I couldn’t deny that I was jealous.
I think it was probably because she was a stuck-up, toffee-nosed bitch more than anything. Regardless of my immature insecurities and dislike for Dr. Jessica, I was glad he talked about his feelings rather than bottle them up. I appreciated that fact.
Bryce kissed me deeply just before the doors to the elevator opened and Lucy entered the apartment. He broke away from me slightly breathless, winked and walked toward her. She gave him a long embrace while talking quietly to him and intermittently rubbing his back. Tears filled my eyes at seeing her love and support for her brother. It really was touching.
“I won’t be long,” he said to her as he stepped into the lift.
“Go, its fine. She’ll be fine. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks.”
He turned to me and blew me a kiss as the doors closed. It was then that it dawned on me that he had arranged for Lucy to visit and babysit me while he was gone. Caring, over-protective arse. I was capable of babysitting myself for an hour or so.
Lucy made her way over to where I was on the sofa. “Alexis, I am so sorry. I can’t imagine what you are feeling right now and I’m not even going to begin to try. Just know I am here for you, whatever you need.” She sat next to me and leaned in for a gentle hug.
“Thank you, Lucy. I’m okay. Just you being there for your brother is all that I need.”
“Don’t worry. I’m keeping my eye on him.”
I let out a breath. “Good, I’m relieved to hear that. So far he has been open about the whole ordeal, but I worry about him being that he is a controlling, stubborn arse at times.”
“Yes, he is all of those things and more, Alexis. But we’ve both learned from past experiences that it is best to be open about our feelings rather than to close them in and pretend they do not exist. Don’t worry. He’ll talk to me if he needs to.”
I smiled at her wearily. Not because I did not believe her, but because it was obvious she knew exactly what she was talking about due to their sad histories—and that was sad in itself.
“I hope so. He desperately wanted this baby, and I think he may be keeping it together for my sake. The thing is, I’m coping. I’m okay. Obviously, I’m devastated, but life does go on. I can’t bring my baby back. I can’t reverse the clock and decide to take the elevator instead of the stairs. I just can’t. All I can do is move on and treasure the time I had when my baby was a part of me. All I can do is remember and be grateful.”
“You are a strong woman, and Bryce is a strong man. You were both meant for each other. You’ll see he’ll be fine too, just like you. Knowing my brother, he will break at some point, then he will find the strength that you obviously already have. Now, I am going to make you a cup of tea. Sit back and relax. I’m here to wait on you hand and foot—Bryce’s orders.”
Lucy made me a cup of tea and we talked about the things we had always talked about. I asked her how Alexander was, and at first she tried to change the subject. It was obvious when I asked her if he had rolled over yet and she dismissively said, ‘Yes, two days ago,’ as though it was nothing and then proceeded to talk about politics.
“Luce, its fine. I can talk about babies, especially your adorable little son. Is that why he’s not here with you? Because you thought seeing him would make me upset?”
She nodded apologetically. “He’s at home with Nic, but he’s sick and miserable and very clingy. He had a slight temperature last night.”
“Luce, go home then. I’m fine. You should be with Alexander, not here babysitting me.”
“No, it’s okay, Nic is with him. She’ll cope.” Her voice did not sound confident.
“Lucy Clark. Go home, now! Bryce will be back soon. My arse is pretty much stuck on this sofa, so GO!”
“Are you sure? Bryce will kill me,” she said, as she bit down on her thumbnail.
“I’ll handle your brother, don’t you worry.”
She smiled. “I know you will. That’s what I love most about you. You have an uncanny form of control over my brother. No one else has even come close to having that type of power over him—no one.”
I smiled at her words, although at times I felt I had no power over him at all. He made it quite clear on numerous occasions that he holds the upper hand. Speaking of which, I need my crutches.
“Can you do one thing for me before you go, though?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“Get my crutches from the basement carpark. Your control freak of a brother left them down there so I would have no choice but to let him carry me around.”