The sound of loud voices began edging closer to the living room. And the low rumble sounded chaotic.
“Whose voices are those?” True asked, cocking her head to the side. “That does not sound good.” She made a face.
“Sounds like Red,” Landon said, eyes widening. “He’s arguing.”
“And Hattie,” Bailey added. “I’d know her voice anywhere.”But Bailey had never heard Hattie in such a foul mood. Red, Jacques, and Hattie came into view at the same time. Red was pushing Hattie in her wheelchair, and she was muttering up a storm. Her face was scrunched up like a prune. Landon’s dad looked as if he’d been put through it, while Jacques seemed as steamed as Hattie.
Bailey wasn’t sure if she was overstepping by being involved in this tense family situation. She caught Landon’s eye and mouthed the wordsShould I leave?Landon vehemently shook his head no. Bailey hoped he wasn’t thinking that she had a magic wand up her sleeve that could fix this situation. By the looks of it, this might take a skilled negotiator.
“The two of you have gotten on my last good nerve!” Hattie barked. “I can’t believe you contacted Dr. Akash behind my back! I didn’t appreciate Benjy’s house call nor his words of warning!” she grumbled. Red opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, clearly thinking better of it.
Suddenly the older woman’s gaze landed on her. Hattie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Bailey, you’re a breath of fresh air. I’m so glad to see someone who doesn’t have the last name Stone or Chaplin,” she said, scowling.
“Now, Hattie,” Jacques said before Hattie cut him off.
“Don’t you Hattie me. I’m sick of all your mansplaining. I’ve never been held down by a man, and I refuse to do so at this late stage in my life.” Her breathing became ragged. “I’m going to Vegas. Come hell or high water.”
“I think we’re already at the stage,” Caleb muttered. “It’s getting hot in here.”
Slowly Hattie turned her wheelchair in Caleb’s direction. “Are you sassing me, young man?”
Caleb’s eyes bulged and he began to stammer. “N-no, of course not! I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Landon and Xavier chuckled nervously. She turned her anger toward them. “What’s funny about the situation? A dying woman being denied the right to go to Vegas?”
Before her eyes, both men turned into bumbling apologists. “No, we didn’t mean anything by it,” Xavier said, stumbling over his words.
“We’re not laughing at you,” Landon said, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I plan to be in Las Vegas by noon tomorrow, and there’s nothing or no one who can change my mind about that,” Hattie said, huffing. “I’ve even packed up all my glittery tops.”
Jacques threw up his hands. “Clearly there’s nothing more I can say or do. I’ve talked myself until I’m blue in the face, but you’re not listening. You’re being stubborn, and foolish.” He let out a strangled sound. “There, I said it. And I mean it.”
Hattie’s face looked apoplectic with rage.
“Oh no,” Landon said in a soft voice. “No no no. He used the F word!”
Bailey looked around. There was so much tension in the room. It seemed as if something might explode. Most likely Hattie. She reminded her of Godzilla, taking down anything or anyone in their path.
“Grandmother,” Xavier said, pulling True close to his side. “I understand that you want to go to Vegas, and personally I’ve always subscribed to your philosophy of YOLO. I’m just a little sad, though, that you won’t be around to celebrate with us.”
“We understand, though,” True said. “We know howmuch you love Vegas, and it is on your bucket list. It’s important to you.”
“It’s vital for my well-being.” Hattie frowned. “What are you celebrating? An early Christmas?” she scoffed.
Xavier looked down at True, and they shared a loving gaze. Something shimmered and pulsed in the air between them that seemed momentous.
“No, it’s actually a little more special to us than that,” Xavier explained.
Hattie squinted at them. “More special than Christmas? Impossible.”
Xavier reached out for True’s hand as they both turned toward Hattie. “Actually, yes, this news is pretty spectacular.” Bailey had never seen anyone smile so wide. “We’re expecting a baby. Baby Stone will be arriving in about seven months.”
There was a hushed silence in the room until it exploded into chaos. Landon and Caleb rushed toward Xavier and enveloped him in a bear hug. There was lots of noise and commotion. Red walked over to his daughter-in-law and gently held her in his arms. There were tears pooling in his eyes. Hattie seemed shocked beyond belief.
“Seriously?” she asked. “Is this for real? You’re not just saying this to stop me from going to Las Vegas, are you?”
“No, Hattie, you know us both well enough to know that we wouldn’t play around like that,” True said, leaning down to hug her. “Babies are sacred.”
