“What the hell happened?” Luca barks out as I’m helping Hope out of the truck.
I toss him the house keys. “Open the door.” As soon as we get inside, I lead Hope to the couch where she lays down on the chaise. Covering her with a blanket, I turn the television on and find North Woods Law, a show I learned she’s obsessed with and hit play.
“Who are you?” I finally ask Luca’s friend as I walk to the kitchen to get Hope a glass of water and her pills. Even though she doesn’t say it, I know she’s in pain.
“Coen Groves. Sorry we didn’t officially meet before.” I shake his offered hand.
“Shit happens,” I mutter. “Take this,” I instruct Hope, and she smiles up at me as she swallows the pill and burrows into the cushions.
“You guys good to stay with her? I should be home in about an hour, two tops,” I explain, not wanting to leave but needing to get this shit over with so I can be here tonight when she’ll need me more.
“Want to tell me what the fuck is going on?” Luca growls again, and Coen crosses his arms.
“Oh, sorry. We walked in on a fucking robbery at the gas station. Hope was never near the prick, but she went on emotional overload afterwards when everything hit her at once.” My chest constricts as I stare down at her tired body, thinking of all the things that could have gone wrong today. Grateful they didn’t.
“Fuck,” Luca groans.
“She protected a mother and her two children. Your sister’s a fucking hero, man.” We all share an admiring look at Hope, and she must sense it because she smiles up at us.
“Do what you gotta do; we’ll be here.” Luca reaches out a hand to shake.
“My partner's wife’s sister, Peyton, is stopping by with some tea and treats for Hope. Should be here soon, actually. Ever since she found out our girl is pregnant, she’s been all about finding the best recipes to ease morning sickness, backaches, digestion, and a bunch of other shit.” I laughed when Tillie told me that, but she was serious and has been sending things home with me for Hope.
“Sounds good,” Luca says.
“Don’t scare her off,” I tell him, knowing he’s grouchy and overprotective of his sister. Not that I don’t mind the last part. Coen laughs when Luca glares at me.
Leaving, I dread being away from my love. Two hours and I’m out of there. That’s all they get me for.
Epilogue One
Hope
A Few Months Later.
Sweat pours down my face, my back aches, and pride swells in my chest. I couldn’t be happier with the final product. Reed, Luca, and Coen have spent the last few weeks painting the baby’s room, twice, because I couldn’t make up my mind.
At first, I wanted a pastel pink, but after the furniture was assembled, it didn’t go well together. So when I settled on a lovely lavender, from the first test wall, I knew it was the right color. I’ve kicked them out of the room until I get everything else set up and decorated the way I like.
I’ve got a few of my favorite pictures of Leslie and Miles on the walls, so she always knows who they are. There are small knickknacks and teddy bears on the bookshelf in the corner. The dresser is topped by a lamp with a giraffe base sitting on it next to an empty photo album and baby book. A violet rug covers the floor in front of the rocking chair Reed surprised me with last week, and a pale-yellow blanket drapes across one arm.
But I think my favorite thing in the room is the mobile on the crib. It is a gift from Reed’s brother, Theo, and Lola. It has sea creatures hanging from it and plays the sound of the ocean. One of the most soothing sounds I’ve ever heard.
“Knock, knock,” I hear an accented voice call from the other side of the door and I crook my neck. Knowing Reed wouldn’t allow a stranger in the house, it must be someone he knows.
Opening the door to a dark-haired older woman with Reed’s eyes, instantaneously, I recognize her as his mother. “Hello.” I open the door further, and she hurries right in, and I see Reed down the hall with a wicked grin on his face.
Closing the door, I wait for her to speak first. “This is beautiful,” she murmurs. “Oh!” She cups her cheeks, and I see tears in her eyes as she stares at the white stained letters over the crib. “Leslie. Such a beautiful name. You will make them both so very proud.” I know Reed has explained what happened with my friends and whose baby I’m carrying.
“Thank you.” I walk over to stand beside her.
“Forgive me, child. I’m Phoebe; Reed's mother.” She wraps me in a tight hug, and I’m not sure whether it’s the hormones or the fact I haven’t been hugged so lovingly since my parents died, but tears stream down my face. “Sshh, Hope. You’re okay now.”
I can only nod as I pull away and wipe at my face with my hands. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to be. You’ve been alone far too long.” Holding my hand, she scans around the room with a smile. “You made some excellent choices in here. This grandbaby of ours will be very happy. And spoiled,” she adds, and I tear up at her words again.
“You’re very accepting of my situation,” I point out.