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“That woman doesn’t get tired of hearing herself speak.”
I watch as the girls take in what’s going on around us. They have heard so much negativity in their short lives. I don’t want them growing up feeling jaded or unloved by the people in their lives. Nathan looks at me and just as I’m about to say my peace he breaks the silence. “Brad, things are going to change when it comes to Vivian and the way she thinks she has a right to those girls and how they are raised. You and Laney are their parents. The number one authority on all things Amanda and Addie. Hopefully with my help, Vivian won’t have any more room to try to dictate how things should be. The girls don’t need it, and I don’t want Laney to have to go through all the shit that comes with her mother.” The girls gasp at the words Nathan uses. “Sorry.” He looks over at them.
“Excuse me.” The nurse comes in with a huge bouquet of multicolored Gerber daisies. “These were left for you at our station. The card’s attached.” I assume they’re from Stella. I haven’t heard from her yet this morning. I take the card and read what it says out loud. ‘Hope your two flowers feel bettersoon. D.’
“Who’s D, Mommy?”
“Yeah what kinda name ith D, Mama?”
The thoughts that run through my mind go from ridiculous to murderous. If this D is who I think it is, then she has a death sentence if she thinks she’s going to mess with my kids. I will cut a bitch before she lays her money-grubbing hands on my girls or my husband. “Laney?” Brad asks. “Who’s D?”
“She’s no one, Brad.”
“She’s?” Brad questions Nathan.
“I knew she wouldn’t pass this opportunity up, Nate. She must have talked to father." Natalie says.
“Who is she, Nathan, Laney? What’s going on?” Brad gets up and places Amanda in her bed and walks over to me. He takes the card from my hand.
“Let’s step outside, shall we?” Natalie put her hand on Brad’s shoulder and ushers him out of the room. I look back at the girls and before I could tell them where we would be, but Addie beats me to it.
“Yes, Mommy, you’ll be right back.” I laugh and follow Nathan out of the room.
“Okay, Brad, don’t freak out.” I try to reassure him.
“Why would I freak out? And why is Nathan being so quiet?” He looks at Nathan challenging him to speak up for himself. Nathan needs to explain to Brad, who she is.
“D is Diane. She was a woman who I once dated on and off for several years. She was more serious than I was. There were no feelings on my part, but I guess she felt differently. Technically, I’m not sure if that’s true because she was sleeping with my father at the same time she was sleeping with me.”
“My brother immediately broke it off with her when he found out about the affair. She didn't take to kindly to being dumped, especially so publicly. Nathan made it a point to let her and the world know that they were over for good."
"That wasn't my finest moment."
"I remember reading something about that in one of the magazines." Brad answered.
"Seriously? I questioned.
"Yes, just because I’m a guy, doesn't mean I don't like to read about gossip."
"I guess you learn something every day." I piped in.
"Anyway," Natalie continued. "Nathan made a spectacle, Diane countered saying that she was only using Nathan, that my father was the real man whom she loved. She tried to turn it around making it seem that Nathan was the one who wanted to continue the relationship. Just a bunch of drama."
“Why the fuck would she say any of that?”
“Seriously, Brad—"
“Natalie, stop. I’ll tell him.” Nathan stops her. “Look, my father's a bastard, always has been and always will be. He made my mother’s life hell, he lives to make my life just as bad. The only thing he never counted on was the fact that I can give a rat's ass about him, his opinions or whatever he does. I have everything he wants, and when I say everything, I mean my mother's company."
“So, this Diane character still thinks she can come into your life even after you called things off?”
“She’s a little bat-shit crazy like that.” I laugh at Natalie’s comment.
“Diane grew up in money. Money that's no longer there because her father made some bad investments. She tried to latch onto me, and now she had her hooks into my father."
“So she just sent the flowers and card to toy with you?” Brad’s brows are furrowed.
“Basically.” Nathan says.
“Well, let’s hope she doesn’t come within two feet of my daughters or there will be hell to pay. Nathan, I may not understand your relationship with Laney, but it’s not my place to continue to say my piece. I’ve already said what I needed to say to Laney about your marriage, but what I will continue to do is to make sure that my girls are safe. I’m trusting Laney’s decision to allow you into our children’s lives. Now I’m trusting you in making sure that all three of them stay safe. You may preach to me about how they are your family now, but they were my family first. You may think you and Laney have this great love and connection, but the fact of the matter is, I will always be around. No matter if Laney shares my last name or not, she’s half of those girls, and that will always make her my family. I hope you and I both have an understanding where Laney, Amanda, and Addie are concerned. And I hope you and I agree when it comes to any other person who tries to harm them, your father, her mother or any other piece of shit who tries anything, that it’s best to limit their contact with those types of people.”
Nathan’s jaw ticks. “Agreed, Brad.” They shake hands.
An older gentleman makes his way up to the four of us. “Mr. Richards, Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore. I’m Dr. Basset.”
“Nice to meet you, doctor.” Brad shakes his hand. The doctor follows suit and shakes my and Nathan’s hands. We introduce Natalie to the doctor as well.
“Is it alright if we go sit and discuss Addie’s injuries and what we can expect?”
“We don’t want to leave the girls unattended, doctor,” Nathan states.
“Go ahead. I’ll take care of my nieces.” Natalie waves us off and returns to the room closing the door.
