There wasn’t anything new about me. I only had a few new clothes and handbags and a new house, but I was still the same old Wren for the most part.
“Uh huh. Joke all you want now, but this is gon’ be you in a few months.”
Aria’s eyes drifted toward the sky. Her smile came slowly. It curved at one corner before the other, soft and unguarded. “I can’t wait for him to come home,” she said when her eyes met mine again.
“I bet you can’t. That man has been locked up for so long. He got some much pressure built up in him, I’m sure you won’t be walking for a few days after he touches down.”
“Okay, what you need to do is get home to your man. It sounds like to me that you got something brewing between yo’ legs while you’re fantasying about me.”
“In your dreams.” I laughed and shut the door on her.
I headed to the house. To my surprise, Maniac was already here. Normally, he wouldn’t even come in ’til dinner time. He hadn’t told me what he’s been up to, but I know that he’s been searching for the people that shot at us at the baby shower. Is this really what my life has come to? Always worrying about what’s gon’ happen next. Not being able to have a friendly event without something dramatic or life altering happening. It’s too much.
Getting out the car, I entered the house. Food could be smelled coming from the kitchen, so I followed the scent. When I made it to the kitchen, I found Maniac standing in front of the stove. Tossing my keys on the counter, I dropped my purse and then went over behind him, craning my arms around his waist. My head rested in the center of his chest.
“I missed you,” escaped my lips.
He spun around in my arms and wrapped his around my neck. His lips pressed against the top of my head.
Some sharp cramps hit my stomach, causing me to rub it. “Oh.”
“You okay?” Maniac asked me as he peeled from behind me and stepped in front of me.
“Yeah, I think so.” I frowned, not even sure of my answer.
Zilla strutted into the kitchen and I grabbed him from the floor, noticing a mark on top of his head. Examining it closer, I realized that it’s a bite.
“Did you bite him?” I turned and asked Maniac.
“Bet that bitch won’t bite me no more.”
“I can’t believe you bit him.”
Maniac’s brow arched. “So, it’s okay for him to bite me?”
Another pain hit me in the stomach. I hunched over, holding Zilla.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” Maniac said and turned around to turn the pots off on the stove. I didn’t know what itfelt like to go into labor. I’m hoping that’s not what’s happening right now.
He grabbed my keys and purse off the island and took Zilla from my arms. “Let’s go.” Taking me by the hand, he led me toward the front door.
Lord, please don’t let me be going into labor.
I wanted to carry my baby to full term, but with the stress of everything happening around me, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did go into labor early.
Maniac held the door open for me to get into the car. Once I was securely inside, he shut the door behind me and ran around to his side. He wasted no time starting the car and peeling out of there.
Braxton hicks. That’s what I was experiencing. The doctor said that I should be just fine and for me to take it easy the next few days, but if they get worse to come back into labor and delivery. Baby girl was still holding on.
Maniac came back into the room with the discharge papers and Uncle Trayvon wasn’t too far behind him. “You called him?” I asked Maniac as I sat up on the bed.
“Aria did. She said that I might make it to you before she does,” Uncle Trayvon answered.
“Did you tell him that it was a false alarm?”
“Yeah. You ready to go?” Maniac asked.
“Been ready.” He gripped me by the hand and helped me from the bed. “Can you let Aria know that it’s a false alarm and that I’m heading home. I don’t want her to come all the way here for nothing.” Uncle Trayvon nodded and removed his phone from his pocket.
