Chapter 6 #2
I nod, already mentally cataloging what needs to be done. "I'll have Coffey and the boys set up round-the-clock surveillance on the house and the club. We'll need to be careful about the kids' schedules, maybe change up their routines."
"And what about me? I can't exactly defend myself if I'm stuck in this bed."
The thought of her being vulnerable sends a chill down my spine. "I'll have someone with you at all times.”
Rem nods, but I can see the annoyance in her eyes. She's not used to feeling helpless, to relying on others for protection. “Maybe we should help her. It’s the easiest solution.”
“You can’t be serious.”
"I am serious, Rex. Think about it. If we help her, maybe she'll leave us alone. It could be the quickest way to end this threat to our family."
I shake my head, incredulous. "Rem, you can't be thinking straight. This is Meredith we're talking about. She's unstable and unpredictable. You can’t tell me you didn’t notice how bloodshot her eyes were at the shop. She’s still using.”
“Considering I was in labor, the only thing I saw was a desperate woman holding our kids hostage.”
"I get it, Rem. I do. But helping Meredith...it's not that simple. We don't even know what kind of trouble she's in. For all we know, it could be something that puts us all at risk."
"And having her running around desperate doesn't put us at risk? She already took the kids once, Rex. What's to stop her from trying again?"
I feel my temper flaring, but I force it down. Getting angry won't help anyone right now. "Look, I understand where you're coming from. But we can't just jump into this blindly. We need more information."
"Then get it. Call Maya. She would have never let her leave the shop without a way to track her.”
I nod, mentally running through who I could trust with this task. "Alright. I’ll do it. But Rem, you have to promise me something."
She raises an eyebrow, waiting.
"Promise me you'll focus on taking care of yourself and our baby. Let me handle this Meredith situation. You need to rest and stay calm. Doctor's orders, remember?"
For a moment, I think she's going to argue. But then her shoulders sag slightly and she nods. "Okay," she says softly. "I'll try. But Rex, you have to keep me in the loop. No more secrets, no matter how much you think you're protecting me."
I lean in, pressing my forehead against hers. "I promise, baby. No more secrets."
We stay like that for a moment, the beeping of the monitors fading into the background. Then Rem pulls back slightly, her emerald eyes locking onto mine.
"There's something else we need to discuss.”
I feel a knot forming in my stomach. "What is it?"
She takes a deep breath. "If...if something happens, if I go into labor again and it's too early..."
"Rem, don't—"
She holds up a hand, silencing me. "Let me finish. If it comes down to a choice between me and the baby, I need you to choose the baby."
The words hit me like a physical blow. I stumble back, shaking my head. "No. No way in hell, Rem. I'm not making that choice."
"You might have to," she insists "And I need to know that you'll do what's best for our child."
I feel like I can't breathe like the walls of the hospital room are closing in on me. "I can't...I won't choose between you and our baby. Don't ask me to do that."
Her eyes soften, but the determination remains. "Rex, listen to me. This baby is a part of both of us. If something happens, I need to know that you'll fight for them with everything you've got."
I clench my fists. "And what about Beaux and Birdie? What about me? We need you, Rem. I can't do this without you."
"You can, and you will. I'm not planning on going anywhere. I'm just...preparing for the worst."
I sit heavily on the edge of her bed, my head in my hands. The pressure of everything - Meredith, the pregnancy complications, this impossible choice she’s asking me to make - it's all too much.
"Hey," Rem says softly, her hand on my back. "Look at me."
I turn to face her.
"We're going to get through this," she says firmly. "All of us. You get Meredith out of our lives forever, and I’ll protect the baby.”
I nod slowly, trying to summon some of her strength and conviction. "You're right. We'll figure this out together." I lean in and press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Rem. You and our kids…you're everything to me."
Her eyes soften, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I love you too, Rex. Now, go make those calls. Get things moving on the Meredith situation."
I stand, reluctant to leave her side, but knowing she's right. We need to act fast. "I'll be right outside if you need anything. Try to get some rest, okay?"
She nods, her eyelids already looking heavy.
The stress and medication are clearly taking their toll.
I watch as she settles back against the pillows, her hands instinctively resting on her belly.
The thought of losing either of them is eating me from the inside.
She’s right, though. Meredith has to be dealt with immediately. One way or another.