Chapter Forty-Two
Skila
I wake up and look at the clock. Eight A.M. Last night comes back to me in flashes. A smug smile crosses my face as I reach over to greet my husband and realize Kip is gone. His cold side of the bed bothers me, and I wonder what he's up to. Why he didn't wake me this morning? Slipping from the bed, I ease my way to the adjoining bathroom and release my full bladder.
The baby seems to have decided his favorite place to sit is right on top of it, and when he isn't sitting there, he’s using it as a kickball. When I finish, I wash my hands and slip on some comfy pajama pants. My entire body is sore and aching in the best possible way this morning. The only thing that could have made it better this morning is waking next to Kip and having a repeat performance, but that didn't happen.
The faint sound of laughter coming from downstairs piques my curiosity. I carefully creep down the stairs, being careful not to alert anyone to the fact that I'm awake and sneaking about. I freeze in my tracks at what I see. Kip is sitting Indian style in the center of the room with a glowing faced little girl sitting across from him. She’s studying him so seriously that she doesn't me at first. Her lips are pinched tight, and her eyes are clenched as she concentrates on what she’s doing.
Poor Kip sits as still as a statue. His face is completely covered in make-up, his nails are a striking purple, and his hair is in two mini pigtails resembling pom-poms. I cover my mouth to keep from laughing and just watch.
"Uncle Kip, you look so silly and pretty all at the same time."
"You think Auntie Sky will like it?"
"I don't know. Can we ask her?"
"Ok, baby. We will as soon as she gets up." She looks up toward the stairs and smiles.
"I think she already knows. She's behind you."
He turns and smiles at me with a sheepish grin. I can't help but return it. My loneliness earlier this morning is now forgotten as I stare at my husband and his blue glitter eyeshadow and bright pink cheeks. He could easily pass for a clown at a child's birthday party. Standing, he makes his way to me at the bottom of the stairs.
“Good morning, wife,” he says in his sexy as sin voice that makes the skin melt off my bones on a bad morning . . . but today, all I can do is laugh.
“Wife, have you seen my husband? I can't seem to find him anywhere.” I reply, sarcasm seeping into my every word.
"Ha-ha, brat. I didn't want to wake you, and Maria came by to help Granny with her garden early this morning, so I figured I could keep this little stinker busy. Then she broke out the makeup,” he says, explaining how the tragic accident happened to his face. The ‘little stinker,’ as he calls her, is standing now, hands on her hips, and glaring at Kip’s back. I’m guessing she doesn't agree with his retelling of the events one bit.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up, baby—”
"Stop, I love you now more than ever.” He smiles and comes over to kiss me.
"Hold up . . .wipe your mouth first," I say, pulling back from him. I don't care how much I love him. I draw the line at maroon lipstick and blue glitter eyeshadow.
He doesn’t give two damns that I don't want to get all nasty. Pulling me to his chest, he plants his lips against mine, rubbing against them instead of kissing me, smearing the lipstick across my face. I squirm, trying to get out of his reach, but he won't let me go. I hear a little girl’s contagious giggling behind us and peek over Kip’s shoulder to see the famous makeup artist rolling on the floor, laughing at us. I tap Kip on the arm and nod my head toward her. On the silent count of three, we take off after her. Kip scoops her in his arms, holding her close while I tickle her ribs and stomach.
“I give. I give,” she squeals.
“Who’s the master?” I ask, grabbing her foot and running my finger down the base of it.
“You, Auntie Sky, you are.” Kip lowers her to the ground with ease. The moment her feet hit the ground, she takes off racing around the corner.
“Tricked ya,” she calls back toward us, causing me and Kip to both break out laughing again. I can't think of the last time I’ve felt so light and free. I can't wait until I'm able to play with my own child this same way every day. It's one of the things I used to regret not ever being able to have, and now I will. Laying my hand across my giant stomach, I thank God once again for the blessing He has given me.
Chapter Forty-Three
Kiptyn
We have to head back to LA soon. I don't want to. This last week in Atlanta has been a welcomed vacation, but the league’s award ceremony is Friday, and as a guest speaker, it wouldn't look good if I wasn't there. I got my call from my agent Monday. The Bolts want to resign me with a pretty significant increase in contract.
Of course, I have to talk it over with the missus before I agree, but she’s on the same page as me. The Bolts had given me my start, and if it weren’t for them, then the chance of my ever meeting Skila was slim to none, so really, I owe them my life, and of course, the six figures they’re paying me is nice too. It sucks that we didn't win Nationals this year, but I’m more than willing to take the blame for that one.
For so long, I had a piss-poor attitude with the team, and I think it rubbed off on them. They didn't think they were worth anything without me. It was total bullshit. I was at that game. They could have won it, but they let their insecurities get the best of them. This year, we will work on it. I'll be damned if we let it slip through our fingers again.
More than anything, though, I’m ready to get home and get our house ready for the baby. Granny and Nana surprised us with a baby shower yesterday, so now we have more than enough bottles and diapers to last a lifetime . . . at least I hope we do. Lisa’s mom just laughed when I said that, so I don't know if I should be worried, because surely the little guy won't piss that much.
We finish packing everything we can fit into the Suburban. Luckily, they didn't buy any large furniture, just essentials like bibs, blankets, diapers and wipes. I had no idea a baby used so much shit, but Skila just opened presents and smiled like she knew what everything was and how to use it. I hope she does. One of us needs to.
Nana and Granny are coming back to LA so they can attend the award ceremony, and then they're going to stay in town for a while until Skila goes into labor. They plan to stay at Lisa’s house.
It's kind of weird to watch their budding friendship. My granny is such a goodie-goodie and Skila’s nana is not. The two of them together are hilarious. I think Nana actually had my granny drinking alcohol the other day. I'm not sure if she knew it before or after she felt the effects, though. I don't think I want to know.
I feel like I'm watching a seventies version of The Hangover.
“Everyone ready?” I ask, making one more round through the house to be sure we have everything.
“Yep, you sure you have room? We can catch a cab to the airport,” Granny says.
“It's fine. We have plenty of room, Granny,” Skila says.
“Okay. Let's go. Can't keep the plane waiting.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Skila
We make it back to LA with six hours to spare before the awards ceremony. I’m exhausted. My back hurts from riding in the Suburban for the last two days. Normally, it wouldn't have taken so long, but Kip stopped often so we could stretch our legs and relax for a while. Nana and Granny made it six hours after take-off and had been having a jolly old time at Lisa’s.
Every way I turn makes me just as uncomfortable as the last. I’m so ready for the evening to be over so I can just go home and sleep in our bed.
“You can stay home, baby. I understand if you don't want to go,” Kip offers sweetly. I wish I could stay home, but I won't.
“No. I want to be there for you. I’m fine, just tired and ready to sleep.” I drag out the last word because, to be honest, nothing sounds as good as that right now. Not even the expensive delicacies they're serving tonight could make me want to leave the comforting confines of my silky sheets.
“Well, if you're ready . . .” he trails off, lending me his hand to help me back into the Audi. The soft leather seats are much more comfortable than the Suburban, but even these aren't enough to help me relax. I buckle my seatbelt and place my hands across my stomach, caressing my sweet little boy inside.
When we pull up at the hotel where the ceremony is being held, Lisa meets me outside with Nana.
“Granny is inside, holding down the seats. Come on, preggo. Let's get you off your feet.”
Lisa drags me away from Kip and into the crowded room. I spot Granny as soon as we enter, and for once, I'm thankful to sit down away from everyone else. Kip is being ushered off by his fellow teammates, but before he goes, he glances back at me and smiles. Lifting his hand, he blows me two kisses, one for me and one for the baby. I catch them both and tuck them away before shooing him away with my hand in the air.
Truthfully, I just want a minute alone to catch my breath and to think. I remember reading somewhere about back pain being the first sign of labor for some women, and I'm starting to wonder if the pain I keep feeling isn’t more than just tension from the long ride. Could I be in labor?
“Are you all right?” Lisa asks, concern radiating from her. She's rubbing circles on my back, and the feel of her hands on me is only irritating me more. I want to ask her to stop, but I can't. She’s trying to help and comfort me the only way she knows how.