Page 24

It infuriates me how horrid that woman is. How on God’s green earth can a mother treat her child like she’s yesterday’s trash and expect respect in return? I get why my father is the way he is, because he's a natural born asshole, but how can a woman carry a child for nine months, look into that sweet, innocent face and not feel a thing? No wonder Laney was so lost after her father died. It was as if she lost her only parent the moment he took his last breath.

“What are people to think if she doesn’t answer them?” Vivian asks irritated.

“She thanked me for the flowers, Vivian, and she did so verbally.” I’m not about to allow this woman to upset the girls or their mother.

“Well that’s a first; I usually have to drag the words out of her. No wonder she has a hard time speaking. She doesn’t practice it enough.”

“Amanda is just fine. She’s tired. Give us all a break. Would you please?” My patience is shot.

“Are you really going to tell me how I should act around my grandchildren?”

“Vi—”

“No, Brad, don’t interrupt me. It seems that I’m the only one concerned with the well-being of the girls. You should back me up, being a teacher yourself, as to how important it is for the kids to be able to communicate. She’s going to be left behind, struggle and heaven forbid, fail.”

“Mother, you need to stop it now. You know she works hard in speech therapy. Enough is enough. No more!” Just when I thought I was going to have to throw that miserable woman out, the door swings open and I immediately feel the tension lift from Laney.

“Auntie Thella!” Amanda screams.

“It’s Stella, Amanda, use your words correctly.” Vivian berates her again.

“No, actually, Vivian, it’s Thella. That’s how Amanda says it, and that’s how I like it. If you have a problem, and it bothers you how she says my name, then you know where the door is. No one here will stop you.” Her chin is held high as she cocks her hip looking Vivian right in the eye. Wow, I knew that I liked this woman, but I think she just went up a few more notches.

“Don’t come in here, Stella, in a family moment and start acting like you have any say in what goes on in Addie and Amanda’s lives. This is a family matter, and it’s up to us to decide on how we raise these girls.”

“Pardon me, Vivian.” I can’t hold my tongue any longer. I place my hand on the middle of her back and move her towards the door and out of the girls’ room. “But I believe the girls have two competent parents who are more than capable of raising the girls. Their mother loves them, and their needs are of the utmost importance to her.” I make sure that my voice stays at a normal tone so that I don’t scare the girls. Once the door closes and we are out of the room, I can’t contain my anger towards her. I didn’t even realize Laney came out as well.

“You think you know my daughter, Nathan? You’ve known her what, maybe two days, and I’m giving her more credit than what she deserves, I’m sure. You are no more included than Stella is, in the raising of those girls.” She points back to the room. “Just because you have the power of a name behind you, you think you can slip a rock on her finger and that gives you the right to tell me, their grandmother, their own flesh and blood, how I can and cannot be with my family.”

“That’s where you’re very wrong. Laney is my wife; she’s my family and those two girls in there are now my stepdaughters. Your influence and manipulation of your daughter is no more. I will not allow you to bully or terrorize my wife or Amanda for that matter. They are no longer your concern. Laney will no longer need your help or approval on anything in regards to those girls. You should see yourself as lucky for having the relationship that you have with them. It’s not a right; it’s a privilege, and you best remember that for the next time you belittle my wife.”

“How dare you-—”

“Go home, Mother.” Laney comes up behind me. It’s then that I notice most of the medical staff standing around watching the little exchange.

“Laney—”

“I mean it. I don’t need you here right now. The girls are fine; they have us here. Just go home and rest.”

Vivian looks at me, and then to her daughter, before turning on her heel, and leaving. As she passes the waiting area, her husband gets up from the same chair he’s occupied this entire time and follows her to the elevator. I realize I'd forgotten he was even there.

“Laney, I’m sorry, love.” I turn toward her.

“Don’t be." She wraps her arms around my waist.

“I didn’t mean for it to get that heated. I just couldn’t stand the way she continued to speak to you, and in front of the girls.”

“Nathan, I love what you’re doing for me, I love this feeling. I love that you are so protective of me and my girls.” Those were the last words I expected to come from her mouth, but damn, if they didn’t sound perfect. “I’m sure I’m crazy for saying that, for feeling what I feel. I guess, overwhelmed is the only way I can describe it, but damn, it feels good.” She rises up on her toes and brushes her lips against mine. My hands instantly wrap around her waist, and I pull her body close.

“Laney.” The words are hushed so that only she can hear. “The moment I saw you, my heart was yours. I don’t care about time frames or what others may think.” I tell her before crushing my lips to hers.