Used by Marlee Wray
Chapter 18
Laurel
On the drive back to Coynston the next day, Trick stops at a Boston emergency department. I’ve already assured him everything is okay, but when he parks I only sigh, knowing better than to argue. We’ll probably wait hours to be seen and I already have an appointment in two days with my own doctor, but it’s not good enough for him. He wants a doctor to tell him the baby is okay immediately. I’m curious how his patience is going to hold up in a crowded ER waiting room.
But while I’m getting registered, people hustle around us like they’ve been expecting us. Within twenty minutes I’ve had an exam and I’m getting an ultrasound. Trick leans against the wall, but his eyes never leave the machine’s screen as the doctor slides the probe over my belly.
“Everything looks great. Heartrate’s perfect.” She prints a picture and starts to give it to me, but I point to Trick. She turns and smiles at him, holding it out.
He takes it, glances at it, and puts it in an inner pocket of his jacket.
“Should she rest in bed for a day or two when we get home?”
“No, no need. The exam was good.”
“So any activity’s okay? She can exercise and have sex?”
The young doctor nods with a smile.
Trick nods as well, returning her smile, though he’s not yet relaxed. “We appreciate your help.”
Afterward, we sign forms and they discharge us almost immediately. It’s unbelievably efficient.
When I ask how it could’ve gone so quickly, he only says, “I know people.”
From there, we pick up more of my clothes from my house and then return to the C Crue compound in Coynston. In Connor’s house there is a crate of ginger ale among the groceries.
“Are we living here?”
“For a bit,” Trick says. “Do you want an upstairs or downstairs guest room? The one down here has its own bathroom. ‘Vil and Rachel said either one is okay for them.”
“Are we all living here?”
“For a little while.”
I weigh that in my mind and decide I’m okay with it. “Upstairs.”
“You sure? ‘Vil wanted it made clear you can have whatever room you want.”
That’s sweet and generous of him since when he and Rachel stay upstairs they have to lug a baby and baby gear up and down. “Move downstairs? And give up the Liberace bathroom? I don’t think so.”
Trick laughs and picks up a black velvet box with a light gray satin ribbon from the counter. Setting it in front of me, he nods for me to take it.
“What’s this?”
“From Anvil and Rachel.”
“They didn’t need to do that.”
“Her whole throat is black and blue, so I guess they think they did.”
“I didn’t save her. We both saved each other.”
Trick taps the box. “Come on.”
I smile at his impatience. Zoe is right when she says no secret is safe around him. “Maybe I’ll wait,” I tease.
“Wait?” he scoffs.
I chuckle.
He tugs the ribbon, unfurling the knot.
“Hey, don’t. It’s mine,” I say, pulling it toward me.
“I know it’s yours. Open it.” He tugs again on the ribbon, which falls off.
Laughing, I lift the box’s lid and peer in. “Oh, wow,” I say, raising a stunning eyelet lace and pearl wedding veil that will match my dress perfectly. “I told Rachel and Zoe I still needed a veil. It’s beautiful.”
“Nice.” Looking in the box, he starts to reach inside and I tap his hand. “Hey.”
“There’s something else.”
“Yes, I know. Give me a second.” I fold the veil carefully and set it inside the box’s lid. From the box, I remove a card and something heavy that’s wrapped in tissue paper. Pulling off the paper, I find a pistol. “Oh, my God.”
Glancing at Trick, I find him frowning.
“I was gonna get you a gun myself, which ‘Vil knows.”
“That’s… thoughtful of him, but don’t you have enough guns for both of us?”
“Obviously not if you and Rachel only had one gun between you the other night.”
Oh, boy, I think. Opening the card, I find there are messages in two different handwriting. One person, Rachel apparently, wrote the words ‘Thank you.’ The other wrote a date and the words, ‘Buy-in Paid.’
I laugh.
“What?” Trick asks suspiciously.
Laughing harder, I slide the card to him.
“Asshole,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“What if—?” I pause.
“What?”
“What if we ask them if they want to get married at St. Mary’s when we do? Rachel didn’t get married in a church, and I think she’d like to. I get the impression she doesn’t feel comfortable asking for another wedding.”
“They’re both hardcore introverts. It would be the same five people there for them, and this time one would be a groom.”
“She has the production company people now, right? And some friends from school I’m sure. She wouldn’t have invited them when she eloped but she could this time. And we’ll have plenty of people.”
“They’ve been married almost a year.”
“Do most people even know that? I didn’t.”
He shrugs. “It’s your day, babe. Do whatever you want.”
“Good. I will.”
He smiles and gives me a quick kiss. “It’s a sweet gesture. I appreciate it.” Then he takes out his phone and starts searching the net.
“What are you doing?”
“Registering for that poker tournament.”
“You’re going to play against me in a public game?”
“Definitely. I’m gonna take ‘Vil’s money.”
I sigh and pack my presents back in the box.
“Hey,” he says as I start to walk out.
“Yes?”
“I’ll take a kiss.”
“Do you deserve a kiss?” I tease.
“If I waited until I deserved one, I wouldn’t get enough,” he says with a wink.
I smile, and then kiss him. “I love you.”
“Good. Let’s go into a bedroom and you can prove it.”