lies lies lies || book three

chapter twelve

Thanksgiving has gone by quickly and Laney couldn't have been more than thankful for that. Ashley had dragged her around the mall for gifts on Black Friday and they were bombarded by local fans. Then when they had gotten home, the whole family wanted to drink and play board games which she was forced to participate in. The whole thing was tiring and stressful, especially cleaning after they had all left. As much as she loved spending time with family, the Met Gala snuck up closer than expected and Laney hadn't had much time to paint. She was extremely nervous about live painting. The last time she live painted was at her gallery showing when Morgan had proposed and bought the painting for charity.

The Met was only two days away at this point and she had spent the last four days cooped up in her studio which worried Morgan. He had claimed that she needed to give herself a break but she refused to listen. Until she could finish one painting, she didn't want to step outside of the studio, but there was an issue. She just didn't have the passion to paint. Maybe it was the baby but she was more stressed than happy painting on the canvas.

Deciding she finally had enough, Laney changed into sweats and a bralette before proceeding to Morgan's studio room. Walking right in, he looked shocked to find her standing in the doorway, "You came out of your studio," he pointed out.

"I just need to give myself a break. I'm not happy painting anymore," she said as she sat on his lap and hugged him.

He rubbed her back as he proceeded to jot down words on the paper in front of him, "You are being too hard on yourself".

She took a deep breath, "I'm excited for my dress. Are you excited for the show?".

"Honestly I am but I'm also just waiting for it to be over. I just want to write about us and sing some love songs," he said making her laugh.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing it's just sweet. Are you still flying to New York for the afters with me?" she asked.

"I don't think I have the proper attire," he said, "Can you just leave me a spare hotel key?".

She nodded, "Yeah I don't think I would stay for long but I'll keep your name on the list".

"VIP? I feel lucky," he joked.

She yawned as she rested her head on him still and clung on, "What are you working on?".

"That same damn song. Do you want to hear it?" he asked.

"Yeah"

He softly began to sing, "I'm still a fool for you. Nothin' I wouldn't do for you. Try try try, girl I'm on a love spelled dive".

She pulled away and smiled, "That was good babe".

"This song is bothering me," he groaned.

Laney rubbed his shoulders before walking out to the kitchen to make them some late lunch, particularly a soup and a sandwich. Roasting the tomatoes and garlic, she hunched in pain as the baby kicked. Her face flushed red as she felt her body heat up and her heart start to burn. Holy fuck. She was too young to experience heartburn. This fucking baby better be worth it.

The oven timer beeped while her hands shaked and she took the tray out. Putting it on the stove and blending the vegetables into a bisque, she began to prepare the bowls when she felt that irritating heartburn. Her hands began to shake again causing her to drop the plate and making it shatter on the floor.

Rather than going to clean it up, she just stared at the mess on the floor. Her whole body felt like it was ready to shut down. Her head began to make a buzzing noise and her ears were ringing. There weren't any thoughts in her head though. No panic. No rush. She just stood still. As Morgan came out and observed the mess asking her if she was okay, she couldn't formulate words.