“I mean, I like to have the option.” She stands. “This is a lot to take in.”
“You knowyou’renot having a baby, right?” I point out.
“But I’d be like the godmother, right?” She puts her hand over her heart, ready to be offended if I say no. She’s so dramatic, but I love it.
“Of course,” I say quickly.
“See? I’m not ready. One egg!”
“As in one of my eggs or the one your chicken laid?”
“I don’t know!” She throws her hands up in the air.
“Marly, there is no baby.” We’ve only been having sex for a week. I don’t think that’s even possible, but it has been a lot of sex. Marly’s shoulders drop.
“Really? Cause I could be like a cool aunt. Some cool aunts curse, and they let their niece or nephew do it too when the parents aren’t around.”
“You know how crazy you sound right now?”
“The cool, eccentric aunt that’s a bit quirky. That’s exactly what I’ll be.”
“If that’s what you want to call yourself, sure. We’ll go with that,” I agree.
“Is that sarcasm I hear in your voice?”
“No.” I shake my head, but I’m a terrible liar. Marly gives me a skeptical look. “There is no baby, Marly, I swear. For now, at least.” Not that I’m aware of anyway. I don’t add that part, though.
Jackson and I should probably get to the whole saying we love each other first. Oh, and let's not forget there is some psycho still trying to find me and do who knows what to me. The last thing I need to do is bring a baby into that. No matter how much I love the idea of Jackson and me creating one together.
CHAPTER17
JACKSON
The minutethe landing gear unfolds from the belly of the plane, I hop onto the internet and check the living room camera.
Bell is sitting behind her easel while Marly unpacks boxes. Christmas ornaments have piled up on the floor, but it’s nothing compared to the mass amount of art supplies, mostly paints, that are strewn about every surface. I didn’t realize there were that many different types of paint for an artist.
I press the intercom button. “I hope you know you can kick my sister out if she’s interrupting your peace.”
“Jackson, you jerk,” Marly shouts at the camera. “I’m a perfect companion, aren’t I, Bell?”
“She is,” agrees my woman.
“Blink if my sister is holding a gun out of view of the camera.”
Marly stomps over to the mantle where the camera is stationed and shakes a finger an inch away from the lens. When she gets closer, she cocks her head. “Are you on a plane?”
She must be able to hear the engine noise.
“Yeah. But I’ll be home tonight. It’s just a quick day trip. Take care of Marly for me,” I call to Bell. “She’s just a kid.”
“Hello. I’m 25. I passed the kid stage a long time ago.”
“You’re 25? So am I.” Bell pats her chest.
Marly makes a face at the camera. “If I am a child, then you’re a cradle robber.” She twirls and skips over to Bell’s side. Holding out a pinkie finger, she says, “Twinsies.”
Bell hooks her own finger around Marly’s. “Yes.”