19. Gideon
19
Gideon
I heard Haley’s small footsteps before she came bursting around the corner, talking a mile a minute. “I have a big family now! If Mama dies, I can stay with one of them and not end up in the rotten foster system. I’m so happy we’re home!”
She ran straight to me, climbing on the wheelchair and hugging me. “And Mama’s going to take care of your stubborn ass because she loves you, whether you like it or not. I love you, too!”
“Haley,” Laney said, walking into the room, “what are you telling Gideon? Gideon, what has she been saying to you?”
“Why didn’t you call me and tell me you were home?” Laney demanded, her tone shifting from playful to serious. “You were injured, and no one called. I’m taking care of you whether you like it or not. You took care of us, so it’s my turn now. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I asked, feigning innocence.
“I don’t know,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed me?”
“I’ve only been home a few days,” I explained. “I was in Germany—that’s where the hospital was. I didn’t call because… I didn’t think you’d want to take care of me.”
“Don’t say that,” she replied firmly. “I’ll get that swelling down in no time. I told you I had feelings for you, so you don’t get to decide whether I take care of you or not.”
“You can’t lift me,” I said, though what I really wanted to do was kiss her.
“No, but I can massage your legs and your back to help with the swelling,” she said, stepping closer. “I missed you.”
I took her hand, pulling her gently toward me. “I missed you, too. But you need to watch what you say around Haley. She repeats everything.”
Laney raised an eyebrow. “What did she repeat?”
“She told me I was a stubborn ass and that you were going to take care of me whether I liked it or not,” I said, chuckling.
At first, Laney looked shocked, but then she burst into laughter. She laughed so hard she ended up sitting on my lap.
“I’m glad that’s all she repeated,” Laney said, wiping a tear of laughter from her cheek. “I guess I need to be more careful around those big ears.”
“I’m glad you’re home,” I said. “Please say you’re staying with me.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” she said softly. “Now, tell me about your injury.”
“First, tell me about your family,” I countered.
Laney’s expression softened as a tear slipped down her cheek. “I love them so much. Ronald and I grew up in the same town—can you believe that? Georgia doesn’t have a drinking problem; she’s beautiful. And Ellie? She hadn’t spoken a word before we got there. Haley spent two minutes with her, and suddenly, Ellie was talking up a storm.”
“That’s incredible,” I said, smiling. “Did you tell Georgia what I said about her drinking?”
“Yes, and I was going to lecture her until she burst out laughing.”
“And Mike?”
“Mike’s doing well,” she said. “I’ve seen him looking over his shoulder a few times, but that’s to be expected. I made sure all his charges were cleared. He’s planning to join the Navy SEALs. He’s already done three years of college while locked up, so he will finish that before enlisting.”
“That’s great,” I said, but my tone grew more serious. “I’ve been looking into something. The lawyer—David March—didn’t leave the country. He lied to you. He’s been seen hanging around your ex-father-in-law’s house.”
Laney started to stand, but I held onto her hand. “Stay here,” I said.
“Why would he lie? He told me he was leaving the country that day. Did he even go anywhere?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I don’t want you or Haley anywhere near the mob.”
“How’s Kat and the babies?” she asked, changing the subject.
Before I could answer, Haley lit up. “The babies! Mama, can we go see them? Please?”
“I’d love to see them, too,” Laney said, standing and glancing back at me. “Well, are you coming?”
I hesitated. “Shouldn’t we call first?”
“No,” Laney said, smiling. “They might say it’s not a good time, so we’ll just show up. Is her mom still there?”
“I’m not sure,” I replied.
As we approached the house, we heard the unmistakable cry of a newborn. “Oh, listen to that!” Laney said, her face lighting up. “I love that sound.”
“You, sweetheart, are crazier than I thought,” I teased as we knocked on the door.
“Come in!” River’s voice shouted over the noise.
We walked into chaos. Kat and the babies were crying, and River looked like he was barely holding them together. Laney didn’t hesitate—she walked straight to Kat and hugged her.
“I don’t know what to do,” Kat said, her voice trembling. “My mom got sick and had to leave. I thought for sure I could take care of everything. I think they’re hungry, but how do I know if they’re getting milk? I can’t see through my boobs. They won’t stop crying. What did I do wrong?”
“You haven’t done anything wrong,” I reassured her. “Gideon, take River and Haley to the kitchen and make some chamomile tea. I’ll help Kat with the babies.”
I kissed each baby and handed one to Kat, adjusting her arm to hold the little one properly. Then, I gently lifted her breast and showed her how to check that the milk was flowing. Afterward, I took the other baby and positioned them to nurse. Within five minutes, both babies were sucking happily.
“If you get anxious, your body tenses up, and the babies pick up on it,” I explained. “Stay calm, and your milk will flow. If I were you, I’d feed them at different times. Wake the hungrier one first, feed that one, and then switch to the other. It’ll be much easier that way. If you wait for them to wake up, they will both be screaming.”
“How do you know so much about twin babies?” Kat asked, looking surprised.
“When I was in college, my neighbor had twins. I spent a lot of time at her house, helping her with the babies. She was so anxious they’d cry constantly. But when I held them, I stayed calm, and they didn’t cry.”
“Did she breastfeed them?” Kat asked.
“No, she decided not to. I thought that was sad, but it was her choice as their mom.”
“Where was their father?”
“He left her when she told him she was having twins. I felt bad for her, so I helped as much as I could.”
“How long did you help her?”
“Three days a week, I was out fishing, so I wasn’t always available. Her parents lived out of state, so she didn’t have much support. I worried about the babies because she became very depressed, and I started noticing bruises on them.”
Kat gasped. “Oh no. What did you do?”
“I called her parents and told them she needed help. I also told them I thought the babies were in danger. They showed up the next day and took her home with them. About a month later, her mom called me to say Emily had checked into a hospital. She thanked me for calling.”
Kat looked down at her babies, her expression softening. “Look at these little angels. Thank you, Laney. I didn’t even ask you about your family.”
“I love them,” I said with a smile. “They’re so loving and fun. Who would’ve thought I had such a big family?”
River knocked on the door and poked his head in. “Thank you, Laney,” he said earnestly.
“You’re welcome,” I replied. “If you need me, call me. I’ll be at Gideon’s.”
When I came around the corner, Gideon greeted me with a smile. “Here I am, sweetheart. Ready to go home?”
“I am,” I said, grinning. “Those babies were the sweetest. The next time we see them, they’ll be full and sleeping. That’s all new babies do—eat and sleep.”
As we walked, Gideon said, “Gage is going to help me with the shower later. I’ve got a chair in there now. I’m lucky it’s a walk-in.”
“I’ll tell Gage I’ll help you,” I said, determined. I walked to Gage’s door and knocked, and when he answered, I hugged him, and so did Haley. “I’ll take care of Gideon from now on. He said it was okay.”
“If you need me, just call,” Gage said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you,” I said before returning to Gideon.
“You’re sure about this?” Gideon asked, looking concerned. “It’s a lot of work and not easy.”
“I’m strong, so don’t worry about me,” I replied. “After your shower, I’ll massage your legs—you’ll like that. And I’m sleeping in your room so I can be nearby if you need me. I don’t want to argue about it.”
Gideon smiled. “Sugar, I’m not arguing. My legs may be damaged, but the rest of me works just fine. We could share the shower chair. What do you say?”
I laughed. “Let me put Haley to bed, and we’ll have all night to work on your legs.”
“Damn, woman, you’re killing me,” he muttered.
In the shower, I sat on his lap, washing his hair. “I missed you so much,” I whispered. “Does it hurt if I slide you inside me?”
“It’ll hurt more if you don’t,” he murmured, pulling me closer. I slid onto him, moving slowly, and we both groaned. I moved at my own pace until the tension was too much, and he grabbed my hips, guiding me faster. We came together, and I collapsed against him, my lips finding his.
“I missed this,” he whispered.
“Me too,” I said, breathless. “How about we move this to the bed?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling against his lips.
He chuckled, lifting me slightly so I could turn off the water. I helped him into his wheelchair, and we made our way to the bed. Gideon pushed himself onto the mattress, landing with a soft thud. I climbed on top of him, and we made love two more times before falling asleep in each other’s arms.