Chapter 11 #2
Much like my outside bone…
They both glance my way, and Beatrice asks, “Doing what, honey?”
Thankfully, even in my morphine-addled state, I have enough sense not to say anything about sex or my suspicion that my current fuck buddy is going to vanish as soon as he learns the fucking part of our relationship is on an extended hiatus.
You think? The water stain exhales a mocking chuckle.
I ignore it as I lie, “Sorry, I forgot. My brain is full of wet noodles.”
Bea’s forehead wrinkles again. “I bet, and no need to apologize. Do you want us to go and let you sleep? Or we could try to find a movie or something on the—”
She’s cut off by a gasp from the hall.
A theatrical gasp, followed by a “meep” of surprise…
All eyes turn to the doorway, where Charlotte, Bea’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, stands in plaid pajama pants and a light cashmere sweater that appears to be inside out.
She looks like she hopped straight out of bed and rushed here from wherever she was when she heard about the accident.
Her messy bun and lack of makeup further support this theory.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Charlotte without makeup. She never wears a lot, but she’s the “flawlessly put together” type. The kind of woman who always knows how to dress, what to say, and how to say it. Which makes sense considering she’s a professional party planner and schmoozer of people.
She’s not the kind of woman who gasps and meeps her way into a room.
But she meeps again now as her eyes dart between Bea’s face and belly.
That’s when I remember that Charlotte doesn’t know!
Nobody knows except Blue and me. And probably all the people Beatrice met in Scotland, since a belly that big would be hard to hide.
But none of them told anyone or posted pictures online.
They were super respectful of her privacy, which makes me even more eager to visit as soon as I overcome my fear of flying and can afford international travel.
Right now, I can barely afford dollar beer night at Hussy’s.
But I can afford to step in and take the heat off a friend, “Hey, Charlotte,” I pipe up in my most helpful, “nothing upsetting to see here” voice.
“Bea’s knocked up! Surprise! She’s totally stoked about it, so don’t be upset.
She just wanted to brood in private.” I frown at Blue.
“Is that what they call it? Brooding? When chickens sit on their eggs?”
He nods, looking remarkably calm for a secret baby daddy hiding in plain sight.
Charlotte’s breath rushes out as she sags against the doorframe.
“Oh, thank God. Thank God.” She presses a hand to her chest. “For a second there, I was really… And the baby’s okay?
You’re okay, and the baby’s okay?” Her voice wobbles as she adds, “I know you said you were okay, but I’ve been so worried.
My hands were shaking the entire drive back from Mobile.
” She glances my way. “And Clover, God, honey, what about you? No offense, but you look awful, sweetheart.”
I shoot her my new half-smile, the one that doesn’t bother my freshly-stitched cheek. “Thanks, I figured, but I feel all right. I’m high as a kite and expected to make a complete recovery.”
Charlotte sags again. “Good. Oh, good, that’s so wonderful to hear.
But what happened? I heard something on the radio about it being a hit-and-run?
Was the guy drunk? Have they tracked him down?
” She points a warning finger at Beatrice as she leverages herself out of the chair with her crutches.
“Don’t you dare get up. Sit right back down, missy.
” She blinks, clearly distracted by Bea’s giant belly again.
“God, you’re so pregnant. I can’t believe how pregnant you are. Are you sure it’s—”
“It’s not twins, don’t ask,” Beatrice says, crossing the room with a laugh. “And you clearly need a hug. Come here.”
Charlotte’s arms go around the much shorter Bea, careful of her belly between them as they embrace.
“You shouldn’t be comforting me, but I’m not going to complain.
” She hugs Bea close, bending her head as she whispers, “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.
You’re my sister, too, now, you know. I love you so much. ”
“I love you, too,” Beatrice says, her voice muffled by Charlotte’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Charlotte pulls back. “You can tell me anything, you know. Really. I’d never judge you. Neither would Baylor, I hope you know that.”
“Oh, I know. I do, I promise, I do. I was just overwhelmed. Then, I was happy and busy. Then, I was suddenly five months along, and it was weird that I hadn’t told anyone, and I didn’t know how to fix it, so I…
” Bea’s shoulders creep closer to her ears.
“So, I stuck my head in the sand and did nothing. Great problem solving, I know.”
Charlotte laughs. “I told you, I’m not here to judge. Not your problem-solving or your timing or anything else. I just want you to know that you can talk to me. And to your brother. We’re not too busy for you. Not ever.”
“I know,” Beatrice says, emotion thickening her voice. “Thanks for being so cool about this.”
“You’re welcome.” Charlotte sniffs, squeezing Bea’s arm as she adds, “But your parents are going to freak the fuck out.”
Bea nods. “Oh yeah. So much freaking out. A freak-out heard round the world.”
“Maybe not the world, but Nashville is going to get an earful. Or Brazil? I can’t remember if they’ve left on their next trip yet.
” She wrinkles her nose before adding in a more confidential tone, “Do you want me to tell Nix? I was texting him right up until the game started, and he’s calling the second he’s off the ice for an update. ”
Bea shakes her head. “No, I should tell him. It’s my mess. I’ll clean it up.” She rests a hand on her belly, smoothing it back and forth. “It’ll be good practice for Mom and Dad.”
“No, Baylor won’t be that freaked out.” Charlotte casts an uncertain glance Blue’s way. “Will he, Blue? What do you think? I can guess his reaction to most things, but little sisters are special.”
Blue pulls in a breath, holding it for a beat. “I think he’ll be so relieved to know that Bea and the baby are okay that he won’t be too bothered by anything else.”
“Bright side to terrible car accident,” I chirp, lifting my good arm to shoot them a thumbs-up. “I knew we’d find it if we kept looking, guys. Good work! I’m proud of you.”
They laugh a little too hard, clearly relieved for the tension buster.
After, Charlotte runs a hand over her forehead, smoothing wisps of strawberry blond back into her bun. “Okay, so, what’s the health and healing situation? Beatrice, you appear to be doing okay on your crutches.”
“I’m fine,” Bea insists, wincing slightly. “But I should probably prop my foot up again. It does hurt more when I’m standing.”
To say Blue leaps into motion would not be hyperbole. The man does his best gazelle impression, practically bounding over to fetch a second chair before guiding Bea to my bedside and lifting her foot into the seat.
Charlotte watches, smiling fondly. “What would we do without you, Blue? You’re like one of the family now, too. I guess that means you’ll be an uncle soon.”
Beatrice makes a choking sound that she covers by wheezing, “Sorry. Acid reflux. The baby… She gives me acid reflux.”
Blue looks like he’s been hit by a case of reflux, too.
The man is as white as a sheet, his Zen master face a study in fretfulness.
He’s clearly starting to feel guilty about the secret he’s keeping, but Bean’s origin story is Beatrice’s to tell.
And I’m pretty sure she’s not interested in sharing more about that at this juncture, a hunch she confirms by adding, “But yes, Blue is incredibly generous. He’s offered to come stay with us for a few weeks and help out until Clover’s more mobile again. ”
“I’m going to need a lot of help.” I nod seriously, playing along.
At least, I think I’m playing along.
But once I have a chance to think about it, I blurt out, “Oh my God, I am going to need a lot of help,” interrupting Charlotte’s plan to be in charge of groceries and meal prep for the three of us.
Charlotte turns to me, blinking before observing in an amused tone, “Yes, you are, honey, but we don’t mind.”
“Well, thank you,” I say, still frowning. “But I mind. I don’t want to need help in and out of bed, or in and out of the shower, or the…” I trail off, the blood draining from my face as I leave the last part unspoken.
But, as usual, Beatrice knows exactly what I’m thinking.
She pats my hip through the hospital gown. “Don’t worry, babes, I’ll do that part. I can help you from the wheelchair to the toilet. We’ll let Blue handle the heavy lifting, but I can manage that, I promise.”
I groan. “Thank you, but I’m not sure that’s much better. I mean, yes, Blue’s a man, but not really. Not to me.” I glance his way. “No offense, Blue.”
“None taken,” he assures me.
“But at least I won’t be worried about hurting him while he’s putting me on the potty.” I moan again. “And what about number two? I mean, I’m sure I can wipe with one hand or whatever, but whoever comes in to help me pull up my pants will smell it, and they’ll know exactly who dealt it.”
“So what?” Beatrice flaps a hand. “We don’t care. What’s a little poo between friends?”
“It’s gross,” I insist, unable to pull myself out of the self-pity spiral. I’ve been fairly upbeat until now, but the bathroom shit has pushed me too far.
Literally…
I close my eyes, fighting tears. Blue, Charlotte, and Beatrice rush to assure me that everything is going to be fine, that there’s no need to feel embarrassed, that they’re all happy to help.
And I believe them, I do, but still…I’m grateful when Charlotte and Beatrice eventually step outside to talk to Nix, leaving me alone with Blue’s steady presence beside the bed.
“This will pass,” he murmurs in the silence after they’ve gone. “All things do. Good and bad.”