by Allysa Hart
“My ankles are all swollen, and I don’t fit. Please, Uncle Keith. I can barely walk across the room without my feet hurting me.”
“Sit then,” he relented. She obeyed, tears building in her eyes and apprehension in her tummy. She hated getting her mouth soaped. Waiting for her fate, she listened as he unwrapped a new bar and turned on the water. “Open your mouth.”
She looked at him pleadingly as he stood patiently and waited for her to obey. The slimy bar slid into her mouth and his index finger slipped under her chin to close her jaw. “Back to the corner with you so you can think about how that soap is going to clean the nasty words out of my sweet little girl’s mouth.” Keith crossed his arms as she turned back to face the wall.
Not knowing if it was her pregnancy, emotional turmoil, or the situation, Katie barely tasted the soap. Her emotions leaked from her eyes and ran unchecked down her cheeks. With a frown, Keith put his hand on her shoulder and turned her gently.
“Do you think this is going to help you remember to make better word choices?” Katie nodded absently and was relieved of the vile bar. “No more, do you understand me? If I have to do this again, it will be exponentially more unpleasant. Rinse.”
Katie turned on the water and numbly rinsed her mouth, aware that Keith watched her carefully. He took her hand and sat her on his lap with his large hand cupping her face. “I know something is up. I could see it on your face the second I walked into the kitchen. However, I can’t have my little girl running around using those words. This will help you remember. We don’t want to have to do this again, right?”
Katie resisted his embrace and flatly answered. “No, Sir.”
Holding her at arm’s length, his face was fraught with concern. “Good. Now tell me what’s going on and don’t you dare hold anything back.”
***
After spilling her insecurities to Keith’s listening ears, he assisted her in cleaning the mess. His reassurances gave her the will to finish making breakfast, but the worries still lingered although she tried her best to take his words to heart and push back the fears that attacked her on a daily basis.
“This smells delicious. What’s the occasion?” Rose asked as she joined them.
“Our girl had a very rough night. Would you please tell Auntie what you shared with me, sweetie?” Keith prompted.
Katie stared at the untouched pancakes on her plate. The last thing she wanted to do was to dump her anxieties on Rose. “I had a bad night, so I got up to make breakfast.”
“What happened last night? Are you feeling well? Is the baby okay?” Rapidly firing questions, Rose touched her hand to Katie’s forehead and then to the bulging stomach.
“Calm down woman. They are both fine.” Keith stated as he set a plate heaped with pancakes and a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. “Sit and eat while we all have a little chat.”
“What’s going on, honey?” She scooted her chair as close to Katie as she could and grabbed her hand anxiously.
“I’m not hungry.” Katie pouted, gently pulling away from Rose. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”
“You need to eat,” Keith said warmly. “If you don’t want to talk, then may I tell Rose what’s happening with you?” Picking up a dry pancake, she nibbled the edge and shrugged. Taking that as permission, Keith turned to his wife. “Apparently, our girl is feeling like she is going to be replaced by the baby, and she had quite the meltdown last night.”
Rose looked confused. “Is that why you were already asleep when I came to tuck you in?”
“You came in? When?”
“Right after I got off the phone with Jared. He had called to see how you were doing. I always come in to say good night. Haven’t I done that since you have been with us?” Rose sounded offended. “Nothing has changed, baby. Saying good night to you is one of my favorite parts of my nightly routine. Whether it’s a hug or story time, it is always the perfect end to my day and will never change, baby or not.”
“Everything else will change, though.” Katie blew through the sentiment. Her hormones had her on a constant rollercoaster, and she wasn’t strong enough to fight off the irrational thoughts.
“When the baby is born?” Rose sat back with a puzzled look on her face. “Of course things will change. There will be a shitload of change, but that doesn’t mean your status in our family will be different.”
Keith grumbled something about having to buy more soap, but they ignored him
“Katelyn, listen to me please.” Rose implored, taking Katie’s hand once more. “We love you. You are an important part of this family, and you always will be. Are we excited to have the baby? Of course! Are we going to love him as our own? You better believe it. But darling, you are ours. We adopted you as our little girl, and that will never change. After all, we’ve been through together, have we given you a reason not to believe us?”
The tears began anew, but this time, they were of relief. “I’m sorry for being so stupid.”
Rose pulled Katie into her arms. “You aren’t stupid. Life has turned upside down for you in such a short amount of time. After Mark had left us, you moved in with a new family and started a different routine. You then moved into a new home, went back to work, and now are having a baby. I think you are entitled to some kerfuffles. Know what hurts my heart, though?”
“What?”
“The fact that you didn’t come to us last night. This could have all been taken care of, and you could have had a good night’s rest.”
“I’m sorry.” She sniffed and cuddled in deeper, trying to infuse her feelings through the physical exchange.
“No sorries. Next time, just come and get us, okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” A relieved smile adorned her lips.
“Good girl, now eat.” Taking a napkin, Rose dabbed Katie’s tears.
Between Keith’s consistent discipline and Rose’s loving reassurance, Katie felt like her feet had been planted firmly back on the ground where she was safe and where she belonged.
***
Spending time away from the house was more fun than Katie had anticipated. Going to restaurants and swimming in the warm indoor pool had been both relaxing and refreshing. She was annoyed when Rose announced that the hot tub was off limits and argued that her aching lower back would have benefitted from the heat and water jets. A firm warning from Keith had left her pouting as she sat on the edge kicking her feet in the steamy water.
Getting dressed for the police ball started with the girls being cosseted with manicures and pedicures and then getting their hair done. Looking handsome and debonair in his dress uniform, Keith checked on the girls with frequent time updates. Katie was thrilled that she had allowed the saleswoman to talk her into accentuating her belly instead of trying to hide it. The royal blue fabric fit her like a glove and, twisting her hips, she let the dress swoosh around her legs to show off the ensemble to a beaming Rose. Even though her belly kept growing, her insecurities had dissipated, and she now carried her son with pride.
“You two are stunning. I’m going to be the envy of every man at the ball.” Keith radiated pride as he watched them complete the finishing touches.
The photographer at the entrance stopped them for a picture. Katie tried to step back to allow Keith and Rose to go first, but Keith grabbed her hand firmly and pulled her to join them.
“Why did you do that? You were supposed to take a picture with your wife,” Katie complained, pulling her hand out of his grasp and freezing in place.
“It’s a family photograph, and you are family,” Rose interjected patiently.
“We have a ton of pictures of the three of us at home. That was supposed to be for you two.” The little stomp of her foot went unnoticed thanks to the length of her new dress.
Keith gave her a stern look and leaned forward to softly whisper, “I am here with both of my girls, and I wanted our photo to reflect that. No more arguing, do you understand me?”
Crossing her arms over her che
st, Katie rolled her eyes and glared. “Fine, but I still think it was stupid.”
Keith took her by the arm and pulled her to the corner of the room. “If you think that mouthing off to me in public is a good idea, you had better think again. I know you are getting stressed out and working yourself up, but if I have to take you back up to the hotel room to deal with you, then I will.”
Katie certainly would not have minded staying in the room by herself, even if she had to watch television while lying on her side since her tummy was now too big to lay on. Her hopes of escaping were dashed when Keith announced, “Don’t think that I don’t know what went through your head. Pregnant or not, if you earn a spanking, I will deliver it and then bring you right back here and make you sit in the hardest chair I can find for the remainder of the evening. Are you going to change your behavior or should we just head up to the room now?”
“You can’t spank me. You’ll hurt the baby.”
“I’ve been assured that a switch won’t cause him any harm, but will be very effective in teaching you a lesson. Well? What do you want to do?”
A switch? Katie bit her lip and allowed Keith’s confident strength to bring calmness to her heart. It was strange that even just the threat of discipline relaxed her, working its way into her brain and easing her fears. Keith took care of her just as Mark would have. That thought consumed her, and she realized that she was going to be just fine. She could handle this night—for herself, for her baby, and for Mark.
***
Quickly tiring from the festivities, Katie dropped into a chair with a plop and fanned herself with a wine menu.
“You look flushed. Can I get you anything?” A man’s voice asked.
“I’m fine, thank you. I’m just a little tired.” She turned her head absently to glance at the stunning stranger. His kind, chocolate brown eyes, and perfect lips kept her attention as he squatted next to her.
“Perhaps some water?” He suggested with a smile that revealed a line of radiant white teeth. “When my sister was pregnant, she was always thirsty. Of course, she also spent a lot of time in the bathroom,” he added with a warm chuckle.
Struck with unexpected pangs of lust and a severely dry mouth, Katie tried to match his dazzling smile with one of her own. “You might be right. Water sounds wonderful. Thank you so much.”
The man straightened up, and she took stock of his slender, solid body that must have stood at over six feet tall. She stared at the gorgeous gentleman’s back and then saw Keith watching her from across the room.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” Keith asked, not hiding the fact that he also watched the stranger’s movements.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? I’m fine.” She pretended to be disinterested in where her new companion had gone off to.
“It’s been an exciting evening, and I think it would be wise to take it easy.” His raised eyebrow told her that his words were not a request. As she sighed in acceptance of Keith’s decree, the kind man approached with two cups of water and handed one to Katie.
“Here you go, my dear. Hey, Keith. How’s it going?”
“I thought that was you! Did you let Sarah drag you to another event?” The two men embraced in a brotherly hug.
Katie hid her disappointment that a woman was attached to the handsome stranger. She forced a gracious smile. “Thank you for the water. I gather that you two know each other.”
“We have met a few times,” Keith answered. “This is Jeff. His sister works in our precinct. You met her at the Labor Day barbecue last year. She was pregnant out to here.” He exaggerated a mongo-sized belly.
“Yeah, I come with her to all of these things. My brother-in-law spends a lot of time overseas, and she doesn’t like to go alone.” Jeff added. He tilted his head towards Katie. “And how do you know this lovely young lady?”
“This is Katelyn Summers. I’m her pseudo, big brother.” Keith winked.
“Summers? I know that name.”
Katie’s breath caught in her throat. This was one of the moments that she had worried about, and a conversation that she was not prepared to have, but at least Keith was there to help her if she needed it. “You might have met my husband, Mark.”
“Yes! Mark, that’s it. Is he here?” He looked around the room searching the crowd for him.
Shaking her head, Katie gave a sad smile and averted her eyes to avoid the look of pity that would inevitably follow. “No, we lost him in the line of duty right after I got pregnant. He never even had the chance to know that he was going to have a son.”
Jeff’s face fell, and he sat down heavily in the chair next to her. His eyes showed true sympathy for her loss as he touched her hand. “I am so sorry. I can’t imagine the pain you’ve suffered. I don’t know what to say.”
Keith’s presence gave her strength. “Thank you, it’s been hard, but it’s getting better.” She subconsciously rubbed her belly and prayed they could move on from the topic of her deceased husband.
“Congratulations. A baby is such a blessing. I have more nieces and nephews than I can keep track of, and they never fail to make me smile when times are hard.”
Relief flowed from her heart at the easy conversational shift. “Thank you, we are very excited.”
“We?” Jeff settled into the chair. The comfortable crossing of his legs showed that he was prepared for a long chat.
Keith ran his hand over Katie’s head and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to find my wife. Make sure you rest, okay?”
“Yes, Keith.” She rolled her eyes. With a slight shake of his head at her bold display of sass, he was off. “Sorry about him. He’s a little overprotective.”
“I would be, too. Do you mind if I stay and keep you company? I don’t know a whole lot of people here,” Jeff asked.
“I would enjoy that very much. Thanks.”
“Do you have other children? You mentioned ‘we,’ when you brought up the baby,” Jeff asked.
“No. ‘We’ refers to Keith, Rose, and me. After Mark died, they coerced me to move in with them for support and kind of adopted me into their family. Hence, the bossy attitude,” she said, gesturing her thumb in Keith’s direction.
“I’m so glad you have them. From what I have heard, Keith is a pretty stand-up guy.”
“He is one of the best. They both are. I couldn’t have done any of this without them.” She smiled as she spotted her family on the dance floor. Rose had her eyes closed as she let her husband lead her. It was the perfect illustration of what their life as a couple looked like.
She and Jeff settled into a comfortable conversation that felt as though they’d known one another for years. Katie couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed so hard and was also pleasantly surprised by how much they had in common. Before either of them realized, the crowd began to thin as people started leaving.
Jeff glanced at his watch. “Whoa, it’s late. I probably should find my sister and get her home.”
The concern in his voice brought back memories of how protective Mark had been and a sudden ache filled her heart. Fearful that she would fall into the melancholy sadness that came with his memories, she stood quickly to leave but lost her balance and stumbled back to her seat with a thud.
“Careful. Let me help.” Jeff took her hands and assisted her into a standing position.
“I guess I was stiffer than I thought.” The excuse tumbled out of her mouth.
“I’ve enjoyed your company, Katelyn. I was wondering if you would consider having dinner with me sometime?”
“Like as in a date? No! No, I’m sorry. I’m not ready.” Her eyes widened, and her breathing became erratic. It was too soon. She was pregnant. The panic bubbled in her gut, and she clutched the edge of the table as she fought the need to run.
“Whoa, calm down, Beautiful. I understand, trust me. I’m sorry for being so forward. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Jeff took a step towards her with an outstretched hand.
“You didn’t.
I just can’t. It’s not you.” Her head shook as she backed away from him slowly before bursting into tears and fleeing to the exit.
“Katie? What happened?” Rose demanded as she raced by them.
“I’m fine,” she lied, striking the elevator buttons with much more force than necessary.
“You don’t look fine. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” Rose persisted, reaching out to touch her forehead.
Unable to handle the smothering questions at that moment, Katie took a step back and snapped, “Rose, I’m fine! Leave me alone.”
The look on her face made Katie sag against the wall and cover her face. “I’m sorry, Auntie. I’m sleepy and wanna take a bath.”
As she had known it would, the use of the formal title signaled her needs. Safely in the elevator and out of earshot and sight from everyone they knew, Keith pulled the girl close and kissed the top of her head. “You can talk to us later about what triggered this outburst, little girl. In the meantime, it’s way past your bedtime. A quick bath and straight to bed with you. Got me?”
Katie nodded and closed her eyes, silently thanking God that she didn’t have to make any more choices for the evening.
Chapter Eleven
Katelyn shifted uncomfortably in her desk chair. She had felt off all morning but had said nothing to anyone to avoid raising any concerns. She laid her head down on her desk to rest for a second and catch her breath as an uncomfortable feeling in her lower abdomen grew. Her face contorted in pain as her secretary entered the room. With a deep breath, Katelyn uttered the only words she could think of. “It’s time. Please take me to the hospital. Someone needs to call my family.”
Squeezing her eyes shut as a new wave of pain rolled through her body, Katelyn nodded with thanks as the woman gathered her things and helped her to the car. The pains hit hard just as they screeched to a stop in front of the emergency room entrance. Katie was helped into a wheelchair and rushed up to the maternity wing.
***