The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 20

We pulled up at home and Stella ran inside straight to Romans cage.

" What are you thinking about. You're so quiet"

" Austin. In the back of my mind I always wonder when he's going to come through and sweep the rug out from underneath of me and it scares me. I finally have my life together and I don't want him to ruin it."

" He can't find you, And even if he could if he tried to touch you, especially now, that you have my family in you, I'd kill him. He may think he has control over you still but even more so now, that's changed. There's nothing legally he can do and Once I adopt Stella legally he can't touch her. Don't worry about it."

" I'm trying not to, I promise."

" I'm gonna talk to a lawyer Tuesday when I go to Alexandria if that's ok, about Stella?"

" Of course. I'll give you all of the annulment and custody papers to take with you. Let me know what they say and we'll meet with them together one day."

" Ok. I do have a big job to do in Beaumont, Texas next weekend so we'll be down there all weekend. I'm sorry." He said frowning at me

" It's ok I'll plan something with Amanda, we'll have a girls weekend, I'll miss you like crazy but it'll be fine."

" Good. Well let's enjoy our lazy Sunday before we go to work tomorrow"

And that's exactly what we did. We laid in bed, watched tv, swung Stella on the tire swing, walked around outside with Roman and ate. The weather was perfect, it was late September and it wasn't cold or hot, it was just right with a crisp breeze blowing.

I could feel my eye lids getting heavier and my body beginning to drag. My body was sluggish from the baby and all I wanted at the moment was more food and sleep. I kissed Dean and walked inside straight to the refrigerator for left overs from breakfast. I munched on cold bacon and chugged a glass of lemon water. It was only seven but my body was drained, I don't remember being this way when I was pregnant with Stella. I drug myself to the bathroom for a quick shower and it took all I had in me to wash my long hair. When I got out I heard Dean in the hall way, I opened the door and fell into his waiting arms.

"Are you ok?" Worry filled his face.

He slid his arm under my knees and carried me to the bedroom.

" I feel like I just got hit by a truck. I wasn't his tired with Stella. It's completely different, she was so easy I felt like I wasn't even pregnant. Now I feel like I could sleep for a month."

"Just keep food in your body that seemed to help you not throw up today. And stay hydrated, that may help with bein so tired. I'll get you some clothes gimme a second."

I nuzzled into my pillow and waited for him to throw me a shirt, I put it on as soon as he did. I closed my eyes and heard the shower. then once again for a few minutes. Then Stella ran in the room and gave me a kiss with her wet hair dragging over my face. She put her tiny hand on my stomach and said ' goodnight baby' then ran off, Roman trotting off behind her like a small horse. A few minutes later the strong smell of soap made my eyes flutter open seeing Dean was on the pillow next to me. I shifted my body to get closer to him and his hands reached for me. He pushed the covers down And bunched up my shirt at the top of my stomach, moving his body so he could lay his head right under my chest. I closed my eyes again once his fingered started tracing the space under my belly button and he began talking to my stomach. I could fall asleep this way every night, the man I love with his hands on my body, talking to the baby we made.

Monday morning came to quickly and I wasn't ready for this wonderful weekend to end. I had so much to be thankful for. I enjoyed spending my free time with Dean, Amanda, Elle may and even Logan, this amazing family I had stumbled into. I got dressed and grabbed my coffee then woke up Stella. I took one sip of my coffee and it tasted like tar, I quickly ran to spit it out before I threw up and switched it out for lemon water. Dean walked up to me and enveloped me in a hug.

"Hey I was thinking last night, would you like to consider working part time? Unless you enjoy working full time, you won't need to and we won't have to pay for Stella to go to daycare full time. Then once the baby is born you could just stay home for a while."

" Yea I think I'd like that. You'd really be ok with that?"

"Yes of course. If you don't need to then I don't want you to."

I had to have found the most caring man in America. I gave him a hug and kissed his smiling face. I got Stella dressed and we kissed Dean goodbye.

I arrived at work after dropping Stella off and saw that things were getting back in full swing since the flood. it was nice to be serving again instead of inventory and cleaning. I couldn't help but stare at my ring from time to time. I would catch a glimpse of it when I would hand someone their plate or some napkins then I would spend some time lost in thought of the entire romantic evening. I couldn't wait to marry him.

The older couple I had sat a few minutes ago were reading their newspapers and drinking their coffees. I set their breakfast down and their faces were beaming with smiles.

"Harlow, congratulations!" The older lady said In a sing sing voice

"On what?" I laughed completely caught off guard

"Getting engaged" she laughed while furrowing her brow as though I was the one confused.

I looked down at my ring instinctively.

"Oh you saw my ring, well thank you we're very excited"

" No dear, we saw your picture in the news paper, the engagement announcement."

She turned the newspaper around and there I was, my full name above that beautiful picture of me standing under that big tree with Dean. The blood drained from my face and I dropped her plate. I slowly stepped away from their table backwards shaking my head in disbelief. But the scene never changed there I was, front and center.  I felt everything close in around me and I knew that everything was coming crashing down at my feet.