33. Bailey
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Bailey
NOW
It’s been a little over a week since Javi was released from the hospital, and it’s been an adjustment for everyone.
The doctors warned us to keep an eye on his mood because it can be difficult for children recovering to understand why they can’t do things they could before.
They suggested acting it out with toys to explain it in a way he might understand, so we tried that at the hospital with a play therapist, and he responded pretty well.
My parents surprised Javi with his own room by converting one of the guest rooms, and it made me tear up when he asked if he’d have to give it back if he got in trouble.
I guess they’ve been putting it together for a while after the way he freaked out last time to show he’ll have a home here for as long as he wants one. I’m just relieved it went better this time.
Between the room and the stuffed monkey Henry and Mira gave him, I’m not sure he’ll ever want to leave—so it’s a good thing they want him to stay.
Javi is lying next to me on the couch, and we were watching Finding Nemo , but I noticed a little bit ago he fell asleep, and if I move, I’ll wake him up. I’m essentially trapped, but we still have a couple of hours of peace before Kaitlyn’s supposed to be back from the gallery.
It’s not like I’m counting the hours or anything.
JJ and Marley are upstairs packing his things, and my parents had to meet with Nora, their lawyer, to make sure everything is still going well with Javi’s foster placement.
Hunter is still hiding at my uncle’s house, and has yet to respond to me. It makes me feel a little less guilty for wanting Kaitlyn, but I’m not going to push her for anything until she’s ready.
I can be patient.
Nowhere in our conversation on the roof did Kait tell me she still has feelings for me, but I have hope that she does.
I hear the sound of the lock on the front door flipping before it opens and shuts. Javi doesn’t move next to me, the sound of quiet snores still escaping him when Mirabelle walks into the room.
Her face visibly softens from a scowl when her eyes land on us. “Hey, just the two boys I was hoping to find,” she says, taking a seat next to me.
“You okay?” I ask, keeping my voice quiet. Javi’s not a light sleeper, but I still don’t want to wake him up if I don’t have to.
“Yeah.” She sighs, trying to muster a smile, but clearly, she’s not okay.
I give it less than a minute before she cracks and starts telling me anyway—or at least that’s how it used to be.
Usually JJ is the brother she goes to, especially when I was the one she’d probably get into a fight with.
“Actually, I’m not,” Mira corrects herself a moment later, dragging her hands over her face.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I had an appointment with my OBGYN this morning, and I told Henry I was fine to go by myself because he had a meeting he couldn’t miss.
I thought it would be fine, but I guess someone posted a picture of me.
So when I walked out to my car, there were some people hanging out in front of the building.
They started taking pictures, and asked how much weight I’ve gained, how many babies I’m having because I’m so big apparently, and what names we’re going to use,” she says, wiping at the tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.
Online hate is one thing, but to actively seek her out in public is insane.
“I feel awful because I’m supposed to be enjoying this, but instead I just want to stay inside forever. ”
I have no idea what to say. Are people really asking how much weight she’s gained? Why the hell does it matter?
“I’m sorry, I’m literally fine. I’m just hormonal and stressed, but I can’t tell Henry because then he’ll insist on hiring Tom again,” she says, looking away while twisting her hair back.
“You don’t have to say you’re fine if you’re not, Mira. I’m sorry that happened. It must really suck.”
She smiles as more tears fall. “You’re right. It really does suck. Honestly, I came over because it’s a lot harder to be upset when I’m around Javi than when I’m by myself,” Mirabelle says, looking at him next to me.
I understand exactly what she means.
“I’m sure you already know, but he carries that monkey with him everywhere.”
“Yeah?” she asks, and a smile pulls at the corners of her mouth.
It feels like I said the right thing, and it’s a relief to know I’m not totally fucking this up.
In the past, we’ve spent more time fighting than not, but I’d really like a chance to do things differently this time.
I think part of it is because we’re so similar, even if I never would have admitted it before.
“Do you want to watch a movie with me until he wakes up?” I ask, trying not to let my nerves get the better of me .
“I’d love that, B,” she says, smiling wide as she scoots closer to me, so she can turn to put her feet up on the couch.
“You can pick whatever movie you want. It doesn’t matter to me,” I say, and she grabs the remote.
“Don’t worry, I’ll pick a good one.”
And she does. The Land Before Time was one of my favorites growing up. It’s been years since I’ve seen it, and I forgot how much I used to love it.
After a little bit, Mirabelle rests her head on my shoulder, and it feels like a lost puzzle piece finally being put into place.
“I love you. Thank you for listening,” she whispers, and a lump forms in my throat that I do my best to swallow away.
“I love you too, sis. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to deal with those fuckers, but you’re creating life, and it’s more important than whatever bullshit they say.”
“You’re right. Fuck them,” she echoes, and I smile, wrapping my arm around her.
It’s really nice sitting here with Mirabelle and Javi. The only thing I think I would change is having Kaitlyn here with us.
I’m helping Mom set the table for dinner when I hear the sound of Javi’s quiet laughter. “You better hold tight so I don’t drop you,” Dad teases, walking into the kitchen cradling Javi in his arms the way the doctors and nurses showed us to before we were discharged.
Mirabelle’s been fluttering around the house for the last hour, acting like she’s crawling out of her skin.
It’s driving me nuts, but I’m assuming it’s because of the pictures that ended up online earlier.
She said she was worried about Henry wanting to hire her old bodyguard again, so that must be it .
“Dad,” Mira warns, and it makes my anxiety settle to know I’m not the only one looking out for him anymore.
Mom’s head snaps up to find them, her eyes narrowing. “Bash, you better be the one holding on tight. If you drop him, I’ll lock you out of the house.”
“I’m holding on,” Javi chimes in, a happy smile on his face. It’s nice to see after how terrifying it was watching him lie so still in the hospital bed. “What’s for dinner?”
“Homemade pizza,” Mom answers, her features softening. “Mira, do you know how far away Henry is?”
She opens her mouth to respond, but Javi gasps, his entire face lighting up. “Henry’s coming too?”
“He is. He just stopped to get something first,” my sister says, smiling at Javi after Dad set him down in the chairs next to her.
“I must be chopped liver,” Dad jokes, and Mom rolls her eyes.
“I’ve been telling you that for years,” she says, giving him a smile. I can’t believe I ever questioned their relationship, but my god, you have to really love someone to be that weird with them.
“But he’ll be here soon?” Javi asks, tugging on Mirabelle’s hand to pull her attention back to him.
“Soon,” she says, casting a nervous glance in my direction, and now I’m not sure if I should be afraid Henry’s almost here. I thought I was pretty damn helpful this afternoon when I listened and tried to cheer Mira up, but maybe I fucked up something without realizing it.
I’m distracted by the sound of heavy footsteps in the hall, and my older brother appears.
“Do I smell homemade pizza?” JJ asks, walking into the kitchen with the same purpose as a dog trying to find a bone.
“Fuck yeah,” he says, grinning, and Marley’s laughing quietly as she follows behind a few moments later .
“JJ,” she chides, and his face turns red when he realizes Javi’s in the room. He has yet to learn how to filter himself, and at this point, Javi’s going to end up starting kindergarten in the fall with a full vocabulary of swear words.
“Sorry, I meant heck yeah,” he apologizes with a sheepish smile, and I shake my head.
“We’ll work on it,” Marley says. Things are still strained between Hunter and JJ, but they’re leaving for Beaumont at the end of the week.
“How’s the packing going?” Dad asks, and Marley makes a face.
“I’m getting a lot done,” JJ says, casting a smirk in Marley’s direction. “Marley’s moving a little slower.”
She sticks her tongue out at him. “You know I hate packing.”
“No one’s saying you have to leave. You could just stay here forever,” Mom suggests.
“I wish, but after they leave for Beaumont, I’m spending the next couple weeks in Italy with my best friend. She spent the summer with my brother and his boyfriend at her parents’ villa.”
Mirabelle sighs, rubbing her stomach. “That sounds like a dream. I wish we could go to France,” she says, wistfully.
Dad asks Marley about the classes she’s taking this fall, and I think I hear the front door. I’m proven right when Henry walks into the kitchen with two bouquets of wildflowers, but he only offers one of them to Mira. “Hi, mon c?ur ,” he greets, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
She melts into his touch, taking the flowers. “You’re late,” she says but he’s distracted saying hi to Javi.