Sitting up with a groan, I take a few seconds to raise my arms into a good, long, stretch before dealing with this girl.
“You do realize that it’s seven... in the morning, right? I’m going back to bed, come back around noon.”
“No can do, sweetheart. Guest will be arriving by then. Just trust me and get your pretty, little butt into the shower, we have plans,” she says with a smile.
“Ugh, whatever. Give me twenty minutes.” Thirty if she’s lucky, mornings are not my strong suit. “And, Amber?” She pauses in the doorway, angling herself halfway into the hall and raises her eyebrows in question. “You fuckin’ owe me. Do you know how good I was sleeping?” I hear her laughter trail all the way down the stairs.
Precisely thirty minutes later I’m meeting Amber at the bottom of the stairs, freshly showered, and I even managed to shave, what I can reach anyway. For thirty weeks I’m huge, though I have nothing to compare it to other than Google images, which don’t prove to be helpful.
My specialist did comment that I’m measuring slightly larger than expected, but that could be normal, since I wasn’t completely sure about the date of conception. It’s also gotten a lot harder to make it up and down the stairs, I’ve joked with Cory about making the family room my permanent bedroom until delivery. He laughs, but the idea gets more appealing daily as the task to make it up and down gets harder. I refuse to get stuck upstairs.
“You look hot, momma!” Amber whistles. I feel my cheeks heat.
“Are you kidding? I feel like a whale.” My ankles are still swelling, but the doctor has assured me that everything is still fine and the baby is okay.
“Stop, you don’t look like a whale. Let’s get going.” She hooks her arm around mine, guiding me out to a limo, yes, a limo. There’s a tall, dark-skinned man standing right outside the passenger door. He’s dressed to the nines, complete with a black suit, tie and top hat. Spiffy.
“What’s a limo doing here, what’s wrong with your car?”
“Would you stop asking questions and get in the dang car, woman?”
The limo driver tips his hat towards us and offers a warm smile. He looks to be in his sixties, though in good shape, with his graying beard and laugh lines, being the only indication of his age.
“Good morning, ladies.” He holds his hand out for me, helping me into the back of the super long, over the top limo. I offer him a smile, and slide inside, moving all the way over to make room for Amber.
Once I take a moment to sink myself into the plush cushioning, I feel as if I’m in heaven and never want to leave. The seats seem to swallow me, hugging my frame in all the right places and removing tensions from parts of my back I hadn’t even realized were strained.
I’m sure I let out an audible sigh when Amber begins to snicker beside me.
“Comfortable?” She questions, a smile lighting up her eyes. I’m beginning to see that it makes Amber genuinely happy when I’m happy and she does everything she can to make sure I stay that way. She’s become way more than just a friend.
“Very much, but why do we need a vehicle that seats at least nine people, we aren’t royalty.”
“Oh, this? We received a free upgrade since we reserved in advance, but all their smaller models were off-lot this morning. Nice, right?”
I guess so. Big and flashy has never been my thing. It never struck me that it was hers either, I think she just gets excited a little too easily.
“So, where are we going?” I’ll admit to being just a tad bit curious. Okay fine, I really want to know, I hate surprises.
“If I tell ya, I’d have to kill ya,” she says with all seriousness, then burst into a fit of laughter.
“Ha, ha. Very original, smarty.” I can’t help but to join in on her laughter though. It’s hard to be in a bad mood around this girl.
“How are things going between you and Alex?” Yes, I’m being nosey, but they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. Cory said he gave his okay to the two of them, but something tells me she’s still holding back.
“We’re good. He drives me to and from work when we have shifts together.” She’s very vague with her comments, so I don’t pry.
“Everything’s very new for us. And Alex is a great guy. But I don’t do relationships, haven’t in a very long time. It’s just not my thing and I don’t want to break his heart.”
“Too late for that, girl. Judging by the way he stares at you, the man is already head over heels.” Judging by the deep shade of red flooding her cheeks, I’d say the feelings were mutual. Maybe she’s just in denial.
“We’re here,” she suddenly says, changing the subject.
Looking out my window, I’m stunned. Living here, I haven’t had the chance to get out and explore the area. This place, whatever it is, is so beautiful. It just radiates comfort and relaxation. My damn hormones appear to be kicking in because I can’t seem to be able to stop the traitorous tears from streaming down my face.
Pregnancy can be lonely, especially when you are the only one going through it. It’s easy to offer comfort, but until you’ve been there, you’d never truly understand. But the fact that those around me make such a giant effort, makes me feel worthy enough for such an act.
Just from our girl talk, Amber knows why I have a connection with the outdoors. Why I love to be deep within the woods, versus deep within the shopping malls. My dad and I did a lot of things outdoors that carried with me through my life. I seek peace in the outdoors, comfort in the trees and branches that can hide so much and reveal all.
“Where are we?” I question, more out of amazement and wonder.
“We, my good friend, are at Green Lake Park,” she says with a bit of glee. “I thought some relaxation with areas you are more attuned with might help your health... and your mood.”
“What’s wrong with my mood?”
“Oh nothing, sweetie. Your mood is, juuust peerrfect,” she says sarcastically, but laughs a little to ease the sting.
The driver comes around to open our car door. Amber exits first, while I take up the rear. Coming to my full height, I’m amazed with the lake before us.
Amber walks over to my side, slinging her arm around my middle, “Whatever you want to do. I’m yours for the next two hours.” She was serious and I was fully prepared to take her up on it, seeing as what lay before us was simply breathtaking.
We set out for the trail that runs around the lake. This? This is what home feels like, what feels true down deep to my bones. I’ve never been a caged bird; I’ve always had an itch to spread my wings. I feel the fresh air across my face, and a calm I haven’t felt in so very long washes over me. If I could live the rest of my life in this way, it would be pure bliss, no doubt.
The fact that Amber knew to bring me here shows just how much she has paid attention. First meeting her, I was quick to judge, thinking she was just another hot head. She surprised me in more ways than one.
“How are you liking management?” We come to a stop in a miniature butterfly garden that I’m sure would be beautiful in the spring. However, fall in Seattle can be wet and cold, not great weather for butterflies. We take a seat on a bench, perfect for just kicking back and watching nature. The walk has been nice, but I feel my ankles grow tighter the longer I’m on my feet.
“I like it a lot. The hours suck sometimes. If someone doesn’t show up for their shift, it falls on me to fill their place or work it myself. But the upside, I’m on a salary now, so my pay stays the same.” She takes a seat beside me.
“Is that worth it, though? If you are working more hours?”
“Oh, absolutely. Even if it wasn’t, I never imagined I’d be where I’m at now. If you would have told me six years ago, that I was going to be managing a club and one of this stature, I would’ve laughed in your face. It’s still unreal at times.” There’s wonder in her eyes and I must say, I know exactly how she feels. The last six months have felt like a lifetime. So much has happened, both good and bad, that�
�s changed my life significantly. Many what-ifs play through my mind regularly. What if I never walked in on Aaron and Allison? I shudder to think where I’d be today.
“Are you cold?” She questions, noticing my shiver. The weather is quite nice, but my blood boils from the pregnancy now-a-days.
“Just a bit.” I lie, not really wanting to talk about Aaron.
“Come on, the limo will be back shortly and we still have a way to go. The walk should warm you up.” She pulls me to my feet and starts guiding me down the path.
As the time goes by, the sun rises higher in the sky and eventually, I have sweat rolling down my face. It can’t be more than sixty degrees out; I shouldn’t be this hot.
“Hey, are you okay?” Amber suddenly calls from beside me.
“Yea, I’m fine. Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Could be the fact that you’re drenched in sweat and you’re fuckin’ pale as a sheet.”
We’re back at the limo now and I rush to climb inside, barely giving the driver time to shut the door. But that’s when I feel it. It’s like the moment my ass hit the seat, all the blood rushed straight to my feet and a throbbing like nothing I ever felt before set in around my ankles. I’m almost too scared to lift my pant leg up, but I reluctantly do and slam it back down as soon as I see my foot.
“What the fuck, Lacey?” Shit, she saw. Without permission, she moves to sit in front of me and props my leg on her knee, sliding my pants leg back up.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” She questions, concern in her eyes. She begins examining my leg, like she knows what she’s looking at. I almost laugh at her.
“Because. They only felt tight for a few minutes. After we sat and rested, I no longer felt the tightness.” I give her a shrug. “I thought they were okay.”
“Well, clearly not. And you should have told me, dammit.” I’ve never seen her pissed before, she’s kind of scary. She gently places my foot back to the floor and begins fishing her phone from her pocket.
“What are you doing.” I shoot up in the seat, not even realizing I had slouched into it.
“I’m calling Cory. I know he was going to spend the day with Alex, but I think you should see the doctor. Today.” What? Is she my mother now?
“Amber, I’m a big girl and can call Cory myself. After the baby shower.” Not that I was too excited about it, but she has been. And everyone has already sent in their RSVP, I’d like to see this through.
“That’s not very wise, girl. I mean, have you seen those ankles?”
“No, they’re just attached to my feet.” I deadpan. “Look, I promise, we can call Cory after. Besides, with your overprotective ass and Cory’s mom being there, I’m sure you guys can handle me.” I joke, hoping it calms her down.
“Ugh, whatever. But for the record, I’m not happy with this.”
“Oh, but you still love me.”
“Like I have a choice.” She laughs and I elbow her in the ribs when she sits back in her seat next to me.
Apparently, it’s custom for just the woman to be present at a baby shower. Other than getting that extra time with Lacey that we are lacking these days, not being there isn’t such a bad thing. A bunch of women oohing and ahhing, gushing over this cute thing and that, just not my thing.
Alex and I have decided to break out the golf clubs, and go hit a couple holes. If I’m being honest, I didn’t want to leave Lacey this morning. She was so peaceful sleeping. And had I been there when she woke, I wouldn’t have left and would have ended up ruining Amber’s plans for the day. It’s best to just keep the woman in good spirits for the day.
“Amber just messaged me, they just returned home and the guest have already arrived. She’s in for a nice surprise.” His voice fades away as he types away on his phone.
“Let’s go, slacker, are you ready to get your ass kicked or what?” I goad him. It’s my favorite thing to do to Alex; it annoys the shit out of him.
“How about you, hot stuff? Are you ready to lose that fortune? Don’t you got a child you want to save that for?” He laughs at me.
“Oh, so you want to bet?”
“You can bet your sweet ass I do.”
“Okay, we’ll bet. Don’t cry to your lover when you lose.” He socks me in the arm and proceeds to pout, which has me laughing.
“I don’t cry, baby boy,” he mocks me. Oh, we’ll see when I’m through with you.
Sure to his word, he doesn’t cry. But I put a smack to his ass that he was unprepared for. “So, want to go broke now, or later?” I laugh over at him, knowing I’m not being serious.
“Haha. Funny, asshole. I wonder what those girls are up to?” He laughs.
“Mom’s likely boring them with baby pictures or school art. You know how parents can be.”
“Amber seems to thrive around your girl. She starts taking on all these tasks, talking a mile a minute, oh, Lacey needs a support belt, like what the fuck is a support belt?”
“It’s actually a belt that goes around the waist and below the belly, giving it a gentle lift to take weight off the mother's legs and feet.”
“Well, look at you, Doctor Daddy.”
“Nah, I just know my shit. And Lacey keeps leaving those books laying around, knowing I’m a curious bastard.”
“That you are”
We finish up our game here and decide to hang out at a local bar to pass the time, hopefully they’ll have the latest football game on. I’m not into anything right now. My thoughts are always on Lacey, especially when she’s not around.
Once we got back to the house, Amber helps me up, me mumbling curses along the way.
Odd, Al didn’t meet us at the door. He’s always standing there, waiting to greet us. There’s no sign of him or Greta, though I wouldn’t expect her. Fear tries to raise its ugly head, but I quickly squash it. I’m not in danger and never will be again.
“Allow me.” Amber shoulders her way past me, turning the knob and motioning us inside. It’s dark in the foyer, unusual in the Lewis House. “Come on, I’ll help you upstairs and the we’ll go see where everyone ran off too.”
She leads me upstairs and instead of taking a right to mine and Cory’s suite, she takes a left for the baby’s nursery.
“What are you doing?” She looks at me, but doesn’t mutter a word.
Instead, she pushes the door open and within steps of me being in the room, the lights pop on and a loud “surprise” fills the entire room.
Amber, what have you done? This feels like way more than just a few people.
My thoughts run jumbled in my head as I’m pulled into the room and rushed over to a chair. Thank God, it’s comfortable.
“Hey sweetie, how are you?” “Her ankles are swelling!” Amber cuts in and answers Mrs. Lewis herself.
“Is that right? You know, I swelled with Ansley. She was a big baby, though.”
“Thanks, mom.” Ansley comes in, knocking her mom’s arm with her shoulder.
“What? You were my biggest baby. If it makes you feel any better, you were also the cutest.”
“Damn straight I was cutest.” She snickers and looks at her mom. “Sorry, mom.”
Everyone begins to settle themselves around me, and I’m amazed with who all showed up. I recognize Cory’s family, his mom and sister, of course Amber, but that’s about it.
“Let's get this baby shower going, then I’ll introduce you to those you haven’t met yet.” Amber says.
We spend the next hour, alternating between me receiving gifts, and watching my guest make a fool of themselves while trying to suck a baby bottle dry. A few of the items I remember opening were, a baby bath with baby wash and towels. A bartender, whose name I've already forgotten, bought a one-year supply of diapers and wipes. That was amazing. Cory’s parents bought us the travel system we were desperately wanting. It’s so cute with a pink and black plaid pattern along with pink and black butterflies. Equipped with a sturdy stroller and matching, grow with me carrier. It’s all just so beauti
ful. Damn hormones are coming in again... Ugh I’m not in the mood to cry.
Amber walks over to me and hands me a few things. Saying they were from her and Alex.
She starts with a little white box and lifts the lid before placing it in my lap. Looking in, it feels like I’m staring at one of the most precious pieces of clothing meant for a baby doll.
I pull the pretty white gown from the box, and my heart nearly melts. It’s so beautiful. “Oh, my God, Amber. This is beautiful.”
“This, is a christening dress. And you know, I’d totally rock it as her godmother. Just saying.”
“I’d love for you to be my baby's godmother.” I say, reaching my hand up to pinch at the bridge of my nose. A headache started not long after returning home, and it’s getting intense.
“I’m going to try and lie down for a minute, do you mind calling Cory, please?” She just nods. But it’s written all over her face. She’s very concerned. Chillax woman, I’m okay.
Standing, I move to make my way to my room, but only make it two feet before the room begins to spin and I can no longer tell what’s up and what’s down. Did I hit the floor? I don’t know. I’m being pulled under. It’s all going black, very quickly.
Fuck, I should’ve listened to Amber and called Cory earlier. Those are my final thoughts before I’m sucked completely under.
“What the fuck do you mean? What happened to Lacey?” Someone better start talking and making sense soon. This passing out with no other symptoms shit isn’t going to fly.
“I’m sorry, Cory. I can’t say much now. We are in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Meet us there, she’ll want to see you.” And then she hangs up on me. If I didn’t like her, I’d be finding myself a new manager on principle alone. No I wouldn’t. Amber is entertaining when she needs to be, and serious all the same. She’s a good one.
Finding Strength: A Club Dark Novel Page 21