Page 39 of Her Dark Melody
Gracie giggled at her mother’s nickname, and Romy rolled her eyes. “Hey, twins, you can’t crawl on Mommy, but Aunt Junolovesit.” She grinned at her sister’s expression as Gracie, taking her mother’s joke and running with it, handed Juno the twins. Rosa immediately spit up on Juno’s sweater, grinning widely afterward as if she’d achieved somethingspectacular.
Blue followed his sister-in-law into the room, and Romy saw in his eyes that he had something to talk to her about. “Hey, Gracie boo, why don’t you go help Juno clean up, then she might take you all for some hotchocolate?”
Juno, taking the hint, nodded, and bore the children out of the room. Blue closed the door behind them then came to sit by Romy. He leaned over to kiss her. “Hey,Piccolo.”
“Hey, gorgeous.” She stroked his face. “You looktired.”
“It seems to be my default position these days, so I’m used to it. Don’t worry about me,Piccolo.”
“Not an option,” she said and pulled his face closer to kiss him. “I love you, bigguy.”
Blue sighed and leaned his head against hers. “I love you too, baby, which is going to make what I have to tell youharder.”
Romy searched his eyes. “Franks?”
Blue nodded. “He’s in the wind. Atlas and I have people searching for him, but for now, you’ll notice extra securityaround.”
“As long as the kids and you are safe, that’s all I care about.” Romy shifted and winced as her torn stomach muscles pulled painfully. Blue placed his hand gently on herbelly.
“God, Romy…I swore I’d never let anyone hurt you again afterGaius…”
“This wasn’t your fault. It was the act of a mad man, Blue, and that’s all it was. Working at Haven, we’ve seen the results of a twisted mind so, so many times, Blue, we should have suspected something might happen likethis.”
Blue closed his eyes. “I know it’s wrong, but the thought of you going back to workthere…”
“But, don’t you see, this is exactly why I have to go back to Haven. They don’t get towin.”
Blue stared at her with unhappy eyes but nodded. “You’re myheroine.”
“Ha,” Romy grinned at her husband. “Well, the second I’m better, you can show me just how much you admire me, all night, everynight.”
Blue chuckled. “That, my love, is a guarantee. Sexywoman.”
“Yeah, real sexy in my sweaty nightgown and with greasy hair. I would kill for ashower.”
“Might be a little while before that happens, baby.” He touched her thighs. “How are the pins-and-needles?”
“Still there but less, I think. At least I can move my legs. I got lucky.” Romy regretted her words as soon as she saw the pain on Blue’sface.
“Lucky,” he choked out and struggled to contain his emotion. Romy tangled her fingers in his black curls and drew him down toher.
“I misspoke,” she murmured, her lips against his, “I just mean…I’m still here. I’m still withyou.”
“You always will be,” he rasped, framing her face with his hands. “I’ll never let you out of my sight after this, my love, mylife.”
Ebony couldn’t helpbut tremble as she held onto her brother’s arm. Obe steadied her and made her look at him. “You don’t have to do this, Ebs. We can go into that courtroom and tell Atlas it’s too soon, or you’re not ready. Just say theword.”
They were standing out in the hallway at City Hall and, in a few moments, Ebony would join Atlas in front of the judge, and they would be married. She sucked in a deep breath and glared at her brother. “I am ready,Mr-I-Got-Married-After-Three-Weeks.”
Obe grinned, shrugging good-naturedly. “Just checking, sis. I couldn’t be happier for you, I just want to make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons. Having a child out of wedlock is no problem in this day andage.”
“It’s not because of that,” Ebony felt guilty that she and Atlas hadn’t told anyone that the baby wasn’t his, “it’s because we love each other, and providing a solid family for Fino will help us in the court case. All the rightreasons.”
“Then all power to you both. Youready?”
Ebony nodded, and they walked together to the courtroom. Ebony smoothed her dress down over her knees, a simple but elegant cream tea-dress which brought out the gold tones in her skin. A single scarlet hibiscus was placed behind her ear, and she carried nobouquet.
Atlas, glorious in a dark blue tailored suit, smiled widely as he saw her walking to him. As she reached him, he shook Obe’s hand and bent to kiss his fiancée’s cheek. “You look sensational,baby.”
