Me: I hate that I couldn’t pick you up today. I’m sure you’re busy with a client now, but there’s so much happening. Ineed to hear your voice. Call me when you can.
I tuck my phone away, and my next thought is about how my mom should be here. That’s expected, and yet … she’s nevernotbeen my first thought in a situation like this. And that realization wallops me with a heavy dose of both joy and guilt.
Ty walks out of the birthing room, chuckling at the sight of all of us. “I told you I’d keep you posted. Her contractions have stalled completely. I’m not even sure if we’ll end up staying.”
“It’s fine. If she’s here, we’re here.” That is Axel’s way of reminding them that even if they’re her family now, we always will be too. “Can we see her?”
“Of course.” Ty opens the door, waving us all in. “She’s uncomfortable and tired, but she’ll be thrilled that you’re here.”
We all wander inside, and as soon as she sees us, her bottom lip quivers, and tears stream down her face as she rubs her round belly.
“These babies are already scheming. They knew how much I missed you all and decided to do whatever it took to bring us together.”
We all take turns wrapping her in our arms. Her pink-and-blonde hair is a mess, her green-hazel eyes are a bit bloodshot, and though it’s evident she’s exhausted, her spirit is as lively as ever. She’s just leaping into motherhood this time.
I plant a kiss on her cheek when it’s my turn. “So proud of you, little sis.”
She stares at me for a minute, her lips quirking into a smile. “It is a lot more than under-the-desk action, isn’t it?”
“So much more,” is all I manage before Jax hops up on the bed and shoves me out of the way.
They’re two years apart, but they’ve always been more like twins in how they anchor each other, so I let them have theirreunion, stepping away to call Tessa. I’m too impatient to wait for her to finish tattooing someone to respond to my text.
When I don’t get an answer, I redial and plod toward Mercy and Remy, who are settled on the couch, playing with cars.
The phone keeps ringing, and my stomach twists. It’s just an old ghost. I know that. She’s at La Lune Noire, surrounded by our people. Safe.
“Have you heard from Tess today?” I ask Mercy. “We texted this morning, but she’s been quiet since she got to work.”
Her brows pinch as she picks up one of Remy’s Hot Wheels vehicles. “She’s not at work.”
Remy holds it up, proudly showing me he knows the make and model. “It’s a lellow Dodge Viper, Uncle Maddox.”
“It sure is. You’re getting so good at that, buddy.” I tap the car, my heart drumming erratically in my chest as I look back to Mercy. “What do you mean, she’s not at work?”
“She texted me about an hour ago, letting me know she wasn’t coming in today.”
About an hour ago, Cash and I had just left Hunter’s. Tessa should have already been on her way. Kane didn’t alert me to any changes in her routine. What the hell is going on?
I pull up my Contacts as a round of laughter from my siblings resounds behind me. “Why did she say she was missing work?”
“She had a headache.” When Mercy notices my dubious frown, she explains further. “Tessa gets migraines. Not often, but they can be pretty bad.”
That information both alleviates some stress and spikes my blood pressure. She’s safe but in pain.
Just to be sure, I dial Kane, irate that no one alerted me to the change of plans.
“Yes, sir?” he answers, knowing it’s me.
“Why the hell wasn’t I informed of her staying home?”
He stalls for a minute, confusion lacing his tenor when he finally speaks. “I was under the impression that you were informed.”
“Why?” I tromp over to Rena’s bed, wedge myself between Jax and Ryker, and mouth,I’ll be back, to them.
“We were en route,” Kane explains. “She asked us to stop by her sister’s house. Next thing I knew, she was telling us to take her back home. She made a call, telling someone she couldn’t make it. Thought it was you.”
I head out into the waiting room, dipping my chin to Rena’s family. “Before or after she went to her sister’s? Did she have a headache? Your guys are on her, right?”
