AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mom opens the door as we walk up the steps. “Hi guys.” She looks down at Madison. “There’s GiGi’s girl.” She kisses my cheek and then pulls Chris down to kiss his. Then of course she takes the carrier from him, disappearing inside.
“She loves to steal our baby,” I whisper to Chris, making him chuckle. “I’m not sure if she’s worse than your dad though. He has her out before I can even shut the car off.”
He wraps his arm around my waist and leads us inside. Dad comes out of kitchen as we step inside. “Hey Daddy.” I step into his open arms. He hugs me tight and then kisses me on top of the head.
“Hey Dylan.” Chris steps forward and holds out his hand. Luckily, Dad takes it.
“I’m glad you guys are here, I wanted to go over some of the plans for the new house we bought to flip, if you’re okay doing that after we eat.” Dad seems more comfortable around Chris, which is good.
Chris stands a little taller, I’m sure it means a lot that they’re enjoying his work. “Yeah, absolutely. I’m excited to get started.”
“Come on, guys,” Mom says and she sets Madison in the highchair that has sat many grandbabies.
The guys sit down. and I help my mom carry out the platter of French toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. I sit down next to Chris, and we all load our plates up. There is no conversation at first, we’re all too busy stuffing our faces. My mom is an amazing cook and has always loved to cook for her family.
Abby is the same way, but too bad I’m not the greatest cook. Hopefully with time, I’ll get better. “This is delicious, Mom, thank you.”
“Ba, boo, da, da.” Madison hits her chubby little fists on the table. Dad reaches out and shakes her foot. She begins to fuss and reach for her papa. He’s a sucker for his grandbabies and lifts her out and holds her while he eats the rest of his breakfast.
Once we’re finished, I help Mom clean up. I’m wiping off the counter when I hear Joe’s voice.
“What are you doing here, Chris?”
Oh, I’m done with this. I stomp into the living room. “You and me, outside.” My brother may be a lot larger than me but I force him outside. “You all please stay in here.” As soon as the door is shut I whirl around on him. “What are you trying to do, Joe? I love him, he’s Madison’s father, and I will not have you treat him like shit.” I shove at his chest. “Don’t ever try to embarrass him or make Chris feel bad.”
Joe moves across the porch. “He could hurt not only you, but Madison too.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?” He shakes his head. “Well, quit acting like I have no sense. People change, you’ve changed. Why is it so hard to believe that Chris has? I never took you for an asshole, Joe, but that is what you’re acting like.” I move toward him, standing by the steps.
“I’m an asshole because I want to protect my sister and my niece? Wow, he’s got you blinded.”
I shove his shoulder once and then twice, but the second time he moves back. I stumble and the next thing I know, my clumsy self is tripping over my own feet and falling down the front steps. My face smacks the cement and I immediately begin bleeding all over the sidewalk.
“Jesus, Haddie, are you okay?” Joe gets down in front of me. His face pales and he shouts, “Dad…Chris.”
Chris bursts out the front door and jumps down the stairs, grabbing Joe by the front of his shirt. “Did you hurt her?” he barks in his face.
Dad gets in between them, telling them both to stand down.
“Fuck, baby. We’ve got to get you to the ER.” He turns toward my dad and Joe. “Someone grab her teeth.” Chris then whips of his shirt and holds it to my face. “Do you have Madison?”
“Yeah, you take care of Haddie. We’ve got baby girl,” Dylan says as he looks at his daughter. “You’re okay.”
I can only nod. A second later Joe comes running out of the house with a cup in his hand. “It’s milk, it says it’s better for the teeth. Give me your keys, I’ll drive.”
Luckily, Chris doesn’t fight him. By the time we get to the hospital my face feels like it’s doubled in size. Nausea has been swirling in my belly from all the blood I can taste and smell. Joe pulls up in front of the doors.
“Get her inside and I’ll park the truck.”
I feel him lift me and I lay my head on his shoulder. Inside I hear Chris talking to someone and then we’re moving.
It takes a few hours between an ER visit and emergency dentist visit. My teeth are back in my mouth and held in place by wires. If the root doesn’t reattach then I may have to get implants. We stop by the pharmacy, and then Chris takes me home.
He leads me into the apartment and gets me set up in bed. Thankfully I was given good pain meds and I’m half loopy. Chris comes back in, carrying a bag. “Lay back, sweetheart. I’m going to put this ice pack on your face.
Not only did I knock my two front teeth out, but I also broke my nose, scraped up my knees, and the palms of my hands. I’ve always been clumsy, and this just proves it. I doze with the ice pack on my face and I’m not sure how much time passes before I feel the bed compress.
Chris pulls the ice pack off and winces. “Is it twhat bwad?” My mouth is swollen and numb and I talk like a mush mouth.
