Page 101 of Storm

Finally, the judge calls on the jury for the death of Susanna’s mother and when that comes back as guilty as well, I choke out a sob. My friend is sitting like a statue and I can see how muchconcern her guys have. They’re side-eyeing her, but I know she’s got this.

She’s afraid of speaking in front of everyone and is building the courage to face the man she’s been afraid of her entire life. I’ve never been more proud of her than when she stands up and faces him, her voice coming out strong.

“I was three years old when this man stole my mother from me…”

After she’s finished, she sits back down, shaking, and my damn hormones have me all teary-eyed again when Vance leans over to her and whispers, “I love you so much, songbird.”

We’re excused from the courtroom after formalities are done. I laugh when both Richard and Tatum grab me under my arms and help haul my ass to my feet. Carrying twins is so much different than one and I feel like I’m immobile already, and I’m only at six months!

After I spend time hugging my friend and she thanks each of us for being here with her today, I grab Kevin’s hand and give it a squeeze as he heads to the car. This was important to him to see through since he was the one who was there when they pulled my friend out of the ground she was meant to be buried in. Tugging on his hand, I wait until he glances down at me.

“You doing okay,papí?”

His arm goes around my shoulder, and he pulls me in close. “I’m perfect, love.” Turning to Richard, he asks, “Your parents are keeping Gabe for the night, right?”

Richard snorts out a laugh, using the key fob to unlock our vehicle. “I think he’s keeping them. My father bought some new airplane toys for them to play with tonight, andGrandmapromised lots and lots of sugar.”

“I miss him,” I admit, then scoff when my eyes water again. “Fucking hell. These boys are turning me into a pathetic blob of emotions and sappy tears.”

They don’t make me feel bad as I’m helped into the car, but it doesn’t stop me from sighing as I look out the window.

“What’s wrong now,mi tormenta?”

Whipping my head to Richard, I bare my teeth. “I don’t like that. I like the other one.”

“La Niña, tell me your worries,” he teases as he steers us from the lot.

With as much exaggeration as I can muster, I throw my hand over my face and sigh into Tatum’s shoulder. I peek at Ezra on my other side as he curls his body around my stomach as best he can in the tight space we’re sharing in the backseat.

“Miri?” Tatum calls, and I jump, distracted by how sweet Ezra is being, kissing my stomach now.

“Sorry,” I whisper with a wink. Then I sigh loudly again. “I’m just dreading the two-hour drive back to our place.”

Ezra snickers against my stomach, hiding his face. Kevin glares at him from the front seat. “Are you kidding me, Ez? You told her?”

“In my defense,” Ezra mumbles, his words muffled as his face stays buried. “She was freaking the fuck out about leaving Gabriel all day, then how we’d be getting back late and it would throw his nap schedule off.” He lifts his head, waggling his eyebrows at me. “I bribed her with promises of sweet, sweet pussy eating and fucking.”

Tatum smacks the back of his head. It’s easy access since his arm is resting across the seat behind me. “You didn’t even tell her the best part?”

My conspiratorial grin falls away, and I turn to Tatum in surprise. “There’s a part better than sweet,sweetpussy eating?”

“Oh, pretty girl,” he teases, tapping my nose. “There really is.”

My mouth falls open and all of them laugh at me. Snapping my mouth shut, I tilt my head to the side and try to think it over. “I have no clue what you’d have planned.”

They keep their mouths shut as Richard navigates the old city I used to live in, Kevin holding his phone and murmuring directions. Eventually, I sit up straighter as I realize where we’re headed.

“Stop it,” I cry out when we turn down a familiar street, slowing to a stop in front of the house I spent all of my Sundays at for two years. Ezra rolls down his window as Darlene’s children spill from the front door, waving. “Darlene!” I call, giggling as she follows behind them, moving slowly with her walker.

Pushing at Ezra, he falls out of the car and helps me scramble out. I don’t give two shits if I’m waddling like a clown. I hurry as quickly as I can and as gently as I can, hug the ever living shit out Darlene.

“Well, would you look at the size of that belly? My dear, are you growing a footballer?” Her wrinkled hand strokes my stomach and I laugh, wiping the happy tears from my cheeks.

“Hardly. Actually, maybe. There’s two of them in there!” Leaning forward, I not so quietly whisper, “If you take a look at the men behind me, I think it’d be safe to assume that they’re going to be big boys.”

Darlene leans to the side, fixing her glasses to get a good look at the loves of my life. “Oh, to be a young woman again. Hello there boys,” she waves, then cackles when her two oldest boys groan.

“My God, mom.”

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