“They’re gone.” Giselle turned and clung to him with blinding tears in her eyes. “He took them. Alonzo took them, didn’t he?”
“Shhh, what you talking about?” Heavy frowned as her nails dug into his skin.
“Our babies are gone!” Giselle broke down in his arms, nails digging into his skin.
“Alonzo didn’t do this. Trust me.” Heavy pulled her into his chest and held her there while peering around for his kids.
“We’ll start checking with the other vendors,” Prischa offered.
“Yeah. I’ll take the block row by row.” Henna stepped in with a steady, protective voice.
Before Giselle could even thank them, the two of them split from her and Heavy.
“I swear I didn’t turn my back that long. They were right there,” she wept into his shirt.
“Shhh. It’s okay. We’ll find them. I need you to hold it together right now though, princess.” He gently coaxed her. “Can you do that for me?”
Sniffling and quickly wiping her tears, Giselle nodded.
“Okay, let’s look for them.”
It seemed to her that they’d been searching forever, but five minutes later, Henna and Prischa walked over, holding a twin by each hand as they licked on ice cream cones. Giselle broke away from Heavy and rushed toward them. Falling to her knees, she pulled them both into a hug that nearly took all the breath from their little bodies.
“Where have you two been? What have I told you about wandering off?” she snapped.
Now that she knew they were both safe, an anger induced fear revealed itself.
“Mama, we heard the ice cream truck. All the kids ran, so we did too.” Heir shrugged as if that was just common sense.
Giselle laughed to keep from completely falling apart in front of them. When they rushed past her to show Heavy their cones, she brought herself to her feet. Heavy knelt to talk to them, and relief washed over her. Somehow, she had formed a semi-circle with Henna and Prischa. Hands on her hips, Giselle caught her breath and took in both women’s faces.
“Thank you.”
“Hey, they’re good. So are you. Kids wander off sometimes.” Henna reached out and gave her arm an assuring squeeze.
“Trust me. Pierre has gotten away from me more times than I’d like to admit.” Prischa snickered.
“Shit, me too.” Henna tittered.
Silence enveloped them, and Henna rocked on her heels before taking a breath.
“Okay. I’ll go first.” She threw her hands up. “I was angry at first. Very. Heavy is my twin, and I protect him. I always have. I see him with you, and it’s like he doesn’t need me to be his safety net anymore. I don’t exactly know what to do with that,” she admitted with a half shrug.
“I was mad because… hell, because I wanted him,” Prischa voiced with her arms crossed. “I felt stupid, too. Seeing him with you and the kids, I know you didn’t steal anything. You two just… fit.”
Giselle looked between the two of them. Two women who once had every right to hate her, now standing here showing vulnerability. She didn’t think this day of reckoning would come that fast. It wasn’t something she sat around dwelling on, but she was reminded of the tension every time they got together.
“I can take accountability for my part in this. I hurt both of you. Not intentionally, but I did. I’m not asking for forgiveness, but maybe a chance to try and make things right? As far as I’m concerned, you’re both my kids’ aunties, and we need our village.”
Exhaling, Henna bumped her hip gently, and a grin curved the corners of her mouth.
“I know it’s early, but I’m thinking we could all use a shot,” Henna suggested.
“I’m with you when you’re right.” Giselle nodded.
After that scare, Giselle was hesitant to leave Heir and Harlee, but she had to shower and get clean. Remi was satisfied with everyone’s contribution to the set up and freed them all right before everyone started arriving so that they could do their own thing. Once she showered, she slipped into a floral print maxi sundress and Dior slides. Since it was hot, she pulled her hair into a curly ponytail with a swoop bang and a pair of big gold hoop earrings. Remi was satisfied with everyone’s contribution to the set up and freed them all right before everyone started arriving, so they could do their own thing. Gem and Solo agreed to keep an eye on the kids. Everyone had stepped up to watch them in shifts throughout the day.
With the sun beginning to set in the distance, leaving hues of pink and orange in the sky above the moon bounce, Giselle stood under a shaded tree watching her babies squeal with laughter inside it. Along with Pierre, they seemed to be having the time of their lives and she smiled. He seemed to enjoy playing the big brother role ,always looking out for them when he was around.
