Chapter 31
Marley
I walked up the steps to the front door of my childhood home and took in a long breath. This talk was years in the making, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready.
“Marley, honey.” My mom smiled, hugging me. “Goodness, look at that belly.” She placed her hands on it. “I still can’t believe you’re having twins.”
“Me either.”
“Would you like some tea?” she asked as I followed her into the kitchen.
“Yeah. That would be great.” I sat at the table. “We need to talk, Mom.”
“About what?”
“About how messed up I am because of my childhood and what happened.”
“We already talked about that years ago, Marley.”
“No, Mom. You told me things happen in life we can’t control. I need to know why you did it.”
She set the teacups on the table and sat across from me.
“When Peter and Miranda moved in next door, I felt this instant connection to him—a connection I’d never felt with anyone before. It scared me. After years of trying to deny it, I couldn’t anymore. I loved your father but wasn’t in love with him. Honestly, I’m not sure I ever was.”
“Then why did you marry him?” I asked.
“I was going through a rough time. Your grandmother was very ill, and he was there for me through it all, even after she passed away. He was the comfort I needed at the time. One afternoon, my friend Linda and I took you and went shopping. A new cute little shop had opened up. It was a shop that sold crystals and different metaphysical items. The owner, Hallie, had different classes you could take, and she offered psychic services. Linda thought it would be fun to get readings, so we made an appointment, went back, and had them done. Hallie told me that I had met my soulmate, but it wasn’t your father. I knew right then she was talking about Peter. You have to understand, Marley, that I was unhappy.”
“Then why didn’t you just divorce Dad first?”
“I don’t know. I guess I was trying to protect you.”
“Protect me? Do you have any idea what that did to me, seeing you in bed with him at eleven years old? And then telling me to lie to Dad about it?”
“I was wrong, and I’ve apologized to you for that already. I know I’ve ruined our relationship because you never forgave me.”
“Maybe it’s time I did forgive you because the twins will need their grandmother.”
“Marley.” Tears filled her eyes.
We talked a while longer, hugged each other, and then I left. Instead of driving back to Manhattan, I decided to do some shopping in Long Island. It had been a long time since I explored some of the stores. I stopped into a baby store and picked up a few sleepers for the twins. I already had so many, but these were so cute I couldn’t resist. Walking down the street, I passed the crystal shop my mother talked about. I stopped, turned around, and stepped inside. I’d passed this store a thousand times and never went in.
I looked around at the different items. An older woman emerged from the back and greeted me.
“Good afternoon. Oh my, twins.” She smiled.
“Yes. I am having twins.” I placed my hand on my belly.
“One of each—a boy and a girl. Congratulations.”
“And what if I didn’t know the sex of the twins?” I arched my brow.
“You already know.” She smiled.
“Hallie, right?”
“Yes.” She cocked her head.
“My mother told me about you. She had a reading done years ago. I was just visiting her and doing some shopping and thought I’d stop in.”
Her brows furrowed, and she took hold of my hand, sandwiching it between hers.
“You have a beautiful soul among all the turmoil that consumed your life.”
“How do you know about the turmoil in my life?”
“I see it in your soul. I can feel it as I hold your hand.”
This woman was freaking me out. I pulled my hand out of hers.
“Thank you for telling me I have a beautiful soul. I have to get back to the city.” I turned and headed toward the door.
“Marley?”
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around. How the hell did she know my name?
“You have nothing to fear. You’ve found your soulmate. It was decided the day the two of you met. It’s time to let go of the past and create the life you were destined to live.”
I gave her a small smile and left the shop. Climbing into my car, I gripped the steering wheel. My phone rang, and when I pulled it from my purse, I saw Charlie was calling.
“Hey. I was just thinking about you,” I said.
“Hello, beautiful. I was thinking about you, too. Are you doing some shopping with your mom?”
“How do you know I’m shopping?”
“I may have been stalking your location.”
“I did do some shopping, but not with my mom.” I pulled away from the curb.
“Did things not go well with her?” he asked.
“Things went fine. We had a nice talk. After I left, I wanted to do some shopping alone.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good, Charlie. I’m heading home now.”
“Judging by your location, you just left. Sit tight, and I’ll send Mateo to come get you. You’re going to hit major traffic on the way back at this time.”
“I’m not sitting around waiting for Mateo. I do know how to drive.”
“I’m sure you do, and it’s not you I’m worried about. It’s the assholes on the road.”
“I need you to stop worrying so much. Keep my location open and watch my little car drive home. It’ll make you feel better.”
“Good idea. I’ll do it now, babe.”
“I know you will. I love you. I have to concentrate on the road now.”
“I love you too. Drive safe, and I’ll see you when I get home.”
His worrying annoyed me at times but made me smile. I was jamming to the radio and feeling exhausted from the drive. I was thirty minutes from being home, and I couldn’t wait to lie down. My lower back had been killing me all day, something fierce, and I needed my sexy boyfriend to massage it. At least I had some entertainment. The couple in the car in front of me were arguing. He was yelling and throwing his hands up. She was yelling back and pointing at him. It was quite humorous until he suddenly slammed on the brakes, and my car rammed into his back end. I froze, gripping the steering wheel. The airbag didn’t go off, thank God, because we weren’t going that fast, and I didn’t hit hard—just enough to shake me up. Oh, shit. How was I going to tell Charlie?
The man climbed out of the car. He was angry and headed toward me.
“Oh, no, asshole. You don’t get to be mad,” I mumbled, climbing out of the car.
He stopped when he saw me, taking note of my oversized belly.
“Oh, my God!” The woman in the passenger seat ran over to me. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.”
“Look at what you did, asshole!” she yelled at the man. “All because you don’t know how to control your anger!”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry,” The man spoke.
“Why the hell did you slam on your brakes?” I shouted, placing my hand on my lower back. “There wasn’t anyone in front of you!”
“She pissed me off.” He pointed at the girl.
“Oh yeah, dickhead. Blame me!” she shouted back.
“We need to call the police,” I said, reaching inside my car and grabbing my phone.
“No. Don’t,” the guy said. “I’ll give you my name and number. Please, lady. No cops.”
“Sorry, but we need to file a police report,” I said, dialing 911.
“Yasmin, get the fuck in the car!” the man shouted.
“Oh, hell no! Don’t you dare!” I ran after the man.
It was too late. He and his woman climbed into the car and locked the doors. Thank God I had enough sense to take a picture of the license plate number before he could get away. My phone rang, and it was Charlie. Shit.
“Hello.”
“What happened? Why did you suddenly stop?”
“Charlie, take a deep breath.”
“Marley, what the hell happened?”
“I was in a little fender bender.” I bit my bottom lip.
“WHAT?!” he shouted. “I’m on my way. Did you call the police?”
“I’m trying to, but you’re keeping me from doing it!”
“The other person didn’t call?” he asked.
“He took off.”
“WHAT? Call 911 right now and stay out of harm’s way. I’m on my way now.” He abruptly ended the call.
“Goodbye to you too.” I sighed.
I dialed 911, and two police officers arrived. Ten minutes after the officers got there, Charlie pulled up.
“Are you okay?” He grabbed and hugged me tight.
“I’m fine.”
“Miss Monroe, you said you got the license plate number?” the officer asked.
“Yes.” I brought up the picture on my phone.
“That’s good.” He wrote the number down. “Do you need medical attention?”
“No. I’m fine. I just want to go home,” I said.
“You’re going to the hospital,” Charlie said.
“Stop.” I placed my hand on his chest. “The airbag didn’t go off, and I didn’t hit him that hard. I’m fine.”
“That’s it. I knew I shouldn’t have let you drive to Long Island. I’m buying another car and hiring you your own driver.”
I wouldn’t lie; I loved the idea.
“Whatever you say. I want to go home.”
He hooked his arm around me and pulled me into him as we walked to his car. The pain in my lower back was getting worse, and suddenly, an intense cramping in my belly gripped me.
“OH GOD!” I doubled over.
“Marley, what’s wrong?” Charlie asked, holding me against him.
“I think we should go to the hospital.” I looked at him with worry.
He slowly led me to where Mateo was parked down the street and opened the door. I climbed inside and tried to keep calm. The pain subsided, and fear tore through me.
“What if the accident did something to the babies?” Tears filled my eyes.
“Don’t, Marley. You and the twins are going to be okay. I promise.” He pulled me into him and kissed my head.
A few moments later, the pain hit me again, and I let out a scream.
“Oh God. Charlie, I think I’m in labor. What the fuck? I have a C-section scheduled, so I don’t experience labor. Call Olivia and Penelope and tell them we’re on our way to the hospital.”