“You do that,” she teased, leaning over the seat and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
A minute later they were surrounded by family and friends. Caz nearly tripped over his own feet trying to rush into her arms.
“Momma!” he squealed, throwing his arms over her shoulders. He leaned back and framed her face. “Oh, Momma. What happened to your pretty wittle face?”
Trixie’s heart swelled with love as she looked down at Cazeron and counted her blessings. She was so very fortunate to have the opportunity to explain things, to hold him in her arms and assure him everything would be okay.
“Momma had an accident, Caz. I’m just fine now. I’m home with you.”
“Yes you are, Momma,” Cazeron said, throwing his arms around her again.
“Come here, big boy,” Brock said, grabbing him and hugging him tightly. “We missed you, slugger.”
“I missed you, too, but…” He looked back at his mother and his eyes misted over with tears. “I’m upset with you.” He pointed at Rory. “And you, too, Daddy Rory.”
“Why, honey?” Rory asked, concern etched in his brow.
“You…” He jabbed his finger in Brock’s shoulder. “And you…” He shook another one at Rory. “You’re both supposed to take care of Momma. You didn’t do that. She has black and blue places on her pretty wittle face.”
“Caz,” Ansley drawled, coming to their rescue. “Your daddies would’ve been there for your momma if they could’ve been. You know they wouldn’t let something happen to her if they could stop it.”
“When I get big and so strong like Triwstan, I’ll make sure nobody ever hurts Momma again.” The little boy swung his arms toward Trixie again. “Catch me, Momma.”
Brock swung him back and tossed him in the air, pretending to throw him to Trixie. She positioned him on her hip and approached the posse—her parents.
“Baby girl,” her mother said, cupping her cheek. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Meems said you gots beat up by a bad, bad man,” Caz said.
“Momma!” Trixie snapped.
“He heard me on the phone, Trixie.”
“You should be more cautious,” she snapped.
“Meems said Daddy Rory and Daddy Brock didn’t do everything. Pepa said the same thing.”
“They did, did they?” Trixie drawled, turning her focus to Daddy Kane.
“Thanks, Kane,” Brock grumbled, grabbing Winter from her baby walker and swinging her around and around. “How’s my angel?”
“Dada,” she muttered. “Dada. Dada. Dada.”
Brock’s face lit up like the moon. “Did you hear that?”
“I sure did,” Trixie said, greeting her little girl with a peck on the check. “Can you say ‘momma’?”
Winter grinned. “Dada.” She looked at Rory and leaned toward him. “Dada Ror.”
Everyone laughed. Then the laughter stilled and the questions started flying.
What happened? How could she have put herself in such a dangerous situation? How many times had they told her not to stop at a rest area at night? Why had she been traveling alone? What had she been thinking?
“I guess I’ve been asking myself the same things,” Trixie admitted, swinging her gaze to Dad Evan. “You’re quiet.”
“I’m glad my daughter is home safe and sound.”
“Me, too,” Braden Daddy said.
“We’re all thrilled you’re safe,” her mother said.
“Well,” Ansley drawled, pulling her mother by the wrist. “I made the parents promise to give you guys some space. You need rest, big sister.” She winked. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks,” Trixie grumbled. “I always welcome constructive criticism from my feisty little sister.”
“At least she didn’t say you look fat and sassy,” Kimberly said, grinning.
“Well Kimberly, what an insulting thing to say.” Her mother shot her a disconcerting stare.
Kimberly smiled. “You haven’t told them?”
“I didn’t know you were aware of the news,” Trixie said.
“I was at the hospital. I may have left the room when the doctor came in but I still had my ear pinned to the door.”
“What news?” her mother asked.
“Mom. Dads. You’ll be grandparents again before long.”
“What?” her mother asked, her voice elevated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Trixie replied, rubbing the top of Cazeron’s head. “You’re going to have another little brother or sister. Isn’t that great, Caz?”