Page 72 of Dirty Money
Her heart lurched as she suddenly realized how much Weston wanted a baby. She’d been pretty selfish, she thought. All about herself the last couple of months.
“West, I’m kind of afraid this is going to make you get back on that baby bandwagon again. And I hate to say it but I’m still nowhere near ready for that kind of responsibility.”
His golden eyes sparkled as he looked at her and tweaked her nose. “Not to worry, peach. I’m ready only when you are.”
She smiled and ducked her head. She had no idea when she’d be ready for such a thing. She knew nothing about babies. It was a distant hope that Clara would allow her to learn some about them with her new sister. But it was a vague hope, as Clara was more than a bit picky and bossy. She was sure she’d be the same way about the baby.
When Dustin pulled up at the hospital, he parked and came around to let them out of the back. “Are you coming up too, Dustin?” Aulora asked him as they exited the car.
“Should I?” he asked her as he frowned. “I’m not family.”
“You’re as much a part of this family as anyone else. You’ve been Dad’s driver forever and then some. Come on. Park the car and come up. It wouldn’t be the same without you,” she told him then kissed his wrinkled cheek.
“I’ll park then come up. See you in the waiting room.”
Aulora was happy he’d decided to join them. Her father had many acquaintances but no real friends. She knew Dustin was more of a friend to her father than an employee.
Weston held her hand as they went up on the elevator to the fifth floor where all the expecting mothers were. It was then that she realized this must be hard for Weston.
“If this is too much for you, you don’t have to stay, West. I just thought about that.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
“It’s right where I want to be. Right here, by your side.” With a kiss on her cheek, the doors opened and they stepped out of the elevator.
Her father had texted her the room number and they went straight to it. With a soft knock, they found her father stepping out to greet them. “Hi! Thank God you’re here, Aulora!”
“Oh?” she asked, more than a little surprised.
“Clara’s mother was on her way here but she fell down the steps of her home, breaking her hip. Her sister is in Switzerland and she has no other female to help her out. She’s a disaster!” Her father ran his hand over his face with angst.
“So, I should go inside?” Aulora asked him.
He nodded. “Please. She’s a moaning groaning wreck. I don’t have a clue what to do for her. I wasn’t in the room when you were born. I came up to the hospital later, after you were delivered. This is new to me and quite frankly, I hate it!”
Her body went tense. Weston, felt it go rigid and hugged her, tightly. “You can do it, peach. Get in there and help her. All you have to do is stay calm and rub her shoulders. Hold her hand through the pains. You know, be a friend to her. She sounds like she needs one.”
“But I have no idea what to do, either. Dad, I’m sorry…”
Weston pulled back and held her by her shoulders. “No! No, you will not get out of this by saying you’re sorry, you can’t. That is your stepmother. And she is about to have your baby sister. And you will straighten up and do what you need to do. You see, I’m a big brother and I know the responsibility that comes with that. So, buck up and do what you have to.”
“Damn!” her father said as she shook his head.
“I know, right?” Aulora said as she began to grin. “He’s a real ball buster, isn’t he? And he’s absolutely right. I need to get over my damn self. I’ll do this for my little sister. And Clara too. She’s not all bad.”
“She really wants us to be a real family, Aulora,” her father said. “I know she doesn’t always go about it right but she wants that more than anything else in this world.”
With a nod, Aulora said, “I know that. She’s a weird young woman, isn’t she?”
“Weird?” her father asked with a frown. “I wouldn’t say that. I’d say she’s a different kind of young woman. And she loves me, Aulora. And she loves you too. She’ll really appreciate your help today.”
“And you’ll learn a lot,” Weston added.
She saw it in his eyes, hope that she’d want a child sometime a lot sooner rather than later. “I’ll be inside. You two wait in the little room over there. Dustin will be up soon, Dad. I invited him.”
“Good. I didn’t think about that. I’m glad you did. Such a Godsend you are, Aulora. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” her father said then took her in his arms, hugging her tight. “I’m so sorry for the lost years. I was more than a fool.”
Aulora pulled back to look at him. “I can forgive you for that. But if you pull that shit on any on my siblings, I’ll make sure your life becomes a living hell. Got me?”
With a nod, he looked at Weston and said, “She’s a ball buster too, Weston. Seems you’ve taught her a thing or two.”
