Page 90 of Power Play
Lacey
Baby Savannah and Baby Catherine just turned a month old. Ben, of course, put them in matching outfits, different colored headbands with bows, and took their one month pictures this morning.
Life with two brand new newborns has it's ups and downs. I'm no longer the size of a house and can tie my own shoes, but I feel like a dairy cow more often than not. My milk came in well and both babies had edible chunky rolls. They wake each other up crying at night, but having the boys and Martha around to help has been a Godsend. I know I said I could do it on my own, and I would have, but God am I glad I don't have to.
Titans management has given me as much time off as I need, under the threat of their head coach and two of their players, but I'm itching to get back to work and feel normal again. Once the girls are sleeping through the night I might see if they'll let me go back part time.
I haven't been cleared to have sex yet, but my men and I have certainly enjoyed each other in other ways. I feel like a cow most days. At least until Scott catches me nursing and seers me with a burning gaze that promises all sorts of wicked things once the girls go down for a nap. He makes me feel sexy, even when I have deep bags under my eyes, and am wearing a spit-up stained, overly large T-shirt.
Garrett and I have just tag-teamed putting down our milk-drunk girls into their cribs when the doorbell rings. We both freeze, waiting for them to stir, but both girls remain conked out on their backs. Welock eyes and both let out a relieved sigh. That is, until the front door slams with a little too much force.
We check that the girls don't wake before we step out into the hallway to see what's happened.
An angry red-faced Scott is standing just in the foyer, large arms crossed over his chest. Instantly alarmed, I rush to him and place my hand on his hard pec. "What's wrong? What's happened?"
His nostrils flare as he breathes out sharply. "Your parents decided it was acceptable to show up to our house unannounced."
"My parents are outside?"
Scott answers with a blank stare.
I go to walk past him but he grabs my hip in his large hand and dips his face so that we're eye-to-eye. "You don't owe them anything. Not even your time."
I nod, but before I open the door, I turn and see Garrett and Ben standing in the living room watching. Even Martha's stopped moving around in the kitchen, obviously listening to the drama.
"They don't get to see the girls. Can you keep them in their room if they wake up?"
"Of course."
I open the door to see my parents halfway back to their car. They turn when they hear the door open, though, and I lock eyes with my parents for the first time in almost six months. They both look like they've aged a decade. Both have tired, red-rimmed eyes, with large bags under them. My dad has even lost weight.
Suddenly, a weight settles in my stomach. Something's happened. Something's wrong. And I've cut them out of my life. I don't regretgoing no-contact, but I'd still feel terrible if something bad happened to them. They are human, after all.
"Can I help you?" I say finally, at a loss for words.
They look at each other in question before turning and walking back towards the house.
I don't move from the doorway, though. I'll decide if I want to let them in or not after hearing what they have to say.
"We....we came to apologize." My mother's voice is low, a grit to it I'm not used to.
I look to my dad, who nods. "We had to bribe an intern with the Titans for your address because you've blocked our numbers." He holds up his hands. "We're not here to cause any drama. Just to apologize. If you still don't want to see us or hear from us ever again, we understand."
He looks to my mom who looks like she's holding back tears.
I check in with my gut. Gone is the arrogant apathy they generally had towards me. They both look genuinely destroyed.
"Would you like to come in?"
My mom nods a little too eagerly, a small smile creeping up on her face.
I open the door and usher them in. Scott's still scowling as he watches me usher them to the dining room table. They're allowed that far, but they haven't earned living room privileges yet. Garrett waits in the living room, a physical barrier between my parents and the girls, while Ben follows us and sits next to me at the table. Just to my left, the way he did the last time I saw them.
We sit stiffly, glancing back and forth at each other. Martha pops her head in and asks if we would like some tea.
"Yes. Thank you, Martha." They also don't get Martha privileges or an introduction until I know exactly why they're here.
Mom looks down at her hands resting on the table, before she begins. "So, like we said. We're here to apologize. Something's...happened...and it forced us to take a good, hard, long look at the way we treated you and...we're still coming to terms with some of it..."
