“And with four routes planned, I guess I have nothing to worry about there.” I let him see how amused I am that he’s taking all this so seriously. He may be acting all cool for my sake, but deep down, I know he’s as nervous as I am.
“Will you speak to Wrath and make sure you don’t get sent on any runs until she gets here? I don’t want you being too far away from me.”
“Already spoke to him, I’m all yours for the foreseeable.”
“Then let's hope she doesn’t keep us waiting much longer.” I let out a nervous breath as he continues driving us toward home.
“Alicia, you’ve unpacked and repacked that bag three times since we got back from the doctors.” Vike laughs at me when he’s gotten out of the shower and has joined me in the bedroom.
“I know, but I don’t want to forget anything.” I sit on the edge of the bed and start wondering if I’ve packed a warm enough coming-home outfit to put her in.
“You ain’t forgotten anything; you’re ready for this.”
“Do you think?” I bite my lip nervously.
“Without question. You have thought of everything. The house has been scrubbed to perfection, and when this little girl is ready to show us some action, I’m gonna be ready to get her mommy to the drugs.” He laughs.
My cell starts to ring, and when I see my mom's name flashing on the screen, I decide not to answer it. I’m nervous enough without stressing myself out by talking to her.
“Don’t ya wanna get that?” Vike checks, seeing who it is for himself.
“Not right now.” I shake my head.
“Okay.” He kisses my head before starting to get dressed, and it makes me wonder what he knows about my past when I realize he never questions me, the way everyone else does. In fact, I’m realizing that I know nothing about his past either.
“Does your mom and dad know you're livin’ in sin with a woman, and about to have a baby?” I ask, not wanting to turn this into a big deal.
“I’d like to think so,” he answers, confusing me as he buttons up his jeans.
“What? Have you not thought of just telling them?” I laugh.
“Last time I checked, they ain’t got a direct line to heaven, darlin’.” He smiles sadly, before taking my hospital bag off the bed and placing it back by the door where we’ve been keeping it. “Stop worrying, you're ready to be a mom, Alicia,” he tells me before heading back out of the room.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know your parents were dead. How old were you when it happened?” I follow after him, not ready for this conversation to be over.
“Saul never told me,” I add, wondering why that was when he doesn't answer.
“Thats because Saul knew I don’t like to talk about it.” He sits on the couch and pulls up his long hair into a ponytail.
“I guess you don’t wanna talk about it now, either?” I sit beside him, giving him the opportunity to open up to me. But knowing how it feels not to want that kind of pressure.
“It’s been a good day, Alicia, let's not ruin it by talkin’ about the past.” Pulling me onto his bare torso, he wraps me up in a hug and kisses the top of my head.
“Vike…Vike!” Alicia shakes me frantically, and I immediately wake up and spring into action.
“Is this it…is she coming?” I check. Watching her breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth. “Are you having contractions or did your waters break?” I rip back the covers to check, but she doesn’t answer me; instead, she shakes her head and focuses on breathing.
“I…I…think… I’m having a panic attack.” She clings to my arm, closing her eyes and continuing to struggle for air.
“Alicia, you're okay. You have nothing to panic over. I’m here.” I take her face in my hands and breathe with her. “Alicia, I need you to focus on breathing; concentrate on that, not what's scaring you. Can you do that?”
She nods her head against my hands, still gripping my forearms as if she’s terrified, and it takes a while, but eventually she starts to calm down.
“Alicia, talk to me.” I keep our eyes connected.
“There's something wrong with the baby.” Her voice breaks, and more tears stream from her eyes, spilling between my fingers.
“What are you talkin’ about? Are you in pain?” I check her over.
