I’m staringat Bodie wide-eyed with confusion over the whole exchange. “What the fuck?” I rip open the envelope and scan over the papers inside and what I’m reading has me fucking livid. “That stupid fucking bitch!”Oh, I’m going to prison. I’m going to kill this fucking woman.
“Angel,let me see. What’s going on, who is suing you?” he demands, reaching for the papers. I thrust the papers at him.
“Corin’s fucking mother!She is suing me for custody of the boysagain, trying to have my rights terminated, and claiming me getting shot shows I’m unfit.” I’m seething at this point. The monitors are beeping, and my nurse comes jogging into the room. I don’t think I have ever been so pissed off in my life, and that’s saying something.
“What is going on,are you okay? Are you hurting? Your blood pressure just went up,” she asks hurriedly, coming over to check it manually.
“My abusive,dead, ex husband's mother is suing me for custody of my sons again. I was just served papers,” I tell her, sure that I must have steam coming from my ears at this point.If I could murder her and get away with it, I would.
“Honey,I understand that is very upsetting, but for yours and the babies’ health, I need you to relax, okay?” she soothes, rubbing my shoulder.
I takea couple deep breaths to center myself which only helps so much since it hurts like an absolute bitch. “Bodie, hand me my phone, please. I’m calling Maw-Maw. This bitch thinks she’s fighting a scared, poor, single mom again. She has another thing coming.” Oh, Maw-Maw is going to lose her shit. I fought hard the first time, but two Aaron women… they better watch out.
“Here you go, Angel.”He hands me my phone and kisses my head. “That’s the spirit, love. You aren’t alone, and we will ruin her for trying to take our boys.”
My heart soars.I love hearing the guys refer to them asourkids.
Isla
The nurse wouldn’t let me call until my blood pressure went back down, and even then, it was only if I promised to stay calm, so an hour later and after the amazing homemade chicken and dumplings, banana pudding, and yeast rolls, I’m finally feeling less murderous. Nothing like comfort food to help me feel better.
“It’s just like her to keep on with all of this bullshit, when I was pregnant with Vivian she would justify the fact her son was beating on me because it was my fault she was a girl, like I had any control on the sex of the baby. Or all the times she told the boys I was an awful mother and we would have a better one when I died. I don’t understand how someone can be so fucking terrible.” I’m shaking in anger at this point.
“Oh let’s not forget when she told me she was glad I lost each of the babies because she didn’t want her son having kids with me. Then made my pregnancy with each of the kids a fucking nightmare, constantly telling me how fat I was, and how it’s my fault her son has to cheat because I’m too ugly for him. How about the time at Christmas when all of their extended family was there and me and Vivian were the only ones with no presents to open and I wasn't even allowed to eat her dinner. You know, I’m not one to wish death on anyone, but is it too much to ask that she gets put in a mental hospital?”
“Angel, you will never have to deal with her shit alone again, you have your grandmother and us to help and support you. Call Emma now and let her know what’s going on.” Bodie kisses my hand as I grab my phone.
I dial up Maw-Maw’s number. She doesn’t know that I’m pregnant or that it’s twins, so I figure I’ll give her the good news, then drop the custody bomb. This is going to be interesting.
I push the call button, and she answers the second ring. “Hey, Isla Claire, how are you feeling? When are they going to let you come home? These kids are missing their mommy.”
“I miss my babies too, but I’m hoping I can come home tomorrow or the next day. I’m just a little sore, but the pain medication keeps it at a manageable level. Where are the kids now?” I ask, chewing on my nails. Damn, I’m nervous to break all this news to her. Bodie squeezes my hand. How are we going to tell the kids? Should we wait?
“They dragged their daddies to the playroom; Vivi wanted to play princess tea party, and the boys wanted to play firemen. What’s going on? You don’t sound like yourself.”Of course she picks up on it.Well, here goes nothing.
“Well, do you want the good news or bad news first?” I ask her, deciding to let her choose.
“Well after the last couple days, I need to hear good news for a change,” she replies after a moment. Well, I hope she feels like it’s good news.
“I’m pregnant… with twins!” I practically yell the last bit.That’s great, Isla, just belt it out.
I have her on speaker, and it’s deathly quiet for a minute, then all we hear is the sound of her excitement. “Oh my god! Twins! More babies!” She laughs and cries and cheers for a couple more minutes before she manages to compose herself. Well, at least she’s looking forward to it.
“I’m so damn happy. There is that other big multi-room suite beside yours, and we can knock out a wall to make it one big space so everyone has room.” There’s a poignant pause. “If y’all are planning on staying here, that is.'' She breaks off sounding sad.I didn’t even think about that.I hope the guys are fine living with my grandmother till the old bat croaks because I’m not leaving her again.
“Oh, Maw-Maw, of course we are staying. The guys and I haven’t really discussed it, but I have no plans to move away from you again. Plus, it makes sense since you have plenty of room,” I tell her, glancing over to see Bodie’s reaction. He smiles at me, and I let out the breath I’ve been holding.
“I’m glad to hear it; I’m not ready for y’all to move out. Now, if that was the good news, do I even want to hear the bad news?” she asks worriedly.
“You have to let me get the whole thing out before you lose your shit, deal?” I hesitantly tell her.She is so going to lose her mind.I’m actually scared to tell her about Stephanie.
“Alright.” The single word is uttered with a tone of sass we all know and love.Well, here is the attitude already. This is going to be a disaster.
“I was served papers. Corin’s mother, Stephanie, is suing for custody of the boys again, claiming that getting shot shows I’m an unfit parent.” I throw everything at her in a rush.
It’s so silent I can hear the grandfather clock in the background. “Uh, Maw-Maw?” I ask worriedly. I can hear her grinding her teeth in anger.
“That stupid vapid cunt! Who the fuck does she think she is? The boys? She has three fucking grandkids, and she is only worried about the boys? Does she really think asking for two out of three kids is going to look good for her? How does you getting shot prove anything?” She’s screaming loud enough I have to pull the phone farther away to hold it at arm’s length, and I’m looking at Bodie like I’ve seen a ghost. I’ve never heard my grandmother so mad in my life. There is a loud crash and the sound of glass breaking after her rant, and I’m almost afraid to know what she did.
