Page 30 of His Forever

“I wish. No, I’d have to be on my deathbed and even then, she would complain. I’ll be okay, Zeus, I promise.”

“I will be worried, mi siempre hermosa. Perhaps you should call Paulie and have him come get you?”

She rolled her eyes and he reached out and tapped her nose, saying, “Not time for you to get feisty, mi siempre hermosa. I don’t think you can take your medicine and drive, can you?”

“No. No I can’t.”

“And it’s a long drive, too. Please consider canceling?”

“I’ll consider it and I’ll also call Paulie to see what he thinks, okay?”

“Si, now let’s go see what Walmart has rolled back for us this week.”

***

He followed her home and carried her stuff upstairs, then made sure she had taken her meds before he left. Kissing her, he said, “Call Paulie, mi siempre hermosa, please?”

“I will Zeus. They need to move closer.”

Giving her one last kiss, he left and headed back to the shop, his mind wrapped up in the woman he had grown to love.

Chapter Ten

She was curled up on the bed, heating pad in place and both cats snuggled in when she made the call. “Paulie?”

“Hey, chica, what’s up?” he asked.

“Um, well, you know we have the command performance tomorrow.”

She could hear his sigh on the phone. These Sunday dinners were another way that their family tried to force them to conform. Gray generally stayed home which she felt was unfair, because everyone else had their spouse or significant other present. But she understood why he did. Now, when they went to Paulie’s parents’ house? Totally different story. He was welcomed with open arms. She didn’t understand how two sisters could be so different; her mother was a cold, unfeeling woman and her aunt was a live-and-let-live person who loved everyone. “Well, um, Zeus doesn’t want me to drive.”

Paulie instantly knew something was going on. “Why not, chica?”

Shoot me now, God, please?Out loud she said, “Because the cramps are really bad this month and I can’t drive that far and take the medicine.”

“We’ll be there in a few hours, chica, okay? The spare room ready?”

She rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see her doing it. “Yeah.”

“Okay, you get some rest and we’ll be there soon and take care of you. He’s working late tonight?”

“He is, yes. We ran errands and ate before he went back.”

“Well, we’ll stop and get a pizza. Be prepared for a Marleigh sandwich when we get there.”

She giggled because that meant they would be pigpiled on her bed, eating and watching movies. “Can’t wait. And Paulie? Thank you. I don’t tell you enough but I love you both to the moon and back.”

“We know, chica, and the feeling is mutual.”

***

She woke up from her nap still achy. Getting up, she took a hot shower and changed into lounging clothes before she went in and took care of the cats. “Momma got you guys gushy food,” she said as she opened the can to fervent meows. Putting the bowl down, she gave each cat a pat before grabbing a bottle of water and her Kindle to head out to the porch. She was lost in a new series when she heard the ping of her phone. Picking it up she saw a text from Zeus.

Zeus: Mi siempre hermosa, how are you feeling? Did you call Paulie?

Marleigh: I’m feeling a bit better and yes, I called him. They’re on their way.

Zeus: Good. I wish I could be there for you, mi siempre hermosa

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