“And I’m going to let EJ help me find the best lawyer to ensure everything happens the way I want.”
She frowns. “Elias...”
“Say it.”
“And I will unhappily and reluctantly let Elias help me find the best lawyer to ensure everything happens the way I want, but only because it’s ultimately for Jackson. Anything else?”
“No, but I’ll let you know if I change my mind.”
Raelynn shakes her head. “Let’s watch a movie while you give me another massage.”
Sounds like the perfect idea to me.
“DaDa!” Bree grins and reaches for the phone where Elias’s face appears on the screen. He’s been talking to her for ten minutes already and that’s probably the thirtieth time she’s said his name.
“Yes, princess, it’s me,” he says to her with a smile before focusing on me. “Raelynn, would you do something for me?”
“Sure; what is it?”
Elias grins. “You agree to things without knowing what it is?”
I shrug. “I trust you.”
That makes his smile brighten even more. “You remember Sylvia, right?” I nod. “She’s been on bedrest for a little while and will be until the baby comes. I was talking to Scotty and she’s extra restless today. Maybe you can take the kids over there and give her a fresh face to see.” He takes a deep breath. “You’d make her really happy if you’d give her some gossip,” he adds with a pointed look.
“You mean...” Surely, he doesn’t.
But he nods. “You don’t have to; you could tell her about Henry, but anything would cheer her up. Will you go see her?”
The idea of hanging out with a woman I don’t know all that well and spilling my guts doesn’t sit well with me. However, she is stuck on bedrest and this is the first time Elias has asked a favor of me. I can do this for them both.
“Of course. Text me her address and her phone number; I want to let her know I’m coming over.”
“We’re going to see Mrs. Sylvia?” Jackson butts in. “Does that mean Stella and Stephanie will be there?”
Elias laughs. “They live there with her, so I’m pretty sure you’ll run into them, J-man.”
Jackson sighs, but I think it’s for show. He likes those girls, but he likes to act as if he doesn’t. He hops off the couch and runs up stairs as if he’s on a mission.
“I miss you guys,” Elias admits when my gaze returns to the screen.
“We miss you too. Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks, Raelynn.”
“Wey!” Bree giggles and my jaw drops as I look at her. That almost sounded like Rae. “No!” She actually started saying no earlier this week. She loves it almost as much as DaDa and Ja-Ja. But I can’t believe she just said my name! My eyes water before I can control my emotions.
“Oh, Bree,” Elias starts in a teasing tone. “You’re in trouble now. She doesn’t like to be called Rae,” he says with a little laugh.
“Bree can call me whatever she wants.”
That makes him grin. “Wait up for me?” he asks. His mouth parts wider and he adds, “Oh! My family is coming in today! I forgot to tell you that. You don’t have to worry about picking them up. They’re getting a cab ride to the house.”
“They’re coming today?” My heart pounds in overtime. We can’t check into the hotel until tomorrow.
“Yeah, that’s okay, isn’t it?” Confusion clouds his face.
“Yes, of course.” Bree starts to squirm a little and I use that as my excuse to get off the phone with him, never promising one way or the other to wait up for him.