Page 56 of Flawless Lyric

“No news yet. It could still be a few hours.” We all sip our drinks and prepare for the long haul when Zander busts through the doors.

“Hadley Ezra Stone was born at six twenty-five. Weighing in at seven pounds, six ounces, and is 22 inches long. She has her mother’s temper and she’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.” Zander’s beaming like a proud papa as his bandmates pull him in for a hug.

Trish is beside herself with happy tears and so is Jim. Wiping his eyes, he looks at Zander. “You gave her Ezra’s name.”

“Absolutely. Why else would we have kept it a secret for so long? We wanted it to be a surprise.” All three of them hug each other so tight, tears begin streaming down my face. I realize that giving birth is a beautiful and very emotional experience, but this goes way beyond that.

Suddenly I don’t feel like I belong here. Everyone in this room has a history and I haven’t been around long enough. Micah senses something’s wrong. He squeezes my hand and I’m not sure why I’m so damn emotional today.

“When can we go in to see her?” Trish asks.

“I’ll be back out to get you in a few. She’s exhausted but she wants everyone to meet Hadley. Melody and I really appreciate all of you coming here today.” With that, Zander disappears back into the room.

I get all choked up as soon as I hear the baby crying as the door closes behind him.

An hour later, Micah and I walk into Melody’s room and meet miss Hadley Ezra Stone. She has the prettiest little heart-shaped mouth, upturned nose, and full head of dark hair. Just like her parents. She slept the whole time we visited, and I think Zander was right. She just might be the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen too.

24

One monthlater

MICAH

Something’sup with Lyric and I have no idea what it is. She was fine up until the day we went to the hospital for Hadley’s birth. Could it be a hormonal thing? No idea, but every time I tried to ask her about it, she shut me down. So I stopped trying, hoping she’ll open up to me when she’s ready.

It’s Saturday morning and I’m letting her sleep in because she’s exhausted. Hey, it’s not my fault she’s so fucking sexy that I can never get enough of her. Now I’m leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping my cup of coffee. There’s nothing like that first cup to kick-start my day.

Last night we planned on going to the corn maze and then a hayride later in the day, followed by curling up by the fire with some hot apple cider. Now I’m not so sure if she’s going to be up for it. I’ll give her a little while longer and then decide if I should wake her or not.

I freeze with my cup to my lips when Novalee strides into the room. Shouldn’t she be at school?

“Well, well, well. Fancy meeting you here.” I’m suddenly very self-conscious since I’m standing here with only my boxers on. Had I known she was coming, we would have stayed at my place.

“I could say the same about you, Novalee. I thought you were at school.” I go on drinking my coffee as if I couldn’t care less that she’s scrutinizing me from top to bottom. Not a good thing.

“Grace and I decided to fly home for the weekend. We got home late last night.” Oh fuck no. The way she’s checking me out, she might have heard me fuck her mother into oblivion and beyond last night.

“Hmm, are you stocking up on frequent flyer miles for something? Otherwise, it’s a bit extravagant for only a few days.” None of my business, but I’m buying myself some time.

“Novalee? What the hell are you doing here?” The question is for her daughter but Lyric is clearly looking at me. She’s all bed head and gorgeous as fuck. Down, boy. A hard on would not be a good thing in front of you-know-who.

Turning around with her hand on her hip, Novalee sarcastically answers her mother. “Last time I checked, this is my house, not his.”

“Stop it right now, young lady. And don’t pretend like you don’t know about Micah and me being together. We discussed all of this while I was in Cali.” And here’s my cue to leave since she still doesn’t know about her daughter luring me there on false pretenses.

“I’m not a child, Mother, and you don’t need to remind me. I know.” Yep, time to get the hell out.

“If you’ll excuse me, ladies.” Bending down, I give Lyric a kiss before walking upstairs. This is between the both of them. As much as I’d love to give the little bitch a piece of my mind, it would do more harm than good.

Setting my cup down on the dresser, I stride into the bathroom to take a shower. Once I’m done, I’ll break up the unexpected reunion and Lyric can take hers. Come hell or high water, we’ll be keeping our plans because I want to be as far away from Novalee as I can. She just grates on my every nerve. She’s her father’s daughter.

Walking into the bathroom, I grab a clean towel, and something hits the floor. Bending down, I pick it up and my hands begin to tremble uncontrollably. I have three sisters, so I know exactly what this is. A pregnancy test. And by the looks of it, someone is going to have a baby. Novalee’s pregnant? Lyric will flip the fuck out.

“Micah?” Lyric’s standing in the doorway and is very much aware of what I’m holding in my hand. She looks devastated and I can’t say I blame her. Novalee’s too young and selfish to be a mother.

We stare at each other for a beat before she steps into the room. When she notices the two pink lines across the test, she begins sobbing. My heart breaks for this woman and everything she’s had to endure in her lifetime. Now she has to add a pregnant daughter into the mix. Sometimes life is just too damn cruel.

“Beauty, it’s all going to work out. I promise. Novalee can finish school and I’ll hire a nanny. There are tons of single moms who do it all and Novalee can be one of them.” I have no idea if she has a boyfriend or if this is the result of a one-night stand.

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