Granting Wishes (19 page)

The wait was the worst part. Not being able to do anything to help. Wondering if his woman and his child were okay was heart wrenching. It had been too long since they’d taken her back and not a single word had been said. By law, Dom wasn’t her family. It didn’t matter that he was the baby’s father. There was no documentation of it, nor did he have any legal right for her personal information. Her next of kin was sitting in a jail cell for running her over.

The waiting room was filled with his and Jake’s family. Lilah sat next to her fiancé crying. Dom was going through Chelsea’s cell phone number by number trying to get ahold of one of her other relatives. Finally, as he got down to the last one,
he found her Aunt Velma who lived in Macon. After hearing the news, she was frantic and assured she was on her way.

It took another hour, but when she strode through the ER in all her polyester glory, Dom knew
he’d never been so happy to see someone in his entire life. Within ten minutes she had a full update on Chelsea and the baby, and in another half hour, he was walking into the observation unit with her.

Not normally a soft man, Dom wasn’t ashamed when he choked up at the site of the woman that held his heart. She was plugged into monitoring machines but
it was the usual observation ones. It was nothing out of the ordinary. The best thing was that she was awake and lucid. There was a bandage on her head with a bruise creeping out from under it and it made him want to beat the hell out of her father even more.

“Come here you,” Chelsea held her hand out and he grabbed it with tenderness and kissed it.

“Scared the hell outta me, Princess”

“Scared me too.
” Turning to her aunt, she smiled. “Thank you for coming, Aunt Velma. Gosh, I haven’t seen you in over a year.”

Her aunt hugged her and kissed her cheeks. “Good gracious, darlin
g girl. I can’t believe that bastard did this to you. I’m so sorry.”

Chelsea bit her lip. She wasn’t going to cry. She’d known all her life her
father was no good and her mother followed his lead with no backbone to speak of. This was nothing new.

“What did the doctor say?”

Turning back to Dom, she tried to be positive and smile. “Bruised ribs make it hurt like hell to breathe, did you know that?”

Dom laughed, shaking
his head. “You got that right.”

“I h
it my head when I fell, so he stitched me up and said I’d barely have a scar to remember this by. But most important, he said the baby is okay. The heartbeat is strong and there’s only been a little spotting. They are keeping me overnight for observation because of it.”

“I’m staying with you.”

“Oh, honey,” Velma patted his cheek and gave him a mischievous smile. “I’m her auntie. I’ll be the one staying. When you get her to the altar you can take over.”

Her voice was as sweet as sugar when she turned back to her niece.
“Now why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant, young lady? That’s worth giving this old gal a call don’t you think? I had to find out from your handsome fellow here.”

Chelsea blushed under her stare, “I hadn’t told my parents either. I’m sorry, but it’s just been easier to stay away from all of the family.”

“Well, that needs to stop, young lady. We both need to try harder to stay in each other’s lives. Why, I can’t imagine if I lost you.” Aunt Velma started to cry, gently stroking Chelsea’s cheek. “I understand staying away from your parents. That sister of mine has never been the same since she married your daddy. He’ll be the death of her I’m sure. But you and me? Us girls need to stick together. You hear me?”

Chelsea smiled, “Yes, ma’am.”
She’d forgotten over time how much she loved her Aunt Velma. The white haired old woman was still robust and full of vinegar.

After he assured himself she was okay, Dom left the room to let the family know. Later on, he
saw the truth in her statement. Aunt Velma wouldn’t budge on allowing him to stay the night in the hospital room. Stubborn man that he was, he chose to wait it out in the waiting area so he’d be close just in case.

Aunt Velma decided she loved that about him.

In truth, it comforted Chelsea knowing he wasn’t far away. She was more than ready to start her life with the man of her dreams.

***

It had been an exhausting day but now that they knew Chelsea was going to be okay, Jake had brought Lilah home with him and Roxy. His mom let him know she had a late supper waiting for them.

By the time they pulled up to the house Roxy was
fast asleep. He unfastened the belt on the car seat and gently lifted her into his arms when a car pulled down the drive.

“Ah hell, not today.”

“Who is it?” Lilah asked in a tired voice.

“Alana,” he grumbled, holding his baby girl tighter in his arms.

Alana tooted her horn and waved her hand out the window like she assumed they would be happy to see her. The noise woke Roxy with a jolt and she immediately started to cry.

“Shh, baby. It’s okay. It was a car horn, honey.” He patted her back and unsure of what to do, he turned to take Roxy inside before he dealt with Alana.

“Where are you going with my daughter, Jake?” Alana’s voice was laced with sickening sweet honey.

“I’m taking
my
daughter inside. We’ve had a long day and she’s worn out. Stay out here until I get back.”

“She’s my mommy, Daddy?” Roxy stuck her thumb in her mouth and sniffled, curious enough that her earlier sleepiness had worn off for the moment.

“You’re birth mom. Remember I told you how she gave me the gift of you when you were born?” Jake was walking towards the house when Alana caught up with him.

“Hi sweetheart. Come here and let mommy hold you.” She tried to take her from her father’s arms but Roxy wasn’t having any part of that. She shrieked and jerked away.

Alana looked like she’d been struck, but she didn’t take the hint and grabbed Roxy’s hand.

“No! I want Lilah!”

Lilah had been silent though she desperately wanted to rip Alana to shreds. This was something Jake needed to settle without interference. At least that was how she felt until Roxy demanded her attention. Lilah reached out for Roxy and the girl practically jumped in her arms and buried her face against her throat.

“You need to leave now, Alana. No one wants you here and you have no place in Roxy’s life.
You never have.”

Alana looked from where Lilah held Roxy, loving on her and swaying side to side instantly calming the girl just by holding her, to Jake, who looked mad enough to spit nails.

“Roxy needs her
real
mother,” she said in a snide voice.

“Lilah is her mother now. She’s the woman that’s been there for her and loved her. Not you. You had your chance and you lost it. Now get out of here.” Jake was seething. The anger poured off him in waves like she’s never seen.

“Roxy, let me hold you,” she tried again.

The little girl looked at her and shook her head no. “You
’re not my mommy, she is!” She pointed at Lilah and resumed snuggling against her, stroking her hair as if to comfort Lilah.

It was obvious who was important to the girl.

It damn sure wasn’t Alana.

“Jake, I thought we could work on things. Be a family like you always wanted.” Now she sounded desperate.

“That will never happen. Lilah and I are engaged. She’s our family now.”

Alana backed up a step, holding her hand at her throat as she looked at Lilah.

“I think you’ve worn out your welcome, Alana. Stay away from my family.” Lilah hugged Roxy tighter, glaring at the woman that dared to try to take away the two people that had become her world. No way in hell was she going to let her step in and ruin things.

Seeing she didn’t have a chance, Alana turned and walked back to her car. Before she got in she looked back towards Jake. “Forget about the custody hearing. I’ll drop the case tomorrow.”

With a sigh of relief, Jake’s shoulders slumped and his breath whooshed out in a whistle as Alana sped down the driveway.

“Daddy, I didn’t like that lady.” Roxy made them both laugh with her honest declaration.

“It’s okay, honey. I don’t like her either.”

The leaves were falling from the trees like errant feathers caught in the wind. Shades of red, orange and yellow gave off a beautiful glow in the autumn afternoon. Only a few months after the accident, the best friends were helping each other get ready for their wedding day.

“Chelsea, help momma zip me up. I think you’re going to have to hold the sides together while she tugs it up. Good grief. Who knew my breasts would get so big
, so fast?”

Laughter filled the air as the three of them struggled to get Lilah’s dress secured. Once the effort had proved to be a success, Lilah turned and spun in her empire waist bridal gown with its scoop neckline that showed off her impressive
, flourishing bust line. The short cap sleeves were embellished with ivory pearls that continued across the front and down to the waist where the skirt flared out into a frothy confection.

“You look gorgeous,” her mother cried, unable to hold back the tears of love and pride.

“Oh, Momma, don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup.”

She dabbed her eyes with a
handkerchief she had tucked in her cleavage and nodded her head. “You’re right, but I can’t get over how lovely you are and how happy I am for you.” She stroked her daughter’s cheek. “Now, let’s get your dress on, Chelsea. It’s getting close to three o’clock. I can’t have my girls late to their own wedding!”

Chelsea’s eyes were watering and she was doing her best not to cry. Ever since she and Lilah became best friends they swore they’d do everything together. Funny as it may seem, it was coming to pass. They fell in love at the same time, gotten pregnant, and now were sharing their wedding day together. In few weeks, they would be moving into their homes that were only a few acres apart, and their kids would be growing up together as cousins. Because as of today, they were really going to be family and Chelsea woul
d have the sister, mother, and father-in-law that she’d always wished for. It was too good to be true. But true it was.

Her motherin-law helped lift her dress over her head and arrange it as it slid over her swelling belly. The waist was cinched tight under her breasts and flowed outward
from there into a full, billowy skirt complete with a thick layer of tulle petticoats to fluff it out. The ivory satin was sleeveless and embellished with tiny crystals along the bust and around the back. She truly felt like a princess on the way to her first ball. Once all the tiny buttons were fastened, she stood next to her best friend taking her hands and laughing like a giddy school girl.

It was really happening.

A knock on the door silenced them and it was followed by the first tinkling notes of the wedding march.

The door opened and Noah Cane came forward dressed in his Navy best, holding out an elbow for each girl.

“My sweet girls, you both look so beautiful. Will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to your gentlemen that have been properly threatened that they must take the very best care of you both or else they will be answering to me?” He gave them a roguish grin that made them laugh.

Mikayla took the arm of her son, Dakota, and let him escort her to her seat on the front row. She had been so blessed to have been given the chance to mother her three beautiful children. As happy as she was right now, her heart ached knowing that the twins were both marrying their partners today and moving on with their lives.
She and Noah would officially have an empty nest.

The good thing was, soon there would be two
new grandbabies she could help spoil that would fill their family with the joyous sounds of children again. Looking to her left she smiled as she saw Sabrina stroking her daughter’s hair as she slept. Only a few weeks old, baby Brianna was a darling blessing they’d all grown attached to.

The pastor asked the guests to rise as the wedding march began to reach its crescendo. She was proudly shedding tears as she watched her husband lead their daughter and soon to be daughter-in-law down the aisle
, one on each arm. She turned just in time to see her soon to be son-in-law brush a tear from his eye while her son was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

For a moment, she turned, taking it all in. Their friends and families had all gathered for the occasion. Ms. Lola was already dabbing under her eyes while her husband patted her back. Josie was fanning her eyes as if she
were fighting off tears. Dakota, Angel, and Tank all sat together when the pastor signaled the beginning of the ceremony. As she turned to watch her husband give their daughters hand to the man who was promising to cherish her, little Roxy squealed and started hopping up and down setting the crowd off laughing. Once she got a reaction from the crowd, Peyton joined her, hoping for the same attention. It worked. Mikayla took over her role as grandma and captured their little hands and brought them to sit with her and Noah through the rest of the ceremony.

By the time they were leaving the church and the guests had gathered outside to send them off, Josie was at the foot of the stairs when Lilah and Chelsea tossed their bouquets over their heads into the crowd of unwe
d females. Wouldn’t you know it, Josie caught one and proudly ran around squealing.

Things were never boring in the little town of Sugar Creek, Georgia. It was a place where community and family meant everything to most. A place where she’d been sad to grow up in, but happy to raise h
er family in. The love she’d found in her husband and children was priceless. Her wishes had come true. In fact, she was blessed than more than she’d ever asked for. As she watched her children with their spouses she knew those blessings were just getting started.

The End