February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) (9 page)

Zoe groaned as she shifted in the new bed. Two weeks and she still couldn't get used to the plush softness.
Then again, I'm bigger than a freaking barn! Dr. Crist says nothing is going to feel good the further I get. Baby girl is pressing too far down on my cervix now.

Grams peeked in the bedroom at that moment. “Hey, honey, uh someone is here to see you... You feel like visitors?”

Zoe glanced down at herself. She wore a loose pajama shirt and worn capri pants. “I guess. Nothing else is fitting.”

Grams smiled. “That fat girl is gonna be here soon!” She glanced back at whoever was behind her. “Best behavior, miss thing.”

Amy, her former best friend shifted around Grams and into the room. She looked just about as pregnant as Zoe felt. “Hey,” she said quietly.

Zoe leaned back against the pillows. “Hey yourself.”

Amy shifted on her feet. “I have been meaning to stop by. I heard about the fire and like I told Grams, I'm real sorry. I brought over some towels and stuff for your baby. I figured most of your stuff burned up.”

Zoe nodded tensely. “Yeah, it did. Thanks,” she choked out around the righteous anger that filled her throat.

“Sure. I mean, I know it's not gonna fix stuff between us but I figure it got me in the door.”

“Yeah, it got you in the door,” Zoe agreed, crossing her arms over her chest and leveling her with a steely gaze. “What do you want?”

Amy coughed nervously. “To the point. I always liked that about you, Zoe.”

“Mmm...” Zoe hummed.

“Can I sit at the end of the bed? This boy is pressing on my lady bits like crazy,” Amy laughed nervously.

“Sure. Have at it.” Zoe chuckled in spite of her anger.

Amy sat down at the very end of the bed, her butt cheeks barely clearing the mattress. “Well,” she started again, her voice high and nervous. “I wanted to really say I'm sorry, Zoe.”

Zoe closed her eyes for a minute.
I'm tired of fighting.
As she opened her eyes she decided to lay her burden down. “I am too. I really can't sit here and be pissed that you screwed my ex-boyfriend. Not when I'm happily married and pregnant. And you're pregnant. I don't want to fight anymore, Amy.”

Amy smiled, her beautiful face glowing. “I hope you feel the same way when I tell you Derek is my baby's father.”

A tiny flicker of jealousy flamed deep in her belly and Zoe firmly stamped it down.
No.
“I'm sorry he's not gonna be here to meet your baby.”

Amy's face fell and she ran a hand over her burgeoning belly. “Me too. There's been enough bad things happen... I just want to raise this baby and be happy.”

Zoe reached toward her best friend and Amy took her hand. “What about dancing, Amy?”

Amy shook her head, dark eyes downcast and hopeless. “It's not meant to be.”

“Ever thought of opening a studio? You know folks will pay for their kids to learn to dance.”

“Maybe one day,” Amy smiled. “We'll see what the future holds.”

Zoe squeezed Amy's hand. “You told Rebel and Sadie yet?”

Amy's eyes met hers and she chewed her bottom lip. “Naw, not yet. I know how they feel about black folks.”

“Maybe they'd be all right with it,” Zoe lied smoothly.
Ah hell, Rebel is never going to be okay with having a part black grand kid.

Amy laughed, the sound at complete odds with the sadness filling her face. “You know as well as I do that's a crock of shit.”

“Yeah, I do,” she admitted.

“I like what you did with the place,” Amy shifted on the bed, glancing around the room and effectively shutting off that vein of conversation.

“They are adding on a couple of bedrooms in the back. I'm hoping they can get them done before the baby comes.”

Amy nodded, “That'd be good. But there's no harm in having your little one in here in a bassinet for a bit. Have you had a baby shower yet?”

“No, just haven't had time.”

Amy's face lit up again. “Can I throw you one? Please?”

Zoe opened and closed her mouth a few times, thinking of something to say. “Well, I...”

“Don't say no. Please. Let me make this up to you, Zoe.” Amy hopped off the bed and waddled to the door. “I'm not taking no for an answer. You're gonna have the best damn baby shower Major has ever seen, Zoe Hall!”

She groaned as her ex-friend hurried away.
What have I gotten myself into?

Grams came back in the room a few moments later. “Well, what was that all about?”

Zoe groaned. “I'm apparently having a baby shower.”

“Hosted by that pit viper?” Grams squeaked then covered herself. “I mean, that young lady?”

Zoe laughed weakly. “We sort of made peace, I guess.”

“That's a good thing. Don't hold on to no ugly bits.” Grams plopped down on the end of the bed. “How you feeling?”

“Strange,” Zoe admitted. “Things are too good.”

Grams glanced her way. “I know what you mean. I'm waiting on the other shoe to drop with everything. I have heard a few rumblings... Naw, you don't need to worry about that.”

Zoe's ears perked up. “Rumblings about what?”

Grams pursed her lips. “I hear tell Rebel is after you. Some papers have been drawn up.”

Zoe felt her pulse pick up and thunder wildly in her veins. “Papers drawn up?” Her throat closed and she pulled nervously at the neckline of her top. “What kind of papers?”

Grams held her hand up and shook her head. “Don't know anything more... Could be nothing. We're going to hope and pray it's nothing. That jack leg thinks he's gonna come up on our doorstep. I'll introduce him to Smith and Wesson!”

Zoe tried to smile but it didn't meet her eyes. “He told me he wanted the baby.”

“Well the jerk don't even know if it's his boy's yet. Seems to me like he ought to be worrying about the heifer who was just here. She's parroting around to enough folks how she's carrying that boy's baby. It's gonna reach his lily-white ears soon enough and he'll be fit to kill over it.” She smacked her lips in annoyance. “That man is gonna be the death of himself if he don't lose some of the rage he's holding.”

Zoe swallowed around the lump in her throat. “He can't really sue me over the book. I said it was fictional.”

Grams hummed softly. “Hmm. Well, some of them stories was awful close to home and you know how he is.”

Zoe straightened up in bed. “Well, I'd like to see him try. I'll introduce him to my middle finger and tell him to go spin on it!”

Grams' brow furrowed. “Baby how's he gonna spin on it?”

Zoe smirked. “He can stick it up his ass!”

Grams' laughter filled the air. “Oh dear, that was just naughty.”

“And you threatening to pop a cap in his ass wasn't?”

Grams laughed again. “Well, I was at least lady-like about it.” She stood from the bed and walked slowly to the door. “You don't worry about a thing. You grow your baby.”

Zoe nodded and her smile fell as Grams left the room.
I'll be damned if you're taking my baby, Rebel...

Later that week Corey popped in her room. “Hey Zoe,” he smiled. “We're looking at just a few more weeks to get these rooms done. How you feeling?”

Zoe shifted in the bed. “Tired.”

“Just keep holding on!” He grinned as he hurried down the hall. A few moments later he came back through carrying a tall glass of iced tea.
Grams is spoiling you guys!
She thought with a little smile. Grams had made it her mission to feed and quench the thirst of the men who built the rooms. Pops had taken it upon himself to start some flower beds under the windows.

“Roses!” he had said proudly. “Going to put them under each window. No thief will ever try anything. Who wants a thorn in their butt?”

Zoe smiled.
Us moving in together has turned out to be wonderful. Now only a few more weeks and Calvin will be home, and for good! I can't wait for us to be one big, happy family.
She stretched her arms over her head and the baby rolled. Her phone buzzed at her side and she glanced down at the screen. Amy's name flashed across and she answered the phone with trepidation.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” Amy rushed out, her voice hurried and breathy. “I talked to Mrs. Hall and she said we can have the party at the house. So this Saturday at 2. I have lots of folks coming. All you have to do is sit there and be pretty, Zoe. You can't back out,” she finished with a soft plea.

Zoe groaned and rubbed her eyes. “
This
Saturday?”

“Yup, the one and only.”

“Well I guess I'll be here...”

Saturday dawned cheerful and bright and Zoe didn't like it, not one bit.
I am huge. I can't see my ankles. I will be propped up on the couch looking like a freaking cow while everyone ogles and coos over me. I hate Amy right now. Why did I let her do this?
She grumbled to herself as she pulled herself out of the bed and into the bathroom. Her reflection stared back at her in the soap scum spotted mirror and she growled at her face.
I feel so enormous!

Moving slowly through her routine she hissed as a cramp radiated up her belly.
Stop kicking me, kid! God, now I need to pee!

A knock came at the door. “Go away!” She yelled. “I just want some privacy!”

“Well excuse me!” Layla yelled back. “I was just letting you know that your guests are arriving.”

Layla had been spending quite a bit of time out at Tim's bachelor pad lately. Grams had pretty much stopped trying to tell her what to do, she would be eighteen in just a few more weeks and free to make her own decisions anyhow. She had adamantly refused to camp out on the couch while the rooms were being built.

Zoe huffed and finished her business. “I'll be out in a few minutes.”

“You better! There is cake and I will not be held liable if I lick my finger and get some icing!”

“Ohhh,” Zoe hissed. “You better freaking not!”

Layla's chuckle was audible as she walked away from the door.

I swear to freaking God if she eats my damn cake I'm going to cut her! I am! Don't touch my damn cake Layla Hall!

She lumbered out of the bathroom and her eyes widened as she took in the scene in front of her. Amy floated around looking like a pregnant goddess on steroids, a pale peach dress fluttering around her. Zoe glanced down at her yoga pants and stretched tight tee shirt.
Oops.
The room was filled with balloons in shades of pink and the kitchen table had been pulled in front of the couch and was piled with presents.

“Don't let Layla mess with my cake,” she garbled out nervously.

Amy giggled. “No one is messing with the cake! Come on out here and sit down Miss Guest of Honor!” She sashayed across the floor and took Zoe's hand, pulling her out into the living room where most of Major's women sat carefully perched on folding chairs or leaned against the walls, glasses of punch in each hand and a smile pasted on every face.

Zoe froze like a deer in the headlights and Grams weaved through the crowd. She softened at the familiar face. “Grams,” she whispered into the older woman's ear. “So many freaking people.”

“Smile and wave, honey. They're going to think you're not all there.” Grams poked her side and Zoe grinned awkwardly and threw her hand high. Beauty queens would have been mortified at her flopping hand waggling in the air and after a few moments she dropped it.

Amy smiled and pointed to the couch. “Sit on down!” She cooed.

Zoe winced as she propped herself up on the couch. “Okay,” she mumbled.

Grams squeezed her shoulder. “Thank y'all for coming. Like I told Amy it's probably best if we forgo shower games. Zoe isn't supposed to be sitting up too long. Let's have some cake and presents, how about that?”

Zoe shot a quick, thankful glance up at Grams, and as she got a chunk of cake on a bright pink plate, she shoved a bite in her mouth. Amy and Grams fielded questions for her as she nibbled on the cake, feigning mouthfuls each time someone asked something. Soon the conversation turned to her book.
God, are you there? It's me, Zoe. Just open the earth, right here and swallow me up.

“Zoe,” Grams prodded her. “Didn't you hear the question about your book?”

Zoe was shaken from her cake coma abruptly. “Huh?” she mumbled around the bite of frosting.

Mimi James smiled at her patiently and pulled a soft copy of her book from her large turquoise purse. “Honey! Is your book based on real stories? Because I swear on page sixty-two the scene there was just so familiar!”

Zoe shook her head quickly and shoved more cake in her mouth. “Nope. All fiction.”

Mimi smiled again, a slow, nasty smile. “Mmm, it’s a good thing. Well ain't it just funny how you and Amy here are both pregnant? At the same time? Won't it be nice to have siblings playing together?” She finished, her smile widening as she finished her acerbic statement.

Amy choked on her red punch and Zoe stared in fascination as the red droplets cascaded down the front of her pretty peach dress. “Siblings?” Amy finally choked out.

Mimi folded her hands in her lap. “Well of course. It's the buzz of the town both of you girls are carrying Derek's babies. Ohhh, I know Rebel is madder than a wet hen! Shame he didn't let Sadie out for the shower. She deserves to see her grandbabies!”

Amy paled and her fingers shook as she daubed at the red drink on her dress. “If – if you'll excuse me?” She mumbled and darted for the back of the house. The reverberating clang of the bathroom door was loud in the sudden hush.

Layla jumped out of her chair and pointed a finger at Mimi. “You have no right! Get your sorry ass on out of here!”

“Layla!” Grams gasped.

“Hush, Grams, you'd say the same damn thing if you weren't such a lady. Mimi you came here only to start shit. Get on out of here, we don't want your kind here.” She plopped hands on her hips and stared the older woman down with a vicious stare.

Mimi raised a hand to her throat in mock offense. “Well! I see where I am not wanted. Let me take my present back as well. I'd certainly hate for my present to be misconstrued as anything other than kindness to this young lady.”

Layla rolled her eyes. “Take your two dollar present back. What, was it a used book from the thrift store?”

Mimi spluttered. “How dare you!”

“How dare
I
?” Layla chortled. “How dare you come into this house and stir up trouble!”

Mimi held her head high as she hurried out of the house, her thin package firmly grasped under her arm. Zoe blew out a breath and shakily said, “I need another piece of cake.”

Grams patted her shoulder and the ladies chuckled. “Let me get one for you, honey.”

Layla walked past the couch. “Got your back,” she whispered as she passed.

Chatter slowly picked back up through the room and Zoe blew out a sigh of relief.

Amy came back with Layla a few minutes later, her eyes suspiciously red. Zoe patted the couch beside her. “Sit down, Amy.”

Amy sat down stiffly. “Well since everyone knows, yes, Derek is the father of my baby. I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not asking his parents for a dime, I can raise him on my own.”

Several women made sympathetic faces and whispered words of encouragement to Amy.

Zoe smiled. “Well, the elephant in the room is my baby could be Derek's too. We all know it. I'm not ashamed of it.” She paused as Grams handed her another slice of cake. “My family isn't ashamed of it either. My husband and I are going to love this baby no matter what.”

She buried herself back in the cake and as she finished, Grams took the plate. “Why don't you open some of these presents? Calvin had ordered some on Amazon and had some stuff sent here. Layla and I wrapped them up.”

Zoe blushed. “Honestly, I've been so wrapped up in the book release I haven't ordered much. And then with the fire...” Her voice trailed off.

Grams winked. “Ah well, we have it covered.”

She took a jauntily wrapped present from Amy and began opening it. Present after present was unwrapped, revealing outfits for the baby, a swing, a bassinet, bottles, pacifiers, and more. Zoe smiled and thanked each person as she opened the present.
This is completely overwhelming.

The last present sat in front of her, a huge box wrapped in rubber ducky paper. “This is it, right?” she mumbled to Amy.

Amy nodded and took another bite of cake. “Yeah, that's it.”

Zoe began peeling the paper back and found an ebony crib ready to be assembled. “Who is this from?”

“Calvin.” Grams stated. “You like it?”

“It's great. Now who is going to put it together?” Zoe laughed. “Because I can't follow directions!”

The ladies in the room chuckled. Grams smirked. “Pops will put it together. He'll probably have those screws so tight it will never come apart.”

Zoe shifted on the couch and smiled tiredly. “Thank you all for coming. I appreciate everything you all have done for us.”

Grams took the cue and stood from her chair. “Well ladies, we're going to have to cut this party short. Zoe needs to get back to bed and grow my great-grandbaby! Amy will you help her back to the bedroom?”

Amy stood quickly, way too limber for a pregnant woman and held out her hand. “Come on preggo. Let's go to bed.”

Zoe took her hand and grunted as she lumbered to her feet. “Look,” she panted. “I mean, I know we checked out each other's boobs as kids, but I'm not swinging that way, Amy.”

Amy laughed hard and gripped at her lower belly. “Ow! He kicked me. Don't worry, no one is going muff diving anytime soon.”

Zoe wiped her hand across her brow in relief. “Well, thank God for small mercies.” They moved down the hall and Zoe entered the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. “I don't know how I'm going to hold this girl in for another eight plus weeks. I just don't see it happening.”

Amy shrugged. “I couldn't imagine being on bed rest. It has to be really draining.”

“You have no idea,” Zoe admitted. “I would give anything to do more than my weekly crotch check at the doctor's.”

“Well at least you've been productive and written a book. How is it doing?” Amy lowered herself on the end of the bed and blew out a breath as she stretched her legs forward.

“It's doing okay. I've had some good reviews. Lots of paperback sales here in town. I've been consistently selling a few a day. I have plenty of time to advertise.”

Amy ran her hand over her belly. “Isn't it kind of weird we could be carrying siblings? I mean, Zoe you were always like my sister so does that make it weird and incest-y?” She chuckled weakly, her brown eyes meeting Zoe's own. Worry filled her face. “What are we going to do?”

Zoe shrugged and looked down at the bedspread. She picked at the edge of the blanket and chose her words carefully before speaking. “Amy, I don't know. I think it's kind of ironic that Derek forced us together like this. Did he know about the baby?”

Amy glanced away, her jaw clenching and shoulders suddenly taut. “Yeah, he knew,” she finally choked out.

“And?” Zoe prompted.

“He wanted you,” she admitted sadly.

“Me?” Zoe yelped. “I'm married.”

Amy looked down at her fingernails and a tear splashed on the stained peach of her dress. “Maybe so, but Derek wanted you. He always did. I was just a booty call. You were the woman he always told me he would marry. He figured he'd settle down sometime and you'd still be there waiting.”

Zoe leaned forward and touched Amy's arm. “Hey,” she said softly, pressing the warm flesh of Amy's arm until she glanced at her. “I'm sorry.”

Amy shook her head ruefully. “No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I always wanted what you had. Hell, what you
have
. You have a husband, a home. I have a baby and a corner of the basement in my mom's house. You had Derek and Callie as your friends. I had you and no one else. I was always jealous. So I figured I'd get something you had, one way or another. I was wrong. Really wrong. I can't fix it now. I am stuck with a baby I don't really want and my life is ruined. Did you know I was going to be on Broadway? Then I passed out dancing and woke up in the hospital. They told me I was pregnant and that was it.” She wiped her eyes with trembling fingers.

Zoe frowned. “I'm sorry. But there's nothing to be jealous of. There never was.”

Amy sighed and her shoulders slumped. “The grass is always greener,” she finally whispered.

“I guess it is. I was always jealous of you dancing and Callie being... Callie.” Zoe uttered.

“Everyone was jealous of Callie,” Amy chuckled.

“Yeah.” Zoe agreed, glancing back down at the comforter.

“I want our kids to grow up knowing each other...And for us to be okay.” Amy declared.

“I would like it too, Amy. Thank you for the party and thanks for being the bigger person. It's always been hard for me to reach out.” Zoe said quietly.

“Yeah, you've always been that way. Calvin is good for you. He's really made you open up. I also wanted to say I'm sorry about your Daddy. I never really had a good time to tell you.”

Zoe smiled. “It's all right. We worked through some things before he was gone.”

Amy stood and moved toward the door. “Well, I'm gonna go. I think we've had enough heart to heart today. Rest.”

Zoe leaned back against the pillows. “Sounds good to me. Thanks again, Amy.”

“Of course. What are friends for?” She grinned sheepishly and left.

Zoe pulled her phone from between the pillows and texted Calvin.

Z: I loved the crib