The Crying Bridge

The Crying Bridge--Chapter 35

 They had been home for about a week and were in the middle of a rather heated argument. Del stormed out of the bedroom and into the kitchen with Evan close behind. She was feeling ill and really didn't need this right now but Evan was showing no signs of giving in.

"Del, you know I'm right on this," Evan said, frustrated. "Just look around!"

"I don't need to look around. I've lived here for months!" She was shoving piece after piece of candied ginger into her mouth.

"Okay, fine," Evan said. "So are you seeing something I don't? Secret rooms, hidden space? What? Just tell me."

Del just stood there, chewing on the ginger, looking at him levelly. She was really pissed off with him but not because of the argument but because she did know he was right. And she hated it. Hated what he was suggesting. It sort of broke her heart. She sank to the floor, her back against the kitchen cabinets. She realized she was crying.

Sighing, Evan lowered himself to sit next to her. He didn't say anything but after a few moments, he took her hand in his. "What's this really all about?" He asked softly.

Del shrugged. "Lots of stuff." She put the bag of candy on the floor in front of her. "This is sort of my sanctuary. And all the stuff with Emma...I feel like I'm supposed to be here."

"I get that, hon, I really do," Evan said. "But we have a living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. That's it. We don't have to move into town, into my house, but this house is not big enough for one baby, let alone two."

Del absolutely hated that he was so damned reasonable but she just had no energy to continue arguing with her new husband. It was her turn to sigh. "I know what you're saying makes sense," she conceded. "I just had this vision...birthing the babies in the bedroom...having a baby crib in there. There's room for one and they can share the crib for awhile."

"And then what?" Evan asked. "Once they each need a crib of their own? And high chairs and strollers and toys?"

She gave him a cross look. "You really suck sometimes, you know that?"

Evan tried not to smile but just couldn't manage it. "Yeah?" he said. "So do you. And really, really well, I might add."

She attempted to give him an even more cross look but began smiling, too. "You are awful!"

"I don't want to fight with you, Del," he said. "But we have to be realistic, here."

She nodded. "I know. But do we have to be so realistic so soon?" She asked. "Why can't we make plans that include staying here, giving birth here and raising the babies here for at least a little while?"

"We can," Evan said patiently. "But you can't shut down like that. We have to actually talk about it and make those plans."

"Okay," she said simply. The ginger had worked it's magic and she felt better. She looked at Evan and was reminded how much she loved him. "Do me a favor? Take a seat in the chair?"

Evan looked confused but did as she asked. Del crawled over and pushed herself between his knees. He looked down at her and raised his eyebrows. "Yes?' he asked.

"Well, you said it yourself," she said, pulling his shorts down. "I do this really, really well..."

She didn't give him a chance to reply with anything more than gasps and moans, but he wasn't complaining. A short bit later, they sat across from each other, eating breakfast. They had decided to move forward with the special psychic who could help them communicate with Emmett Steinhurst. Evan wasn't thrilled with it all but wanted to help Del put an end to all of it.