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“I think we need some ice cream sundaes,” she smiled. “It’s good for the soul.”
Rafe and Gabe helped Kelsey get out all the different varieties of ice cream, bowls, and spoons, as well as all the toppings. They argued about whether peanuts were better on ice cream or pecans.
“Dude, we’re from south Louisiana. It’s obviously pecans,” said Rafe.
“I like pecans in my pralines but prefer peanuts on my ice cream,” said Gabe.
“You always were weird.” Gail smiled at the brothers as they bantered back and forth. “I suppose you prefer vanilla ice cream as well.”
“For a sundae, yes. Vanilla makes sense. Then I can make it into anything I want.”
“But if you start off with Rocky Road, or Praline, or Chocolate and Peanut Butter ice cream, you don’t have to add as many toppings,” argued Rafe.
“Shut up, both of you,” growled Bull. “Strawberry is the obvious choice.”
“Strawberry!” screeched the Robicheaux brothers.
“What are you, a five-year-old girl?” asked Gaspar.
“Don’t piss me off, old man. I can still hold my own,” frowned Bull. “I like strawberry. So does Lily.” Gail stared at them all, realizing they were trying to lighten the mood in the room. She cleared her throat, and they all turned to look in her direction.
“I prefer mint chocolate chip.” She smiled at them as they all opened their mouths, staring. At first, she thought perhaps she’d interfered in their banter. Then, she knew. She knew she’d been accepted.
“Sweetheart, my grandson may think you’re perfect, but that’s just sick and twisted. Green ice cream tasting like fake mint with a bunch of baby chocolate chips? What is wrong with you?” Gail laughed as the entire room continued to debate the benefits of their favorite ice cream treats.
By the time they were all seated with their bowls, they’d moved on to a more important topic. Ice cream bars, popsicles, and ice cream sandwiches.
“Dude, the bomb pop beats out the orange creamsicle all day long,” said Gabe.
“Jesus, did Mama drop you on your head?” said Antoine. “Nothing beats the strawberry crunch.”
“Back to the damn strawberry,” frowned Gaspar. “It’s no contest. The ice cream sandwich with chocolate chip cookies rolled in chocolate chips. That’s the winner.”
“Sno cone with watermelon and lemon syrup dripping down your hand, all the way to your elbow, sticky and slushy. It’s melting so fast you have to eat it in a hurry and get a brain freeze,” smiled Gail. Billy laughed, shaking his head.
“Watermelon and lemon? No, no, no. Blue raspberry all the way.”
Gail just laughed as their friendly debate continued. It was a pleasant distraction, and she liked being around these men. She stood, moving toward the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that led out to the balcony.
“Would you like to get some fresh air?” asked Tobias, standing behind her. She hadn’t even noticed that he’d stood with her, steadying her as she walked. His big, warm hand was at her back to ensure her safety.
“Can I?” He nodded, opening the door.
Bull looked up and nodded in his direction, then jerked his head at Nathan and Eric. They went out the bedroom doors, standing at opposite ends of the balcony, just watching.
Gail lifted her face to the cool evening breeze of Miami and the Atlantic. She took in a deep breath, then opened her eyes.
“I used to love coming down here for a long weekend. Dana and I would leave on a Thursday night and get settled into the house, then go out for drinks and dinner, dance a little. We’d lay on the beach all day. I’d burn; she’d tan,” she laughed. “But it was the best time of my life. She’s been an amazing friend to me.”
“I know she’ll be damn happy to have you there for the wedding.”
“Tobias? Do you think I’ll ever be the same?” Nathan and Eric looked toward him, wondering how he would respond. They believed in the truth, and they hoped their friend and brother would believe the same.
“No. I don’t know how it’s possible to be the same as you were a week ago, Gail. You were a different person a week ago. You knew nothing of this kind of evil. You had dreams and visions of a future that might not exist for you today.
“You’ll heal, Gail, but you’ll be a different Gail. Maybe a ‘new and improved’ Gail.”
“I was a different person,” she said quietly. “In the back of my mind, I knew this kind of thing happened to people. I mean, I’m a nurse. I saw this shit in the ER. You just never think it’s going to happen to you. You’re right. I did have dreams and visions of a different future. Now, my vision and future have you in it. I hope.”
