Crystal opened the door and peeped inside. “Lunch is almost ready. What do you want to drink with your food, sweetie?” she asked me.
“I’ll take a water, but can I please eat in the living room. I promise to sit back in the recliner, rest, and watch terrible reality TV.” I pouted at her and Tech. They were both treating me like I was handicapped. I had been home for five days and had only seen my room.
“Will,” Tech said sternly.
“Please,” I begged, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.
He sighed in defeat before getting out of bed. Placing his laptop on the nightstand, he held his hand out to me. “Fine, but the second I sense you’re in any pain, back to this bed you will go.”
I smiled in triumph. “Thank you. I promise not to overdo it.”
“I’ll get the folding tray and set up your lunch.” Crystal made her way out of the room, leaving the door open.
As Tech helped me out of bed, I did my best to mask any discomfort. If he thought for a second I was in pain, I wouldn’t leave this room. Slowly, Tech guided me to the living room and into the recliner. He grabbed a throw blanket off the couch, draping it over my body. After he was sure I was comfortable, he made his way back to the room to grab his laptop. He settled in the recliner next to me and refocused on his task.
Fifteen minutes later, Crystal had my lunch set up in front of me—fried catfish, home fries, and a salad. She had been an absolute godsend. Just like Tech, she was here every day taking care of me. Bianca’s mother, Victoria, filled in at Crystal’s house to help Debbie with the children while she was here.
I tried telling Crystal many times that it wasn’t necessary to come here every day. By the second day, she told me to hush my mouth and worry about getting better. I knew she looked at everyone on this compound like they were her children and grandchildren, whether they shared blood or not. But to see her nurture me in a way my mother hadn’t done was bittersweet.
“Do you need anything else before I go back to the kitchen?” she asked after setting my water and plate down.
“No. I’m okay.” I grinned like a little boy as I took a bite of my food.
“What about you, Tech? You hungry yet?”
“Not yet. I’ll eat in a little bit,” he told her and turned his attention back to his screen.
Crystal placed her hands on her hips with a frown. “I’ll give you an hour. You skipped breakfast this morning, so you need to eat.”
She left no room for argument and left the room before he could say anything. Tech shook his head with a grin. “Yes, ma’am.”
Right as I finished my food, the front door swung open. Sara walked through with a waddling Cara right behind her. She was two days past her due date. Like me, she was supposed to be on bed rest. I was surprised Viper let her out of his sight long enough for her to sneak out.
Crystal came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel. “What are you doing here, belly?” she addressed Cara.
She glared at her mother. “I wish you would stop calling me that. And I’m here for the food. Where’s my plate?” She placed her hand on the arm of the sofa, attempting to lower herself. Sara and Tech rushed forward to help her. Cara swatted both of them away. “This is my fifth baby. I’m a pro at this now. I got this.”
“I was going to bring you your plate. You didn’t have to walk all the way over here for some fried catfish, Cara.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “The doctor said a little walking would help move things along. I’ll do anything to get this little boy out of me. It’s like Jasper is hell-bent on living in my body,” she hissed.
We all broke out in laughter. I knew she had to be tired of being pregnant. In three and a half years, she and Viper were five babies in, and it didn’t look like they were stopping any time soon.
“Jasper? That’s his name?” I questioned.
“Yes. Viper and I decided last night.”
“I can't believe you and Viper are four out of five with boys. Poor Angel is going to be surrounded by nothing but brothers,” Tech said, chuckling.
Cara scoffed and pursed her lips. “God knows better than to give Viper another girl to share his attention with. Angel would lose her shit.”
I snickered at the thought. Yeah, that definitely wouldn’t go over well with Angel. She didn’t like sharing Viper's attentionwith anyone. I could only imagine if it were another little girl, sibling or not.
When Crystal walked back into the kitchen, I noticed that both Sara and Cara had their laptops with them. Tech noticed too and sat up in his recliner.
“You got some information?”
“I believe so. I just need you to confirm I found Sire and his cult.”
