Closing Time Read online

  “Even if we were having a boy, he’ll still feel heartbreak.”

  “I know but…she’s my little girl.”

  She kissed me on the cheek. “I know. But that’s what it’s like to be a parent.”

  I put my arm around her and held her close. “I’m excited.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’m glad everything is okay.”

  “Me too.”

  I pulled away and gave her a firm look. “You better eat more.”

  She blushed in guilt. “I’m sorry…”

  “I’m going to stay home from now on.”

  “What? Then who will run the company?”

  “I’ll ask my dad to help.”

  “No,” she said quickly. “Your father is retired.”

  “He’ll understand. He’s always told me that my duty is to my wife and family, not my job.”

  “No, Sean. Just wait another month and then stay home.”

  “That’s too long. I’m worried about you.”

  “I’ll be better. I promise.”

  I studied her face. “You’re giving me your word?”

  “Yes. I’ll eat more than I should. I’ll ask Olga to cook for me.”

  “Okay. And just to make sure you do, I’ll call her and make her stuff food down your throat.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s unnecessary, but whatever keeps you at work.”

  When we left the doctor’s office, we headed to a burger joint on the way home. Since she was vitamin deficient, I needed her to eat right away. We walked inside then I sat her down at a table.

  “What do you want?” I asked. I pulled out my wallet and took out all the extra receipts from my pocket. I placed them on the table so I could put them back in my wallet when I returned.

  “Um, just a burger.”

  “A double-double it is.”

  She didn’t argue with me and I walked away. I stared at the menu and decided to order a salad for myself. I was on a strict diet and took it seriously. I knew my wife liked my body and I had to keep it that way so she’ll never leave. I ordered the food then carried back to the table.

  Scarlet’s eyes were wide while she looked at one of the receipts.

  “What?” I asked, setting the food in front of her.

  She looked at me, anger brewing in her eyes. “You spent that much money on this bracelet?”

  Oh shit. “Baby—”

  “I don’t need ridiculously expensive jewelry. I’m fine with simple things, Sean. I would much rather you give that money to charity then decorate me with jewels.”

  “I do give a lot of money to charity, almost half of my income. I’m not selfish and I’m not greedy. But if I want to buy my wife something nice, then damn, I’ll do it. Now appreciate it and don’t argue with me.”

  The fire was still in her eyes. “I don’t need materialistic things to be happy.”

  “I’m perfectly aware of that.”

  “Then don’t buy me expensive things. A hundred dollar bracelet would be just as beautiful.”

  There was no arguing with this woman. “Look, were rich. We’re fucking billionaires. I appreciate that you aren’t some snooty rich bitch, but you need to get used to the fact that we have money. I work hard every day, and if I want to use my hard earned cash to buy you something, you will accept it with a smile and not complain. It’s getting really annoying, and frankly, it hurts my feelings. I promised you I would give you the world and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Stop being a brat and just appreciate me. I deserve that respect.”

  She finally backed down, emotion in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  I wasn’t expecting that. “Thank you.”

  “I guess…I was being pretty ungrateful.”

  “Just a little,” I said with a smile.

  “I just want you to know that I love you for you and not your money.”

  “I know that, baby.”

  “And the bracelet is beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I liked the direction of this conversation.

  She felt the bracelet in her hand then started to eat her food.

  I watched her, thinking about our baby girl that would be here in just a few months. “What do you want to name her?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t decided…”

  “I like Sandra.”

  “No,” she said. “That sounds too old.”

  “How about Yvonne?”

  “Nope.”

  “Do you have any ideas?”

  “Ariel.”

  “From the Little Mermaid? No.”

  “Banana.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Please tell me that was a joke.”

  She laughed. “It was. Let’s just not name her at all.”

  I had one. It was unusual and I knew Scarlet wouldn’t like it, but I loved it. “Skye.”

  “Like the sky above us?”

  “Yes. It’s a beautiful name, no one else has it, and it’s short.”

  She pondered the name for a while. “It does have a ring to it.”

  “And it goes great with my last name.”

  “Our last name,” she pressed.

  I smiled. “Ours.”

  She nodded. “I think I like it.”

  “Really? It’s really different from banana.”

  She threw a fry at me and it fell on the floor. We both looked at it.

  I turned back to her. “Don’t even think about picking it up and eating it.”

  “I thought it didn’t bothered you when I ate stuff off the ground?”

  “When you aren’t pregnant, it doesn’t.” I leaned over the table and pushed her fries closer to her. “You better eat all of that.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

  I studied her for a long time, wondering if our daughter would look just like her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I was thinking about Skye.”

  “And what about her?”

  “I wonder if she’ll look just like you.”

  “She’ll be a beautiful mix of both of us.”

  “I sincerely hope not.”

  She laughed. “She’ll be beautiful, Sean. I have no doubt.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about.” I glanced at her noticeable cleavage. “I hope she doesn’t have a rack like you do.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re getting sixteen years ahead of yourself.”

  “Hey, I know what dogs like. And they love tits.”

  “You would love my tits even if they were small.”

  “Well, yes. But it doesn’t hurt that they are big.”

  She shook her head slightly. “You’re such a pervert.”

  “I’m your husband. With you, I can be as much of a pervert as I want. I don’t look at other girls’ racks so I get to look at yours all I want.”

  “What?” she said with a laugh. “You don’t stare at other girls’ chests? Yeah right.”

  Why was that so hard to believe? “I don’t.”

  “Sure…”

  I was starting to get mad. “If I said I don’t, I don’t. I respect you too much to look at other women. And I believe in karma. By not checking out other women, I hope you won’t check out other men.”

  Her eyes softened. “You’re so sweet, Sean.”

  “No, I’m just being myself.”

  “Well, you aren’t like this with other people.”

  “You aren’t other people.”

  “That’s true.”

  I leaned back and waited for her to finish. I’m glad my wife was okay and my baby was in good health. I panicked for a moment in time, but everything turned out to be fine. Now I was having a girl and we picked out a name for her. I knew I would be a protective father no matter how much Scarlet tried to get me to calm down, but I couldn’t help it. I was protective of my wife, so I would be even worse with my daughter. And if Skye got my wife’s looks, she would turn heads everywhere she went.

  I was not looking forwar
d to that.

  9

  Mike

  As the weeks passed, I was more comfortable knowing my baby was on the way. Of course I wouldn’t be a perfect dad. It was something I would have to learn as I went, and not every child was the same. I couldn’t copy my dad and expect the same results from my kids. But I would do the best I could.

  Cassandra was miserable. She waddled around the house, and when she sat down she was winded. I did everything for her, waiting on her hand and foot, but that was all I could do for her. She became quiet as she finished her last month. She was so uncomfortable she didn’t even want to talk. Since she was hot and cramping all the time, I didn’t get any, much to my annoyance, but I didn’t bring it up. I wasn’t going to be selfish and make the situation about myself and my needs.

  The next day she lay in bed all day. I stayed beside her and worked on my computer. The TV was on, but she turned it off, too miserable to concentrate on anything but her discomfort.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  Her back was turned to me. “No.”

  I dropped the subject and got back to work. She was irritable and easily annoyed no matter how nice I was. I tried to be quiet as much as possible to keep her calm. I rubbed her back and made her food all day long, but nothing could lift her mood. Her stomach was so big I’m surprised the skin hadn’t torn.

  “Mike…” She pulled her knees toward her chest. “God, it hurts.”

  My mind went into overdrive. “What hurts, baby?”

  “My stomach.” She breathed deeply, groaning at the same time.

  I came to her side of the bed then felt her forehead. She was warm and sweaty. “I’ll take you to the hospital. It’ll be okay.”

  “Okay.” She breathed through the pain.

  I didn’t know what was wrong, but I was terrified. She wasn’t supposed to go into labor for another two weeks. Something wasn’t right. I grabbed my keys and wallet then helped her sit up. That’s when I noticed the water soaked into the sheets.

  Oh shit. “Your water broke.”

  “What?” She patted the mattress. “Oh my god…”

  She was going into labor. Fuck. I was not ready for this. I had her bag packed in the car and I knew exactly what route to take to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, but I still wasn’t prepared for this moment. But I remained calm. “The little guy is finally here.”

  She gripped my shoulders and cringed. “Oh, another one…”

  I let her grip me tight until it passed.

  “Alright. Let’s go.” I helped her to her feet then guided her down the stairs. I got her into the car then buckled her in before I got into the driver’s seat and hit the road. “Baby, we’re almost there.”

  “Okay.” Her hand was on her stomach and she breathed through the pain.

  I kept an air of coolness, but I was freaking out inside. I needed to get her to the hospital so she could have our baby. The stress was eating me away. “You’re doing great.”

  Her head rolled back and she panted.

  I finally saw the hospital then parked the car. “We’re here. I’ll come around and get you.”

  She nodded, unable to say anything.

  I opened the door and grabbed her bag. I pulled her legs to the outside of the car. “I’m going to get a wheelchair. Stay here.”

  She nodded again.

  After I retrieved it, I came back and helped her inside. Then I practically ran into the hospital to check her in. “My wife is having a baby,” I blurted.

  The receptionist nodded, practically bored. “Name?”

  “Cassandra Preston.” I knew my last name would ring a bell.

  She entered my information then saw my insurance. “Alright. We’ll get her in a private room.”

  “Thank you.”

  The nurse guided us to the labor and delivery department and into the room. I picked up Cassandra then put her in the bed, getting her situated.

  “The doctor will be in just a moment,” she said as she walked out.

  I stood beside her and held her hand. “You’re doing great, baby.”

  She took deep breaths then touched her stomach. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  “You’re welcome.” I kissed her forehead.

  “I hope it doesn’t hurt as bad as they say…”

  “You’re a tough chick. You can take it.”

  She nodded. “You’re right. I can do this.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  “Should you call everyone?”

  “Oh yeah. Slipped my mind.”

  She still held one hand while I called everyone. Every person who answered screamed over the phone then hung up without saying goodbye.

  “Everyone is on the way.”

  “Good,” she said breathlessly. “We don’t even have names picked out.”

  “Let’s do that now.”

  “Well, Andrew if it’s a boy,” she said.

  “And if it’s a girl?” Which it better not be.

  “Shelly?”

  “No,” I said immediately.

  “Ashley?”

  “No.” I fucked two different girls with that name.

  “Taylor?”

  “Nope.” I fucked a girl with that name too.

  She groaned. “Then do you have any?”

  “Um…no.” I hadn’t even prepared for this.

  “Georgia?”

  “I don’t like it.” I didn’t fuck anyone with a name like that, but it was too southern.

  “Trinity?”

  “Hmm…I think I like it.”

  “You do?” she asked.

  “Yeah. It’s different. I’m sick of generic names like Amanda and Samantha.”

  She smiled. “Looks like we have our names picked out.”

  “I just hope we don’t need the girl’s name…”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ll be happy no matter what we have.”

  “Yeah…I don’t feel the same way.”

  She clenched my hand and leaned back.

  The doctor finally came in then put on his gloves. “Hello, I’m Dr. Carrie.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I said. “We’re the Prestons.”

  He nodded. “I’m going to take a look, Mrs. Preston.”

  She nodded her approval.

  He placed her foot on the gurney then lifted up her gown. I was uncomfortable with him looking at my wife, but I knew it was necessary. “She’s nine centimeters dilated. Wow, that baby is ready to come out.”

  “Is it too soon?” I asked.

  “No,” he said immediately. “I’m sure your baby is healthy. I’ll be back in a few minutes and we’ll start pushing.”

  Cassandra cringed.

  “You can do it, baby. I’ll be here the whole time.”

  “I know.” She squeezed my hand.

  “Baby, I’m so happy right now. We’re about to get our baby.”

  “I know.” Her eyes were full of tears.

  ‘Thank you so much for giving this to me.” I cupped her face and kissed her.

  “I didn’t have a choice. You knocked me up.”

  I chuckled then kissed her again. “But you’re still giving me this gift. I know the past few months have been hard on you and I admire you for doing such a great job.” I grabbed her hand and kissed it. “You’re going to get lots of sleep when we get home. I’ll take care of the baby.”

  “Sleep…that sounds so nice.”

  I chuckled then stayed by her side.

  “Are we too late?” Ryan rushed in with Janice behind him.

  “No,” Cassandra said. “I’m still a cow.”

  “I’m so excited,” Janice said.

  “So, you guys are still together or what?” I asked.

  “I guess my sister told you the story?” Ryan asked sadly.

  “Yeah,” I said. “I’m not going to lie. You came off as an ass.”

  “Because he was an ass,” Janice snapped. “But I knocked some sense into him.”

 
; Ryan had a guilty look on his face. “I’m lucky my fiancé loves me so much.”

  “You bet your ass you are.” Janice stared him down.

  Cortland came in with Monnique. When he saw Cassandra’s stomach, he breathed a sigh of relief. “We didn’t miss it.”

  “Because I’m still huge,” Cassandra said.

  “But you look so beautiful,” Monnique said.

  “You’re so full of it,” Cassandra snapped.

  I eyed everyone apologetically. “She’s a little uncomfortable right now…”

  “You think?” Cassandra hissed.

  Cortland held up a box of chocolates. “We brought you something…”

  Cassandra eyed it. “Bring it here.”

  He handed it over and she snatched it away.

  I hated to be the bad guy but I had to be. “Baby, you shouldn’t eat right now.”

  She growled at me. “What?”

  “You’re going to be pushing for a long time…it’s best if you don’t eat.”

  She cursed then handed me the box.

  “Well, that backfired,” Cortland said.

  “No,” I said quickly. “She can have it later.”

  Hazel came inside, excitement on her face. “I can’t believe this day is finally here.”

  Cassandra sighed in annoyance.

  Flynn came in with a bottle of Crown Royale. “So the mom can get drunk after the baby gets here.”

  “Do you know anything about giving birth?” Ryan asked sarcastically. “She has to breastfeed so she can’t have alcohol.”

  “Oh…” Flynn shrugged. “I guess Mike can have it.”

  “I’m not drinking either,” I said.

  Flynn opened the bottle and took a drink. “More for me and my lady.”

  Scarlet pushed Ryan aside as she came through the door. “The baby is finally coming!”

  Sean came behind her, his hands on her shoulders.

  The room was so cramped that everyone was pressed against the walls.

  “Now everyone can see me look like hell,” Cassandra said with a sigh.

  “You look great,” Scarlet said. “Giving birth is the most beautiful thing in the world.”

  “Whatever,” Cassandra said with a sigh.

  Ryan leaned toward Scarlet. “She’s not in the best mood right now…”

  “You think?” Scarlet said back.

  When my parents walked through the door, there was no room. I had to sit on the bed to allow more space.