CHAPTER 36
Kaya
I wake up to the sound of rumbling, bikes, quite a few of them.
I slide my arm across the bed only to find cold sheets.
I pop my head up and take in the room. Empty.
What the hell? He was here. At least I think he was.
No, his arms were around me, I know they were.
He said he was here, but now he’s gone. Again.
After emptying my stomach three times and taking a long hot shower, I’m finally ready to greet the world outside this room.
His room. There was nothing here that made it different from any of the other rooms. A dresser, chair, and bed with two end tables are all that occupies the space.
There isn’t one decorative or personal item anywhere in sight.
I stayed here with him during lockdown a few months ago.
Now I’m here of my own free will so it seems kind of ironic that he’s not.
I head out into the common room anxious to find out where in the hell Maverick went. I’m assuming on the run everyone was talking about, but I want to be sure. It’s pretty quiet with just Eli and Tink sitting on a couch together, both with coffee mugs in hand.
“Good morning,” I say as I pass.
“Morning,” they both chirp back.
I push the kitchen door open and I’m instantly smacked in the face with the smell of sausage. My stomach does a somersault in protest. I frown as I walk the rest of the way into the room.
“Uh oh. That face doesn’t look good. Morning sickness?” Lexi asks.
I frown. “I’m not even sure I can get down some coffee.”
Nora jumps to her feet. “I’ll make you some toast.”
I fall into a chair. “Thank you.”
“Here, doll.” Deirdre hands me a can of ginger ale. “Maybe you should start with this.”
I take the can and give her a small smile. “I thought it was getting better. The last few days I haven’t had much trouble, but this morning…”
Lexi sits down next to me. “Well, from someone that went through it five times, I can tell you every single pregnancy was different. Some I was as sick as a dog, while others I couldn’t even tell anything was different besides my growing boobs and belly.”
“How was the first one?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Dom. He was actually fairly easy. I puked once, literally just one time. Then I was nauseous for another few days and that was it. His birth was easy too. When I got pregnant with Riker, I expected the same easy pregnancy and boy, was I wrong! He nearly killed me. I ended up in the hospital twice for dehydration, and threw up morning, noon and night for the first three months. For a while I didn’t think I ever wanted to get pregnant again.
That’s why there’s a two-and-a-half-year gap between Riker and Rebel. ”
“But then Rebel’s pregnancy was good?” I ask.
She pats my hand. “A dream pregnancy! He was the one where it just went by like every day was normal. I felt great throughout the entire nine months. So good that I barely waited the appropriate amount of time to get pregnant again. And then Scotty was a nightmare. I had preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and was sick more often than not.”
I frown. “I’m afraid to ask how it was being pregnant with twins then.”
“Believe it or not, it wasn’t bad. I was bigger of course and I was sick early on but it only lasted a few weeks. Once the morning sickness wore off it was pretty easy going. But, they were my one and only C-section. I knew I was done after them though, so it was all worth it.”
“Sure was!” Deirdre chimes in. “I love every one of them. I stayed at the house for a few weeks after Alex and Arianna were born. Two infants on top of four boys between the ages of four and nine was a bit chaotic.” She laughs.
“So, there are four years between the twins and Scotty?”
Lexi chuckles. “Yep, three and half years was apparently long enough for me to forget how miserable I was and try one more time for a girl.”
“The girl that brought along another boy.” Deirdre beams.
Lexi smacks Deirdre’s arm playfully. “That’s been the running joke for years. Ace and I apparently couldn’t just make a girl. Even when I finally got one, she still came with another boy.”
I rub my fingers together nervously. “I can barely imagine being a mom, let alone having six kids.”
Deirdre waves me off. “Don’t you worry, sweety. Anything you need, we’ll all be here for you. If you need advice you can ask Lex, Jackie, or even Maddie. I may not have birthed my own children but I have plenty of experience taking care of babies and toddlers. You’re not alone in this.”
I feel my eyes sting but bite back the urge to cry. Nora places a small paper plate in front of me with two slices of toast and tiny packages of butter and jam with a plastic knife. I grin up at her. “Thank you.”
She smiles back and returns to the stove.
Lexi gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “The guys left early so they should be back way before dinner. Have you and Maverick had a chance to talk yet?”
I shake my head. “I was asleep when he got back last night and still asleep when he left this morning.” I pick up a slice of toast and take a small nibble.
Lexi exchanges a glance with Deirdre but doesn’t say anything. Just then the kitchen door flies open. Ace comes barreling in with his face marred in anger. His nostrils are flared, mouth set in a scowl, and chest heaving. He clasps Lexi’s elbow.
“Lockdown, now. Get Grayson and Sophia, Jackie, Maddie, and everyone else on the call list here immediately.”
Her hand moves to Ace’s chest as she nods. He lifts her hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing it before storming back out of the room.
Deirdre’s eyes widen. “Oh boy. Shit’s about to hit the fan.”