Too much? I asked.
Well, considering most people swap pictures or poems or china, but a house?
Okay, you can pick out the china. Hows that? I smirked.
Nows not the time to be joking, funny man, she growled.
Sorry, I said out of breath. Get dressed, I ordered. I started throwing items in the suitcases. We didnt have much time. If Denny were keeping tabs on her, hed soon find out.
What about Michael and Stella? she asked concerned.
Dont worry. You get dressed. I threw a couple things on the bed for her to change into. Ill grab them.
I raced down the hall and woke Stella up. I grabbed a handful of her clothes and carried her into our bedroom. She was half-asleep still, so I threw her clothes in our suitcase. She snuggled up to Molly as I went and woke Michael.
Get out, he mumbled in his sleep.
I flicked the lights on. Get up. We have to go. Code White.
Code White? I dunno what that means, dude. Isnt the point of having a code is to know them all first? he snorted.
I whipped the covers off his body. s.h.i.t, you sleep naked? I turned my head. Code White means evacuation. Were leaving via chopper. Now. Pack some things, and for the love of G.o.d, get dressed first. I threw his blanket back over him. We leave in ten.
I didnt stay around for him to bombard me with questions. Id catch him up on our way there.
Ready to go? I called out ten minutes later. Molly and Stella were standing next to me in the doorway as we waited for Michael. He finally trailed in with his suitcase, looking sleepy and p.i.s.sed off that I woke him.
Someone want to tell me what this is about? Im losing beauty sleep.
Dan is Denny and hes after Molly, I blurted out.
In a nut sh.e.l.l, Molly added.
Now lets go.
Hope you packed your pa.s.sport, I yelled into the headphones as we made way over Wisconsin.
Yeah, keep it in my back pocket all the time. Michael rolled his eyes.
Ill take care of it, I muttered.
It was after two AM before we entered Canada. Stella pa.s.sed out on Mollys lap. Molly was holding her belly for dear life. I could tell she was nervous and stressing out. I had to keep her stress free as much as possible, considering I just flew her hundreds of miles away from her doctor.
Everythings going to be alright, I whispered into the headphones. I promise. I took her hand in mine and squeezed it. She gave a weak smile backnot that I blamed her.
We should just tell him, she said. Stanley, she confirmed. Just get it out there and over with.
You shouldnt have to do anything you dont want to. Ill take care of this mess. I dont want you to worry about it. You just rest and keep those babies inside until we take care of this. Okay?
She nodded. I had called my a.s.sistant before taking off and told her Id be MIA for a while. I wasnt telling her or anyone where we would be, besides our pilot. I called and made sure the house was ready, stocked with supplies and food. Its amazing how much you can have done for the right price"even in the middle of the night.
After landing, I carried Stella inside while Michael brought in the luggage. The house was in a secluded area, just the way I wanted it for Molly and I. Chicago was amazing, and it would always be my home, but sometimes, its just nice to get away from all the city craziness that comes with it.
Can she sleep with us? Molly asked. I dont want her out of my sight, she pleaded.
Of course. Its a king, well all squeeze in. I smiled back, hoping to rea.s.sure her that everything would be okay.
Michael and Molly followed me upstairs. I pointed to where Michaels room was and then headed to our master suite.
I still cant believe you bought this for me. She looked around, admiring the view. One of the reasons I bought it was because it reminded me of Molly. It was definitely her style"modern and edgy.
Get used to it, babe. Being with me means lavish gifts and big surprises. I grinned. I kicked the door open with my foot. Molly flicked a lamp on, giving me just enough light to tuck Stella in one side of the bed.
Whatever happened to flowers and candy? she mused.
Thats for sissies.
She laughed quietly, careful not to wake Stella. I wrapped my arms around Molly, holding her in close to me. Get some rest. Im going to make some calls and get this handled.
Whats the plan? I mean, what are we going to do? she asked, pulling back slightly.
You are doing nothing, but going to bed and resting. Youve already been on your feet too much. I will handle everything.
I dont like the sound of that, she muttered.
Just trust me, okay? I will protect you and Stella. Ill make sure hes taken care of.
I knew it made her uneasy to hear, but I didnt want her knowing or worrying about what I was going to do.
15.
Molly Weve been on lockdown for three days now. Stella was having a blast watching TV and skipping school. Liam stayed with Stanley and Violet, and Michael was going crazy not having his laptop or cell phone service.
How much longer? Michael whined, letting his body fall loosely on the bed.
Youre annoying when youre without technology.
Now you know how I felt these past few months with your annoying a.s.s, he quipped.
Ha! I wasnt this bad. No way.
I hate to break it to you, baby girl, but you were worse. Much worse.
You mean I didnt have that motherly glow? I smirked.
Yeah, you glowed alright.
If youre so bored, paint my toenails for me. Make them pretty for childbirth.
Are you serious? Michaels upper lip curled up.
Hey, if I could reach my toes, or even see my toes, Id do them myself, but I cant. And since youre down there, shave my legs, too.
He pondered it, leaning up on his elbow. Fine, but only because Im bored as h.e.l.l.
A few minutes later, Michael came back with my travel bag. He set up the nail polish, razor, and nail file. Youre not giving me much to work with here. No nail-finish, no shaving gel, nadda, he whined in a disgusted tone.
Oh s.h.i.t. Mustve grabbed the wrong bag. Next time Ill grab my Code White bag for you filled with all commodities, I snorted.
Youre a sa.s.sy s.h.i.t when youre pregnant. This is your last one, right? Otherwise, Im moving up here permanently.
You cant move away from me, Uncle Michael, Stella interrupted, giving him her best pouty lip.
Im never leaving you! Youre my best girl. He smiled. Stella turned back around to the TV satisfied with his response.
Looks like your stuck with me, I teased. I stretched my legs out across his lap. Now, make my toes pretty.
After Michaels initial shock over the news about Denny, he was eerily calm about it. Either he didnt see him as much of a threat, or he didnt understand how serious my secret was and how crucial it was to keep it a secret.
So, catch me up on the latest of you and Trey. Whats going on? Serious now? Wedding bells?
Good G.o.d, you wanna give me a stroke? Were semi-serious, he clarified, focusing on my pinky toe as he stroked the polish over it.
Okay, what in the h.e.l.l does semi-serious mean in relationship terms? Exclusive? Seeing other people? Swinging? He laughed. Oh wait, does it mean, like threesomes and orgies?
He choked. What in the h.e.l.l kind of sick p.o.r.n have you been reading lately?
s.m.u.t is not p.o.r.n, I defended. Its no different than the sick magazines you read.
I read for educational purposes, he defended.
I bet you do, I snickered.
Done! he announced. What do you think?
I lifted my feet up in the air so I could see them. Bright pink? I exclaimed. Holy brightness.
Youll glow in the dark, like one of those glow worms. He laughed. AndIll be able to find you no matter where you are. Just look for those bright pink toes! He laughed again.
So are we gonna talk about the elephant in the room? he asked, raising his eyebrows up at me.
Sure, go ahead.
Any ideas what Drakes doing about this problem?
No clue.
Are you going to ask him?
Nope. Ignorance is bliss.
Molly What? I dont wanna know, Michael. I havent a clue what Drake would do, or could do. As long as its over, thats all I want to know.
Okaybut Im not testifying in court for either of you.
Glad to know our friendship has a line, I quipped.
Whatever. Like youd waddle your a.s.s in a court room and testify for me?
Sure I would. Except p.o.r.n. I wont testify anything to do with p.o.r.n, I snipped.
What is it with you and p.o.r.n? Its like youre obsessed.
How can I be obsessed with something Ive never seen before, I snapped back.
Wait, what? Youve seen p.o.r.n, he fired back.
No.
Everyone has watched p.o.r.n at sometime during their lives.
Not me. My cheeks heated. He was making me self-conscious.
Alright, time to change that. He hopped off the bed. Stella, time for your bath.
Ugh, man, she pouted.
Once she left and shut the bathroom door, Michael grabbed the remote and plugged in some numbers.
p.o.r.n on demand. This is what Im talking about.
Oh G.o.d, please dont make me watch p.o.r.n, I cried.