Chapter 7
Before leaving Oland, we stopped for brunch, and Quinn pulled up on us with everything we needed to move Janice to another facility.
It took a few forged documents and one phone call before Milani’s mother was helped into the medical transport van and on the way back to the memory care facility in Sand Cranes.
Upon arrival, we were provided a tour while Ms. Janice went through the intake process.
Milani spoon-fed her mom the mashed potatoes and pureed green beans while I sat in the corner observing. Ms. Janice was frail; her salt and pepper hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt that fit loosely on her body.
“Mom, I need you to chew, okay?” Milani coached since Janice allowed the last scoop of mashed potatoes to sit in her mouth.
Ms. Janice complied and eventually swallowed the mashed potatoes. Milani lifted another spoonful of mashed potatoes to Ms. Janice’s mouth, and she stared past her daughter, fixated on me.
“Mom… you remember Sneaux?” Milani asked softly, turning around to face me as well.
Ms. Janice emitted a low grunt and then looked back at Milani. She lifted the spoon again, but Ms. Janice turned her head and grunted again.
“Okay… I can see you’re done with that,” Milani conceded, dropping the spoon back on the plate.
“Do you see a remote for the tv?” Milani asked me.
I walked over to the TV and noticed it was attached to a velcro strip on the right side. Pulling it down, I pressed the power button and walked it over to Milani. Ms. Janice turned to face the TV that was playing reruns of Law & Order.
“They already have your faves going,” Milani informed her mom.
When I looked over, Ms. Janice was slowly dozing off, her head dipping forward.
“I think she’s falling asleep,” I informed Milani who was adjusting the volume.
“We have all had a long morning,” Milani stated, standing from her chair. “Mom, I’m going to help you lie down, okay.”
Milani’s hand went to her mother’s shoulder as she slowly helped her stand.
“Oh no, Ms. Hunter—” a voice cut in as a woman in scrubs rushed into the room with another aide behind her. “While Ms. Janice is under our care, we will do all of the heavy lifting. We need to transfer her to the bed safely. Plus, we were on our way in because it’s time for a brief change.”
“Okay,” Milani nodded while the aide helped Ms. Janice to her feet.
They walked towards the bathrooms and Milani emitted a loud yawn.
“Your mom is settling in well,” the nurse started. “The notes from the previous facility stated that she had been at home with you until they admitted her on Thursday. You have got to be exhausted.”
“I am,” Milani admitted, taking a deep breath. “It’s just hard. We’ve never lived apart. Relinquishing all the control was easier when I wasn’t in the same state.”
“Your mom is going to be good,” I cut in. “Plus, you can come back as often as you’d like. Although she won’t be in the house with us, she’s only a ten minute drive away.”
“I know,” Milani exhaled deeply. The nurse and aide stopped Ms. Janice in front of Milani.
“Okay, Mom, I’m about to leave, but I’ll be back.
I’m going to hug you now.” Milani informed her mom.
She hesitated for a moment, like she was waiting for a signal from her mom, then leaned in for a side hug.
There was slight hesitation again before Milani leaned in further to kiss her cheek.
Ms. Janice didn’t respond visibly. Her face was still relaxed while her eyes were distant. “I love you, Mom.”
Milani sighed, stepping out of the staff’s path so they could continue into the bathroom. She grabbed her purse off the chair she was previously seated in and grabbed my hand on her way out the door.
“It’s going to be okay, bae,” I assured Milani as we sauntered towards the exit.
“I know,” Milani nodded. “She isn’t overstimulated or irritated. It’s the first time in a while I’ve been able to hug her. That’s all. I know this is what’s best for her. I can’t do it all around the clock.”
Bill was parked one spot away from the exit and had the door open when we approached.
I helped Milani inside then climbed in too.
My heart ached for Milani as she lay her head in my lap and sobbed while we drove away from the facility.
When we finally made it back to the crib, Milani was knocked out.
I let her sleep the day away because after hearing her story, she had a very rough couple of days before we ran into each other.
Levi and Quinn remained in Oland to see what else they could figure out about who shot at us last night.
The sunset and the dark sky were out before Milani finally stirred from her sleep.
She sat up, half her hair no longer in a bun because the silk scarf had fallen hours before. “What time is it?” She questioned, reaching her arms back to stretch.
“Time to eat dinner. You hungry?”
“I can eat,” she smiled, then her face scrunched up as she sniffed the air.
“What did you cook? It smells so good.” She bubbled, pulling the covers back to expose the panties and crop top she was wearing.
“I don’t even care what it is. Let me brush my teeth so I can eat.
” Milani climbed across my lap, and I slapped her ass midway.
She turned to face me and leaned in to peck my lips.
“Can you grab me some joggers or leggings? It’s cold in here. ”
“I got you.” Standing from my spot on the bed, I sauntered into the closet. Noting that I would have to clear some of the clothes I rarely wore to give Milani space.
I pulled out a pair of joggers that were loose on me because Milani was a little thicker than me.
Entering the bathroom, I passed Milani the joggers and slid onto the double sink.
She pulled on the joggers while gargling the mouthwash.
Her hair was finger combed into a fresh bun, and her bright eyes told me she desperately needed all the sleep she got.
“How are you feeling?” I questioned once she rinsed her mouth out.
“Better than I have felt in a long time. I can’t remember the last time I took a nap or slept through the night,” Milani expressed, capping her toothbrush and placing it in the black holder.
“Exhaustion, an earth shattering orgasm, and your presence had me sleeping like Princess Aurora twice in a row.” She maneuvered between my legs, and I placed my hands on her hips.
Milani leaned down to kiss me again, her hands pulling at the waistband of my joggers.
“You helped regulate my nervous system. I didn’t realize I was moving on autopilot.”
“Slow down, Milani. We have to eat first,” I pulled her hands back up.
Milani poked that juicy bottom lip out, and I leaned down to suck it into my mouth.
Her teeth gently dug into my top lip, and my hands moved down to Milani’s ass so I could push her back.
Slipping off the counter, I slapped both her ass cheeks then broke the kiss.
As wet as Milani already had me, it was a fight to stand strong because I wanted her to eat before the food got cold.
We descended the stairs and Milani led the way. The open floor plan made it so you were able to view the kitchen, living room, and dining room once you reached the last few steps. The rectangular dining room table was no longer bare, and Milani spun around with the biggest grin on her face.
“Sneaux! You still have my gift, too?”
“It’s not the same exact gift box because of blood, ya know. But I had it remade a few weeks later. I always had hope that my father’s people would find you,” I explained.
“What is it?” She bubbled, bouncing into the dining room.
Milani lifted the box that was wrapped in the same blush pink flamingo wrapping paper and claimed a seat at the table.
I sat next to her, our backs against the wall, allowing us to peer out of the sliding glass door that led to my backyard.
Milani looked at me with stars in her eyes then leaned in to peck my lips.
“Open it,” I coaxed.
Milani looked away and pulled the fuchsia ribbon off then lifted the cardboard top. Her facial expression displayed confusion as she lifted the flamingo keychain until she realized there was a pink envelope attached to the flamingo’s foot. She opened the envelope and pulled out the contents.
Two first class tickets to Aruba, plus an itinerary that included a four day stay at the Renaissance hotel with access to Flamingo Beach.
She always said she wanted to go, and I planned to make that happen, plus more.
The look on her face didn’t say the gift was living up to her expectations, and my adrenaline started pumping.
“I still owe you that trip and everything else I had planned for our vacation. I know you’re probably not up for it now.
But when you are ready, we are taking that trip.
Or have you already been to Flamingo Beach?
Do you still even like flamingos? Would you prefer a different destination?
” I quizzed, panicked because I hadn’t thought about those things until now.
“Sneaux, relax.” Milani grabbed my hand and pulled her chair closer to mine.
“This is perfect. It’s so sweet and thoughtful.
Thank you,” she teared up. “I was just thinking about all the time we spent apart. All the memories we should’ve already created by now.
I’m with my favorite person. About to eat my favorite food.
As soon as you can book the flights, we are going to be on the island feeding the flamingos.
I still love them. I’m so excited to make memories with you. ”
“Whew… you had me nervous about my little sentimental trip.”
“No, I love it. Sneaux, I’ll jump on a rocket to the moon as long as I’m with you.”