A/N: WOW, thank you for the reviews. I know I'm slacking on updating regularly but hey, this chapter update is 12 pages? Forgive me? (winks) Enjoy.
Chapter EIGHTEEN
There was no doubt at it, the Mercer house was beautiful. Kimberly stood in the foyer that lead to an enormous living room and gazed at the items decorating the open space. Natalie and Jack had done well in making it more than just a building with rooms, the place transformed to express warmth and charm with neutral tones and homemade throw pillows.
She watched Amelia, Danielle, Jack Jr., and Robert gathered around the stash of toys in the corner and began to pull some out to play with. Marley was missing and Kimberly looked over her shoulder to see the little girl looking around. "Marley? Baby, what's wrong?"
"Other babies not here."
"What other babies?"
"Aunt Nita's." Marley wrapped her arms around Boo Boo. "I want to see the other babies."
"Maybe later Marley." Bobby spoke up as he shut the door. "We'll go see them in a bit okay baby?"
"Babies can't come here?"
He shook his head. "No, they can't."
"Why not Daddy?"
"Because I've been told it wouldn't be appropriate, that's why. Now go play with the other kids." Hands full of suitcases, he began to stride up the stairs two steps at a time and Kimberly watched him go, a frown on her face.
Marley rushed into the living room, the room filling with the sounds of active play and Kimberly continued to stand there. She had no desire to follow Bobby because she knew if she did they would undoubtedly fight but she was lost at what to do. Jack had handed Bobby the house keys and stayed behind at the hospital as expected, the doctor in the wing informing all of them that both Natalie and Jeremy would be released from the hospital before noon the following day.
Jeremiah and Camille had joined the children in the living room, the television playing low now, and in the distance, she could hear Angel and Sofi rummaging around in the kitchen. It was the sound of Bobby's boots making their way back down the stairs that had her looking towards the staircase again. She cleared her throat as she turned to face him, her eyes meeting his as he stepped down from the final step.
"Where's our room?"
"It's the forth door on the right." When she made the move to step past him, he grabbed her arm. "Where are you going?"
"You said forth door on the right. I'm going to go lay down."
Bobby frowned and kept his fingers curled around her upper arm. "Why? Do you feel bad?"
"Sure Bobby, I feel bad."
"Is it your stomach?"
"No." Kimberly tried to pull her arm free. "Please let go."
"You're not still upset with me over that bullshit at the airport are you?"
She finally jerked her arm away. "That bullshit?" Her eyes narrowed. "No, I wasn't upset about that but now that you mention it!" She shook her head. "You're unbelievable Bobby. If I was going to be upset, I'd be angry with you over the fact you make it seem like I'm solely to blame for not having certain people over here."
"They're not over here because it would make you uncomfortable. That's the truth Kimberly. What right do you have to be mad over that?"
"Excuse me for not being comfortable with having a woman you slept with over here! Maybe you should invite them. I can stand around looking like a fucking idiot while you ignore me and maybe when I'm not taking up space to fill some fucking void you have in your life, Anita can show me each place you two fucked!"
"You are being fucking ridiculous." Bobby hissed. He stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. "Why the hell do you keep trying to make fucking drama about this? Stop acting so insecure about Anita, Kimberly! She's not the one wearing that ring, you are."
"That's right, I am. Sorry to disappoint you on some level I'm sure."
"I'm not going to stand here and listen to you act like some possessive, insecure brat Kimberly. I've had about all I can of it and it has to stop. We can't keep having this fucking conversation."
She wasn't even aware her voice had raised during the length of their conversation. "You know what, go to Hell. How's that for a way to end the conversation?" She pushed past him and marched up the stairs, her heels clicking hard against the marble as she went. The heavy sound of his footsteps didn't follow her as she expected they would and as soon as she reached their room, she slammed the door behind her.
There was a bathroom attached to the room and she slammed that door behind her as well, tears began to stream down her face as she hit the lock. The bathroom was just as beautiful as the rest of the house but she ignored everything except the sound of her heaving sobs. She sat down on the edge of the tub before sinking into it, a towel from the rack clutched in her hands.
Minutes seemed to tick by as she cried, her face buried in her knees. There was a soft knock on the door but she ignored it. The knock came again. "Kimberly? Kimberly, please open the door."
"Go away."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. Open the door. If you don't, I'm gonna break it down and I really don't feel like facing Natalie when she finds out."
Slowly Kimberly rose from the large Victorian tub. She stepped back as soon as she unlocked the door, moving to sit back down on the tub's edge as Angel stepped into the bathroom.
"See, that wasn't so hard was it?"
She ignored his gaze and blotted her face with the towel. "I apologize for raising my voice down there. It won't happen again."
"You're gonna marry Bobby, of course it will." Angel smiled as he lowered the toilet lid and sat down, clasping his hands together. "Talk to Angel. Tell him what's really bothering you."
"Nothing is bothering me."
"Bull. Something is and we both know it really has shit to do with Anita. Spill girl."
She shook her head and folded the towel. "I just want to be alone right now. Please leave. I'll come down when I've composed myself again."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, not until you talk to me. Don't even try to argue with me Kimmy. You need to talk to someone; arguing with Bobby like this nonstop isn't doing you any favors and it sure as hell ain't doing any good for Marley."
"You don't think I know that?" Her head jerked up, her eyes connecting to his. "You think I want to fight with Bobby about this constantly?"
"You seem to not be having a problem with it."
"That's bullshit!"
Angel lifted his hands peacefully. "I just call it like I see it Kimmy. You keep bringing the woman up when I've got the feeling it ain't even really about her. What is going on? Are you in trouble or something? Whatever it is, we've got your back." He reached out to grab her hand and squeeze it. "We can help you."
"I'm not in trouble." Kimberly whispered. She looked down. "I'm pregnant."
"Say what?"
"I said I'm pregnant." She cleared her throat and looked up again. "At least I think I'm pregnant."
"How late are you? Do you know?"
"I think, seven weeks. I think that sounds about right." She blushed. "I can't believe I'm talking to you about this. I'm sorry, I just kind of blurted that out didn't I?"
Angel squeezed her hand again and smiled softly. "I told you to spill your guts Kimmy, ain't nothing to apologize for. You haven't told Bobby, have you?"
She shook her head. "I thought I was just coming down with something. Things have been so hectic lately and then at the hospital..." She grabbed the towel in her lap and twisted it between her fingers. "I'm pregnant."
"You're what?"
Kimberly almost slipped off the tub at the sound of Bobby's voice, her head snapping over to find him in the doorway. He was staring at her, those brown eyes dark and his hands grabbing the frame of either side of him so hard that his knuckle were beginning to turn white.
Angel rose to his feet. "Bro..."
"You're fucking what?"
She rose to her feet as well, the towel still clutched in her hands. "I think I'm pregnant Bobby."
"Is it mine?"
"Bobby, what the hell man?" Angel stepped between them and glared at his brother. "What the fuck is your problem?"
"What the fuck is my problem?" Bobby snarled. "Less than three months ago she was sleeping over at Darius Fucking Green's. Now she's pregnant and I'm not the first one she tells? Fucking excuse me for asking."
"Bobby, man..."
"You're a fucking asshole." Kimberly threw the towel at him and it fluttered harmlessly to the tiled floor. "I didn't sleep with him, not even one damn time, but I'm starting to regret that decision." She snarled. "In fact, I'm starting to regret ever going out with you in the first place!"
"Guys, come on." Angel glanced between them. "Let's calm down before-"
"Well, I'm starting to fucking regret looking at you as anything more than a piece of ass because of all this hell I'm taking lately over fucking bullshit." Bobby snapped back.
"Oh, shit."
"You should have known something was fucking up when I agreed to take you home in the first damn place! Maybe you should have asked how many beers I had drank first before you just assumed I was sound of mind."
"Why would you be sound of mind? No one I fucking date is sound of mind, you're all fucking crazy!"
"Maybe you should look at yourself before you throw stones Bobby Mercer."
"Good one. I fucking do that for a split fucking second and you'll start acting crazy again, whining about how I don't pay enough attention to you!"
"You want crazy? I'll show you crazy." Kimberly pushed past Angel and Bobby, storming into the bedroom and they followed, watching as she jerked open the window closest to them. "How's this for fucking crazy?" She grabbed the suitcase she knew was his.
"Don't you fucking-"
Kimberly shoved it into the window and with a kick sent it tumbling. "How's that for fucking crazy?"
"Kimberly, what the fuck!"
"Not crazy enough? Fine." She grabbed his leather jacket and it went flying out the window too. "I'm pretty sure your wallet was in there."
Bobby shot a look at Angel but the other man was too busy laughing to even notice. "That is fucking enough Kimberly."
"I haven't even started Bobby so unless you want everything except the clothes on your back in the front yard I suggest you get the fuck out of my room!"
"This is my fucking room too!"
"Not anymore!" She snarled. "The crazy lady is sleeping in here alone!"
He took a step forward as she grabbed the gray hoodie he wore constantly from where it was on the edge of the bed. "Kimberly, don't you fucking even think about throwing that!"
She dangled it towards the window. "Get out." When he didn't move, she grabbed a pillow off the bed and threw it at him. Bobby ducked with a curse, the pillow colliding harmlessly with the wall behind him. "Get out or the hoodie gets it."
He almost cracked a smile at that but ducked again as another pillow went soaring past him. "Shit Kimberly! Calm the fuck down!"
"I'm crazy remember? I don't know the meaning of calming the fuck down!" She took another step towards the window. "I won't tell you again; get the fuck out of my room."
"Well, I'm telling you right now; don't you dare-"
She tossed the hoodie out the window.
"That's my favorite fucking hoodie!"
"Would you like some cheese to go with that whine?"
Bobby's mouth dropped open. Angel was laughing, almost to the point of being in the actual floor, but neither of them even noticed. "What the fuck!?"
"Angel?!" Sofi's voice was loud from outside in the hallway. "Why is it raining Bobby's clothes outside?"
"Don't come in here baby!" Angel rushed for the door. "Save yourself!"
The door slammed shut behind him and Kimberly slapped her hands onto her hips, glaring back at Bobby as he glared at her. "Get out right now!"
"I fucking will not. You're gonna go outside and pick up every fucking thing in the yard and then we're going to talk!"
"The only thing I'm going to do is call Fernando and get him to fly me back to Detroit as soon as possible! That should make you happy Bobby, you can finally invite Anita over without having to worry about my fucking crazy feelings!"
"Will you stop bringing her up? This isn't fucking about her anymore!" She picked up another pillow and he cursed. "How many fucking pillows does one bed have?"
"Don't worry about it Bobby, you can't count that high!" Kimberly clutched the pillow with both hands, stepping back as he took a step forward. "There's at least five and the last thing we want is for you to have an aneurysm from thinking too hard."
"Put the pillow down." He growled.
"Get out of my room."
"Ain't fucking happening Princess."
"I mean it Bobby, I want you out of here!"
He swatted the pillow away as if it was a harmless fly and continued towards her. He reached out to grab her arm. "Sit the fuck down; we're gonna talk."
"No!" Kimberly struck out at him, clenched fist hitting him squarely in the chest at the same time her back hit the wall. "Don't fucking touch me!"
"Stop it Kimberly!"
"I said no!" She twisted as his hands grabbed her shoulders, her hands slapping at him. He grunted as she was able to connect a few solid hits but it was no problem to overpower her. She hit the bed with a bounce but before she could roll away, he was covering her and pinning her arms to the bed. "Get off!"
"Kimberly, fucking stop!" He tightened his grip on her wrists as she continued to struggle beneath him. "Stop moving and fucking listen to me!"
Despite trying desperately to remain strong, she felt shame flooding her system the very second she began to cry. His hands released her wrists and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her neck as she cried.
"I'm so fucking sorry." Bobby tightened his grip on her as she tried to move, hands flattening against his chest in an attempt to push him away. "I am so fucking sorry baby."
"Please stop touching me. Let me go, just let me go."
"I can't fucking do that." He pressed her body into his. "I am a stupid asshole Kimmy. I'm so sorry, please. Please forgive me."
Her entire body shook as tears continued to stream down her face. "The things you said..." She inhaled sharply. "I don't even know who you are anymore."
"That's not true, don't fucking say that." Bobby captured her face with his hands. "I love you." His voice cracked. He pressed his lips against hers. When she didn't respond to the kiss, he sighed and pulled back. "Don't hate me baby, please don't hate me. I'm sorry. I was angry and I wasn't thinking straight."
"I didn't sleep with him."
"I know baby, I believe you."
"You didn't! Don't lay here and lie to me!"
Bobby buried his face into her neck again but his grip on her body loosened. He relaxed his entire body when she didn't move away from him. "I don't fucking think sometimes Kimberly, you know that. I say things I don't fucking mean. I get scared and become this asshole and the words just come out."
"You weren't scared Bobby, you were cruel."
"I was cruel because I was scared baby. I was so scared of losing you."
Kimberly shifted away from him. She closed her eyes as Bobby spooned their bodies together, his face pressing into the back of her neck. "You don't have a reason to be scared Bobby and you certainly don't have a reason to be cruel to me."
"I know baby, I'm sorry. Fuck, I'm so sorry." She listened in silence as he began to cry, his tears wetting her neck and slowly rolling down her skin. His arms tightened around her. "I don't know what I was fucking thing Kimberly. I heard you say you were pregnant and I... I thought, she's not telling me because it's not mine. She can't bring herself to tell me the baby isn't mine."
She opened her eyes and turned back towards him, her arms extending to pull him into her embrace. Bobby continued to cry quietly, his face buried in her neck, her hands stroking his back. His hand drifted between them to slip under her shirt and rest on her stomach, his long fingers splaying out against her skin.
"Even if it wasn't mine, you know I'd love it. You know that. I'd be a good father to your baby, you fucking know that." His voice cracked. "If it was... If it was his... I'm not saying you slept with him cause you... I mistreated you. I didn't treat you like you should have been treated and while we were separated if you decided..."
"You're the father Bobby. You're the father of our baby. You're the only man I want to be the father of my children." Kimberly closed her eyes as she willed herself to continue speaking calmly. "I haven't taken a test yet but it's been two months since I had a period and based on my mood swings lately..."
Bobby shifted back and reached out to stroke the side of her face. "Just stay right here and I'll get you a test. We'll be sure." She smiled hesitantly but nodded and Bobby sprang to his feet, hesitating only a second to come back and kiss her. "I love you."
"I love you too Bobby."
"I mean it, I fucking love you." He bent his head to kiss her stomach through her shirt. "I love you."
She smiled as he bolted for the door but quickly turned back towards the bed. "My jacket, I need..." His eyes went to the window and she winced.
"Um, yeah."
"It's fine, it's great baby, really. I'll go get my wallet." He lunged to kiss her a final time. "I'll be right back, don't go anywhere."
The door shut behind him and she leaned back against the mattress with a sigh. Things weren't perfect but they were damn close and she was going to accept that. Snuggling into the comforter, Kimberly shut her eyes as she waited and within seconds, she was fast asleep.
181818181818181818
A child was giggling in her dream. Kimberly smiled and snuggled deeper into the plush comforter. Another child giggled and it was then that she realized it wasn't a dream at all. Her eyes flew open and she stared wide eyed at the sight of Marley, Danielle, Amelia, Jack Jr. standing beside the bed.
"Hi Mommy."
"Hello Children of the Corn." She muttered under her breath. She rubbed her head as she sat up and smiled. "To what do I owe this wonderful visit?"
Danielle giggled. "You talk funny Aunt Kimberly."
"Do I?" She chuckled as the children nodded in unison. "I reckon that I do."
"Mommy, Daddy says he put a baby in your belly." Marley narrowed her eyes. "Did it hurt?"
Kimberly's mind went blank for a split second, her eyebrows rising. She cleared her throat. "No, Marley, it didn't hurt. Where is Daddy?"
"Daddy is right here with the magic sticks!" Bobby strode into the room with Jack's other son Robert in his arms. The small boy was clutching a tiny brown bag and when he saw Kimberly, he thrust it forward.
She couldn't help but smile at the small brown headed boy as she took the bag and he smiled shyly before resting his head against Bobby's chest. "Sticks?" She opened the bag and peered down into it. "Bobby, there's at least a dozen tests in here!"
"What? The lady promised me there was at least twelve in there!"
"Bobby, a dozen is-" She paused as she caught sight the smirk on his face. "Very funny." She slid from the bed and the kids immediately gathered around her.
"Can we help?"
"What do you have to do?"
"Can the baby hear us?"
"Up!"
Bobby chuckled at them. "Aunt Kimberly has to take these tests by herself guys. Why don't we go find Uncle Angel and play that game I taught you called never ending questions."
Kimberly rolled the bag back up and went into the bathroom as Bobby ushered them out of the room. Carefully she took one of the tests out of the box and nervously she sat down on the tub edge, her eyes scanning the back of the package.
She looked up as the bathroom door opened. Bobby smiled and shut the door, twisting the lock before he leaned against it. "It's plus or minus Princess. You don't have to whip out that fancy college degree."
"Oh shut up, I just like being thorough." She twisted off the cap on the end to be used and hesitated. "You're going to watch me urinate on it?"
"Well, yeah. What? Don't tell me you get stage freight."
"I don't urinate in front of people; that's what I don't do." She remained glued to the edge of the tub and looked at him expectantly. "Well?"
"Baby..."
She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'll sit here all night if I have to Bobby. Out." She shooed him with the hand that held the test.
Grinning, he chuckled and unlocked the door. "Yes ma'am." He pulled the door open and stepped back out into the bedroom. "Piss like the wind."
She rolled her eyes. "If you even try to call me Sea Biscuit..." She paused from lifting up the toilet lid. "Bobby, shut the door!"
It shut quietly and quickly she did the necessary requirements when it came to the test. She had barely begun to wash her hands when Bobby was opening the door again and reaching for the test. He yelped as she smacked his hand and grabbed for a towel.
"Babe!"
"It says one minute on the box. If you had read the instructions, you'd know this."
Bobby rolled his eyes but shifted to sit on the edge of the tub and she gasped as he jerked her towards him to sit on his right leg. His arms wrapped around her from behind, his hands resting on her stomach, and she leaned against him, both of them staring at the test from where it rested on the counter.
"Has it been a minute yet?"
"No."
Bobby grunted. "What about now?"
"No." Kimberly smiled, giggling as he nuzzled her neck. "And before you ask still no."
Surprisingly, he said nothing else and after a minute had elapsed on her wrist watch, she stood up. Bobby remained frozen on the edge of the tub, eyes glued to her as she picked up the test and stared down at the results. Kimberly glanced between the box and the test. She narrowed her eyes and glanced between the two items again.
"Oh Jesus Christ Princess, is it a plus or a minus symbol?"
She looked up from the box and smiled.
"Fuck yes!" Bobby jumped up and pumped his fist, coming forward to grab her face gently with both hands and kiss her. "Oh fuck. We're having a baby." He planted kisses all over her face. "We're gonna have a fucking baby."
She laughed, flinging her arms around his neck and holding on as he suddenly lifted her by the waist and spun them. "Bobby, put me down!"
"Absolutely not." With one arm holding her securely against him inches off the ground, he reached out to open the bathroom door again and carry her out.
The obvious plan of carrying her to the bed was halted at the sight of the kids on the bed. Angel was beside it, smirking as he stood there. "So..." He glanced between them. "Did Bobby manage to actually do something right for once?"
Bobby rolled his eyes but he lowered her back to her feet, his arms remaining wrapped around her tightly. "We're having a baby."
The kids on the bed began babbling in excitement and Kimberly smiled as she caught sight of Marley edging towards the end of the bed. The little girl reached out and she turned to scoop her up into her arms. The look on Marley's face needed no explanation. "You'll always be our little girl Marley. You'll always be your Daddy's little girl, nothing is going to change that." She pressed her lips against Marley's forehead. "And soon you'll have a little brother or sister who will look up to you and want to play with you all the time. Won't that be nice?"
Marley seemed hesitant but she nodded slowly. "Big sister?"
"That's right Sweetheart." Bobby reached out to stroke her braided hair. "You'll be a big sister. So what do you say? Can we keep it?"
His daughter nodded again. "I guess so Daddy."
"You guess so?" Bobby reached out to tickle her and she squealed, wiggling happily in Kimberly's arms. "I didn't hear you young lady. What was that?"
"Yes Daddy!"
"Good." He grinned and leaned forward to kiss her forehead before he shifted to kiss Kimberly's lips. "What do you say we go down and tell everyone else the news?"
Kimberly chewed on her bottom lip. "Can't it just be like obvious in a few months?"
"Okay, you can pick. We go tell them or I call that company in Detroit that does the billboards and-"
"Okay, okay!" She lowered Marley down so the little girl could jump back on the bed. "We'll go tell them."
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Coming downstairs carefully with the kids, Kimberly was surprised to see Natalie. She was holding Jeremy, the group standing around her, and when her eyes met Kimberly's she smiled. "Hello." She giggled as the kids rushed forward with cries of excitement. "I know, surprise. They weren't going to let us go until tomorrow but when I threatened someone with a jello spoon, they decided it was okay."
"You are one crazy woman." Bobby chuckled as he stepped forward to hug her. "Look at you, you're about to fall asleep on your feet."
"Am not." She swayed, rolling her eyes as Jack reached out to take the baby. "Okay, maybe a little, but I'm okay, really." She smiled watching Jack cradle Jeremy and yawned. "I think I'll go take a nap."
"Wait!"
Kimberly grabbed Bobby's hand. "Bobby, she needs to get some rest."
"But-"
Natalie glanced between them, a slow smile crossing her face. "I was right wasn't I?"
"Right?" Bobby frowned. "Right about..." He smiled back. "You so knew."
"I so did!" The tiny brunette squealed and launched herself at Bobby. He chuckled and hugged her before lowering her back to her feet. "Congratulations Bobby."
"What?" Jack frowned as he glanced between them. "Congratulations about what?"
"Kimberly's pregnant." Bobby blurted out to everyone. "We're going to have a baby!"
Everyone was suddenly talking at once throwing out congratulations and hugs, the children bouncing in excitement. Kimberly smiled shyly at each person, thanking them quietly. She stayed close to Bobby, his hand finding hers and looping their fingers together.
"This calls for a celebration." Natalie grinned. "Bottles of water and juice for everyone!"