Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(88)
I nodded but didn’t say anything as she led me around the side of an ambulance, where my daughter was wrapped in a blanket and being held by the little old lady who lived across the street. Of course, my girl would go to her. Definitely the sweetest.
“Baby!” I cried out, and she jumped out of my neighbor’s arms and into mine.
“Mommy, I so scawed!” she cried.
“It’s okay, baby. Everything is going to be okay now. We have to go to the hospital and check on Clay.”
“Clay’s hurt? That bad man hurted him?”
“Yeah, baby, he did. Very badly. We need to go make sure he’s going to be okay.”
Chapter Twenty
People guided by their heart chakra feel inclined to fill their hearts with optimism and joy. They go out of their way to wish others well-being and are naturally involved in helping people, volunteering, serving the ones they love, and giving back to the community.
CLAYTON
I glanced out the window to our backyard. It looked like blue bells and white daises had exploded all over the place. Monet was in rare form, running from spot to spot making sure everything was just right for the “Powers Nuptials and Baby Shower.” I laughed, holding on to my side as Monet placed a plastic bassinet on a fake lily pad to float across the pool. The woman was insane, and I loved her. More so today than ever before. She had taken on planning this party as if it was to be her living legacy. No expense spared. No amount of cake, candles, and booze was too much for her best friend. Made me wonder how she’d be when it came time for our wedding.
The ache in my side eased as I closed my eyes and pictured Monet wrapped in delicate lace and with Lily holding her hand, walking down an aisle toward me, both ready to be mine for eternity. I shook my head, reminding myself I wasn’t a pansy-assed man, but I wouldn’t deny being a pussy-whipped one either, if push came to shove. Monet and Lily had me wrapped around their fingers, and I did not care one bit. I welcomed it. They brought color to my life every day. Not a single person before her had done that.
And by God, my woman was a freaking saint for taking care of me all these weeks. After Kyle’s knife pierced my spleen and tore into my stomach, I’d had surgery to remove the spleen altogether and patch up the stomach and surrounding muscle. I had about a six-inch scar running down my side where the surgeon had to open me up. I ran a finger down the puffed edge of the tissue. All things considered, I was lucky. Very lucky. The area ached now and again like it did today, but that was to be expected.
The best part of it all? Kyle and Matisse being hauled off to prison. Kyle was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of attempted kidnapping. Matisse got a lesser sentence for conspiring to commit murder and accessory to attempted kidnapping. They both pled to lesser charges, but their sentences were to be served consecutively, so neither would breathe free air for the rest of their lives. Good riddance. Secretly, I hoped he’d get made someone’s personal bitch. The way he hurt Monet, made her life a living hell, threatened her daughter… Both my fists tightened as if ready to strike a phantom threat.
Christ, my Lily still cried out for her mommy some nights, even months later. Both are in regular counseling and healing more every day. I’m back at the gym working with clients again but not doing too much in the way of lifting. Slowly but surely, things were getting back to normal.
This party would go a long way toward making my girls happy and solidifying the family unit. And so would my surprise. I fingered the black velvet box I’d been carrying around all week. Trying to figure out the best time to pop the question had me a nervous wreck. The right time hadn’t presented itself yet, but today, seeing my girl so happy, running around making a wedding and baby shower something to remember for people we loved… Today was it.
I flicked open my phone and dialed Mila’s number.
“What? Don’t tell me bridezilla’s at it again? We’re almost there!” Mila growled.
Bridezilla. She called Monet that even though she wasn’t the one getting married. Monet had been acting a little crazy with all this planning and making sure everything was perfect. She’d put Mila and Atlas through the ringer too. I just sat back and enjoyed every second of it.
I chuckled into the phone. “Naw, she’s fine. Outside razzing the decorator, moving things around. You know the drill.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I wish she wouldn’t have made such a big deal. I mean we could—”
“Have just gone to the courthouse. I know. You’ve told us a hundred times.” I modified my tone, letting her know what her sacrifice meant to me. “She needed this to take her mind off everything that’s happened. So I wanted to thank you first and foremost for giving it to her. Meant a lot to her and to me.”
A sniffle came through. From tiger to kitten in one second flat. “Don’t make me cry. I’m the hormonal bride, and I can’t take it.”
“Eek. Well that’s going to put a damper on what I need to ask now.” I gripped the back of my neck.
“Eek? Clayton Hart, did your big manly man ass just use the word eek?” she taunted. And there was our feisty friend.
“Seriously. I need to ask you something important, and it’s okay if you say no. This is your day and all…”