Page 54 of Cora

When I finally finished my dinner, I slid my plate to the side and then pushed the iPad toward Cora. “Go ahead,” I told her, “Let’s see if you can talk your way out of a spanking.”

Chapter twenty-seven

Cora

Itook the iPad and started typing. Part of me wanted to smooth this over and move on. Another part of me wanted to yell at him for keeping important information from me. I had to figure out how to do both because while I felt terrible for worrying him and adding to his stress, I also needed him to realize that keeping secrets from me wasn’t good for anyone. Deciding it couldn’t hurt to soften him up a little, I held up my finger to him while getting up from the table. I grabbed his apple crisp, warmed it up quickly, and set it in front of him. I returned to typing, hiding my smile as he made yummy noises unconsciously.

I finished typing and tapped the screen.

“I’ll start by apologizing for not telling you where I was going. I should have, but I wanted to surprise you with the apple crisp to boost everyone’s spirits. I didn’t want to disappoint you if I couldn’t get the apples. As you saw in the orchard, I was armed and capable of taking care of myself. That said, I wouldn’t have gone alone had you told me Queen’s people were activelywatching the house. You can’t get mad at me if I don’t know there is a threat. And you can’t shelter me from what’s going on.”

Isaac finished eating his apple crisp and set the bowl aside before responding. “I should have told you we were being watched,” he agreed. “You’re a hundred percent correct about that. However, Queen’s people aren’t the only threats out there. Zombies could show up anytime, and if you run across a horde, then what? You only have so many bullets, Cora? Did you bring a knife with you?”

Crap. I shook my head. I hadn’t brought a knife with me, only my gun.

“Do you see what I mean? You’re pregnant with our baby, and it was wildly irresponsible of you to risk both your lives for some fruit. Don’t get me wrong, the apple crisp was delicious, but it wasn’t worth risking your life or the baby’s.”

His words struck a nerve. A big, open, raw nerve. How dare he imply that I can’t keep my child safe! That’s basically saying he doesn’t think I will be a good mother. My abandonment issues and emotional damage bubbled over, and I started yelling at him.

“Let me tell you something, Isaac. Just because I had the shittiest mother on the planet doesn’t mean that I will be a bad mom. I will never leave this baby! I will always be here for him or her and love them with every fiber of my being. Just because you lack confidence in my abilities doesn’t mean I have to. I know my limits and what I’m capable of. If I thought going out on my own was risking my life or my baby’s, I wouldn’t have. How dare you insinuate that I don’t care about my baby!”

Isaac stared at me slack-jawed, and I got the impression he wasn’t listening to me, spurring my anger higher.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I growl.

“Cora, you’re talking!” he exclaims.

“This isn’t fucking talking. This is yelling! How dare you suggest that I’m going to be a bad mom or that I don’t have my baby’s best interest at heart!” I fumed, completely missing the point.

“CORA! YOU’RE FUCKING TALKING!” Isaac yelled, standing so quickly that he knocked his chair over. He rushed around the table and wrapped his arms around me, swinging me in a circle.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Derrick asked as the other three rushed into the kitchen.

“Don’t help him change the subject,” I growled, pointing my finger at them.

I turned to demand an apology from Isaac when all four screamed, “Cora!”

“What?!”

“You’re speaking out loud!” they exclaimed.

Fucking hell, I was!

Chapter twenty-eight

Derrick

The utter surprise on Cora’s face was comical. She was talking! Granted, it was all coming out in a hoarse whisper at the moment, but considering that she couldn’t make a single sound when we met her, this was huge.

“I’m talking!” Cora exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes. Not being able to talk had been an increasingly frustrating issue for her. I can’t imagine how I would feel if I couldn’t speak.

“Yeah, you are, Ghost Girl,” I said, pulling her into my arms for a big hug. “I’m so proud of you.” I kissed her and then let Remi pull her from my arms and into a Remi/Trent sandwich. When they were done sharing this beautiful moment with her, Isaac reached for her, but she slapped his hands away.

“I’m still angry with you for saying I’m going to be a bad mom,” she rasped, hurt and anger swirling in her ocean eyes.

“You did what?” Remi asked angrily.

Isaac sighed. “Princess, I hadn’t meant to imply that I thought you would be a bad mother. That couldn’t be further from the truth. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you’re going to be an amazing mom. You’re incredibly nurturing, and your heartis so big that I don’t know how it fits inside your body. I was mad, more at myself than anyone, and scared about what could have happened to you and that I wasn’t there to protect you. I know you can care for yourself, but that doesn’t mean I will stop worrying about you. I’ve already failed at protecting my family once; I can’t handle the thought of failing you, too.”

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