Chapter 9

Lauren

I straightened my clothes and hurried out of the office when I heard Wade stirring from his nap. He was growing so fast, and it seemed like every time I peeked in at him, he was another inch taller.

I felt a pang in my heart, wondering if I’d done the right thing in going back to work, and although I had mostly done it to make use of my education, I missed my family and being around them through the day. I didn’t know how mothers who had to go back to work full-time could do it, and I was thankful that I didn’t have to work, but glad I had a husband who let me do all the things I wanted in my own time and in my own way, even if it meant me making a big mistake.

With Edna rearing her ugly head, I felt even more helpless. I wanted to do something, but I was afraid that I was too close to the issue. Gage needed representation, but he didn’t need me screwing things up with my emotions. Ollie deserved a clear mind, and hopefully, we’d find the right lawyer to do the trick.

My phone rang, and I took it out of my pocket and winced, hoping that it wouldn’t wake the baby. My brother’s face lit the screen. “Hi, Reed.”

“Did you talk to him? Did he work on that project?” No “hello” or “hey, how are you,” from him. Nope, he was straight to the point.

“He didn’t, but he isn’t happy that you were considering taking the case.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t understand how important it is for us. A case like that, especially one we could stand to win, would be nice. I can’t keep rejecting cases because of your husband’s dealings with shady individuals.”

“That’s a very shitty thing to say, Reed. Not only do you know better, but you know that this case wasn’t going to be a guaranteed ticket to success.”

“I know whoever takes it is going to win it, and that money could have been ours. We’re not all as fortunate to be as wealthy as your husband-to-be.”

“I’m going to ignore that comment, like I do all of the other shitty things you say, dear brother.”

“Suit yourself. Are you coming back to work?”

The question rubbed me the wrong way, and even though I had planned on it, I wasn’t in the mood for him. “No, I’m holding Wade.”

“Is he okay? Can’t Gage hold him? I thought he’s working from home now?”

“Look, Reed, if you knew how messed up things were, you’d get off my ass.” My voice grew scratchy with my biting tone.

“No need to bite my head off. Is there some problem with you and Gage?”

You wish, I wanted to say. “No, that’s not it. It’s Ollie’s grandmother. She’s threatened to take Gage to court for grandparent’s rights.”

“She won’t have a leg to stand on against you and Gage. Why are you so worried about it?”

“I know she won’t, but you’re missing the point. Neither of us wants to have to go to court over this, and we damned sure don’t want to have to drag our daughter through any of it. She’s finally settled, and this could not only affect her, but Wade too.” The tears were rolling down my cheeks before I could control myself, and I let out a long breath and wiped my eyes as I held Wade a little closer.

Reed was quiet on the other end, and just when I was about to tell him the suit against Bivens couldn’t have come at a worse time, he cleared his throat to speak. “I’m sorry, sis. I know you’re having a tough time, and it’s got to be stressful with the wedding. I only want the best for you, you know?”

“I know, Reed.” I wanted to tell him how it didn’t feel like it sometimes, but I didn’t want to fight.

“Take the rest of the afternoon off to settle down, and maybe tomorrow, you can put in a full day. I know things are tough, but I need you here, too. You know you have to prioritize, Lauren.”

He sounded so much like our father that I wanted to scream. “Okay, Reed. Talk to you later.”

I ended the call and held my baby while I thought about all of the things going wrong. Maybe having the wedding now, with everything going on, was a mistake. I could be helping everyone and still managing to hold down my job. Maybe the cake thing was a sign that it wasn’t meant to be.

“Baby? You okay?” I lifted my chin to see Gage sticking his head in the nursery door. His eyes narrowed.

“I’m okay, just a bit stressed. I talked to Reed. He’s letting the case pass, but he’s not in a good mood about it. I don’t have time for him.”

“I’m going to get Ollie. I can’t help but think there’s something going on at school.”

“Yeah, because that’s all we need, more problems, right? It’s probably some boy picking on her because he likes her or a little girl being jealous. She’ll have to learn to deal with it.”

“I know, and I agree. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and it will be something that simple.” He walked in and gave Wade a kiss on his little head before planting one on my lips.

“I’m not sure boy problems at five years old is a simple thing.” I gave a half-hearted laugh and sniffled.

“Hey, you’ve been crying?” He took a closer look at me and then knelt down beside us. “What’s going on, baby?”

“I just couldn’t help thinking that maybe we shouldn’t have the wedding right now. I am just so swamped that I can’t help you, and I miss the baby. I can’t quit my job; Reed would kill me.”

“Baby, you’re not thinking clearly. We’ve made all of the plans; we’ve paid deposits. We’re days away.” He met my eyes. “Are you not sure you want to marry me?”

“Of course, I want to marry you, silly. I love you. I just can’t help feeling something’s got to give, and I’m just so scared for Ollie.”

“Which is why us being married and providing the best home will be what’s best for our kids. Edna is going to bare her teeth and bark, but I’m not scared of her. She’s not going to take my daughter from me. And she’s damned sure not going to take my wife in the process. We’re having this wedding.” He reached up and dried my tear. “It will be behind us, and then we can just enjoy being married for a while. We’ve had so much going on with the renovations and the wedding planning. You going back to work just makes it seem like everything’s falling apart and overwhelming, but we’ll be fine. We’ve got plenty of glue, you and I.”

“Glue?” I gave an exhausted, half-hearted laugh.

“Yes, love. It’s the glue that’s going to make it all work. So what if we have to do something else with the cake? It’s just a cake and not worth stressing over.”

“I just wanted it to all be so perfect.”

“It will be, and not because of some cake. It’s going to be perfect because of us, and having our family there to spend the time with.”

“Thanks, Gage. I love you.”

“I love you. Now, I think I should go get our daughter before some little boy is mean to her because he likes her. I’m not letting her spend a moment extra at that school.”

“Ask her what’s going on. Take her for ice cream if you have to, but get to the bottom of it.” I didn’t care if he had to bribe it out of her. I needed to know.

“Will do.” He gave me a wink and headed out.

Chloe came into the room once he was gone. “I’m sorry you’re worried about everything, and thanks again for the job. I called my mother and told her, and she’s actually very happy for me.”

“That’s wonderful news. I’m glad you got to speak to her.” She and her mother had a rocky relationship since she’d run off from home years ago to follow her heart and be with the man of her dreams. At least things were looking up for Chloe, and I knew that if I just hung in there, Gage and I would make it down the aisle, too.