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“What? What is it?”
She steps back, looks down. We find ourselves standing in a pool of… water? Eden looks back up at me, her eyes wide. “The baby’s coming,” she realizes. “Holy shit,the baby’s coming!”
Chapter 49
Tip #49: There’s no time like the present.
EDEN
It feels like something out of a movie.
News of Hunter’s unexpected and sudden departure from his own film’s premiere set the internet into a frenzy. People in this town swarm drama like piranhas swarm a fresh piece of meat. It wasn’t long before people learned of the fire, of his stalker, of how he heroically ran into his burning home to save everyone inside —his pregnant, unnamed girlfriend among them.
The buzz that his brave act created resulted in an avalanche of interest inJuliet After Romeo. The film broke box office records in its first three days in theaters and is set to break a handful more, possibly even surpassingTitanicin gross revenue.
Hunter isn’t thinking about that, though. He’s far too busy holding Lucas at my bedside, as hypnotized as I am by our son’s little nose, his tiny hands, his beautiful dark eyes. I can’t help but smile when I look at the two of them together. Hunter looks like a mountain holding a pebble. One day, I’m sure our boy will grow to be just as big and strong as his father.
“He’s so beautiful, Eden,” Hunter mutters. He’s running on five hours of sleep, but I don’t think he’d be willing to put Lucas down for even a second. “So beautiful, just like his Mama.”
“I think he’s got your nose,” I muse, watching them with a sleepy smile. “And your ears.”
“Hopefully he does a better job than I of growing into them.”
“Oh, stop that. I think they look cute on you.”
“Coming from anyone else, I’d take that as an insult.”
“Thank God I’m me.”
Hunter grins at me. “The police officer in charge of our case called earlier while you were sleeping.”
“Oh?”
“They’ve booked Renee on a number of charges. Assault with a deadly weapon, stalking, attempted murder… She even fessed up to setting the lake house on fire.”
I settle into my pillow. I’ve slowly been recovering over the last few days but hearing that justice will be served is a huge weight off my chest. “That’s a relief.”
“She even implicated Walton, too.”
“Why would she do that?”
Hunter shrugs a shoulder. He moves stiffly, likely because of the seven stitches he needed when the doctor removed the knife. He’ll thankfully make a full recovery. “I think the DA offered her a lighter sentence in exchange for information about Walton and his… business. They had a sneaking suspicion that he was engaging in illicit activities, but they never had any proof. With Renee’s testimony, they’ll be able to prove he’s in violation of his parole. He’ll be going away for a very long time after this.”
“But what if he manages to get away with it?”
Hunter shakes his head. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. He won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”
A knock at the door and the squeak of wheels announces Taylor’s glorious entrance. She has her arms extended above her head in a showyta-daas Charlie pushes her in. Mei-Lee follows just behind, walking in with her left arm in a sling and Annabeth holding onto her other. Nothing but smiles all around when they see little Lucas cradled in Hunter’s arms.
“Guess who lived, bitches,” Taylor says with a triumphant giggle.
Hunter clears his throat. “Language.”
I laugh softly. “This coming from the guy who cusses like a sailor.”
“What can I say? Fatherhood has changed me.”
“Have you seen the latest reviews?” Charlie asks, parking Taylor’s chair next to my bedside. He pulls out his phone, scrolling through the onslaught of reviews from critics and general audiences alike. “There are rumors that we’re going to win an Oscar for cinematography, can you believe it? I can feel it in my bones.”
