Protect Me
Page 29
“We will see. Depends on how well you behave.” He stopped just shy of the door as Abbi pushed herself out of the wheelchair and walked into the house.
Home. She was so happy to be home. Ryan walked in behind her placing his hand on the small of her back and led her into the great room. Judy and Jace splayed out on the large white lounge taking in the view of the sunset from the glass window. They looked happy. She wasn’t sure what was going on between the two of them, but Jace hadn’t left Judy’s side the entire time she was in the hospital, which made it hard for Abbi to get a moment to tell Judy about her and Ryan’s news. She could hear them whispering and giggling from the couch.
“No, I am not going to tell her that.” Judy hit Jace in the arm. “She would think I was a floozy.”
“No, she won’t. She would think the exact opposite.” Jace smiled up at her.
“It’s too soon, but I will.” Judy smiled over at Jace.
“It’s not too soon. I promise. She will be ok with it.”
“What are you two lovebirds talking about over there?” Abbi came in sitting next to Ryan on the couch opposite them.
“Oh nothing.” Judy smiled over at her. “Jace, would you please go get me a bottle of water?” She smiled suspiciously at him.
Why were they acting so weird? As many times as she had seen Judy and Jace together, she hadn’t seen them quite like this. She knew they hooked up sometimes and talked on the phone a lot, but previous to the events that had occurred a few weeks ago she never actually thought they were serious about a relationship.
“Babe, would you like anything?” Ryan asked before following Jace to the kitchen.
“A bottle of water would be great.” She smiled up at him as he left out of the room.
“Ok, spill the beans!” Abbi laughed over at Judy.
“What on earth are you talking about, sister?” Judy rolled over smiling, before standing and making her way over to Abbi’s side.
“Yeah, yeah. Something is going on with you two but don’t worry, I will find out.”
“Oh it’s nothing really.”
“So, I have some news for you.” Abbi couldn’t help the beaming smile on her face.
“Really? What is it?” Judy’s smile matched the extremity of her own.
“Well, you’re going to be an Aunt.”
“What? Holy shit! That is so amazing!” Judy reached around with her good arm and hugged Abbi close to her. “Abbi, I am so happy for you two! Well, you three! This is great!” Her smile slightly changed into concern. “The baby is ok right?”
“The baby is healthy. I am actually at nine weeks now. We got to see the heartbeat at the hospital.” Abbi couldn’t contain the smile that was spreading across her face.
Judy placed her hand onto Abbi’s stomach. “Listen up, Little Nugget. This is you’re Auntie Judy. You better be good to your mama because I don’t handle hurling very well. So you’re gonna have to keep that shit on lock. Oh, and for the record when you spend your weekends with me, I believe in eating chocolate cake for breakfast.”
“You’re not allowed to give my baby chocolate cake.” Abbi giggled.
“What your mama doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” Judy whispered towards her belly before smiling up at Abbi.
From the kitchen they heard a shout followed by “Hell yeah!”
“From the sounds of it Ryan told Jace.” Abbi laughed. “So what is going on with you two?”
“Well, I actually have something I need to tell you too.” Judy grinned.
To be continued…
Acknowledgements
This has truly been an amazing journey. I have been very blessed to have so many people who have had my back and supported me along the way. My biggest fan and inspiration has been my husband Jason. Thank you for showing me what true love really is. Thank you Mama for always participating on my webpage, daddy for never doubting I could do it, and my sister Brandy for keeping me sane through it all. Thank you to an amazing sister, by choice , Jenifer for late night brainstorming sessions. Also Jill for helping along the way! Big thanks to the amazing Teresa Gableman and fabulous Gail McHugh, you have both been such an inspiration and motivation throughout this journey. I am so very blessed to have had your help and guidance along the way. Thank you Lisa S., Peggy F., and Colleen L. for spending so much time editing and working on my baby!
Aside from the writing process, there have been so many other aspects of the book that so many wonderful people have helped with. I would like to thank Rex P. and Tabetha L. for being amazing cover models. Thank you Hillary Warren for providing make-up services. Of course the beauty of these two individuals would have never come together if it hadn’t been for the talents of Lizzie and Nita with 917 Photography and Lynn Lauren Photography. A huge thank you to the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia communities, without all of your help and support I would have not made it as far as I have.
Lastly, I would like to send out many thanks to those who have followed my page, interacted, shared and begged their followers to come over and support me. I truly would have been lost without you!