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Today, he’d slept three hours. He’d missed brunch with them and even the afternoon. When he awoke, he remembered that today was his mother’s birthday and the family was throwing a big party for her later this evening.
And Stacy had cooked them dinner. Hopefully, she wouldn’t mind them waiting to have it until tomorrow night.
Rushing down the stairs, he realized they had only an hour to dress and get over to his parents’ house.
How would his family accept Stacy? They didn’t know she was staying with them and yet, he couldn’t not take her. He wasn’t about to make her stay behind when he liked having her at his side.
“We’ve got to get dressed and go,” he said, all but running into the room. They weren’t there.
Picking up his phone he dialed Trevor’s number.
“Where are you?”
“I’m showing Stacy my lab,” he said.
“We’ve got to get ready to go. It’s Mother’s birthday and we’re all expected at the house within the hour.”
“All right. We’ll be there,” Trevor said. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes,” he said. “But I forgot today is Mom’s birthday. I should’ve called her. I can’t miss tonight.”
Luis ran back up the stairs to change his clothes. The others came in.
“I’ll stay here,” Stacy said. “It’s a family affair. We can have the casserole I made tomorrow night.”
After his earlier episode, he wanted her by his side. He needed her close and he wanted her to be with his family.
“No, I want you to go with us,” he said. “You’ve been around my family before. I need you by my side tonight.”
He watched as concern filled her beautiful face. “But they all believe I left on Sunday. We said there would be no complications and what are they going to think?”
Trevor stepped up beside her and pulled her against his chest. “This is Blessing. People don’t speculate about what’s going on in someone else’s house. You’ll be with us. Don’t worry about what people think. It’s none of their concern.”
Luis could see that she was still worried. “You’re with me and Trevor. That’s all anyone needs to know. Believe me, they won’t ask questions, but my mother may be curious.”
“You’re certain you want me to go?” she said.
“Yes, I do,” he said. “Being with people is what I need, and you’re the one who excites me, so yes, please go with us.”
He would have been all right if she wasn’t there, but he really wanted her beside him. The time of her departure was fast approaching, and he wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. And he hoped and prayed that he would not have another episode. Sometimes he went weeks without one and then something would trigger him and he’d be back in the jungle having an episode every few days.
“All right,” she said. “What should I wear?”
“Nothing formal. We’ll all be in jeans, shirts, and boots.”
Quickly they dressed and Stacy put on makeup. It was the first time since the wedding that she’d really dolled up and she looked stunning. His mother was going to be asking the questions tonight and he hoped he could convince her that it was just for a week.
“Damn,” Trevor said. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said. “All right, I’m ready. Let’s go if you’re certain.”
Shaking his head, Luis took her hand and pulled her down the stairs and outside to his truck.
Thirty minutes later, they pulled up in the driveway. As soon as they arrived, Luis kissed his mother on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Mom.”
She smiled at him. “I’m so glad you’re here. And who did you bring with you?”
“You remember Stacy from the wedding,” he said.
