The next day, Katherine joins us again on our shopping adventure. Mom wants to get some clothes for the girls. Katherine explained that Bayford had a fantastic outlet store where we could get name brand clothes a little cheaper than purchasing them at the mall. I really considered not going on this outing because I didn’t want to be standing around for hours while Mom and Katherine got the shop-on! But, I went and finally had fun. We picked out two of every outfit, sleepwear, socks, shoes and onesie. Baby clothes are so stinking cute and you can easily go overboard. Our shopping trip concluded with the girls’ having, at least, two outfits every day for the first year. I about had a heart attack when I saw the price that Mom paid for just the clothes. I hope Dad doesn’t have any plans for the next few years because he will need to work all the overtime and holidays he can to cover the cost Mom paid for the clothes alone.
Today is the final day of baby shopping before we start working on the nursery. This is the outing that Katherine decided not to attend. We are shopping for paint and outlet covers to match the girls’ décor. Mom gives the poor guy in the paint department a run for his money. She had the paint mixed up three times before she was satisfied that the paint matched the bedding. This shopping excursion didn’t last nearly as long as the other two shopping trips so Mom and I decide to grab lunch at a local bistro.
“Mom, don’t you think you might have gone overboard this week with all the shopping? I mean, we still have several months before the girls’ due date. We could have spaced the shopping trips apart.” I state as I take a bite of my turkey club dipped in ranch dressing.
“You’re right. I probably spent way too much too soon but I can’t help it. They make too many cute clothes for little girls and I couldn’t have my granddaughters missing the latest fashions,” she says with a huge smile as she places the straw in her iced tea to her lips.
I shake my head at her and slow rise from my chair. “I have to go to the restroom. I’ll be back soon.”
As I exit the restroom, I feel someone grab my arm. I spin around and am face to face with Tommy. My heart begins to pound in my chest and my breathing becomes more rapid. I search the layout of the restaurant trying to find an escape route when Tommy leans in and kisses me on my lips. I relax a bit when I feel the familiarity of his lips on mine. He releases my arm and places his hand, gently, against my face and my body relaxes even further.
I am rendered speechless when Tommy breaks the kiss. He runs his index finger against my jaw line and shoots me is devilish grin. “I’m sorry for being straight forward but I missed your lips and needed to feel them against mine.”
Somehow, I find my voice and my brain. “Um, yea, it’s alright I suppose. What are you doing here?” I ask trying to avoid the butterflies that have taken up residence again in the depths of my belly.
“Lucas and I were in the neighborhood and saw you and your mom here, so we decided to stop for lunch too,” he explains motioning to the table behind him where Lucas is sitting. Thankfully, the wicked witch isn’t with them.
I give Tommy a quick smile and turn to walk away. Before I can take a step in the direction of my table, Tommy takes my hand. “Abigail, I would like another chance with you. I know I don’t deserve it but I do love you. I love you and I want us all to be a family.”
I remove my hand from his and give him a half smile. “Tommy, I don’t know what the future holds for us. I don’t trust you enough to go back to you but things could change over time. Let’s just take this slow and see what happens.”
Tommy nods and returns my half smile before kissing my cheek. I wave goodbye and make my way to my table. I decide not to tell Mom about the encounter with Tommy because I know she’ll have something negative to say about it. Mom finishes paying the bill and we head home.
* * *
Jason asked Mike, Katherine and me to dinner tonight to celebrate the pending birth of two little girls. The guys usually do semi-formal restaurants for special dinners so I really want to look my best. I grab out the black, spaghetti strapped dress my mom bought for me earlier this month and black, open-toed flats that match. I lay both items on my bed before making my way to the shower.
By the time I’m done getting ready, it’s almost six. I’ve had my iPod on while I was getting ready and realized I wouldn’t have heard my phone if anyone called or text. I grab it from my nightstand and see that I’ve missed two calls; both are from Tommy. I decide to check them before heading out. This first is from Tommy:
“Hey Abby I just wanted to call and check on you and the babies. How have you guys been? I am thankful to you and your family for including me in the appointment this week. It meant the world to me. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness because I was cruel to you. I would really love another chance with you so I can love you like you deserve to be loved.” There’s silence on the line before I hear Tommy sob into the line and hang up.
Poor Tommy, I’m sure seeing Jason and I together at the appointment must be driving him crazy and I know he’s truly sorry for hurting me. No matter how much I want to forgive him fully and try for another relationship with him, I don’t see my family being accepting of that, but I was honest with him today when I told him that I didn’t know what the future held for us. I delete his message and move on to the next one.
“Abigail, this is Jessica! You know Lucas’s God awful fiancée? Anyways, I’m sitting here with your man and he’s bitching because he’s hopelessly in love with you, though I don’t see why. You need to quit playing games and act responsibly instead of jumping down the next man’s pants that pays you any attention! Tommy opened his heart up to you today and you give some bullshit explanation that you don’t trust him. It’s not that you don’t trust him, you don’t know how to keep your legs closed is what…..” I can’t listen to anymore. I delete the message before she’s done speaking.
I am so angry at Tommy that I don’t trust myself not to scream and yell and cause everyone in the house to come running in my room to see what the matter is. So, I decide that the safe alternative is to text Tommy.
How dare you allow that heifer to call me???? I gave you my number so YOU could call me. Don’t start your shit now that I showed you a little respect because I will change my number again and tell you to fuck off without so much as looking back!
After I press the send button, I turn my phone off. I find my mom in her room. “Mom, if you need to reach me, call Mike’s phone. I turned mine off.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes Mom, I just received a message from someone I never wanted to talk to again. It’s okay though.”
“Ok, sweetie I’ll call Mike if I need you,” she says as the doorbell rings. “Have fun baby girl!”
I answer the door and I am shocked at what I see. Jason is standing before me with two dozen pink roses. Oh no, here comes those dreaded tears. I’m trying really hard to hold the tears back but to no avail.
“Oh, Abby please don’t cry. You’ll mess up your makeup. I just wanted to bring a dozen roses for each baby girl before taking you out for dinner to celebrate,” he says as he hands me a handkerchief. The initials JW are inscribed on the piece of cloth. I look up at him questioningly. “A graduation gift from my parents,” he says.
I place the roses in two separate vases before taking Jason’s arm and heading outside. What the hell? I’ve never seen this car before. I look over at him. He looks down and smiles a huge, shit-eating grin back at me.
“What is this?” I pry.
Jason smiles a big cheesy grin. “Another graduation gift; this one is from my grandparents. It’s a 2012, fully loaded Ford Explorer.”
My mouth drops open. I’m in total shock. “Holy crap, Jason, aren’t you a spoiled one?”
“That I am and I’m proud of it,” he smiles as he places his hand on the small of my back. “Come on, let me help you in so we aren’t late for dinner.”
We arrive at the restaurant just as Mike and Katherine are pulling in. Jason picke
d an exclusive Italian restaurant that you need reservations to get in. I knew he was going to be pulling out all the stops tonight. “Wait until I help you out, Abigail. I don’t want you falling out and hurting yourself, ok?” I nod my head but stick my tongue out at him for implying that I’m a klutz. That caused him to laugh before exiting the vehicle to assist my klutzy behind out.
“My lady,” he says as he takes my hand in his and wraps his free hand around my waist. Oh, Jason is being both funny and cute tonight. I like being around Jason. He can always make a bad day good.
“Abigail!” I hear Katherine shrieking. Jason scrunches up his face and pokes his fingers in his ears. I giggle loudly as Katherine rushes to me and wraps her arms around me in a bear hug. “Oh. My. God. I still can’t get over the fact that I’m going to be an aunt to two amazing little girls. Thank you so much for letting me tag along with you and your mom this week,” she squeals with delight.
“Baby, calm down. You’ll scare the poor babies and they will be petrified of you before they’re even born,” my brother says jokingly. Katherine blushes and rolls her eyes at Michael. I had my doubts about those two working out but they seem perfect for each other. I hope, for the love of all that’s good, those two work out.
We check in and are seated immediately at a corner booth. We place our drink orders and begin looking through the menu. I am the last one to make my decision.
We all start to talk about our futures over our dinner. Mike and Jason are faring well in their careers and love what they do for a living. Katherine is talking about going to fashion school or beauty school. Though she’s enrolled at the local community college, she talks about dropping after the first year. For me, all I can say is that I plan on being a mom to two little girls and starting college next year.
Jason puts his arm around me and starts to talk to me but where Katherine and Mike can hear. “And when you go back to school, I’ll be in the corner cheering you on and helping you to care for the two gorgeous little girls that you created.”
Mike scrunches his face and laughs, “Boy, Jason, you sure are whipped and you’re not even dating her.”
Jason gets serious all of a sudden and looks into my eyes while responding to Mike. “Well, if she would have me, I would love to date your sister. I’ve loved her for the past four years and nothing in the world will ever change that.”
I’m rendered speechless. I don’t know what to say. Honestly, I love Jason too. This is a healthy love not a dysfunctional love that I have to walk on eggshells to have. I can be myself with him and not have to change who I am on a daily basis to fit his mood. “I think I would like that,” I say to Jason before I have time to change my mind. Jason has been there for me and he and I both deserve to be happy.
Katherine squeals as Jason leans down to kiss my lips. The butterflies that resided in my belly when I was with Tommy have now taken up residency in my heart with Jason. I feel little fluttery beats in my heart when our lips press to each other.
My thoughts are interrupted at the ringing of Mike’s cell phone. He fishes it out of his pocket, answers it and places it to his ear. “Hello?” Mikes says. Mike’s eyes grow wide with fear. “Okay, where did they take him?”
Ugh, I hate one-sided conversations. I can never hear what’s being said on the other end. “Ok, we’re on our way, Mom. Love you.”
“We have to cut this short. Dad’s been injured in the line of duty. A squad car picked up Mom and has taken her to Placid General Hospital.”
Jason grabs his wallet and throws a hundred dollar bill on the table and helps me up. My world is spinning and my legs feel like jelly. Jason scoops me into his arms and carries me to the car. Dad’s been injured? Not my dad. They’re mistaken, right?
Chapter Nineteen
The tears are falling at record speed as Jason weaves in and out of traffic behind Mike and Katherine. I barely register that he has my hand in his. My dad is my rock and he can’t be hurt. I need him more now than I ever needed him before.
I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. I don’t know if my dad is alive or dead. All I know is that he’s been injured and is in the hospital. My stomach is in knots. I feel like everything I just ate is going to come right back up.
“It’s going to be ok Abby,” Jason says. I can’t respond. I’m too shaken to speak. I just want to get to my father. The sobs that come from my lips are becoming louder and every muscle in my body is shaking right now. I am shivering as if I’m cold, but I’m not.
“Abby, you need to calm down. You have to remember those babies. They need you to stay strong right now. You need to try to calm down. I know it’s difficult to stay calm when you don’t know exactly what’s happening but you need to try to take some deep breaths, baby. We don’t know how bad this is.”
I try taking deep breaths and am finally calming down when we pull into a parking spot in the emergency department. I notice that Jason has pulled into a handicapped parking spot since it’s the closest spot to the entrance. “Wait there, Abby. I will come around to get you.”
I do as I’m told. Actually, I couldn’t move right now even if I wanted to. The nerves and stress have full control over my body and I am paralyzed with fear. Jason opens the door and leans over me to unbuckle my seat belt. Mike and Katherine look toward us and I see Jason motion to them to continue inside. Jason puts my right arm over his neck and wraps his left arm around my waist as he places his right hand in my left and glides me out of the large SUV. I feel myself falling into him. His left arm tightens around my waist and he pulls me close to his chest. Jason holds me near him until my legs are able to support my own weight.
“Are you strong enough to walk on your own or do I need to carry you?” I nod my head to indicate that I can walk on my own. He loosens his grip around my waist and I move my arm from around his neck to around his waist. He continues to hold me as we walk to the emergency room. My mind is racing until I see Mike and Mom’s face. They both have a sense of relief over their face. It’s at that moment that I know that Dad isn’t dead or in any danger.
“Abigail, I’m so sorry I ruined your evening out. I didn’t know how bad it was,” Mom says.
“It’s ok, Mom. What happened?”
“Well, he was shot but it’s not life threatening. He was on duty and following up on a lead when the aggressor pulled a gun. Dad stepped back to pull his service weapon and the suspect got a round off into Dad’s thigh. Your dad is not happy and wants to get out of here and get the perpetrator but that’s not happening anytime soon,” she chuckles. “They’re going to take him in for surgery to remove the bullet and fix anything that needs fixing in there.”
They’ve already taken Dad back for surgery so all we can do is wait until he’s in recovery. Mike and Katherine decide to stay at the hospital with Mom until the surgery is over but I’m getting tired and Mom is insistent on me going home to rest. “Abby, it’s not just you that I’m worried about. You have two little girls that depend on you to be healthy so they can grow and your dad wouldn’t want you to risk their life to wait for him. He will be fine and I’ll call you or Jason with any news. Go home and get some rest love.”
Mom is right. These babies need me healthy and I need to sleep and get something to eat; not necessarily in that order. Jason and I say our goodbyes before we head back to the SUV. We drive in silence but hand in hand to my parent’s house. Every now and then Jason will bring my hand to his lips. The drive is relaxing and I am more at ease now that I know everything is fine with my dad.
Jason helps me out of his gigantic SUV when we get to my parents’ house. I know it’s not really that big but it feels like a monster truck when you’re tired and over twenty weeks pregnant with twins. He walks me to the front door where he takes my key and unlocks the door and holds it open for me. He closes the door behind as I flip on the light to the foyer.
“Abby, I really don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone. Your mom is going to be at the hospital all
night, I’m sure. Why don’t you pack an overnight bag and stay at mine and Mike’s house?”
Jason isn’t the only one that doesn’t feel comfortable with me staying here alone. Honestly, I don’t want to be here alone either. I nod my head in agreement with him and head toward my room. Jason follows behind me and sits on my bed while I pack some clothes for tonight and tomorrow. “Don’t forget your vitamins, Abby,” Jason reminds me as he grabs them from my nightstand and hands them to me. I will have to take these horse pills until after the babies are born but I was lucky enough to not need the other pill after fourteen weeks.
I’m ready to go in less than ten minutes. Jason grabs my bag and puts his arm around my shoulder as we walk to his SUV. He gets me situated before double checking that the front door is secure before we head to his house. This will be the first time that I’ve been in his and Mike’s home. I only wish it was under different circumstances.
* * *
Their house is lovely. It’s almost the same layout as my parents’ home. I take a few steps into the foyer and the kitchen is to my left while the living room is to the right. This is backwards from my parents’ house. The hallway is straight ahead. I’m fairly certain all the bedrooms are down there. “Here, let me show you where the bathroom is and where my room is. I figured I’d let you sleep in there and I’d take the couch. Our extra room isn’t guest ready for company yet.”
“Thank you, Jason,” I say after he shows me both rooms. I make my way to the bathroom with my overnight back to change into my sleepwear and brush my teeth. When I exit, I am wearing a pair of Joe Boxer sleep shorts and a matching tank top. I walk into Jason’s room as he’s turning back the covers on the bed. I place my bag on the ground by one of the walls. Jason looks over at me and stops what he’s doing and just stares. I feel my cheeks begin to blush as I tuck a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear. I really need to make time for a haircut. “Abigail, even in sleepwear, you are gorgeous.”
On the Edge Page 19