Healed by Evan Grace

Chapter Fourteen

 

Heidi

 

Colton leads me into Joaquin and Mona’s. Today is the baby shower for my niece, Ember. I got her a bunch of little skirts and onesies with ruffles on the butt. Colton got her a little pink football that is adorable.

Iris and Max race down the hall toward us. “Auntie Heidi,” they holler in unison. They hit me so hard that if Colton wasn’t standing behind me to keep me upright, I would’ve hit the ground hard.

After I kiss Iris and she gives Colton a hug, she takes the gifts and skips toward the back of the house.

I smile down at my nephew. “What’s up, Maximus.” He gives me a half hug—he’s too cool to be loved on, of course; unless it’s Mona.

“Nothing, but I feel like I’m being strangled by pink.” Colton and I both crack up. “Hey, Colton. You’re a really great quarterback. I want to play football when I get older,” Max says as the three of us make our way further into the house.

Colton stops, and Max looks up at him. “If you want, maybe I can show you some moves.”

He pumps his fist and then takes off running, calling for his dad. We step into the kitchen, and it looks like pink exploded everywhere. There are pink peonies, tulips, and roses, pink balloons, and my sister Mona is carrying a tray of pink cupcakes. If my sister made them, I know they’re delicious.

The party is a blast. My parents are here, and I wish they would be nicer to Colton, but he told me he understands, and he’d do the same thing with our daughter; of course, that comment made my stomach dip.

Sierra is across from me with Ember in her arms. She looks so good for someone who just had a baby. Her thin figure is back with a slight post-baby bump, and her boobs are massive—lucky bitch.

My niece is gorgeous with her little tufts of hair, blue eyes—yes, they may change—but both Mom and Dad are blue-eyed so you never know. . Ember has the cutest little lips and the sweetest little diapered tush.

Sierra looks up and catches me watching her. She gives me a smile and then leans down, kissing her baby girl’s head. I blow her a kiss and get up to use the bathroom.

The door is shut, so someone must be in there. I’ll just use Mona and Joaquin’s. I step into their bedroom and see their bathroom door is shut, but I bet that’s to keep Fluffy, their dog, out.

I grab the doorknob, and that’s when I hear my sister, Mona. “Oh god, yes.” And then the tell-tale sound of flesh slapping. Oh. My. God!

I, quickly shut the door behind me. I shake my head, giggling as I head back to the party. The moment I step into the room I spot Colton standing with my dad and Nick, and he has Ember in his arms.

He’s a natural. It breaks my heart knowing what we lost. Shit, I have to tell him. I watch him bring Ember to his lips, kissing her forehead. My eyes burn, and I blink rapidly, trying to keep my tears at bay.

A hand grabs my arm and I’m suddenly being dragged into the living room. I'm let me go, and I turn to see it’s Sierra. “Are you okay, sweetheart? I’m sorry. I should’ve thought this thr—”

I cover her mouth with my hand. “No, stop. I-I’m fine. It was a long time ago, and seeing Colton with her just did something to me. Now, this is your day, so stop worrying about me.”

She cups my face in her hands and whispers softly, “I can’t imagine my life without her. I’m so sorry you lost your baby, sweetheart.”

“I am too.” A tear runs down my cheek, and Sierra wipes it away with her thumb. I step into her, wrapping my arms around her tight. “I love you. Ember is lucky to have you as her mom.”

I don’t miss her sniffles. “Well, she’s lucky she has you as one of her aunties. Now take a minute and then come back out.” Sierra kisses my cheek and then walks away.

I quickly wipe my face and take a deep breath. I head back into the party and walk up to Colton and Ember. “Give me my niece.” I smile up at him and take the sleeping beauty from his arms.

Mom watches me from across the room, and her smile is soft. She comes over and kisses my cheek. “How did I get so lucky to have four beautiful daughters, one handsome son, two gorgeous granddaughters, and one handsome grandson?”

“You look great, Mom. Arizona agrees with you.” She looks like our big sister, not our mom. Her and dad both. “Colton, your mom and dad are having lunch with us tomorrow.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I’m glad, Mrs. Collins. I hate that I hurt Heidi. I thought I was do—”

Mom holds her hand up. “Sweetheart, I know you did. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I’m happy you’re together now.” She pulls him into a hug. “Stop the Mrs. Collins crap, and call me Kathy.”

She steals Ember from my arms and walks away. Colton kisses the top of my head.

 

***

 

I wipe off the tattoo I just finished and invite her over to the mirror to check out her ink. “Oh my god, I love it.” She smiles at me and then begins clapping and hopping up and down.

“It was fun to work on.” She had three colorful candy skulls, representing her and her two sisters, tattooed on her arm. When we met to discuss her design, she basically handed me a piece of paper of what she wanted on each skull.

When I called her in to show her the design I came up with, and she squealed so loud everyone stopped and looked at her. She apologized, and luckily every one of our customers knows how it is when they come to Sugar and Spice, Ink.

Once I get it covered, I lead her to the front desk, and Lainey checks her out. She gives me a hug and a nice tip before she leaves. I head to the office to upload her pictures onto the website and our social media accounts.

I stand and stretch, then head out front. I grab my phone and check to see if Colton has texted me. He was going to do some weight-training today with one of his teammates.

It has been a few weeks since the baby shower for Sierra and Nick’s daughter. She’s still on maternity leave and loving every minute of it. I’m sure they'll make more frequent trips home to spend time with their grandbabies. Plus, everyone expects Mona and Joaquin to add to their brood sooner rather than later.

Greta sits on the chair in Sierra’s station. “What’s up, girlie,” she says before pushing off with her feet, spinning the chair round and round. When she stops, she pulls out her phone and holds it up. “Guess who got invited to Coachella?”

“Really? That’s awesome. Who invited you?” I swear I’m only a little jealous of my sister.

“You know that makeup line that I’ve been using, the vegan one?” I nod. “They’re flying me out. I guess I’m their number one ambassador.” 

“Of course, you are. Everyone loves you and can see you’re a genuine person who believes in the products she endorses.” She only recommends products she personally uses and stands behind. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s stunning, and when she does makeup tutorials, she makes it look effortless. Hell, she taught me how to wear my makeup, and I’m nowhere near as good as her.

“Will you help me put some outfits together?” She gets up and plops down on my chair, and I begin playing with her hair.

“For sure, but you don’t need my help.”

Greta tips her head back. “I know, but I miss you. You’re always with Colton.” She holds up her hands. “It’s not like there is anything wrong with that—I love him—but I miss you.”

I wrap my arms around her, resting my chin on her shoulder. “I miss you too, and tonight we’ll find you some hot festival looks.” I kiss her cheek and then I grab my next client.