Chapter 147
“Well one of us has to make a plan.” Alexis brought her palm to rest on Lynn’s stomach. She laughed when one of the babies wadded up into a ball beneath her hand. “I don’t think the babies like my cold hands.”
“I don’t think they like anything lately,” Lynn complained. Over the past few weeks, the babies had grown so active that their movements would frequently wake her up in the middle of the night. With their weight pressing against her bladder, the urge to pee was also a constant nuisance. During two of her concerts, she’d been forced to rush off the stage in order to reach the nearest bathroom when the urge suddenly hit. “They won’t even let me sleep. I’m convinced the two of them are playing tag inside my stomach. I was so tired after my shows that I just collapsed in bed, still wearing my stage clothes.”
“I’m sorry, babe. Have you talked to your manager yet about canceling the tour?”
“Not yet. I will. I know he’s going to freak.” She sighed. “My feet keep swelling so badly that Doctor Rollins wants me to stop touring anyways. I’m not allowed to have any salt now,” she grumbled. “I love these babies, but I’ll be so happy when they’re born!” She laughed, rubbing her stomach as she looked down. “Did you hear that little ones? Momma can’t wait for you to get here so she can sleep at night.”
Alexis snorted, arching her brow when she looked at Lynn. “Sleep at night? Honey, you’re having twins. Do you honestly foresee very much sleep in your future?”
“Well…”
“I was thinking,” Alexis leaned against the wall and looked up at Lynn. “Lynn, I saw your father’s apartment. The area he’s living in, it’s not a very good one. One of the girls that Aimee and Katie work with said it was the worst area in Hoboken. While you’ve been away on tour, William has been with me every single day. He helped me find this place for us. He helped with getting Morgan and Calista ready for school. He even helped Calista with one of her homework assignments that I was clueless on.” She shifted. “What I’m trying to say is we have the extra space. When the babies are born, it would be nice to have a little help around here. Most importantly, he needs a safer place to stay.”
“You’d really be okay with that?”
Alexis nodded. “I like him, so do the girls. I think he’d enjoy getting to help out with the babies too.” She reached up, brushing a strand of hair from the side of Lynn’s puffy cheeks. “He talks about you so much when you’re not here.”
“I’m glad he helped out with the girls while I was away. I know how hard it is on you.” Lynn slowly exhaled. “I was so worried when I had to fly out since they’ve still failed to find out anything about that creep. I’m beginning to believe the police and the bodyguards are useless. Stupid cops, they’re all completely…” Lynn blushed. She looked down at Alexis and chewed the corner of her lip. “Well I mean not all cops are stupid. You were an amazingly brilliant cop.” She kissed Alexis’s lips, trying to smooth over her words.
“Uh huh, so that’s why you fired me as your bodyguard?” Alexis rolled her eyes.
“Lex,” Lynn frowned. “No. You know that’s not why.” She could feel the trickle of wetness slide down her cheek when she met Alexis’s eyes.
“Hey,” Alexis whispered. “I was only joking, sweetheart.” Her loving fingertips brushed away Lynn’s tears.
“I’m so sorry,” Lynn groaned. “Lately everything seems to make me emotional.”
“Aw. Well, that’s because you’re a hormonal pregnant lady.” Alexis smiled. “A very beautiful hormonal pregnant lady,” she whispered as she kissed Lynn’s palm.
“If I ask you really sweetly would you buy the hormonal pregnant lady a doughnut? Please?” Lynn laughed when Alexis shot her a narrow eyed glare.
“Come on, chubby. We’ll grab your dad and maybe, just maybe I will let you have one doughnut run before we pick up the girls. Only one,” Alexis repeated while holding up one finger.
Lynn growled. “If you call me chubby one more time…”
“Chubby,” Alexis teased. She turned towards Lynn, giggling when she bounded down the staircase, out of her reach.
“Oh you better be glad I cannot run!”
* * * *
Lynn leaned against the doorway, watching as her father unpacked what few belongings he owned. Mostly, he had reminders of her. Everything from magazines she’d covered, video interviews, CD’s, and even an extensive collection of her promotional items. She stepped inside the room, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I still can’t believe you have all of this stuff.”
“I told you I’d been following your career. You didn’t believe me, did you?”
Lynn shrugged. “I don’t know what I believed.” She leaned over, glancing down when he opened up a photo album. “I remember that picture. It’s one of my favorites with Katie.” With a sigh, she looked up at William. “Does it seem strange to you, calling Evelyn, Katie?”
William nodded. “It does. I like the name Katie but…” he released a breath and turned to Lynn. “I missed more time with her than I did with you. She was so young at the time she was stole from us that…I’m not sure if she and I will ever be able to develop some form of a relationship. I’m not even sure she wants to.”
“Give her some time. I’m sure she’ll come around. Katie has been so wrapped up with her new job that she hardly has any free time.” Lynn grasped William’s hand, staring down at the knots of arthritis that had formed on his knuckles. She leaned over, laying her head against his shoulder with a sigh. “For years I blamed myself for her disappearance. I lived a life that…Looking back on everything now, I honestly don’t know what to think of my behavior over the years. I should have watched her closer that day. I made a mistake, but it’s one I can’t change, no more than you can change the one you made with me.” She tilted her head, looking up. Her eyes filled with tears when she whispered, “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, my little Lynnie Bear.” William dropped the photo album to the bed and pulled Lynn close.