* * *
We finally allmake it to the restaurant, surprisingly only ten minutes late. I’m sure we will be late for things until all six of the kids are grown, since trying to get four dressed and out the door is absolutely chaotic.
When we make it to our table, Jose, Joe, Ellen, Chris, and Nathan are already seated. There are balloons, cake and gifts. It seems Isla’s best friend decided she needed a little bit of an actual party anyway.
“Chris! I told you it was just going to be dinner.” Isla tries to sound stern, but she has a huge smile on her face.
He stands up so he can pull her in for a hug. "Now what kind of BFFL would I be if I didn't spoil you just a little?”
“BFFL?” Bodie asks, confused.
“Best friend for life, duh!” Chris and Isla parrot simultaneously before busting out laughing.
“Okay now, children, sit down so we can eat,” Emma teases, sitting down to look over the menu.
Bodie and Silas take over figuring out what the kids want so Isla can spend some time with her friends. She and Jose have also become close, and she adores him. I enjoy watching her circle of friends grow.
Isla is sitting to my right with Chris to her left. I’m turned towards Orin, talking about a new training they have coming up in a couple weeks when I hear Isla suck in a breath from behind me.
“Oww!” she whines.
The others and I whip our heads around so fast I’m shocked we don’t break our necks. Before we can bombard her with questions, she holds up a hand to stop us.
“I’m fine. It was a mix of strong Braxton Hicks and a perfectly timed kick to the cervix.” She doesn’t give us a chance to comment before she turns back to her conversation with Chris.
Our waitress comes and takes our order, bringing Isla her queso which she damn near ends up drinking. Mexican food has been her biggest craving the last few weeks. I actually watched her drink some queso a couple days ago. It’s quite the sight honestly.
Before we get the chance for her to start opening presents, we see Stefanie come stomping through the restaurant towards us. Isla’s face becomes hard when she sees her.
“Maw-Maw, will you, Jose, and Joe take the kids outside? Now please,” she asks. They all grab the kids and head out the side door right as the bitch makes it to our table. Isla stands to face her. I make sure my body is blocking her as much as possible, just in case this crazy ass woman tries something.
“What the fuck do you want, Stafanie? How did you know where we were? Are you stalking me now?” Isla demands, looking angrier than I’ve ever seen her.
“Why would I stalk you when I can pay someone else to do it, you stupid whore? Give me my grandsons now. You have two more worthless kids coming, plus the mistake you call a daughter, and the little junkie kid you stole. They don’t need to be raised in your fucking whore house. You’re going to ruin them like you did my son!”
“No, that’s where you’re wrong. You and your piece of shit husband ruined your son. You raised him to be an abusive, lying, cheating, all around awful human. You knew he was beating and raping me and yet you did nothing. It’s your fault he’s dead. If you would have gotten him help he might still be alive. It’s not my fault Mark’s only way to save my daughter and I was to take him out. I don’t feel even a tiny amount of guilt. My kids are safe, and that’s all that matters.” Her voice is so calm and cold it sends a shiver down my spine.
“Nothing is going to stop me. I’ll have my grandsons even if I have to burn that house down with your fucked up family in it and take them myself.”Did this bitch really just threaten a multiple homicide in the middle of a restaurant? She’s out of her damn mind!
“I guess your son really did get his brains from you. I’m a cop, dumbass. You broke a restraining order, and made threats of kidnapping, murder, and arson. Did you not think Emma was calling our lawyer and the cops as soon as she took the kids out? You’re going to jail and this time you won’t be getting out.” I chuckle darkly at the look on her face.
Before she has the chance to respond, officers are next to her, grabbing and putting her in cuffs. They haul her off, kicking and screaming.
“God, I hope that’s the last time I have to see that bitch—” Her words are cut off when she gasps and grabs her stomach.
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “Something is wrong. Something is wrong with the babies!” She’s crying now, and I can’t tell if it’s from the pain or the fear.
“Oh, fuck, Isla.” Chris barely pulls up the front of her dress where we can see her legs.
Blood. There is so much blood.
“Odin…” She doesn't finish her sentence. Her eyes roll back, and she passes out. Chris and I grab her at the same time, lowering her to the floor.
I pull out my phone, dialing 911.“Yes, I need an ambulance. My wife’s pregnant, and she started bleeding and passed out. Please, hurry.”
As I hold her in my arms and stare down at her motionless body, the worst scenarios run through my mind and a tear slips from my eye.
Please… If there’s anyone there to listen… Please, don’t let us lose them…
The End…until next time.
