Happily ever hookup. (Book #2)

27 "She's a very stubborn woman"

Thursday comes around and I'm sitting at the dining table in the hospice playing a game of scrabble with my dad.

My phone is on the Table directly in front of me, I'm awaiting a phone call from Tara because she's at her doctors appointment with Devon.

Hunter left for New York again last night, I hate when he goes but he actually needs to work in order to bring in a wage. The last week has been a complete whirlwind.

Even the fact my mother keeps calling me, doesn't seem to affect my good mood. She's text me telling me that my little sister would just love to meet her big sister but I can't bring myself to do it. . know it's not the kids fault she was born with such a selfish bitch for a mom but it still doesn't make it easy for me.

"You seem distracted Emily" My dad says pulling me from my thoughts. "Is everything alright?"

I blink a few times and then smile at him. "Of course" I reply. "Just missing Hunter"

"Young love" he responds wistfully. "I remember when Sandy and I were like that."

I'm surprised he's mentioned her, the only time hes mentioned my mom is when he freaked out in his room and accidentally called me by my moms name. I doubt she's visiting him, Claire or one of the other nurses would have said something but it does make me wonder why all of a sudden hes talking about her.

"Did I ever tell you about when I first met your mom?"

"Yeah" I say clearing my throat. He's really going into detail here.

"The happiest day of my life, and then when you came along, that was an added bonus."

I send him a sympathetic smile. I don't know what's going on it that head of his, I don't even know if he's aware of what he's saying or if the words are just coming out.

"You're a lot like her, you know"

I scoff internally. I'm not a selfish bitch though am I?

Dad looks so at peace talking about her, like there's nothing in the world that can hurt him or bring him down. "She's a very stubborn woman"

"Tell me about it."

"Don't blame her Emily, your mom never does anything on a whim. When she does something she thinks it through thoroughly, and she does it thinking it's the only option."

I think for a second and realise that for the first time in years my dad is actually making sense. Not about my mom, but the fact he knows exactly what's going on and what's happening around him.

Is he actually defending her actions?

"Do you miss her?" I ask. I'm not sure I want to hear his answer, if he does then I'm just opening up old wounds, if not then there's no harm done.

"Who?"

"My mom"

"What?" A wave of confusion washes over his face and I realise I've lost him again. My heart sinks.

My phone begins to ring and I pick it up spotting Taras name on the screen. My stomach does a little flip with anticipation as I call over one of the nurses to join my dad while I answer. "I'll be back in a minute dad, I just need to answer this."

I move a little bit away from the table as Trudy, a petite red headed old nurse goes to join my dad and our game of scrabble.

"Tara?"

"It's me" she answers almost immediately.

"And?"

"Well, there's a girl"

"Yeyyy!" I squeal excitedly, a little too loud actually, noticing I'm disrupting some of the residents, I move into my dads room and close the door gently behind me. "And the other?"

"The other is..." The dramatic pause lasts far too long for my liking and I bob up and down on the balls of my feet.

"Tara! For fucks sake!"

I hear both her and Devon laughing and I know they're trying to string this out as long as possible just to piss me off.

"Another girl!" both of them yell in unison.

My heart soars as I imagine little blonde twins with ringlets in pigtails and pretty pink bows. They'll look exactly like their dad but have their moms firey attitude, even at five years old.

"Our family is over run with girls as it is" Devon complains. "I'm going to be forced to be one of those dads that plays dress up, aren't I?"

"More than likely" I chuckle. "Have you told Hunter yet?"

"No, you're the first."

"Because Aunt Emily is the most important" I smile cheekily. "I can't wait to start baby sitting."

"Slow down Em, they're not even here yet, looks like I'll have to rethink the name Cody" Tara says and I can tell she's pouting just by the tone of her voice. "Lexi is still a front runner though"

"My daughter is not being named Lexi" I hear Devon protest. "Jaycee"

"Doubt it" Tara argues and I roll my eyes. "Lexi and Olivia"

"No fucking way! Brooke or Paige?" Devon counters with some options of his own.

"Most definitely Not!"

"Tara!"

"I am not arguing about this whilst on the phone Devon!" Tara's stern voice takes over and I take that as my cue to get out.

"I've got to go anyway Tara, thanks for calling though" I hang up before she can say anymore. I think about calling Hunter and letting him know but then decide against it. I think Tara and Devon will probably want to tell him themselves.

As I walk back to the table, I smile at my dad "that was Tara, she just found out she's having twin girls"

My dad stares blankly, as if I haven't even spoken and the silence stretches on for a few seconds. I frown, "dad?"

He still doesn't answer but the paleness taking over his face is clear as day. Something is wrong. I begin to panic as the nurse attempts to catch his attention.

"Roy?" The nurse touches his hand and he still doesn't move, he's unresponsive, his chest moving more and more rapidly with every breath he takes. "Roy, can you hear me?"

When he still doesn't answer the nurse jumps into action, calling for assistance and checking his pulse and shining a light into his eyes.

I stop breathing, my heart feels like it's going to shatter at any minute. Within seconds there's a flurry of comotion as three or four more nurses join us. I'm pushed out of the way, my dads limp body is forced onto the hard floor and the tears stream freely from my eyes.