clamminess of her skin against mine. “Naomi baby? Can you open your eyes for me?”
Her eyes barely open before her head rolls off to the side.
I lay her on my lap, then grab my phone to dial 9-1-1.
“Dallas 9-1-1, what is your emergency?”
“My girlfriend just passed out?” I don’t even recognize my own voice.
“Did she take anything, sir?”
“No! She’s…” Deep swallow. “She’s pregnant and just fell to the floor.”
Fucking take something? I want to kill this fucker.
“Is she breathing?”
I feel each breath coming from her chest.
“Yes. But it’s shallow.” Too fucking shallow for anyone.
“Okay. Do you happen to see any blood?”
Oh fuck. What the hell.
“No, I don’t.”
“Good. I have the ambulance on the way. I have your GPS pulled up. You’re at one thirty-two Wileshire?”
“Yes.”
“They are about two minutes out. Stay on the phone with me until they get there.”
Putting the phone on speaker, I place my fingers on her pulse. Each thud offering a sliver of hope that Naomi will be okay.
“Sir, you should see the lights now.”
Craning my neck, I see the red flashes through the dusky sky. “I do.”
My mind swirls around as two strangers rush through my door. Questions come my way, ones I don’t know the answers to because my ass wasn’t around when it should’ve been.
When was the last time she ate?
Is she getting sick?
How far along?
Is she taking prenatal vitamins?
I know fucking nothing. I turned my back on the girl I love for what I thought was all the right reasons.
Only it wasn’t.
I thought I was strong. Only I’m a fragile piece of shit who doesn’t deserve anything. But if Naomi and my baby make it through this shit, I will stand tall and be the man they deserve. I won’t pop off at the mouth; I won’t walk away. I will stand next to her with my feet firmly planted.
They strap her on the stretcher. I glance down and she doesn’t even move except for one arm falling as they wheel her away.
I fucking abandoned her.
“Where are you taking her?”
“North General. Are you riding with us?”
“Yes.”
My whole body is mush as I follow behind them. I call the one person who will kill me when he gets to the hospital. But he will know from here on out I will be there.
Ass kicking or not.
Chapter 25
Xavier
Naomi looks so tiny with the IVs and monitors attached to her, but she’s regaining color in her cheeks as she rests with her eyes closed. She hasn’t said a single word to me since she woke up. Just nodded when the doctor told her what was wrong.
Dehydration.
From her getting sick.
Naomi is so fucking sick she can’t hold anything down. The results could have been worse. If she was on the plane. Or in the car. Shit, she could have died. Our baby could have gone with her.
I reach for her hand, but she moves it to her side.
“Naomi, I’m sorry.”
Her chest moves faster, the heartbeat monitor increases as she avoids my stare. “It’s not your fault.”
“No, it is—”
“I guess that’s something we just won’t agree on. You should go. What I wanted to show you doesn’t matter anymore. Nothing between us does.”
“It does matter. Seeing you like that…”
Naomi slices me with her look. “I want
you to leave.”
A slight knock on the door interrupts me. It opens and an older lady in all blue comes in, rolling a machine in front of her. “Hello, Ms. Minter. Doctor Switzer ordered an ultrasound. Have you had one of these before?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Good. Would you like me to perform it privately?”
I hold my breath. She should say yes. I’ve given her every reason in the world to kick me out of this room.
“If he wants to stay he can.” She may have said the words, but she doesn’t want me here. Although right now, I will stay right here. I’m not going anywhere.
I hang onto every second with Naomi, being in the same space with her, like they’re my lifeline. They are, though. Really. She gave me the out if I want it. But I don’t need one anymore. I need the in, and this is it.
The lady turns my way and raises her shoulder in question.
“I’d like to stay.”
Naomi sighs, like she was holding her breath on how I would answer. Right now is the moment I step up for her.
“Alrighty then. Ms. Minter, if you could just lower your hips down all the way to the edge.”
As Naomi struggles, I stand up, trying to help her, but she flinches away from my touch. My gut twists in shame and regret that I can’t even offer my help without her hating it.
When she finally gets settled, the lady drapes a cover over Naomi’s stomach.
“Slight discomfort for a few seconds while we find that baby of yours.”
Naomi mumbles something too low for me to hear as the lady starts pushing buttons on the machine.
She moves the monitor, and that’s when I see it. My baby. On that screen. A rush of something hits me deep in the gut.
“Oh, dear?”
Naomi goes still as she locks her gaze on the black-and-white picture of our child.
“What is it?” Naomi’s voice chokes out.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but did you know you’re having twins?”
“I did.”
Twins.
Two little fucking humans.
Fuck. Me.
She points at the screen, and that’s when I spot them. Not one. Not one life in her. But two. Two babies depending on me to be the father I didn’t think I wanted to be.
“That’s two placentas, so fraternal twins for you, Ms. Minter.”
“That’s why the doctor gave me the ultrasound before, my levels were too high for just one. I’m sorry, I forgot with how dizzy I was, but I have the paperwork in my purse at his house.”
I ping pong between Naomi, the lady, and the screen where two dots glow.
Fraternal.
Two placentas.
What the fuck does that mean?
Jesus. Christ.
Naomi clears her throat. “It means they aren’t identical. I could have one boy and one girl. And they won’t look the same. More like siblings instead of twins.”
I only nod. My brain, my heart, my everything is boiling over.
Naomi is truly pregnant. By me.
“Okay, I have everything I need. It should be about thirty minutes for everything else to come back. The nurse will be back to change your bag. And congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
I blink rapidly as the buzzing of the news circles around my head.
“I was at your house earlier to tell you. Sorry you were surprised like that. I didn’t mean for you to find out this way.”
“No. Mmm…I mean.”
Nothing is making sense. I’m unraveling right here in front of the girl who could be the only future I was meant to have.
“I was speechless when I found out. It’s understandable. I mean, you didn’t even want one, let alone two. You made your stance pretty clear last time, but I just wanted you to see them. Now that you have. You can go.”
“You have to take better care of yourself.”
“I will. I think today was a wake-up call.” She turns her head my way, a tear forming at the corner of her eye.
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up. I wanted to talk to you about things.”
“Xavier, don’t worry about it. I understand what you want. I get it. I’m not asking you to be here anymore. I got your stand on the matter. A couple times.”
I stare at where my babies grow in her stomach, safe and sound. No thanks to me, and I make a vow that no matter what demons I have to battle within me, I will stand up and be the father she saw in me—the one she said she would love for her children to have.
“No, I mean…”
Naomi fights sitting up. “For real. Just stop. Fucking stop. I had a really fucking hard day and you being here is making it even worse. Please. I know you want to walk out the door, so just go.”
“Naomi.”
These four walls are closing in on us. Each second lingering between us, and I want to scream and shout as the tears fill her eyes. I want to ignore her protests. This is my problem as well.
Our problem.
“Go. Please. Walk out that door ‘til you know what you want. You are either all in or you are completely out. No in between. It’s your choice. But I can’t have half ass. Not when it comes to my babies.”
I move closer, but even the step I take causes Naomi to sink into the bed even deeper. I can’t breathe; chills spread through me looking at her. Those eyes, the ones I used to see life in now radiate pain. All at my hands—my words.
She should be happy, not sad. She’s starting a future. Two children will get Naomi’s love. Two people will make the world better, because she’s going to be their mom to guide them. Two little lives will forever be blessed because she will be in their lives.
This is her fate.
“Can I just—”
The hard slap on my shoulder stops me from moving closer.
“I think she said what she wanted.”
I knew he would come. I was the one who called him, but he has the worst fucking timing ever.
This is my fate.
“Lock. This is our business.”
He steps closer, his whole body towering over mine. “I really don’t give a fuck about what you want right now. Naomi told you what she wanted. Decide or don’t, but get the hell out before I remove you. Can you not see you being here is hurting her? You are too selfish to see that, huh?”
I glance over my shoulder. Naomi’s eyes fill with so much pain it tears me apart. She nods to the door then mouths, “Leave.”
Dropping my shoulders in defeat, a ragged breath leaves me as I walk out of the room. My shattered heart is left on the floor of the room where she is. Naomi is right. I can’t be half in. It’s all or nothing, and it’s up to me to see what is best for our children.
The house is fucking huge, too much property to see straight. I got in my car, nowhere in mind, and ended up here. The lights in the driveway follow me as I walk to the house. This could turn out awful, given the way she acted when she glued my cuts and the silent treatment I’ve gotten every time I’ve seen her in group. But if anyone can help me figure this out, it will be Hadley.
She knows me better than most. She knows my fuck ups and mistakes. The bad, ugly, and everything in between.
I reach up to ring the bell, but the door opens and Reed fills the frame. “Hey, man, what are you doing here?”
“I was wondering if Hadley is here?”
“Now why the hell would you want to talk to my wife?” He raises his brow with a hint of a threat in his words.
“It’s about the past.”
He rolls his eyes. Reed had gotten used to this shit since Hadley has gotten better. Hell, she’s better than my sponsor—I haven’t talked to him in months.
“Hadley!” he screams up the stairs.
“Reed, I told you no more sex. I don’t care if Owen is at my dad’s. I need rest and the baby growing in my stomach may lose an eye—oh, you’re here.”
“I am. Can we talk?”
She pinches her lips together. “I guess we ca
n go out back.”
I follow her out to the deck. The smiling pictures of her family cover the walls staring back at me, mocking me at what I think I want out of my own life.
“What do you want, Xavier?”
“Naomi’s pregnant.”
Hadley does nothing to hide her disbelief. If I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I may find it hard to believe.
“What?”
“Pregnant. With twins.”
She lifts her chin just slightly. “Shit.”
“I know.”
“You know they’re yours. Naomi wouldn’t do that shit to you.”
“I know. That was never a doubt. I just didn’t want any more kids. She knew it. In fact, it was a hard no for me. The morning we broke up I said shitty things to her. It seems Naomi is always the one to get the brunt of my bad fucking attitude. Always taking what I give her. Then she told me she was pregnant. Then came back today, and I found out she’s having twins after she fucking passed out at my house. It’s one big cluster of fucks.”
“Okay, that was a lot of information you just gave me, and I will get to all of it. But first, the most important one, is Naomi okay?”
“She is. She was dehydrated from being sick. When I left, she was looking better.”
“And the babies?” Hadley’s face morphs to pain. She lost her first baby before she knew she was even pregnant and found out at a hospital, much like the one we were at.
“Yep, they said everything was fine, though.”
“Now that my heart can finally beat again…”
Hadley goes and smacks the back of my head.
Her quick mood change gives me whiplash. “What was that for?”
“Are you really that big of an idiot? How long have you known she was pregnant?”
I pause. To help me, she needs to know it all. Even if it makes me look like an ass. I am the ass in this. “A month, give or take a couple of days.”
Hadley reaches back, the shock that I waited for shows in her expression. “And I’m just now hearing about this?”
Stolen Tyme Page 28