The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 22

We went to get Stella after taking a short nap. Roman came along for the ride sticking his giant head out the window the entire way there. We walked in and I told Amanda about our change in weekend plans, she was fine with it and excited to get out of town. She made me promise to go to a dress shop in Beaumont with her, I agreed, but the bloating in my stomach kept getting worse and my boobs were definitely noticeably larger so I wasn't going to try on anything form fitting.

We left the daycare after I got the price for part time and we drove home. I called Ron on the way there, telling him I was going to switch to three days a week if that would work because I was getting married and I was pregnant. He had no issue with that so We decided on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week.

the rest of the afternoon and evening was spent outside. Amanda and Logan came by to hang out and have dinner. It wasn't what I wanted to do, but I decided I needed to fill them in on what had happened in my past. If Austin ever did come for me, they would be involved, they were in my life now. So I told them my story, Dean made himself scarce with Stella while I did.

" Harlow I had no idea, I gave Elle May that picture. She told me to keep it a secret. If i woulda known..."

" Amanda there's no way for you to have known..." I told her

" So wait when you left the shack this morning freaking out was it about your ex?"

" Yeah if he can find my name, he'll find me."

" So that's why y'all are coming to Beaumont with us this weekend?" Logan asked

" Yeah is that ok Logan?" Amanda and I laughed as Dean carried Stella back in the room.

" Heck yea it is. Well Harlow I'm sorry about all that but we're all here for you."

" Thanks Logan. Honestly I feel so loved and so surrounded by family for the first time in a long time so thanks guys really." I kept telling myself that all these people loved me. That really helped what was going on in my mind.

We all left for our trip to Beaumont Friday evening. We dropped Stella off with Elle May and I tried my best to not let my mind wander.

I knew things would be ok. I had to believe it. I had made this life for her here. And I wouldn't just uproot her once again because I was terrified of this man. I wouldn't make her live a life on the run forever. Even though my love for my new life was often overshadowed by my fears in the dead of night when nightmares woke me up.

Logan and Amanda had become inseparable and I thought about how adorable they were. I often admired the simplicity of my friend Amanda. She had no horrible ex In her past and no baggage to carry into her relationship with Logan.

I tried to push the thoughts outta my mind and stared out the window. I was tired of constantly looking over my shoulder, but that didn't mean I didn't still do it. I knew Dean had noticed my mood changing over the past few days. He tried everything to make me happy. And it wasn't that I wasn't happy, I was terrified. And I wanted to run. I hated how I could love someone so much but I could be crippled with fear and that would make me want to disappear. Anger filled me now instead of the love and calm I'd felt the past few months.

" Have you thought of any names yet?" Amanda's voice pulled me out of my thoughts

" Huh?" I asked not hearing a thing she had really said Dean looked over at me concerned and interlaced his fingers in mine.

" Harlow? You feel ok?" He asked

" Yea, I'm sorry I was just thinking. Did you say something about names Amanda?"

" Yea, have you guys thought about names at all yet?" She repeated

" No, with everything going on we haven't." I told her honestly

" Do you like different or traditional? Because  your name and Stella's are different, I think we should stick with that theme and go with different." Dean asked

" Good cus I'm not a fan of traditional" I told him

" Do you like Colton?" Logan chimed In from the back

" Yes actually I do, where did it come from?" I asked turning in my seat
" it was our dads name." Dean said eyes on the road.

" I love it. If it's a boy we will name him Colton after your dad that makes it even more special."

We all sat there in silence a while longer, I thought of how close Dean was with his parents and i hurt for him that they wouldn't be around to see him with his child.

" What about girls names?" Amanda asked breaking the silence once again

" Well I've always liked Olivia, what do you think?"

" I like Olivia. What's it from?" Dean asked me absent mindedly rubbing his fingers along my stomach.

" It was my my grandmothers name. I like the idea of naming a baby after someone. I feel like a name should have meaning. "

Dean shook his head and we went back to a calm silence. It wasn't too long of a trip but the silence was doing a number on my mind. I was worrying about Stella the further we went from home. As much as I didn't want to stay home alone, I didn't like leaving her either.

We finally arrived in Beaumont and I was more than glad to get out of the truck. Everything filled my mind and I wanted to escape.

" What are we gonna eat for dinner ?" I asked as my stomach started to growl.

Everyone threw around options and i stayed quiet. My uneasiness grew and I didn't like it at all. They finally decided on a Steakhouse close to the hotel and we left after we unloaded our bags into our two rooms.

I continually checked my phone for any Blocked Caller IDs or for a message from Elle May. But I had no notifications. No news was good news right?

It was midnight by the time we got back to the hotel and I still hadn't heard anything from Elle May. I had sent her three texts and hadn't received any response. I tried to convince myself that she just wasn't checking her phone but the pit in my stomach was telling me otherwise.

" Has she still not responded?" Dean asked sitting down on the bed concern on his face

" No, I'm just gonna call her and make sure everything is ok"

" That's a good idea." He said running his hand over his hair. I could tell he was stressing and that didn't help me at all.

I dialed her number and listened as the phone rang. After four rings her voicemail picked up. I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing but a single tear slid down my face.

" Dean, I asked her to call. She knew it was important. What if something is wrong?" I shook my head as another tear escaped my eye.

" We shouldn't have come. After everything, the last thing I should have asked you to do was to leave her behind. But it's just too stressful for you" Dean crossed the room to pull me to his chest. We were silent for we what seemed like forever.

That silence was split in half by Dean's phone. I jumped waiting for him to answer at the hope it was Elle May.

He answered it and put it on speaker phone.

" Hello?" We said in unison

" Hello?" Said a man's voice and my heart fell into my stomach " is this Dean Warren?"

" Yes sir, how can I help you?"

" Mr. Warren this is officer MaCarthur, this is about you're grandmother and a child that was left in her care." The man said.

The blood drained from my face and everything went black.