Chapter SEVENTEEN

Kimberly woke up with her nerves already shot. The tension remained the entire plane ride and even as her feet touched down on the airport runway concrete, it lingered like a bad cold. With sunglasses on, she kept her grip on Marley's hand comfortable but secure. The boys were helping Fernando near the rear of the plane with the luggage as Sofi and Camille directed them. It made her smile to see Danielle and Amelia imitating them.

"Mommy?"

She glanced down at Marley and bent down to bring her eye level with the small child. "What is it baby?"

"Carry me?"

"You don't want to go over there with Amelia and Danielle?" Marley shook her head. "Okay baby." She lifted her and stood up. "Is the sun bothering you?"

"Yes Mommy."

"Daddy didn't pack you any sunglasses did he? He must have forgotten." Kimberly pulled off her sunglasses to hand them to her. She chuckled as the little girl slid them on, the Gucci brand sunglasses engulfing her face. "Is that better?"

Marley nodded. "Thank you Mommy."

"You're welcome. They look fantastic on you." She looked away to see Fernando approaching with Bobby and smiled. "Thank you for flying on short notice Fernando."

"Of course Ms. Carter. I'm here for you." The handsome Hispanic lifted his hat respectfully. "Will you be needed a chauffeur while you're in town?"

She glanced at Bobby who shrugged but didn't look overly interested in the idea. "I think we can handle it. I'm not sure when we'll be departing so if you want you can take a flight back on my dime or stay in a hotel. I insist that be on my dime as well."

"I couldn't ask that of you Ms. Carter. I have family in the area that I stayed with the last time you were in Los Angeles. I will be fine I assure you."

"Well, if you or your family needs anything, don't hesitate to let me know."

Fernando glanced at Bobby momentarily and smiled at Kimberly. "Perhaps I should begin referring to you as Mrs. Mercer."

She blushed but nodded. "Mrs. Mercer will be just fine."

"Congratulations ma'am. It's good to see you so happy."

"Thank you." She waited until Fernando walked away to look at Bobby and seeing him frowning she frowned back at him teasingly. "What is it Boo Boo?"

He smiled at hearing Marley giggle at hearing the nickname but kept his eyes on her. "You've been to Los Angeles before?"

"Business trips but I only stayed two days at most. I've never really enjoyed Los Angeles or New York even though both are amazing cities."

"Have you had business out of the States?"

She adjusted Marley's weight more comfortable against her hip. "Europe mostly. It's been several years since I've had to go to the job and not let it come to me. I randomly come to Los Angeles or New York to do promotion or attend charity events." She cleared her throat. "I know it's a bad time to mention it but I wanted to talk to you later about the charity I've started to develop."

"What charity?"

"We can talk about it later."

"Yo Bobby." Angel clapped his brother on the shoulder. "We need to catch a couple cabs to the hotel so the ladies can freshen up before we go to the hospital."

"Hotel?"

Kimberly cleared her throat. "I figured with Natalie having to remain in the hospital a few days and there being so many of us that room would be tight so I booked us rooms at a Hilton downtown."

"When did you do this?"

"While you were in the shower this morning. Is that a problem?"

Angel cut Bobby a look. "Yeah, bro, is it a problem?"

"You know as well as I do that we don't need hotel rooms. Babe," he focused back on Kimberly, "Natalie and Jackie have tons of space at their house. They live in-"

"This huge place." Angel cut in. He squeezed Bobby's shoulder but grinned at Kimberly. "Tons of room and just...huge. It's so huge. Right Bobby?"

Kimberly frowned as she glanced between them. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Man, you weren't kidding. She is good." Angel muttered. He glanced over his shoulder to see the rest of the group. "We should go."

"Will someone please tell me what's going on?"

Bobby sighed and ran a hand over his short hair. "They live in Anita's old house."

Kimberly hesitated. "I'm not an expert on their finances but isn't Anita's price range a bit above Natalie and Jack's? Their house wasn't a reason for their financial issues was it?"

"I think that had to do more with bills concerning the kids." Bobby glanced at Angel for help but his brother was staring off into space in order to avoid being brought into the conversation even more. "Anita purchased the house a while back but when she decided to move again, she decided to give it to Natalie and her family."

"That was very nice of Anita."

"She's a very sweet person." Bobby shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Natalie isn't going to let us stay in a hotel when they have several rooms available."

"Did you stay in this house when you were with Anita?"

Angel scratched at the back of his neck. "Guys..."

"I never wanted her to buy it in the first place. The house is too stuffy for my taste."

"Oh really?" Kimberly shifted Marley to her other hip. "Like my house was too stuffy for your taste?"

"Guys..."

"Baby, I was angry when I said that. I never thought for one second that you were like your house and-"

"Don't even lie Bobby. You hated that house."

He frowned at her. "It was just a house Kimmy, what are you going on about?"

"It wasn't just a house! It was my house!" She stared at him with narrowed eyes, not even noticing as Angel stepped forward and whispered to Marley, the little girl reaching out for him. Kimberly slapped her hands down onto her waist. "What was so wrong with this house of Anita's?"

"The woman doesn't need a hundred rooms and twice as many bathrooms and neither do you!"

"If she wants a house that has a damn elevator that's her prerogative if she's paying for it Bobby!"

His head tilted as his frown deepened. "What the hell has gotten into you?" He whispered stepping closer to her. "This is like the third time since we took off from Detroit that you've snapped at me like this. What is the problem?"

"Oh, now I have a problem?"

"Obviously you do or you wouldn't be getting so hormonal on me! Did you start your period? Is that why you've felt bad lately?" He reached out to touch her and she slapped his hand away. "Kimmy, what the fuck?"

"What is the deal with you men always thinking it's a girl being on her period that's the problem? I am not on my period and you know it!"

"Then what is your fucking problem?"

Kimberly cleared her throat but suddenly she didn't have an answer, at least not one she was willing to share. She placed a hand on her forehead and Bobby reached out to steady her as she swayed.

"Kimmy?"

"I'm fine." She fought against fainting and gently pushed his hands away. "Don't touch me right now please."

"Why?"

"Bobby! Just don't alright?"

He dropped his hands back down to his sides immediately. "You don't want me to touch you; I won't touch you." He took Marley from Angel and strode away.

"Bobby!" Angel grunted. "Kimmy, look..."

"It's fine. Everything's fine." She looked away from him. "I'll cancel our reservations later."

"You don't have to do that Kimmy."

"Yes, I do."

Whatever Angel was going to say was lost as Kimberly walked away from him and he sighed, throwing his hands up in frustration. "Those two are gonna drive me fucking insane."

"Let 'em be Papi." Sofi kept her voice low as she wound her arms around his waist. "They fight like we do." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "So they can have fun making up for it later."

17171717171717171717

Cedar-Senai Medical Hospital was a hotbed of activity but finding Natalie's room was no problem for the group. The kids were practically bouncing in excitement as they walked in front. Kimberly stayed behind Bobby and continued to keep her mouth shut as she had for the entire ride over. He was talking softly to Marley, his daughter nodding and answering back quietly.

Just outside of Natalie's room, Jack was waiting and he smiled at the sight of them. It was a mad rush to hug him and she hung back as they each took their turn.

"Hey Kimberly."

She smiled softly. "Hello Jack."

"We're so glad you decided to come." He stepped forward to hug her. "Bobby said something on the phone about taking a private plane? That's awesome."

"Well, it was important to get here as soon as we could."

He continued to smile as he looked at all of them. "Natalie's awake and the kids are all inside if you want to go in." He had barely finished before they were already moving and he chuckled before following. He hesitated in the open doorway. "Kimberly? You coming?"

She nodded and he held open the door for her, closing it behind them. Natalie was already surrounded by the children and the adults, all of them clamoring for a peek at the newest addition. Their sons Jack Jr. and Robert were sitting on the bed. Kimberly glanced around to see the room was filled with flowers from what she assumed to be various friends and co-workers.

"Everybody, this is Jeremy."

"Yes!" Jerry grinned. "My turn!"

Everyone laughed and Jack grinned as he reached out to pat Angel on the back. "Don't worry big brother, you're next."

"Let me at least get out of the hospital before we start planning the next one please." Natalie giggled. She cradled the sleeping baby against her chest and smiled as her eyes landed on Kimberly. "You must be Kimberly." She motioned her forward. "Come here and let me get a look at you."

"Oh no, I think-"

"Please?"

Everyone shifted to look at her and she cleared her throat.

"Please Mommy?"

Natalie glanced over at Marley still in Bobby's arms with wide eyes but then she smiled and focused back on Kimberly. "Yes, please Mommy?"

Kimberly moved around to the left side of the bed. "You have a beautiful family Natalie."

"We both do." Natalie's light eyes studied Kimberly's face. "You're just a gorgeous as Bobby said you were. We thought he was making you up at first." She smirked. "Guess that means Jackie owes him some money."

"I assure you that I'm quite real."

"And definitely one of a kind if you were able to tame our Bobby." Natalie's eyes drifted to Kimberly's left hand. "Congratulations on your engagement."

"Thank you."

Natalie smiled and looked around. "May I have a few moments with Kimberly alone?" She directed her attention to Jack. "And can you bring me water and some yogurt please?"

"Of course baby." He nodded and one by one they filed out of the room. Bobby lingered in the door but then the door was closing softly behind him to leave just Natalie, the baby and Kimberly in the room.

"Would you like to hold him?"

Her eyes went wide. "Oh, I-" She almost panicked as Natalie extended the small, fragile baby. She took Jeremy in her arms, careful to support his head. Kimberly stared down at the sleeping child cradled against her chest and had to blink quickly to stop the tears from gathering in her eyes.

"You look very natural with a child."

Her eyes flickered back to Natalie's. "Bobby and I aren't even married yet and we already have Marley. I'm not quite sure more children are in the plans at this stage in our relationship."

"How far along are you?"

"Excuse me?"

Natalie smiled as she shifted to lean against the pillows at her back. "Honey, I have three kids and if I know my husband, I'll be having a forth very soon. I can tell."

"I'm not pregnant."

"When was your last period?"

Kimberly handed Jeremy back. "I'm not pregnant."

"Jack said you and Bobby fought at the airport. Would you like to talk about it?"

She stared down at the brunette in amazement. "No offense but I hardly know you Natalie and despite the fact that you seem like a very nice woman, I'm not quite prepared to forgo an interrogation at the moment."

"We have more in common than you think."

Kimberly paused from stepping away. "I beg your pardon?"

"Bobby has mentioned little about you. It's difficult to get anything out of him, especially when he doesn't feel like sharing, but we've always had an understanding."

"I imagine so. You did date."

Natalie noticed the stiffness in Kimberly's shoulders and smiled softly. "That was a life time ago. Please sit down."

The urge to object and basically run from the room was very strong yet Kimberly lowered herself down into the chair by the bed. It was still warm and she immediately assumed it was from someone always being at Natalie's side constantly the past two days.

Natalie shifted Jeremy to rest comfortably against her chest and he continued to sleep, peacefully unaware of the world around him. "I hear you know my father."

"We've had the pleasure of working together in the past. He invested a lot into my father's company and vice versa."

"Our fathers were very good friends before your mother passed away. I'm afraid neither man was the same after that. I was very sad to hear about your father passing away."

Kimberly shifted to cross her legs. "Thank you but why are you saying these things to me? We never conversed when we were both still at home. I don't even believe I saw you at any parties or events for our families. Your sister Amelia was always the one there."

"I wasn't interested in pleasing my parents."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting that."

Natalie tilted her head. "I never said there was."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm glad you came to LA to see the baby. It was nice to finally meet you after all this time and I hope that with our similar backgrounds and the connection in this family we can become good friends." Natalie smiled softly as Jeremy made a noise and shifted against her chest. "There's no doubt in my mind that you'll be a wonderful mother to your child from the way you already show you are with Marely."

"I can't be pregnant."

"Why? Did you strike an agreement with God that I didn't know was available?"

Kimberly chuckled. "Oh please, like you would have signed even if it was offered."

Natalie laughed as well and shook her head. "Despite the fact I will try very hard to persuade him to stop at four, I can't deny I enjoy making babies with my husband. Our children are this eternal bond between us that can never be erased. Surely you want that with Bobby?"

"Will I sound like a horrible person if I admit I haven't dwelled on it? At this point, things are perfect. I have Bobby, I have Marely, I have this new family and I have a job that provides for us. A child..."

"A child would be a wonderful addition to that. I can just imagine Bobby's face when you tell him."

Kimberly glanced down at her lap. "I can't believe I didn't even consider the fact I could be pregnant. I haven't felt like myself lately and I've been snapping at Bobby and..." She rested a hand on her stomach and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I was praying it was just a virus."

"Do you not want a child right now?"

"I'm not sure I'm ready as a woman to have one. I don't know if I have what it takes."

"You're doing wonderfully with Marely from what I can tell. She already considers you her mother and I must admit that to someone who doesn't know the history there, you look like you are her biological mother."

"I wish that I was." Kimberly whispered. "I wish I could have saved her from ever finding out that her real mother never wanted her but unfortunately that isn't possible. Marley's not a baby, she's a child now and I'm able to cope with that because there's already that level of understanding there but a baby?" Her eyes lingered on Jeremy. "There's so much there that I'm not sure I can rise to the expectation of meeting."

"I doubt there was ever an expectation you couldn't meet Kimberly. It's just the type of woman you are." Natalie smiled again. "If you can handle being with a Mercer, you can handle anything."

She managed a soft smile. "They can be challenging."

"That they can. That's why it's perfectly fine to give them hell every now and then and it's definitely acceptable to make them work for their supper if you get my drift."

Kimberly actually laughed at that. "I definitely understand."

"Good." Natalie drifted her fingers softly over Jeremy's tiny body. "Now, may I offer you some friendly advice?"

"I have a feeling regardless of my answer that you're going to offer it anyway."

"You'd be right."

"Then by all means, please do."

"I recognize a kindred spirit when I see one Kimberly. We're both strong women who enjoy our men just as strong and two times as stubborn. You became a Mercer the day Bobby laid his eyes on you. You belong in this family. The way everything about Bobby completely changes when he talks about you tells me that. That ring on your finger tells me that. So I know it's hard to swallow but understandable as well when I tell you that sometimes it's best to ride out the storm by putting yourself directly in the middle of it."

Kimberly response was halted as the door to the room opened and Jack appeared. He had a container of yogurt in his hand and a bottle of water. She rose to her feet.

"No need to get up."

"I really should join the others and let you get some rest." Kimberly moved away from the bed as Jack handed his wife the items she had asked for earlier. She watched him kissed her forehead and smooth back her hair from her face. "It was nice to meet you Natalie."

"Likewise." Her attention was diverted as she watched Jack situate Jeremy comfortably in his arms and sit down in the chair Kimberly had just vacated. "But don't think I'm letting you off that easily." She smiled at Kimberly. "I'll be cleared tomorrow morning as should this little fellow God willing the tests come back okay so there will be plenty of time for us to talk more."

Kimberly's smiled back thinly. "Great."

The couple exchanged amused looks as the brunette slipped free from the room. "Bobby certainly has his hands full with this one." Natalie smiled.

"He wouldn't have it any other way." Jack reached out for her hand. "I love you Sweetheart."

Natalie settled against the pillows with a sigh. "I love you too Jackie."