Healed by Evan Grace

Chapter Twelve

 

Heidi

 

We managed to finish our shower without having sex, but it was very, very hard to say no to him. He can be very convincing and looks too darn cute when he pouts. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always very willing when it comes to sex with him. I just like to make him work for it.

Colton is out in the living room, while I put the finishing touches on my hair—I kept it down and added beach waves to it. I’m wearing a white tank top and a pink paisley skirt that hits me mid-thigh.

What will his mom say about my tattoos? My pink hair? Cari and Jim have always treated me like their daughter, but I was different back then. I step out of the bedroom and find Colton sitting on the sofa, and he stands when he sees me. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” 

He’s in a faded blue Nike t-shirt and gray khaki style shorts that show off his amazing ass. His blond hair is still wet and combed straight back. Colton’s feet are bare, and he has pretty feet for a guy.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I say as he comes toward me. Once he’s close enough, I grab his shirt and pull him to me. I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze him tight. 

I hear car doors slam and smile widely up at Colton before I run for the door. Cari sees me and screams before we run to each other. The moment her arms are around me I begin to sob uncontrollably, and she does the same.

“Oh, sweet girl, I’ve missed you.” She hugs me tight. “I’m so, so sorry. We tried to talk him out of it,” Cari whispers quietly.

“It’s okay.” I sniffle. 

“No, sweet girl, it’s not, but thank you for saying that.”

I’m pulled away from Cari, smiling up at Jim. “She can’t hog you, darlin’.”

I smile up at the man who was a second dad to me. “Hey, Jim.” I wrap my arms around him.

“Guys, let’s head inside.” Colton takes me from his dad and wraps his arm around my shoulders. The four of us head inside, and while Colton and his dad get us drinks, Cari grabs my arms. “Your ink is beautiful. Did one of your sisters do it for you?”

I nod, smiling. “Sierra did both of my arms. Mona did this one.” I stand and show Cari the back of my calf; it’s four female sugar skulls and one male. “It symbolizes the five of us.” 

“You girls were always so artistic. I’m so proud of you.” She pulls me into a hug. Cari grabs a light pink lock. “So pretty. It’s nice to see you haven’t lost your love for the color pink.” She wraps her arms around me again.

“It is definitely still my favorite color.” I grab my phone and pull up pictures. I show her pictures of Iris, and tell her about Max, Juaquin, and Nick. She listens and smiles while I tell her stories about each picture.

“My gosh, the last time I saw Iris it was her second birthday. She looks just like Mona, and he’s such a handsome little guy. It is so wonderful everyone is doing well.” She’s quiet for a minute. “Would you ask your mom if it is okay if I reach out?”

When Colton and his parents left my life, it hurt my parents too; they were always close with Cari and Jim. “I will, I promise.”

Colton and Jim join us, my man taking a seat next to me. He and his dad start talking about the football season. I’ve always loved watching Colton play, but I know the bare minimum about football.

Once we’re finished with our drinks, we head out to have dinner at Nick’s restaurant, Nicholas.

 

***

 

I practically sprint down the hallway of the mother/baby unit, anxious to get to my sister and my new niece. I turn to wait for Colton who is shaking his head and chuckling as he walks toward me. “Sorry,” I say and shrug.

“Don’t be sorry. I know you’re excited.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, hugging me into his side. I sigh happily as he kisses my temple.

We reach their room, and I knock rapidly on the door and then open it. Sierra is sitting crisscross applesauce with a swaddled bundle in her arms. “Hey, Momma,” I whisper to her as I move to the side of the bed.

I hug her and kiss her cheek and then take my niece from her mom. “Hi, Ember. I’m your aunt Heidi.” I bend down and kiss her forehead. She makes a squeaky noise and then continues to snooze.

Colton hugs and kisses Sierra before coming over to me. He strokes a hand over Ember’s soft dark blonde hair.

The door opens, and Nick walks in with a bag. “Hey, you two,” he says, coming to me and kissing me on top of the head. He leans down and kisses the baby before going to Sierra. They share a kiss that has Colton and me turning away from them.

I hand the sleeping baby over to Colton. She looks so tiny in his big, strong arms. A pain hits me in the chest so hard it knocks the breath out of me. My stomach turns, and my eyes burn. Our child would have been four; no doubt they’d be spoiled by their family.

I escape out into the hall, taking a deep breath. The door opens, and I turn, expecting to find Colton there, but instead it’s my sister.

“Sorry,” I say quietly.

Sierra shakes her head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

“No, stop. This is your day. I’ll be okay.” I take a deep breath, wrap my arm around Sierra’s waist, and lead her back inside their room. Nick sits on the side of the bed with their daughter in his arms.

Colton leans down when I reach his side. “You okay?”

I smile up at him. “Yeah, I just got hot for a minute.”

He looks at me in a way that proves he doesn’t believe me, but he lets me be for now.

 

***

 

The minute I open the door I can smell the scent of spaghetti sauce. “Lucy, I’m home,” I holler, doing a terrible Ricky Ricardo impression. I step into the apartment, shutting the door behind me, and go in search of Greta.

I find my sister in the kitchen stirring something in a big pot. “Hey, girlie,” she says and then comes toward me and throws her arms around me. “I’ve missed you.”

“I know. I’m sorry I’ve been gone so much.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m happy for you and Colton. I still can’t believe he was ever sick.” My stomach turns just thinking about it. “Shit, forget I just said that.”

I grab a Coke Zero out of the fridge. “Seriously, it’s okay. I forgave him. We talked and worked things out.” Greta doesn’t know that I’d lost a baby either. “I’m happy, Greta, but I’m also scared to death. What if he gets sick again, but this time I lose him forever?”

Greta places her hands on my shoulders. “I doubt that is going to happen, but with you fighting at his side, I’m sure he can beat anything.”

I pull her into a hug. “Thanks. Now feed me.”

We spend the evening, eating together, and then we cuddle up on the sofa and watch a marathon of Hell’s Kitchen.

 

***

 

I sit on the side of the bed a few hours later and pull up my text messages.

Heidi: Hey, just wanted to tell you goodnight.

I set my phone on the nightstand and strip out of my close, changing into one of my light pink spaghetti strap nightgowns. I quickly tie up my hair in high ponytail. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I crawl into my bed.

I grab my phone and see Colton texted me back.

Colton: Hey, baby, I miss you. I don’t like going to bed without you.

Heidi: I think you’ll survive one night without me. You survived five years without me.

The moment I hit send, I instantly regret it. Fuck, I so didn’t mean that.

Heidi: Oh God, Colton, I’m so sorry. That was a shitty thing to say.

I quickly dial him, but it goes right to voicemail. “Colton, I’m so sorry. That was such a snarky thing to say, and I swear that wasn’t the way I meant it. I-I’m coming over.”

I hang up and grab some shorts and slip them on. My phone pings, and I quickly pick it up.

Colton: I know you didn’t. Just so you know I was alive, but I wasn’t living. I couldn’t live without you. Goodnight, and we’ll talk tomorrow.

Heidi: I wasn’t living without you either. I want to see you; can I come over?

I sit on the side of the bed and wait for him to answer. After an hour, it’s clear he’s not going to respond. I lie down, but it’s a long time before I find sleep.