A Little Sane

Chapter 67

"Are you sure it's okay that I come?"

Jerome pulled into a truck stop so the twins could use the restroom. Mercedes turned around in the front passenger seat. She smiled at Abbe.

"TaTyana said on the phone to bring you. So it's fine."

Mercedes watched Jerome walk the twins into the building. She heard a gasp from Abbe.

"It will be awkward sitting there in front of your best friend knowing I had threesomes with your husband..."

Mercedes's laughter confused Abbe.

"What's more awkward is that she already knows."

Abbe's eyes grew wide and Mercedes shook her head laughing.

"She's my best friend. I tell her everything."

Abbe laughed slightly and then sighed.

"This isn't going to last long... we do have to go back.. Mercedes... they're looking for you.."

Mercedes stared out her window. She let out a deep breath.

"I know they are... but I will never stop protecting my family..."

Abbe set forward on the edge ofher seat.

"Do you want to talk about killing your mom... I mean I know I'm not Jerome so I wouldn't understand.. but I am here if you need it..."

Mercedes smiled to herself. 

"Abbe you are very kind.. thank you... but I do think this is a conversation best left between me and my husband.." 

Abbe nodded.

"No I completely understand."

"Abbe I'm sorry.. that you got stuck in this life you are currently in.. You shouldn't be in the middle of this.."

Abbe placed her hand on Mercedes's shoulder. 

"Neither should you.."

Mercedes shook her and turned to face Abbe.

"Everyone always says that, but the forget I was carried in my mother's stomach already with goal of me being in a life like this... I just happen to stumble into Jerome along the way."

Abbe noticed her definite loving smile. She tilted her head and questioned Mercedes.

"Still believe you made the right decision?"

Mercedes laughed slightly. 

"Everyone is so shocked that I married the man I love. If I hadn't married Jerome, if for some reason my heart didn't choose him... it would have been Jeremiah.. Either way I would be in an uncomfortable situation and it's not uncomfortable for me.. it's uncomfortable for others.. they need to learn to deal with their personal problems."

Abbe nodded. Mercedes sighed and turned back towards the window.

"The facts are that we love each other. We got married and had kids just like every other married couple would consider doing. People just can't look passed what the think they know about someone."

A genuine smile fell across Mercedes's face as Jerome and the twins walked out of the building. He was carrying drinks and snacks. He carefully opened the passenger side door. 

"Mommy daddy got us snacks!"

Mercedes smiled at Jessie who was jumping up and down. 

"Awe how sweet of daddy. Be careful. Please don't spill those in the car. "

Aislinn and Jessie ran to back of the car for Abbe to help them in. Jerome handed Mercedes a Root Beer and a three musketeers bar. Jerome had a huge loving smile on his face.

"Your favorite."

Mercedes smiled in return. She grabbed her stomach. Jerome frowned. 

"Thank you baby.. but can you hold it for a minute.. I think I have to go puke.. damnit!"

Mercedes ran into the building. Jerome groaned. Abbe frowned. Jerome handed her a sweet tea with lemon flavor and a pack of starbursts. Jerome also had a pack of skittles which were Mercedes's othe favorite candy.

"Don't look at me like that Abbe.  Believe me I know it's shitty, but I'm not happy about this baby."

"Daddy are we close?!"

Jerome turned his frown into a laughing smile.

"Aisie bear, we will be there really soon. I promise."

Jerome placed the rest of the snacks and drinks in the passenger seat. He walked to the trunk of the car. He turned and walked back into the building. Mercedes set back on her knees. Her hair fell forwards.  She flung it over her shoulders.  She groaned as she felt move sickness. She lunged forward into the toilet. Just as she went to vomit she felt her hair being gently pulled back. She finally set back on her knees. She noticed a familiar hand holding toilet paper towards her. She turned to face Jerome. He gently pushed her hair behind her shoulders. She took the toilet paper and wiped her mouth. She looked at Jerome worried.

"How am I going to hide this...?"

Jerome was still angry at the fact that she was keeping Jeremiah's baby, but his heart want to scoop her up into a safe embrace. He gently cupped her cheek and rubbed it with his thumb.

"If you need to go to the restroom, I'll cover for you. I'll make up some excuse. You feeling better?"

Mercedes gave him a weak smile.

"I do feel better..."

Jerome held out his other hand. Mercedes looked at him relieved. He chuckled.

"Well I know how you hate being unclean and the nasty taste after you vomit.."

Mercedes eagerly took the toothbrush and toothpaste from Jerome. He helped her stand. She smiled as she walked passed him.

"You're my favorite.."

Jerome chuckled.

"I better be."

Mercedes brushed her teeth. She turned to Jerome.  They stared at each other for a few moments. Mercedes shook her head and stepped forward. She wrapped her arms around Jerome and buried her face in his shoulder. Jerome wrapped his arms around Mercedes. He didn't say a word. He buried his face in the side of her head. Mercedes sighed.

"I'd stay like this forever, but... We have to go.."

Jerome kissed the side of her head and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the bathroom and towards the building entrance.