Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 11: Harper

Saturday, 9:22 A.M. PST

I’m so thankful mom and Harlee don’t know Hayden like I do. She’s been pissed off with Ty all morning, and they have no idea. 

I know that things have been rough between them because of the late-night phone calls I get from Ty when he’s reached his breaking point. 

Yet, he still hangs on. 

“You’re starting to show a lot more now!” mom tells Hayden, reaching across the couch to place a hand on her belly. “It was such a sudden growth spurt! But little girl Gold is getting so big!”

Hayden smiles uncomfortably. I know she’s been having a hard time with the body image aspect of this whole pregnancy, but it’s actually working really well for her!

“Gosh, don’t remind me…” she mumbles under her breath. 

Mom goes off on some story about her pregnancy with Harlee, and how she was so little that, for a while, she thought she was going to lose her. 

“Oh, come on mom!” Harlee exclaims when mom grows emotional at the memory. She’s always been really empathetic when it comes to mom, so tears are quick to swell up in her eyes. “Don’t cry! You know what that does to me!”

They’re so overdramatic, I can’t help but laugh as I exchange unamused glances with Hayden.

“Okay, okay that’s enough!” mom says after a few moments, reaching across the glass coffee table to grab a tissue.  She turns to Hayden and Ty, “I wanted to tell you all that story before I shared the news I received from the doctor. And I called us all here today because we need the prayers, as a family, to get through this. We’re here for you two!”

Hayden and Ty’s jaw both drop in worry as their eyes grow wide.

Hell, mine too! I argued with this woman for an hour as she drove me home from the airport about how she should approach Hayden with this news. She insisted on inviting the family to breakfast, sharing a relatable story with a good outcome, offering a support group. Everything she learned from the pamphlets and books she’d been reading in an attempt to “be better for Hayden.”

God, did she go about that the wrong way!

“It's bad news?” Hayden asks, the panic from her face reflecting in her voice. 

Mom shushes her, clearing her throat. “No, no! It doesn’t have to be!” she tells her, her brows furrow as if Hayden was crazy to assume that. 

I need to take a look at the books this woman is reading; There is no way this is how they advised her to approach someone like Hayden!

“Jeez, mom! Just tell them!” I exclaim, growing overwhelmed with the tension. 

She’s not happy about my interruption, but Harlee agrees with me and suddenly makes it okay. 

“So it seems upon further inspection, the doctor found a small mass growing with the baby in utero…” mom announces after a few seconds. She pauses to glance around the room. “Tyler may have blessed us with twin baby angels, but if so, things aren’t looking too good for Baby B. We’re uncertain that there is a baby at all! But until your next appointment, we can hope and pray for the best!”

Their emotions range from concern to elation, then devastation before they settle on confusion. I rush over to them, apologizing for the way mom delivered the news and the news itself all in one breath. 

As if her delivery wasn’t enough, mom quickly brushes past their questions to discuss work with them. 

I think we’re all floored. 

I should be used to this woman by now having grown up with her, but when it comes down to the way she handles Hayden? She never fails to shock me.

“I had to clear your schedule for the next few days so we can fly you out to New York to do a pre-baby photoshoot for The People’s magazine, and few meetings for future projects,” mom says, ignoring when all our all jaws fall open in astoundment. She didn’t tell me about this part. “Are you free for the next couple of days, Ty? If so, I can book you a flight to go out with her; I’m sure Emmy would love a shot with both of you.”

Ty and mom discuss the plans, leaving me just enough time to catch a look of panic streak Hayden’s face. I’m sure it’s for the same reason a pit forms in my stomach. 

The East Coast is no good for her; If not for her impulsive behavior, then for the abusive man that lives around Philadelphia. She’s told me that he has popped up in New York before during one of her first concerts with Harlee. 

“Are you okay with that?” I ask her, keeping my voice a whisper. “If you think it’s not safe, I can-”

Hayden doesn’t let me finish. She plasters a smile across her face. “It’s fine!” she exclaims, shaking her head as she furrows her brows together. She playfully rolls her eyes and motions towards Ty. “I mean, I wish this pain in the ass didn’t have to tag along. Isn’t that what Ivan is for? To babysit?”