CHAPTER 12
TRACY
The bright sun pierced through the window. Tracy squinted, trying to adjust. She looked around the small hospital room. She had been moved to the maternity ward where the obstetrician on call ordered an ultrasound along with other tests.
Tracy smiled at the sight of Francis sleeping soundly in a chair that was too small for his big body. His head was leaning back against the wall behind him, and his long legs stretched nearly to the middle of the room. Victoria was curled in a ball in a recliner with her face hidden under a blanket.
Tracy climbed out of bed and tipped past them to get to the washroom. She used the toilet, washed her hands and face, and brushed her teeth. She looked over at the shower and cringed. Tracy had issues with public toilets, but public showers outright gave her the willies. Since the doctor said that she and the baby were doing well and she’d be released later that day, Tracy decided to wait until she got home.
She carefully turned the knob to open the washroom door without waking Vic and Francis, but they were already awake. She could hear their voices before she walked into the room.
“Good Morning, Sunshine,” Victoria sang.
“Good Morning to you both,” Tracy responded.
“Si, good morning,” Francis grunted. He stood and stretched his long limbs. Sleeping in the small chair couldn't have been comfortable in the least.
“Francis, you shouldn't have slept in that chair all night. Vic, why didn't you send him home?”
“Yeah, right,” Victoria scoffed. “You must have hit yo’ head. You know he wasn't about to go nowhere.”
Ignoring them both, Francis asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Better. I’m ready to go home.”
“You’ll stay at Jack and Victoria’s.”
Tracy shifted her weight from one foot to the other and folded her arms across her chest. “Excuse me?” she asked with narrowed eyes.
“Would you like for me to repeat it inSicilianu?”
Francis smirked playfully. Although he was normally quietly commanding, she remembered that he did have a playful side. Tracy smiled in return and relaxed her arms. Sure she could go back and forth with him, but why would she? She wasn't quite ready to go back to her house anyway.
“Let me guess…you’ll be staying at Jack and Vic’s as well.”
“Si, for a week or so. I have business, and I don't want you to be alone.”
Tracy looked over at Victoria. She was displaying the goofiest of smiles.
“Da fuck you smiling at?” Tracy blurted.
“Watch your language, donna,” Francis scolded. “Get dressed, and I’ll go and find your doctor.”
Tracy stared at Francis’ back as he left the room.
“Whew, girl. He must've beat that pussy to death. I ain't never seen you let no man check you before,” Victoria teased.
“Shut up! He ain't checking nobody.”
“Yeah, okay. If you say so.” Victoria chuckled. “I bet yo’ ass be dressed before he gets back.”
