“Madi.” I shook her gently to wake her.
“What?” she asked, wiping sleep from her eyes. As soon as she saw Jamie, she shot to her feet. “Is everything okay?”
“The doctors are scheduling Emily for a C-section,” Jamie choked out.
Ashley gasped as her hand shot to her mouth. Nathan tugged her closer and rubbed her back. This had to be hitting them extra hard because Ashley was due in four months.
John stood and clapped Jamie on the shoulder in support. He stayed by Jamie’s side as we talked.
“Did they say anything else?” Madi asked.
Jamie repeated what Madi had told me, then added, “The twins are ready to meet the world, but Emily’s body isn’t cooperating.”
Madi walked over to Jamie, not bothering to say a word as she stepped between her dad and brother. Jamie didn’t care. He pulled her into a hug. I looked away when I saw the tears on his cheek.
A few minutes later, Jamie went back to Emily, and Madi walked back to our group.
“Jamie asked me to stay with them.” She hugged herself before saying, “You can go home now.”
“No.” I wouldn’t play this game again.
Jay, John, and Nathan smiled their approval.
I could confidently say I had the approval of two Sheppards. Jack wouldn’t be hard to convince. Nor would Jamie, when he had the bandwidth to think about it.
“But—”
“I said no.”
Her jaw fell open, and she looked around for help. There was none.
“Mom?”
“Sorry, honey, but who am I to argue with Matt?” Mary sounded innocent, but I knew better. If she wanted me to leave, she’d invoke her Mama Bear and do a lot more than argue.
The tally of Sheppard’s won over was now three to two, and I liked my odds of getting Jack and Jamie’s approval in the near future.
“Dad?” she pleaded.
“Madi, the man said he’s staying. I suggest you accept it.”
Did he just tell his daughter to listen to me?
I hadn’t expected him to interfere, so hearing him actively take my side blew my mind.I should play the lottery.
Mary smiled and patted her daughter on the shoulder. If I read it right, her message was: be a good girl and listen to your father.
The contrast between John and Mary’s authoritative style had been on full display all night.
If John’s intimidation tactic didn’t work, Mary would use sweetness.
If Mary’s sweet approach didn’t work, John used intimidation.
No one stood a chance against them.
Mary would kill you with kindness. John would scare you to death.
Or just kill you if the situation called for it.
