Two Punks In Love

Escalade

Kat

Bodie's at the back of the truck, passing out sacks to the women, and then he shoulders a giant box, clicks the tailgate closed, and follows the women to the door.

The doorbell rings, and suddenly they are all inside, unpacking tons of organic healthfood—the same kinds of foods I was eating at the spa in Switzerland.

I just stand there and...watch them. I don't understand what they are doing here. They are acting like this is the band house, and we are having a cookout.

"I called the spa and got all your diet plans," Marley says, as if that explains things.

I should be asking them why they are even here, but instead I ask her, "How did you do that?"

Actually, I think I ask Marley's belly the question, because all I can see is her beautiful baby, and suddenly I wish I was that pregnant.

Ever since I've been feeling better, I want...more of my babies. If I'm fighting to be healthy for them, I want to feel them, see more evidence they are also healthy. They are the one good and wonderful thing in my life right now. Each day they grow, I feel more love for them. I want them to be big like Marley's baby, because I want more love for them, and I want them closer to being here, so I have something to focus on other than my mistakes.

I'm going to be much better at loving them than I have ever been at loving anyone else. Every day for the last few weeks, I've promised them that, and every day I'm surer and surer of it.

"I pretended to be your PA," Marley shrugs as Ronna passes her a hastily assembly plate of crudité and she crunches a carrot. "Jesus it's hot in here. Darla is going to have a fit when she gets here," Marley says to Bodie.

"Darla?" I ask, confused.

"Our part time chef. She's going to get you started with your food..." Marley says casually as she goes over to the thermostat.

"Oh wait, maybe don't mess with it. Colin's doing something with it..." I trail off, stopping Marley in her tracks while I watch Mac and Ronna waging a minor war with each other. Mac is shoving stuff in the refrigerator and as fast as she's stocking it, Ronna is pulling it all out and reorganizing it. Mac mutters something under her breath and Ronna smacks her with a bunch of celery. "Don't you sass me. In this band, I'm everybody's mama, now..."

Mac grins and hugs her. "I'm only treating you like I would treat my own mother..."

"Well, that's where you're going wrong. And you ougtta know better. Mama of two yourself, one on the way..." Ronna keeps fussing at her.

"One on the way!" I exclaim.

Mac gives me a bright smile and crosses her fingers. "I'm just a few weeks behind you. I wanted to wait until I cleared my first trimester to announce but Leed and his damn third eye—"

"His third eye sees what is and what will be," Bodie grins, snaking a hand around to Mac's and patting it comfortably. Marley beams at them. I watch Bodie with his hand on Mac's belly and can't help but feel slightly...I don't know...envious? Not for the attention lavished on Mac but maybe...jealous on my babies' behalf.

Where will they fit into SCIC now? I see how hard it is for Ollie. No matter how hard Leed and Ashlynn try to keep him in the busom of the family, he's...separate. Not fully SCIC.

That will be my children now.

To my surprise, Bodie sees me eying his exchange with Mac and he walks straight up to me. "Can I?" he asks, putting out a hand to me. "These are the only two people in my family I haven't had my hands on..."