“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I sighed out, wishing the past week couldn’t have happened. I glared at the house, willing it to change things from how it all happened.
“It’s okay,” he said, patting my knee. “Everything’s been cleaned up. And Krissy was determined to set up a nursery, sorta. She’s a determined girl.”
“She usually is,” I laughed. I don’t know what I would have done without her by my side.
I was glad I had a friend here. She was possibly the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. She had come to visit me every day so far, although she wasn’t allowed into the NICU because she wasn’t the father. Travis was allowed in, since the nurse felt bad that the father wasn’t there with me, and he was my brother. He wasn’t able to hold Joshua, but he’d get the chance to soon enough.
“Come on,” he said as he began to get out of the car.
I slowly followed him. My heart sped up, fearing that I’d relive the horrible thing over again. It was the shock of it all, mostly. I don’t think I’ve fully processed that Taylor was no longer alive.
Travis was patient as I slowly made my way up to the house. I almost would have rather walked back into Zach’s house.
Almost.
I wasn’t quite ready to step over that small, but huge, hurdle quite yet.
Once I reached the step, the door was opened, a smiling Krissy on the other side. Before I could react, she had me wrapped in her arms, giving me a hug that I didn’t know I needed.
“Please don’t be mad,” she whispered in my ear. “Travis made a few phone calls.”
“I can’t promise that,” I muttered as she pulled back, but then she took ahold of my hand. “What did you do?”
She gave me a small, encouraging smile before dragging me into the house. Once inside, Krissy came to stop, and my breath left my lungs. I could have collapsed in shock and joy if Travis hadn’t been behind me.
Inside the house, there stood Carlos and Julia. I probably should have expected Carlos to show up because of what happened, but I never expected Julia of all people.
“Julia,” I cried, rushing to pull her into a hug. I was so happy to see her after so long. Talking to her on the phone was good, but seeing her in person was so much better.
“Hello, dear,” she said, returning my hug.
We held onto one another for a few more moments before I pulled back, wiping away my tears. Damn my stupid hormones.
“How are you?” she asked, looking me up and down.
“Better now that you’re here,” I answered truthfully.
“You look tired,” she stated.
“I am, but I don’t think I can sleep,” I said.
“Sit, sit,” she said, taking a seat on the couch, that I noticed was brand new. And so was the carpet and painted walls. Looking around, no one would be able to tell that two people were shot and killed in this house. Everything was clean and almost brand new.
At that thought, a shiver ran through me.
“So tell me, when does my grandson get to come home?” Julia asked.
“A few weeks,” I shrugged. “Hopefully. He’s doing well, considering he was born so early.”
“I don’t doubt that he’ll be just fine,” she said. “I’ll be here for a while to help, if you’ll let me.”
“Really?” I asked, surprised. Would she really be able to stay and keep Zach from finding out?
“Yes,” she smiled. “Carlos wouldn’t have offered to bring me along if he thought otherwise. You’ve been through so much. It’s the least I could do to help. And I’m sure you won’t want Zach here, or for him to find out, yet. Do you?”
“Not yet,” I said, shaking my head. I did want him to show up, but with so much going on lately, I just wanted a few more weeks to myself. “If he finds me on his own, then I can handle it. But I’m not ready for more stress just yet.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Julia said. “Let me help you. We are all here for you. I know that being a new mother is hard, even with help. So, please, let me stay a week or two.”
“I will only be able to be here for another day or so before I have to get back,” Carlos stated. “But there shouldn’t be any more threats against you. Ever.”
“Good,” I said, my voice hard.
Maybe things could start being better now that Aaron was no longer alive. Maybe life would be on the right path now as things calmed down and I got to figure out how to live a life of less threats.
I knew that Taylor didn’t want a funeral, or anything for that matter. There would be no goodbye for him. I knew that life would keep on going, no matter what had happened in this house. But, everything would be fine in the end.
I could do this mother thing. I had family that was willing to help, and a few good friends. So things would work out, one way or another.
