Page 42 of Dev

“Alicia, that’s miles away. Let me drive ya there.” He moves to step forward, and when I hold up my hand, he immediately halts.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve already expected far too much of you today.” I think back to the moment when the nurse asked him if he was excited to be a dad, and feel so fucking stupid for wanting to pretend just for that appointment that he was.

“Alicia, wait!” he calls after me as I open the door and bolt out to my car. I need to get the hell out of there before I do something else stupid.

I beat myself up for what happened the entire journey to Griller's mom's place. On the plus side, it distracts me from being nervous. I’ve only been here once before, and that time, I had Freya with me. Now that I’m here alone, I’m suddenly feeling overwhelmed and a little unsure.

The place is no tidier than it was before. There are still three rusty car chassis on the overgrown front lawn; in fact, the place looks even more like a scrapyard.

“Alicia.” I hear my name, and when I look up to the porch, Griller’s mom is standing in the open door with a wide smile on her face. “I thought I recognized the car. What a wonderfulsurprise.” She wipes her hands on her skirt and hobbles down the path to open the gate for me. I bite down on my teeth when the metal screeches and have to steady myself from toppling over when she launches at me for a hug.

“Oh, it’s so wonderful to see you.” Her arms squeeze so tight I gasp for air. “And look at you.” Pulling away, she looks down at my ever-expanding stomach. “Growing well, I see.” She pats it proudly before scooping up my hand and dragging me inside.

“Excuse the mess, I wasn’t expecting visitors. Greaser will be back soon, he’s just nipped out to the store. He will be so pleased to see you.” She drags the clothes off the couch and taps the seat for me to sit. Dumping them into the threadbare armchair opposite, she balances herself on its arm.

“So, how are you and my little grandbaby?” She shrugs, tucking her hands between her knees like she’s desperate to touch me with them again.

“She’s fine. I actually went for a sonogram today. It was to check that–”

“She? Alicia, are you carrying a girl in there?” She stands back up and claps her hands at the ceiling. “May the Lord bless us, my prayers have been answered. A little late but answered, still.” She laughs.

“Oh…you wanted a girl, huh?” I laugh nervously.

“I’ve always wanted a little girl to dress up pretty and put ribbons in her hair. I, of course, was never blessed. But this, Alicia…This is going to be perfect.” She moves to sit beside me, resting her hand on my bump. “Have you been feeling her move?” she questions, shocking me a little when she starts to prod me.

“Plenty. She’s a real little fidget,” I tell her, wishing she would ease off a little. I hardly know the woman, and her hands are touching all over my belly, trying to provoke some movement.

“Awww, she’s going to be trouble, just like her daddy was.” She rests her ear against it and taps me with her finger. “Hello in there, I’m your grandmommy,” she shouts out, looking up at me and smiling while she waits to feel a response. I’m not surprised when she doesn’t; my little girl is probably cowering in there with fear.

“Have you thought of any names yet? I was thinking we could keep to tradition and name her with an S. You know, Shelby, Susan, Sylvia, something like that." She eventually sits herself back up, looking hopeful.

“I haven’t really thought about names yet, but I'll bear those in mind,” I assure her, nodding my head and keeping the smile glued to my face.

“Well, don’t leave it too long, it won’t be long until she gets here. I was thinking maybe I should come to stay at least a week before she’s due.”

“Stay?” I almost choke. “Stay where, exactly?”

“With you, of course, you’ll want someone there to support you through the delivery. If she’s anything like her father, she’ll keep you waiting for hours, and afterwards, you're going to be so sore you’ll need all the help you can get. Newborns are exhausting.” She sighs when she stops to catch a breath.

“Oh, Mrs. Stowman, you really don’t have to worry. I have plenty of help and support,” I assure her, trying to think of something that would be worse.

“Iris, dear. You must call me Iris,” she reminds me. “And there's no need to put on a brave face with me. Greaser is still a Soul, remember. He heard about what happened to your brother.” She looks at me sympathetically.

“Iris, even without Saul here, I still have a great support network. The girls from the club are amazing, and Vike has been so great over the past few months, having him at the house reallygives me peace of mind.” Though I have to wonder if he’ll be taking a step back now that I’ve fucked everything up.

“Vike. Now, where do I recognize that name?” Iris taps her finger against her chin.

“He’s one of the club members, Saul’s best friend,” I inform her.

“And he’s living with you?” She looks shocked and appalled by the idea.

“Yeah, I’ve known him a long time; he’s a good guy,” I assure her.

“My dear, don’t you think that's a little inappropriate?” she questions me, sitting a little taller and clearing her throat.

“Not in the slightest. He’s a housemate, and given all that's been happening in Long Beach, I like having him close.” I make it clear to her that nothing will be changing anytime soon, unless, of course, I’ve scared Vike off with myinappropriatebehavior.

“What kind of happenings?” Iris looks suspicious.

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