Page 11 of Safe at Home

”That is awesome! Damn, twins! I am good!” I then got down on my knees in front of my wife and kissed her stomach. “So, there are two of you in there, I guess. I love you both so much already. Your mommy sure gave me a scare today, and I am so thankful that the three of you along with Pen, Cam, and Peyton are safe, too.”

“I think I need to sit down,” Molly said, suddenly.

I jumped up and led her over to a table near where concessions workers were announcing it was last call for beers. “Baby, are you okay?”

Molly shook her head. “I got lightheaded all of a sudden.”

“You never drank your water,” Camden said and handed her the bottle. Molly opened it up and took a long drink.

“Thanks, Cam,” she said. “I just think it was a lot of information all at once, and I just had a thought that caused some anxiety. I’m going to have twins, and I don’t even know if my bakery and apartment are still standing or not.”

Penelope came over to Molly’s side and rubbed her shoulder. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to Cooper, Batter Up! is gone. I guess it’s totaled. I’m not sure if that is the right word for a building, as it would be for a car, but he said a few of the walls are still standing, and that’s it.”

Molly dropped her face into her hands and began to cry. “I know it’s just a building, but I only just purchased it on February 16th. Well, shit, I purchased it the same day these two were conceived.” One of her hands went down to rub her stomach absentmindedly. “I loved that bakery.”

“And that’s what insurance is for, baby.” I squatted down next to her and put my palm on one side of her face and rubbed gently. “We will rebuild Batter Up!, and it will be even better than it was before.”

“Like no shelves way up high,” Camden said, and we all had to laugh. “Mom always complains about the empty top shelves.”

Penelope shook her head, “I don’t always complain. You’re not alone, Molly. We’ll get it rebuilt together. And, in the meantime, you can stay with us. I talked to Shiloh, and our apartment building wasn’t hit.”

Molly nodded and seemed to like that idea.

“You could do that, or you could go on the road with me part of the time,” I suggested. “Maybe not the whole time they are rebuilding your bakery, but you could join me for a little while. I’m sure the insurance company will give you an amount for living expenses, and we can get our own motel room on the road so that we can spend some extra time together. When we’re not on the road, you can just stay with me. I’ve slept enough on the couch that Tucker can take his turn or go spend time wherever the girls he picks up live.”

Molly looked at me with love swelling in her blue-green irises. “I would love to spend extra time with you. I love that idea.”

“Thank God because it’s going to be awhile before I let you out of my sight.”

Penelope smiled and said, “I will be in Riverbend and can oversee the construction to make sure everything is done correctly.”

“Those poor construction workers,” Molly said with a laugh. “You don’t think I’m just abandoning the bakery, do you?”

Penelope shook her head, “Girl, take advantage of being able to spend time with your man. I’m the manager for a reason.”

Molly nodded, “I will need to call insurance and find out all about paying your salary while the building is closed.”

“You’ll probably need to call FEMA, too.” Penelope said. “I’m not worried about it.”

Molly sighed in my arms and said, “I’m not going to worry yet. There is nothing we can do from here. For now, we need to get a couple motel rooms.”

“The team is staying at the Best Western across from the stadium,” I said and pointed in the direction of the hotel. “I’m sure there will be vacancies since it is a Thursday.”

Molly nodded and said she would get two rooms. One for Penelope and the kids, and one for us. Hunter was going to be very excited to have his own room for the night.

“Please, make sure we’re not in the room next to you,” Penelope requested, and I loved watching Molly blush.

“We’ll make sure of that,” I said as I swatted my wife’s butt and watched her jump in response. I loved how responsive she was to me.

Soon, I had taken a quick shower in the locker room and gathered all my stuff. Being away from Molly was physically painful. I couldn’t get back to her soon enough.

“How is she here?” Montgomery asked as he came over to my locker.

“She wanted to surprise me. They turned off their phones so she wouldn’t be tempted to call me.”

Montgomery just shook his head, “Wow. What was the surprise? Was it worth it?”

“Worth freaking out that she was dead? No fucking way. But since she didn’t know what was happening, I forgive her. The surprise is pretty awesome.” I pulled the ultrasound picture out and handed it to him.

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