Page 120 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“I thought with the baby…”

This tired, why not? I plopped down onto the seat, gripping the controller to take me up. Talk about a life of luxury.

First thing first, I hit the shower. I loved this shower and apparently, this shower still loved me, caressing away the soreness in my back and neck with those beautiful, beautiful jets. Then I dressed in one of Blake’s soft, cotton T-shirts and climbed into bed.

Blake followed me in not long after. He stood in the doorway and the look on his face—“What?” I asked.

“Don’t ever leave me again, Glory. My heart couldn’t take it.”

“It was necessary.”

He nodded once but said, “I slept in the guest room.” Excuse me? This was the first I was hearing this.

“You slept in the guestroom?”

“I couldn’t do it. Be in this bed,our bed, without you in it.”

“Honey, it was your bed first.”

“It became yours the moment you walked into this house for the first time. Everything became yours.Everything.”

Georgie lifted his head from his spot on the sofa, a bark at Blake as is to say, “Get in here,already.”

“Here you go.” Dee slid the platter of baked goods onto the bedside table, followed by the teapot, two mugs, a bowl of lemonwedges and lastly, the honey. “Maisie and I are heading out to give you two some alone time.”

“Thank you, Dee… you’ve always made me feel so welcome here.”

Tucking the tray underneath her arm, she swatted my words away. “It’s your home. You’re supposed to feel welcome in your home.” But she and I both knew not everyone in Blake’s company felt that way. Robert and Adair would be none too pleased to have the mistake back in their state. I couldn’t let them take up my headspace tonight, though. I’d worry about them tomorrow.

The next day, far too early for my liking—but you know, anytime during this century was far too early to deal with her—Adair showed up in a tizzy. She gasped when she saw me. Her eyes narrowed as they dropped to my baby bump.

Blake and I had been in enjoying our breakfast, relaxing in the living room.

“I heard this morning and I had to see for myself.” She heard this morning? Blake wouldn’t have—then it hit me.Jupiter. The instigator had to have told her mom. I loved her but wanted to throat punch her about now. “Whose is it?” Adair asked. “Oh—never mind. It doesn’t matter. Now we can be rid of you once and for all. I’ll have the lawyer send over a settlement agreement. Of course, you’ll not talk to anyone about our family. You will not contact Blake or anyone related to us or you’ll face serious legal consequences. It would be in your best interest not to argue.” Her words flowed in this weird stream of consciousness. I sipped on my decaf coffee not saying a word, simply smirking. Because Adair.

“Are you finished?” Blake asked his mother.

“You didn’t need to bring her here. We could’ve dealt with this elsewhere.”

“Mother.” He sighed the word. “The baby ismine. We’re starting our family. I’m sure you’re aware of the process.”

“Please, Blake, do you have to be so crass?”

“Crass? We’re having a baby. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m over the moon by the way—thanks for asking.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“I’m aware. And I don’t remember you acting so affronted when Emily announced her pregnancies.”

“Yes, well…” Adair dropped her hand to her hip as she continued to glare at me and shake her head. “Emily is—oh,Blake, how could you? Didn’t your nanny teach you about condom usage? What did we pay her for?”

“You’re acting like I’m sixteen. I’m twenty-eight, Mother. I’m a married man with very lucrative job prospects and a massive trust fund. Mywifeand I are starting a family.”

The woman refused to listen. “I’ll get Candice. She’ll have to put together a statement from the family—this is such a mess.”

“No,” Blake snapped. His mother’s head jerked. “Candicedoes notstep foot in my house ever again. Wedo notneed a statement. No one will care about us having a baby unless you make them care. The election is over. Leave it alone.”

“Well, for God’s sake, at least make an appointment to get cut.”

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