Page 34 of Raw Honey
Chapter 14
The next morning, I'm downstairs getting coffee when Ice comes down. I look up and smile and ask, "How's Emma feeling?"
He shakes his head. "Not so good. I expect her to stay in bed most of the day. I told her if she isn't better tomorrow, she's going to the doctor."
He looks really worried. I want to tell him what I think—no, not what I think, what I know—but it's not my place.
I try to picture him as a father. I think about how he has raised his sister, how strong he is for everyone he's responsible for. Even though he's done some questionable things, I think he is a good man. He will make a fantastic father. Suddenly a thought strikes me: I never thought about Ice as the father of my kid. Isn't that normal when you fall in love with someone, you try to picture them as your husband, your kid's father, etc? I never did that. Curious.
"I'll make a batch of chicken soup. Maybe that will help settle her stomach," I say.
"Thanks, dear. Keep an eye on her for me, will ya?" he asks and then turns toward Rebel. "We need to head out soon."
"What for?" Rebel asks.
"'Cause we have shit to do."
"Like what?"
"First of all, we need to call church. We need to get moving on the new clubhouse and move forward with the gun trade. Is that ok with you?" Ice has that sarcastic tone in his voice and Rebel immediately gets it.
"Hey man, I didn't mean …"
Ice is clearly pissed, and he cuts Rebel off. "Then don't fucking ask ‘like what?' when I say we have shit to do!"
That's one thing I have learned over the years, do your best never to piss Ice off. Being on his shit list is not a good place to be.
"Yes, sir!" Rebel replies.
Ice's phone rings and he and Rebel step out of the kitchen as he takes the call. About twenty minutes later, Ice comes back into the kitchen.
"Would you like some breakfast?" I ask him.
I get another one of his panty-dropping smiles and he replies, "Naw, darl'n, I'm good."
I get up from the table and pour myself another cup of coffee. When I turn around, he's gone.Oh well, he must have been in a hurry.I take a sip of my coffee and then decide I need to get started on the soup.
Several hours later, Emma walks into the kitchen. I say, "Well, there is our little sleepyhead. How are you feeling, hun?"
"A little better. Have I been sleeping all day?" she asks, confused.
"You have. Whatever bug you got, it has totally wiped you out. I made you some chicken soup. Are ya hungry?"
"I'm sorry, Honey, but I don't think I can eat anything right now. But I would love some ginger ale if we have some."
"We don't, darl'n, but let me shoot a text to Ice to pick some up for you. The boys are on their way back. He texted a few minutes ago to let me know that Hawk would be joining us for dinner." I pull out my phone and send the text.
"Can I help you with anything?" she asks.
"No way, baby doll, you are not well. You just sit your pretty little self down and relax. I got this." I pause and then add, "And just so you know, Ice gave me strict orders: if you are not better by tomorrow, you are going to the doctor."
"Yeah, he told me," she says, defeated.
A little over an hour later, the boys return. Rebel gets back first, Ice and Hawk come in not long after. Ice greets Emma and then goes into the kitchen to get her a glass of ginger ale and takes it back out to her.
When dinner is ready we all sit down to eat. I notice that Emma still isn't eating. "Do we happen to have any saltines?" she asks.
"We sure do," I reply. I rummage through one of the cabinets and produce a box of crackers and put them on the table in front of her. The saltines will help settle her stomach, especially if she is experiencing morning sickness. Suddenly I feel like a mother bear and want to protect her. I swear these changing emotions are driving me crazy. I wish I could control them. I wish the jealousy wouldn't creep its way in, but luckily right now, it's gone. I'm pleased when I see that she has eaten all her soup.
