Bailey #2
“We don’t expect anything in return. I just want you and my grandbaby to be safe and happy.
Let us take care of you until you have a job and are making enough to take care of both of you, after graduation.
” She gives me a stern look, “Aiden told me you have been looking at jobs. You cannot put any more pressure on yourself, baby girl.”
“I want to contribute, Momma. I feel like I’m taking advantage of you,” I say.
“You are doing the hardest job in the world right now,” Her face is full of sympathy, “Growing a baby is hard work. Don’t push yourself past your limit. The only people who will suffer from you not accepting our help, is you and that baby you’re growing.”
“You play dirty, Momma,” I say around a water laugh.
“I am willing to use whatever tactics I need to get you to accept our help,” She smirks, “Plus, you and I both know that Aiden is going to do whatever he needs to do in order to help you. That boy loves you to the ends of the earth.” She says the words, but I feel like there is something more behind those words that I can’t translate.
“This is all just a lot.” I sniff. Taking a cleansing breath, trying to clear the heavy emotions.
“I know it is, sweetheart. I wish I could wave a magic wand and fix all of this for you. I wish I could take your pain away, and make this all easier, but I can’t, my girl.
But just know that I love you and we are here for whatever you need.
” She pulls me into a tight hug, and I break again.
There is something about a hug from Momma that is both healing and heavy.
Like a weighted blanket placed directly on your chest during a panic attack.
Once the tears have subsided, she says, “Why don’t we have a girls day?
Maggy and Charly are both in their rooms, we can see if Chloe wants to come over too.
Let’s sit around, watch cheesy Christmas movies and eat whatever Little Bear craves.
Whenever you get something in mind let us know and I will send one of the boys out to get it. ”
That last part sends food to the front of my mind, and the first time in weeks I actually want to eat something.
“That sounds amazing. You go get the girls, I’ll find Aiden and Maddy.
I’ve been thinking about a cherry limeade and some tater tots from Sonic all day, and I could also go for a soft pretzel with cheese dip from Auntie Anne’s.
Let me know if anyone else needs anything. ”
“Just bring the boys in here and we will send them with orders.”
“Sounds perfect!”
Momma heads upstairs in search of the girls, I head to the mostly unfinished basement in search of the boys.
The basement has been a work in progress since they moved in, there are walls and a bathroom, but the floors are still concrete.
The plan was for Aiden to move down there so that the twins could have their own rooms, but life had been insane, and time got away from them, so the space is a bit of a mess, but it’s a nice place for us to hang out.
The boys are probably in the game room playing video games.
When I get to the door I knock twice..
“Knock, knock.” I say as I step into the room. The boys are in fact playing video games.
Aiden takes one look at me, pauses the game, throws his controller at Maddy, and shoots out of his chair to get to me.
“Blue, what’s wrong?” he cups my face in his hands, wiping the last remnants of tears from my eyes.
I guess my eyes are puffier than I realized after my cry session with Momma.
“Oh you know, Momma asked me how I was feeling,” I chuckle, trying to sound light, but I’m not sure I pull it off.
“Momma got you, huh?” Maddy asks with a grimace. “Makes sense. She’s pretty good at that.”
“But she’s the best, too. She made me feel a lot better.
And we are gonna watch cheesy Christmas movies with the girls.
I have come to send you out to get snacks.
Little Bear wants very specific things, so when you have to make multiple stops, blame them, not me.
” I give them my best smile. It won’t take much convincing, if any at all, to get them to go.
“You know I’ve got you, Blue,” Aiden says with a smile.
I know he means as my best friend, but, not for the first time, that secret part of me wishes he meant he’s got me as something so much more.
“Okay, well, Momma says to meet upstairs for you to get orders from anyone else who wants stuff, so maybe finish your round on the game?” I say before I head back toward the door to go upstairs to meet Momma and the girls. We have movies to pick out.
“We’ll be right up!” I hear Aiden call.
As I hit the stairs I hear Maddox’s voice turn high pitched, “You know I’ve got you, Blue,” Then in his normal voice, “You’re so wrapped around that girl’s fing–ouch! What the fuck?”
I laugh as I continue up the stairs. I know Aiden is wrapped around my finger, and always have been.
As I think back to the words, “I’ve got you,” I wonder, maybe even hope, that he might share the feelings I keep locked inside me.
I’m not ready to fully open that box, not ready to consider the possibility.
I have too much going on in my life right now, but, for one second, as I walk into the living room to greet the girls, I wonder if there is even a small possibility that Aiden shares my feelings, and our future might just be what I’ve always dreamed about.