Sisters in Bloom (Love in Bloom: Snow Sisters #2), Contemporary Romance (27 page)

“Are we still on for this afternoon? Lunch and shopping for evil spawn?” Danica had a job to do today—get Kaylie to her baby shower. She was enjoying teasing Kaylie about the niece or nephew she’d already fallen in love with, and when the baby was finally born and given a real name, she knew she’d miss seeing the little annoyance on her sister’s face.

Kaylie sighed. “Yes.”

“What? Too much teasing?”

“No, I know you’re kidding. Something’s up with Chaz and I don’t know what it is. I told him that I was waiting to make a decision about the record label, and I swear he reminds me of a balloon about to burst.”

“He’s probably stressed about the baby.” Danica hated lying to Kaylie, but saying anything now would only make it worse. Besides, they had a baby shower to attend.

“Maybe. I guess. But it feels like he’s not telling me something, and if it’s that he doesn’t want me to take the contract, he should just tell me that.”

“I’m sure that’s not it. He’s so proud of you, Kay. You could see it in his eyes when you were singing.”

“Yeah,” Kaylie said in a dreamy voice. “That’s true. Maybe it is just the baby. Ow, ow, ow.”

“What? You okay?”

Kaylie breathed hard into the phone. “Yeah, it’s those damn Braxton Hicks contractions. I swear they really do suck.”

Danica waited for Kaylie to breath normally again.

Kaylie let out a little
whoop
! “Okay, where are we meeting again?”

“I’m almost there. I’m picking you up.” Danica slowed as she passed the house Blake was buying.
Our house
. “Can you believe I’m moving in a mile away?”

“I know. I can’t wait!”

They hung up the phone just as Danica pulled up the long driveway.

Kaylie stood in the open doorway in a beautiful pink sundress. Her hair shone bright and full.

“Your belly looks lower,” Danica noticed.

“Tell me about it. I swear this baby is sitting right on my bladder, and it hurts. Whoever said pregnancy is wonderful lied. Between the Braxton Hicks contractions and my bladder, I’m sure it’s some sort of punishment.”

Danica laughed. “A few more weeks and it’ll be over and you’ll be all googly-eyed at your tiny evil spawn.”

“At least she’s moved down past my diaphragm, so I can breathe again.”

Danica pulled down the driveway and headed toward town. “Atta girl. Way to see the bright side.” She watched Kaylie’s hand resting on her belly and reached over and touched her softly. “I’m kinda jealous, you know. I mean, you’re about to have a baby, Kay. A baby!”

“Jealous? Really?”

Danica took her hand back. “Don’t get too full of yourself.”

“I’m scared shitless. What do I know about raising a baby?” The look in her eyes spelled P-A-N-I-C to Danica, and she knew just how to talk her sister off the ledge.

“Remember how you used to worry about when you finally had sex? You kept worrying about if you would measure up and all that bullshit?”

“Yeah, you laughed at me and told me to keep my pants on.”

Danica smiled at the memory. “Yeah, well, remember how you figured it all out?”

Kaylie looked at her newly manicured fingernails. “I was damn good at it. Still am.” She shot a smirk in Danica’s direction.

“This is the same thing. You just go with your gut on it. I mean, you do have Mom to fall back on.”

Kaylie groaned. “Mom was a natural. I’m not at all like her. Besides, we haven’t really talked much since lunch that day.”

“So, call her.”

Kaylie looked at her sideways.

“Kaylie, she’s your mother. Time to move on.” Danica dug her phone out of her console and handed it to Kaylie. “Do it. She’s pound three on speed dial.”

Kaylie stared at the phone.

“Do you even know why you’re mad at her anymore?”

Kaylie shrugged. “She stayed with Dad.”

“For us,” Danica reminded her.

“Yeah, I know.” Kaylie ran her fingers over the numbers. “I feel stupid. I mean, I haven’t exactly been nice to her. What if she doesn’t want to talk to me?”

“She’s a mom. It’s her job to unconditionally love us. You should take a few notes along the way,” she teased. “These are all things you need to learn before evil spawn comes around.”

“Sassy.”

“What?”

“Evil spawn. I nicknamed her Sassy.”

“Sassy spawn. I like it. Now, call Mom before we get to town.” She watched Kaylie dial her mother’s number and then pretended not to eavesdrop as Kaylie said the two most important words in any relationship.

“Mom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shut you out of my life for so lo—” Kaylie listened to her mother speak. “But I shouldn’t have—” She blinked away wetness from her eyes. “Okay. I know. I love you, too.” She listened again and turned toward Danica and mouthed,
Thank you
, then listened again to her mother on the other end of the phone. “Mom, I know you were strong to stay with Dad. It was him I was pissed at, but since I wasn’t talking to him, well, I’m sorry.” She paused. “No, I haven’t talked to him. I know, Mom. Okay, whatever.” She mouthed,
Dad
, to Danica and rolled her eyes. “I love you too Mom.”

After she hung up the phone, Danica remained silent. Her sister was growing up, and Danica was relishing in the amazement of it all.

They walked into the dimly lit restaurant at Bar None. Jimmy Buffet played softly in the background.

“Why’s it so dark in here?” Kaylie asked. “Do you think I really need to call Dad? I don’t feel like I need to. I mean, it’s been a few years since we’ve actually spoken to each other.”

“I don’t know, Kaylie. He is our father.”

Kaylie bit her lower lip, then took Danica’s hand and said, “Before the wedding I promise to talk to him, okay?”

The last thing they needed was more drama right now. She told the hostess that they needed a table for two and winked when Kaylie looked away. They followed her to the back of the restaurant, where Kaylie immediately buried her nose in the menu.

“I’m starved. I swear this baby steals my food the second I swallow it.” She pored over the entrees.

“Hi, I’m Camille, and I’ll be your waitress today.”

Kaylie spun her head around. “Camille?”

The kitchen doors swung open and Chelsea, Marie, Michelle, Sally, Nancy, and Chaz’s mother, grandmother, and two sisters streamed out carrying pink and blue balloons, laughing, all heading directly for Kaylie. Danica saw their mother trailing quietly behind, pride beaming from her eyes.

Kaylie’s jaw hung open. She stood and hugged each of her friends. “I can’t believe it.” She shot a look at Danica. “You little sneak!”

Camille stood behind her, and Kaylie mocked, “And you! This is why you wouldn’t talk to me about a shower!”

“What kind of friend would I be if I spilled the beans? Besides, you know you can count on us with any reason for a party! And your baby? That’s the best reason of all!”

Kaylie hugged Maria. Chelsea couldn’t keep her hands off of Kaylie’s belly. “Don’t worry. Sassy will know Auntie Chelsea!” Kaylie joked.

Danica watched Kaylie’s and their mother’s eyes meet across the table, where she stood beside Chaz’s sisters Abby, the baby of the family, and Astrid, the eldest. Their mother smiled and nodded, giving Kaylie the space to greet her visitors before tending to her. Danica was surprised when Kaylie made a beeline for her mother. She wrapped her arms around her neck, gently touching their mother’s hair, and said with a smile, “Still red? I guess I can deal with red.”

“I know you like it blond,” her mother answered.

“I love it red. I love you, Mom, and if you love it red, then I love it red. I’m sorry I wasted so much time figuring that out.”

Her mother held Kaylie tight, then whispered in her ear, “I hate the red, too.”

Just when Danica saw Kaylie’s eyes dampen, her mother released her and said, “Go. You’ve got more guests to welcome.”

Danica wanted to run over and hug Kaylie, but she remained where she was and gave her sister space to swallow past the lump she was sure had formed in her throat.

Kaylie hugged Abby. “Thank you for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Abby looked the most like Chaz. She was tall, with thick blond hair and warm blue eyes.

Astrid put her hand on Kaylie’s belly. “I can’t believe my baby brother is having a baby.” She hugged Kaylie and told her that she couldn’t wait to meet the baby.

Kaylie approached Chaz’s mother with a nervous gait. “Elise.”

Danica watched Elise Crew look Kaylie up and down. Her mother touched her shoulder.

“Let them be,” she said calmly. “She’s a big girl.”

Elise took a step toward Kaylie. Danica saw the way Elise’s body went rigid in Kaylie’s arm. Elise stepped back and put a hand up to pat her hair. Danica knew that Elise had been cold and not very accepting of her sister in Chaz’s life, but seeing the interaction between them was a whole different ball game, and Danica didn’t like it one bit.

“Well, you look…” she said, her gray eyes scanning Kaylie from head to toe.

The hope in Kaylie’s eyes nearly crushed Danica’s heart. She took a step forward and her mother tightened her grip on Danica’s shoulder. Then she stepped forward.

“She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” Their mother looked at Elise in a way that spoke volumes of protection. A look that Danica read as,
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll wipe that judgmental smirk off of your face and admit that you see the beauty that is my daughter
. And it made her proud.

Elise nodded. “Yes, she is glowing, isn’t she?”

“Thank you,” Kaylie said, and kissed her soon-to-be mother-in-law on the cheek, then quickly escaped to the safety of Max, Sally, Michelle, and Nancy. 

By the time they’d each settled into their seats, the staff had tied pink and blue balloons to the chairs, hung pastel streamers along the walls, and set pink and blue centerpieces on each table. Danica saw the surprise in Kaylie’s eyes.

“Isn’t it pretty?” she asked.

Kaylie put her hand over her heart. “The beauty of it takes my breath away.”

Danica watched Kaylie chatting with Camille and Chelsea and sharing her news about the record deal. Danica knew that when Chaz shared the knowledge that Lea was an owner, it would definitely crush her spirit.

Her mother whispered, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Danica said, turning to her and seeing the love in her eyes.

“I know you pushed her to call me, and I appreciate that.”

Danica smiled. “She’d have called…eventually.”

“I know. But thank you. Boy, that Elise is something else, isn’t she?”

Danica watched Elise as she looked in her compact mirror, applying fresh lipstick to her wrinkled lips. She patted her short gray hair again, took one last smug look in the mirror, and snapped it shut. “She thinks Kaylie trapped Chaz, and she’s obviously making her disapproval of the situation known.”

“Please don’t let me ever get that way,” her mother teased.

“No way. Chaz’s sisters seem nice, though.”

Astrid laughed at something, and Abby looked at Kaylie with admiration. “I think Abby is really taken with her,” her mother noticed.

“Yeah, she’s only twenty-two. I think she admires the rascally side of Kaylie that everyone loves so much.”

Her mother squeezed her hand. “You have that side, too, you know.”

Danica nodded. Lately, with all the changes that both Danica and Kaylie had made in their lives, the dividing line between the type of person Kaylie had become and the type of person Danica had become was starting to blur. She found herself looking up to Kaylie for all the attributes she possessed that Danica simply didn’t. She no longer saw Kaylie as her wild little sister. Kaylie was becoming a mature woman. She was handling her issues head-on, and thinking through her decisions and the ramifications to both Chaz and her baby. Danica was so proud of Kaylie that her heart physically ached. Kaylie would always be Barbie doll pretty, effervescent, and flirty—God help Chaz when she got her figure back. But she was becoming a mother right before Danica’s eyes, and that was a transition Danica would never forget.

They’d been playing silly baby shower games for an hour, and everyone was getting a bit punchy. Kaylie was bent over a tub of baby bottle nipples bobbing up and down in water.

“Come on, Kaylie!” Abby cheered as Kaylie tried to pick up as many nipples in her mouth as she could.

Chelsea whispered in Danica’s ear, “That girl can do wonders with her mouth. She’s got this.”

They both laughed.

Marie heard them and added, “That’s what he said!” Sending them all into fits of laughter.

Michelle touched Danica’s sleeve. “Thanks for letting me and my mom come to the shower.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Neither would Kaylie.”

Danica looked back at Max, who had been a quiet calm amidst the excitement. “You’re next Max.”

Max shook her head. “I have better things to do with these lips than sink them in a tub of water.”

“Aw, come on. It’ll be fun,” Danica urged.

“It’s okay. I like to watch more than take part in this stuff. I’m just not a giggly girly girl.”

Danica put her arm around her. “That’s what we love about you!”

Kaylie came up for air with three nipples in her mouth. She threw her hands up in the air and shouted, “Yes!”

Everyone clapped and cheered.

“That’s my sister!” Danica yelled.

“Look out, Chaz!” Chelsea teased.

Kaylie gasped and the room grew quiet. All eyes turned to her as she shifted her hands to her lower back, her tummy protruding heavily before her. She looked down and gasped another breath. Danica’s eyes followed, settling on the water that was now soaking Kaylie’s sandals—and it wasn’t water from the tub of bobbing nipples.

“Danica?” Kaylie said with a trembling voice.

Danica ran to her side. “I’m right here, Kay.”

“My water broke.”

“I see that. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

Kaylie clung to Danica’s hand. “Max, call Chaz please?”

“What’s happened?” Abby asked.

“I think her water broke,” Camille said.

“She’s in labor?” Chelsea asked excitedly.

“Oh, my goodness! It’s time!” her mother yelled.

Suddenly, Chelsea, Camille, and Marie screamed in unison, “It’s time!”

Max was on her cell phone calling Chaz. She left a message.

“Mom, call Blake. My cell’s in my purse,” Danica ordered.

Her mother scrambled for their purses and followed them outside to Danica’s car.

“I can’t sit down. It’ll ruin your seats.” Kaylie clenched her sister’s hand.

“Kaylie, like I care?” Danica said.

“Take mine. Leather seats.” Camille started the car and opened all the doors to her Lincoln Navigator. “Sorry, Kay. It’s a big step,” she said as she and Danica helped lift her into the backseat.

“I’ve climbed bigger things than this.” Kaylie winked, then winced as she settled into the seat.

“I’ll sit with her.” Danica climbed in and Camille started the car. The others piled into their respective cars.

“Mom!” Kaylie yelled before they shut her door. “Mom, come with me. Please.”

Her mother climbed in on her other side. Kaylie reached out and took Danica’s hand in one hand and her mother’s in the other just as a contraction hit and Camille sped out of the parking lot.

Kaylie moaned. “Mom, it hurts. It hurts.”

“I know, baby. This is just the beginning.”

Kaylie shot a stunned look at her. “Thanks! That’s reassuring.”

“Kaylie, look at me.”

Kaylie looked at Danica.

“Breathe, just like they showed you in Lamaze. In and out. Focus on evil…sassy spawn. You’ll meet her—or him—soon. That’s a girl. Breathe.”

Sweat beaded Kaylie’s forehead, and her mother dabbed at it with a tissue as the contraction subsided. “You know, first babies are supposed to come late, not early,” she said.

“What can I say? She’s impatient.”

“Just like her mama. You know, Danica was two weeks late, but you” —she poked Kaylie playfully in the arm— “You were three weeks early, and you came out ready to tell the world what they were doing wrong.”

“Really?” Kaylie’s eyes gleamed.

“Really.”

Kaylie gritted her teeth against another contraction.

“Jesus, they’re coming quick,” Danica said.
Please don’t have the baby in the car.

Her mother shot her a stern look.
Relax
, she mouthed.

Danica nodded.

“Mom, she’s not going to relax for my sake. This is our first baby!” Kaylie arched her back against the pain.

“Breathe, Kay, breathe.” Danica mouthed,
Sorry
to her mother.

“Did Max reach Chaz?” Panic laced Kaylie’s words, and then the contraction eased.

“Shoot. I forgot to ask her before we left.” Her mother fished for Kaylie’s phone in her purse, then searched for Chaz’s number.

“Call Max. See if she got him,” Danica said. Then, realizing that her mother never called Blake, she took the phone from her mother’s hand. “Sorry, Mom. It’s just easier.” Danica called Max, and she hadn’t been able to reach Chaz either. She dialed Blake’s number. “Do you know where Chaz is?”

“Yeah, he’s right here.”

“Oh, thank God. Get to the hospital. Kaylie’s in labor. We’re pulling in now. Come quickly, because her contractions are really close together.” She heard him repeat her words to Chaz.

No sooner had she hung up than Kaylie’s cell phone rang.

Danica handed it to Kaylie. “Chaz.”

“Where are you?” Kaylie said, breathless. “Yeah, fine. I’m…hold on…shit.” She slammed the phone into her mother’s hand and groaned as Camille pulled up in front of the Emergency entrance. Kaylie stretched backward, arching against the contraction. “Ugh! I wish I could just climb out of my constricting body and let someone else birth the baby. Jesus. Get me inside. I want that epidural!”

“Chaz, she’s having another contraction. How far away are you?” her mother asked. “Okay, good. Hurry, but be safe.”

Danica helped Kaylie from the car, recognizing the fear in Kaylie’s eyes. She wrapped Kaylie’s arm around her, then put her own arm around Kaylie’s waist, taking the weight of her while they moved slowly toward the entrance. Danica did the only thing she knew would take Kaylie’s mind off of the pain. “Just think, at least you’re dressed for the occasion.”

Kaylie’s scowl morphed into an attempted smile. “True.”

Her mother ran up and put her arm around Kaylie’s other side while Camille parked the car. “You can do this, honey. You’re almost there.”

“Mom, it hurts,” Kaylie whined. “It feels like the baby’s gonna drop right out.”

“That’d save you on hospital bills,” Danica joked.

Both Kaylie and her mother glared at her. “Sorry, trying to lighten the mood.” Danica laughed, but they didn’t. “Kay, you’re doing great. Just think, soon you’ll meet sassy spawn.”

“You said sassy. Didn’t you mean evil?”

“No. I can’t imagine you ever giving birth to anything evil.”

Another contraction gripped Kaylie, and she stopped, grasping at her belly. “Ow, ow, ow, ow.”

“Breathe, just breathe through it,” her mother said.

Tears sprang to Kaylie’s eyes. “I’m trying!” She looked around frantically. “Where’s Chaz. He’s coming, right?”

“He’ll be here any minute,” her mother assured her.

“You can do this, Kaylie,” Danica urged.

Marie, Camille, and Chelsea ran up the walkway toward them. Danica felt her body relax just a bit.

“You came!” Kaylie walked through the doors with an entourage, tailed by Max, Sally, Nancy, and Michelle.

“I’ll get her signed in,” Danica said. She yelled to the woman behind the desk, “Wheelchair? We’re in labor.”

Someone in scrubs ran out with a wheelchair while Danica gathered the paperwork. Kaylie, safely secure in the wheelchair, took Camille’s hand. “I can’t believe it’s time.”

Camille dug in her purse and withdrew a brush and a hair clip. She quickly brushed Kaylie’s hair back and fastened it in a decorative clip. “Gotta look good when you meet your baby.”

“Definitely,” Marie added.

“She’s always beautiful,” Chelsea said, touching Kaylie’s shoulder.

The attendant who brought the wheelchair out said, “We should get her into a room so that we can examine her.”

The girls agreed and followed on his heels, chattering excitedly. The attendant stopped, giving Kaylie a disapproving stare.

“Don’t even try. They’re coming with me,” she said, reaching for Chelsea’s hand.

Max, Sally, and Nancy sat in the waiting room. “You can come, too,” Kaylie offered.

“That’s okay. We’ll wait until the baby’s born,” Sally said. “Trust me on this. Too many people and you’ll want to rip your hair out—or theirs.”

“I need Kaylie’s purse with her insurance information,” Danica said to Camille.

“I already preregistered. It’s done,” Kaylie said.

“Wow, really?” Danica never would have expected Kaylie to be so organized.

Kaylie changed into a gown with the help of the girls while her mother and Danica peppered the nurse with questions.

After answering, she turned her focus to Kaylie. “I’m Gail, and I’ll be your nurse today. Dr. Lasco will be here shortly. She’s just wrapping up a delivery.” She spoke sweetly while she hooked up the fetal monitor. “This will let us keep an eye on that baby of yours,” she said. Her touch was gentle and her brown eyes soothing. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“No,” Kaylie said as the nurse checked her blood pressure.

“That’s exciting. It’s rare that we get to deliver a baby who doesn’t yet have an entire wardrobe.” She pushed her dark hair from her shoulders as she watched the monitor.

The girls were whispering to one another. Kaylie caught every other word—
Excited! Auntie! So brave!

Gail leaned down and whispered in Kaylie’s ear, “Let me know when you want some privacy and I’ll clear the room.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I want them all here,” Kaylie said. “But can you please check and see if my fiancé is here yet? Chaz Crew? Tall, blond, incredibly sexy.”

“Not that she’s biased or anything,” Danica added.

“Sure. I’ll go check.”

Gail left the room and mayhem exploded. All of them spoke at once.

“Are you okay?” Camille asked.

“Want ice chips? I hear ice chips help,” Marie offered.

“She doesn’t want ice chips. She needs a back rub,” Chelsea said.

Kaylie grabbed her belly as another contraction took hold.

“Breathe, honey. That’s a girl. I’m so proud of you,” her mother said, as she rubbed Kaylie’s forearm lightly.

“Ouch, that’s gotta hurt,” Chelsea said.

Kaylie shot an annoyed look in her direction as she breathed through the pain.

Dr. Lasco breezed into the room donning light blue scrubs, her long brown hair secured on the top of her head. “Hello, Kaylie. I hear your baby wants out.”

“Yes! Please!” Kaylie blew out slow breaths as the contractions subsided.

“They’re coming every two or three minutes,” her mother said.

“Are they, now?” Dr. Lasco proceeded calmly to the foot of the bed.

Gail came into the room and put a pair of hospital socks on Kaylie’s feet, then set Kaylie’s feet gently in the stirrups.

Dr. Lasco sat on a small round stool and put on a pair of latex gloves. “Let’s just take a look.” She lifted Kaylie’s gown.

Camille and Marie held each other’s hands beside Chelsea, who watched every move the doctor made. Danica and their mother stood to Kaylie’s right. Danica held her hand, while her mother rested her hand on Kaylie’s shoulder, as if they both could protect her from pain and provide the strength she’d likely need.

“Everything looks great.” Dr. Lasco stood and removed the gloves. “You’re about seven centimeters dilated.”

“Is that good?” Kaylie asked impatiently.

“It’s very good, Kaylie. And if you really want that epidural, now’s the time to get it.”

Chaz burst through the door, “Kaylie?”

Danica and her mother moved aside. Chaz took Kaylie’s hand. “Are you okay? What can I do?” Sweat glistened on his forehead. “Dr. Lasco, is everything okay?”

Dr. Lasco moved with practice ease. “Yes, she’s fine.” She patted his back. “She’s got some time yet. She’s doing great.”

Chaz let out a breath, then rested his forehead on Kaylie’s.

“Epidural, please?” Kaylie said as another contraction ripped through her, squeezing her belly so tightly she thought the baby might eject right out of her body. A dull pain spread across her back, and she groaned.

“Breathe, two, three, in two, three,” Chaz said calmly. “You can do this, Kaylie. I know you can.”

“I’ll go get the anesthesiologist. Gail.” Dr. Lasco nodded toward the door.

Gail followed Dr. Lasco out of the room.

“What…what’s she” —huff, huff— “saying? Why’d she” —huff, huff— “call her out? What’s” —huff, huff, huff— “wrong?” She squeezed Chaz’s hand.

Danica went out the door to eavesdrop.

“She’s a doctor, Kaylie. She was just in a delivery. She’s got more patients than just you. I’m sure it’s nothing. She told you everything was fine,” her mother said.

Danica came back into the room and looked at the girls with apologetic eyes. “She’s worried about having so many people in the delivery room.”

“What? No!” Kaylie whined.

“It’s up to you, Kaylie,” Danica said.

Kaylie reached for Camille’s hand. “It’s our first baby. You guys are staying.”

“Are you sure?” Camille asked.

“Of course.” Another contraction took hold, and Kaylie gritted her teeth.

Danica turned to her mother. “That wasn’t two minutes,” she whispered.

Her mother raised her brows. “Babies have a mind of their own.”

“And any baby of Kaylie’s won’t be told when it can be born,” Danica added.

“Hey, I’m in pain over here,” Kaylie said. “Where is that epidural?”

“What can we do, Kay?” Chelsea asked.

“Nothing. Just be here.”

“Oh, I know! Names!” Marie exclaimed.

“Whew, that was a long one.” Kaylie looked at Chaz, whose face had lost some of its color. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just a little nervous. I’m fine. This is about you, not me. I’m good.”

Kaylie’s mom put her hand on his back. “Do you want to sit down? First babies are known to take their time.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Although this one does seem to be in a rush.”