Chapter 21 #2
“Let’s skip the nice stuff and get straight to the point,” Rebecca said as she picked up the paper we’d given the jailer at the reception desk. “Do I need witnesses to sign this with me?”
“The deputy there with you can sign as a witness and the video recording of this conversation will also be used to verify the validity of the document,” Petra answered, her tone all business with a hint of anger that I’d seen when she was first hired to help my sisters and I with our inheritances.
“Let’s get that out of the way now before you say anything else. ”
Rebecca blinked a few times before she put her hand up to take the pen the deputy was holding out for her. She held it for a second, staring at me through the screen before she asked, “You’ll take good care of her, right?”
“She’ll never want for attention, affection, or anything else a child needs,” I assured her.
“She might have some . . . problems.”
“The second page of that packet is a release form so that we can access her medical records,” Petra explained. “If you’ll write down any previous hospital or doctor visits, I’ll get copies from them to give to her physicians and specialists here in Rojo.”
“Do you even want to know how I’m doing?” Rebecca asked me.
I could tell by looking at her that she wasn’t doing well at all, but when I thought of how hard it had been for Revna to recover from the side effects of her life spent with Rebecca, and the problems she was still having, I didn’t really fucking care.
Apparently Rebecca could tell I wasn’t going to take the bait, because she rolled her eyes and looked down.
Petra and I watched as she concentrated on the pages in front of her, and then started writing.
When she was finished she picked up the paper and held it out to the side along with the pen before she looked back at the screen.
“I was on a psych hold for a while, and I’m back on my meds and then some,” Rebecca explained. “I’m more lucid now than I’ve been in years, and let me just say that it really sucks.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope that while you’re locked up you can get the help you need.”
Rebecca laughed before she said, “I’d rather not. Reality blows.”
I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you even want to know how Rev is doing?”
“She’s doing fine,” Rebecca said with a shrug. “The Forresters wouldn’t accept anything less, and they’d burn this state to the ground trying to find help for her if she needs it. Why do you think I wanted to be one of them so badly?”
“They’re a wonderful family,” I said, not really sure how else to answer that question without stating the obvious, that she was delusional and needed help.
“I need some money on my books to buy . . .”
“We will not be paying you anything in return for your signature on that document,” Petra snapped.
“I already signed the fucking paper, Petra!”
Petra sucked in a deep breath and stood up suddenly, and I heard her footsteps get farther away as she rushed off.
When I glanced in that direction I saw that Petra was facing the wall, leaning against it with one hand as she held her other hand over her mouth.
When I looked back at Rebecca she had a little more light in her eyes.
She was happy she’d been able to get to Petra, and I knew if Petra realized that she’d go off, so I hurried to change the subject.
“Rev is doing well. She was in the hospital for almost a week, but she’s gained weight and she’s sleeping a little better now.”
“Good.” There was an uncomfortable silence for at least a minute before Rebecca said, “The best thing I could have ever done for my daughter was make sure that she was part of that family.”
“I think you’re right,” I replied, although I could think of about a million other ways too.
“She’s going to have a very good life, Rebecca.
” We were silent again, and I finally said, “My loyalty is with Crow, and of course, Revna, now. This is the last time I'm ever going to talk to you.” Rebecca nodded so I added, “I’m going to put some money on your books, not because I owe you anything for the gift you’ve given us by making sure Revna will be safe and secure with us, but because I’m a decent human being and hope that somewhere deep inside you are too. ”
“I have my moments.”
“Good luck, Rebecca.”
“I would wish you good luck too, but you don’t need it. You’re living the life I always dreamed of.”
◆◆◆
“Are you sure everything’s okay?”
I smiled at Crow before I said, “I’m sure. Why do you keep asking me that?”
“Did something happen at work today, or are you getting cold feet?”
I nudged him with my foot, and then grinned when Rev scooted closer to him so she could do the same. “You just gave me the foot rub to end all foot rubs, so you know my feet aren’t cold.”
“Technically, midnight means it’s our wedding day, so how about I wake you up in the morning by rubbing something else?”
“Nope! We’ve made it this far. The finish line is in sight. In twenty-four hours, we’ll be married and can have all the sexy fun times we want.”
Crow’s head dropped back against the couch, and he sighed before he said, “I’m going to have to remember that I should never challenge you to anything, because you’re too stubborn to give up even when you know it would be the most awesome thing to do.”
“Co! Nack!” Rev yelled.
The yelling was a new development, and I had a feeling it came from spending so much time with Griffin and the other kids in the family.
It seemed that there was always chaos when the kids were together, and they constantly yelled and talked over one another just so they could be heard.
Brighten assured me that Rev would figure it out, but she also said it could take a while.
And, about ten minutes after we had that conversation, Griffin, Koda, Juni, Jericho, and Lyric came sprinting into the house, all talking a mile a minute, and all at max volume.
Brighten realized what had just happened, and winced before she said, “Some kids take longer than others to figure out the volume issue.”
“Please is a good word to use, Rev,” Crow said, not moving from his spot on the couch. He frowned when he looked over at me and said, “I want to teach her to call me Dad but then again I don’t because what happens if they take her away?”
“They’re not gonna take her away,” I assured him, with a lot more conviction than I ever had before.
Once we got back to the law office I asked Petra and Marcus to keep the visit to see Rebecca quiet, and then I sat in Hawk’s office and convinced him to do the same.
I thought it would be the perfect wedding gift to give Crow, and after a little convincing, and reminding him that he only had to hide something this big from his brother for one single day, he agreed.
“Peeeeeze nack, Co!”
Crow grinned at Rev before he pulled her into his arms and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “That’s what I like to hear, big girl.” He stood up with her in his arms and smiled at me before he asked, “Do you want anything?”
“I want you to know how much I love you and how much I appreciate what a wonderful man you are.”
“Aww, shucks. You’re gonna make me blush.”
“In twenty four hours I’m gonna make you do a lot more than blush, Mr. Forrester.”
“I’ve got plans for you, future Mrs. Forrester, and blushing isn’t part of them.”
“I can’t wait!”