Chapter 50 We need to talk
We need to talk
Sophia
I think today is the first time that the weight of the explosion isn’t heavy on my mind.
Oliver’s scars are fading from angry red to a softer pink. Maybe it’s because he patiently lies there while I rub ointment over him every night.
Not that he’s ever complained. I’m pretty sure he loves it.
I’m not entirely thrilled he’s going to be starting back to work full time next week. Deluding myself into thinking that we can just hide away in bed while the rest of the world goes on, isn’t going to work.
No matter how badly I wish we could.
Stretching out under the covers, my hand pats his empty spot. Cracking one eye open, I don’t see the light on in the bathroom, either.
Where did he go?
After tossing on one of his oversized t-shirts, I step out in the hall. Fresh paint? I thought he was done in the baby’s room?
“Ollie?” I push open the door to see him sitting on the floor cross-legged.
One of the scars over his shoulder is blazoned in an “S” shape. I’ve dubbed it my mark.
He’s branded with my initial forever.
When my fingers touch the jagged curve, he startles. “Hey, baby. Good morning.” His arm snakes out without looking to wrap my calf.
“What’s got you up so early?” But when I lean over him, I can see.
A few of the wooden letters are laid out, freshly blue.
It takes a moment for my groggy brain to put together what they spell. “Ollie,” I gasp. “I didn’t know you wanted to call him that too? I just mentioned it—”
“Just once. I know. You’re too modest, baby.” His thumb rubs the scar on my leg that I got from that night. “I think it’s perfect. Did I tell you it’s my dad’s middle name, too?”
Did he?
“I don’t remember, I’m sorry.” I trail my nails through his hair, frowning. “Was it in the flurry of texts when we were info-dumping every secret?”
He chuckles. “I think so. That seems so long ago now.” He turns and kisses my bare thigh, then sets the last letter down on the paper to dry. “I just woke up and wanted to make it official.”
I stare down and let out a sigh. “Seeing it makes it more…real.”
“”I’m gonna start using it. Our little Clyde Brookes.” He tilts his head up with his lips pursed. “It has a good ring to it.” He lifts the hem of my shirt to press a kiss to the swell of my belly.
“My grandpa wasn’t the type to cry, but I bet he would this time, knowing we named our son after him.” I miss him, and grandma.
So much has changed since Christmas. Geez, by this next one, we’ll have a child.
“I wish I could have met him.” Ollie reaches up and tugs me onto his lap. “But I think a little bit of him and your grandma trickled down.” His cheek lifts. “I feel bad for our kids, having you and I raising hell in their veins.”
“According to my grandma, they weren’t exactly tame back in the day.” I’ve heard many stories from her through the years. They were wild when they were younger.
“Ah, so that’s where you get it.” His whiskers tickle against my throat. “A genetic predisposition to chaos.” With a snarling growl, he play-bites under my jaw. “You were destined for monsters and magic.” His fingers wrap my neck to tilt my chin. “Lucky for me.”
With a shrieking laugh, I try to wiggle away.
But he catches me.
He always does.
Exactly the way I like it.
My cheeks hurt from laughing so much. Or is it the smiling for pictures?
Lori has taken so many I’m sure her phone is almost out of memory space, but I’m not complaining.
“Okay, now you and Val with your baby bumps.” She waves her fingers towards us, then pinches them like she’s trying to zoom us together.
“What about you? You’re more pregnant than we are,” Val giggles, then turns to Char. “And you? For crying out loud, we’re having a whole ass swallowed balloon convention here.” She rolls her eyes dramatically as she snickers.
April and Elena are both kicked back on the floor, propped on their hands with their legs out.
But I don’t miss that sneaky damn look they give each other.
“Seriously? You too?” I feel a twinge of insane cackling brewing.
When Libby raises her hand, everyone loses it and starts roaring.
“I’ve been asking Cynthia if she wants to start a babysitting career. It’d be built in for everyone here at the ranch.” Elena raises her eyebrows at her younger sister.
“No way,” the red head grumbles from the couch, glancing up from her cell. “Whatever you’re all drinking is contagious. I’m only thirteen.”
“I think we’re still baby balloons.” Libby jerks her thumb to include April and Elena. “We’re all due after the new year.”
“I need a picture with everyone. It might be the last time we’re all pregnant together.” Lori’s cheeks are flushed as she holds up her belly.
She’s the closest to delivery. Any day now could be it.
I can’t wait to meet my new baby sister.
“Val, do you have a name picked out?” I haven’t told anyone yet what Oliver and I have decided on.
But if she’s having a boy too, I can bet that Sawyer might be thinking something similar.
“We’re thinking about Carol.” Her eyes pinch as she watches me.
My hand flies to my mouth. “Oh my god. Is that—”
She nods. “After your mom. It was Sawyer’s idea.”
“I love it,” I gush, pulling her in for a hug as I fight the sudden tears. “She would have been honored,” I whisper against Val’s cheek.
“Mason?” Lori calls over to Dad at the table. “Can you get all of us in a picture please?”
He pushes away from where he was sitting with Ben on his knee as he chatted with Sawyer and Oliver.
“Anything for you, baby. Here Sawyer, hold your brother.” After he hands off Ben, he squints at all of us gathered in the living room amongst the strewn boxes and wrapping paper. “It looks like quite a haul.”
“Blue said we’re gonna need more cows,” Libby says as she stands. “To keep everyone in milk. Personally? I think we need to be buying stock in diapers since no one in this room seems to know how to keep their legs closed.”
“Jesus,” Dad chokes. “I guess that is an accurate statement.”
Sawyer and Oliver are openly laughing from the table.
It’s so nice to see everyone having a good time. I wish the other guys didn’t have to all work today.
Maybe we can plan some sort of big barbeque get together?
As we all line up, Dad moves the screen farther from his face, furrowing his brow as he tries to get it to focus.
“Hell, I might need glasses before much longer.” He grins sheepishly. “It’s hell getting old. Okay, everyone smile.”
A heavy knock on the door startles us.
“Damn it,” he grunts. “Let’s try that again.”
“I’ll get it.” Oliver pops up and strides towards the entrance.
It’s so good to see him moving comfortably again. No more wincing when he stands.
He’s been able to fold me in two again and chase me around the house like before he was hurt.
God I love it.
Heat crawls up my neck remembering this morning in the spare room. I think I still have blue paint on my ass cheek from accidentally rolling onto one of the letters for the wall.
Dad snaps his fingers. “Soph, stop looking at Oliver. You can stare any other time.”
Everyone giggles, making my throat get even hotter.
Oliver opens the door, revealing Wade with a sour look.
“Daddy?” Elena blurts. “Shit,” she mumbles.
Oh my god, I feel less embarrassed now. That is hysterical.
Libby clamps her palm over her own mouth to stifle her cackle.
But the sheriff gives her a small shake of his head, then turns to my dad. “Mason? I need you for a minute. Oliver, you might want to take a step back.”
That makes an icy tendril go down my spine.
“That’s not happening.” Ollie’s voice drops.
Dad hands Lori her phone, then turns to Wade. “What’s going on? We’re in the middle of a baby shower.”
“I know, and I’m sorry to interrupt.” Wade adjusts his hat with the badge on it, then holds up his palm to Elena when she starts to walk to him. “Just wait, baby girl.”
Wade pulls himself to his full, imposing height, looking every bit the reason he’s the lead law enforcement officer of the county. “Let’s not have any trouble, huh?”
Dad cocks his hip. “What the fuck is going on Wade?”
Sawyer slips Ben into the playpen with Jack and the twins, then slides in behind my husband.
He may not be as wide as Oliver, but I know Sawyer is scrappy as hell.
“There’s been a…revelation in the case. So I need you to remain calm.” Wade’s hands stay out and open, but his gaze narrows as it flicks between my dad, my husband, and my brother.
“Wade,” Dad growls.
Fuck.
With the exception of Elena, most of us start to slowly move further from the door.
Movement behind the hulking form of the sheriff catches my attention.
A tall, lanky man steps up onto the porch, the broad brim of his hat blocking his face as he looks down.
But when he takes it off, revealing his features, my blood turns to ice.
“Mason,” Cade says in a low tone. “We need to talk.”