Page 234 of The Bonus

“Well, I’ll have to stay and help out. Clearly she can’t live alone and look after the kids.”

“I’ll be staying with her to help,” Gabriel replies.

“I don’t think…”

“You don’t need to think, Mrs. Porter. I’m staying with Grace and helping her with our children.”

“She won’t be able to shower herself or anything.”

“And…” Gabriel glares at my mother. “I’m not sure if you realize how children are conceived.”

“Listen, you two…” I sigh, they’re both getting wound up.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” My mom keeps going.

To be honest, I’m not actually sure I could deal with my mom living with me for a few weeks…and Dad has to work.

“I can assure you that I’m more than capable of caring for Grace,” Gabriel snaps. “I will reorganize my schedule and work from here.”

“I think this is a family matter,” my dad says.

“Exactly, and I’m Grace’s direct family. Our two children need both their mother and father,” he snaps. “I can carry her up and down the stairs to her bedroom. You can’t.”

“No,” my mom interrupts.

“I’m right here, you know.” I snap. “Maybe someone could consult me?”

“Grace. Tell your parents that I’m staying with you until you’re better.”

It is true, Mom can’t carry me up and down the stairs…maybe I could sleep on the couch.

Gabriel raises an impatient eyebrow in a silent warning.

Fine…

“Gabriel will stay with me, Mom, it’s okay, thanks for the offer, though.”

“Are you sure?”

Not really.

Five days later.

Knock, knock.

“Come in,” I call.

The door bangs open and Gabriel and the kids all smile broadly. Gabriel is pushing an empty wheelchair and the two kids are bouncing on the spot.

It’s been the longest nine days of my life.

“Let’s go home.”

27

Gabriel

I pull the car into the driveway and stop the car; the kids barrel out and I glance over to Grace, she forces a smile and I can tell she thinks this is a bad idea.

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