Serenity (Inevitable #5)(98)

Hayley shook her head. "I still don't get why this is such a big deal to you. Why can't you just let it go? Sign the stupid divorce papers and move on with your life. It's not like you still love Dad or anything. And please don't try and bullshit me otherwise, Mom. If you loved him so much, then why did you fuck every guy who crossed your path?"

"Watch your mouth, little girl," warned Lindsey. "And butt out of things that aren't your business. As for why I want your father back - I guess it's a matter of pride. I mean, can you even believe that he left me? When I first met your dad, he was probably the biggest nerd I'd ever seen, with those glasses, and jeans that were too short for him, and he'd practically trip over his own feet half the time. He was damned lucky I still thought he was kind of cute in spite of all that. And if I hadn't been pregnant with you, I would have broken things off with him sooner than later. He just wasn't my type, you know?"

Hayley rolled her eyes. "Is there a point to this? Because, believe it or not, I actually need to get some homework done."

"The point," replied Lindsey angrily, "is that your father had some nerve in leaving me! Like he's ever going to do better. And he's already taking that bitch Sasha with him to events, the ones I should be going to. Do you have any idea how humiliating all of this is? I miss going to those parties and receptions, meeting important people, and seeing my picture in the paper or online. If it wasn't for me pushing him, your father wouldn't even know any of those people. He'd just be some nobody, some small-time computer nerd working for someone else. He owes me, dammit, and I want my life back! And between the two of us, we're going to make sure I get everything that I deserve."

As Lindsey stormed out of the room, Hayley breathed a sigh of relief. Dealing with her mother had never been easy, but over the past few months it had become a living nightmare. Sourly, Hayley thought that maybe the boarding school in Utah didn't sound quite so bad after all.





"They're so beautiful, Julia. Just the most precious little angels I've ever seen. Don't you agree, Sasha?"

Sasha smiled serenely as Tessa cooed at the baby boy she was cuddling. "I do, yes. But I think it was almost a given that Julia and Nathan would have beautiful babies." She cuddled the other twin - she was fairly sure this one was Justin while Tessa held Noah - and stroked her knuckles over his chubby baby cheek.

Julia gave a little groan. "How come they're both calm as can be when you two hold them, but they scream bloody murder when I pick them up?"

Sasha gazed at Julia sympathetically. "Probably because you're exhausted and stressed and frustrated, and the twins pick up on all those negative vibes. Whereas Tessa and I have only been here for a little while, and weren't up half the night tending to two babies. You need to cut yourself some slack, Julia, and you definitely need to take better care of yourself."

"I know." Julia sniffled miserably. "I'm a mess. I don't sleep more than an hour or so at a time, can't remember the last time I ate a meal sitting down, and I haven't washed my hair in almost three days."



       
         
       
        

"Well, Sasha and I can stay all day," soothed Tessa. "Since today is Friday, she isn't teaching and doesn't have any massage appointments. And my schedule is wide open, too. So just show us a couple of basics about changing diapers and such, and we'll look after the boys while you have some time to yourself."

Julia's weary expression brightened instantly. "You guys are the best!" she enthused. "I didn't think it would be this hard taking care of two babies alone. But I guess I got lulled into a false sense of security, given that for the first six weeks after they were born I either had Nathan at home with me, or one set of our parents staying over. And Lauren and Ben spent a week helping out after that. Now with everyone gone and Nathan back at work, I'll freely admit to being completely overwhelmed."

"Have you considered hiring a nanny?" inquired Sasha. "At least part-time?"

Julia nodded. "I more or less told Nathan that we either get some help or he's taking a baby with him to the office every day. I've been in touch with a couple of agencies and they're sending over some applicants next week. But it will probably be at least another two to three weeks before someone can start."

"I know Sasha has to work, but I'll try to come over a couple of times a week until you get help," offered Tessa. "Ian and I aren't due to leave on another business trip until the middle of May, so I'll do what I can."