Finding My Forever (Beaumont 3)

“Because when he was home, she moved into JD’s apartment, but he told her that he didn’t want her and that he didn’t think the baby was his. He saw Chelsea and his father at a café have a tête-à-tête right before he left.” Harrison looks at James. “He saw his father kiss his ex-fiancé and place his hands on her stomach.”

“How do you know about this, Harrison?” Brigette asks.

“He came and told me. He was freaking out a bit because he had left Jenna alone and was in LA dealing with Chelsea when he should’ve been in Beaumont.”

“I damn well knew it, James. My God, what kind of lowlife man are you to sleep with your son’s ex? I mean, seriously. And you, you’re a disgusting piece of work. After everything you did to Jimmy. No wonder he calls you a leech.”

“Wow,” I say.

“This is why JD didn’t want you to know his dad,” Liam adds.

“Hey now –”

“No, James you don’t get to make excuses for your behaviour. I wish I could say I regret sending him to you, but he met the boys and his wife so it must’ve been for the best.”

“I’m happy you’re here, Brigette.”

“Me too. I just wish we didn’t meet like this. I’m worried I’m going to outlast my welcome and you won’t want me around when the baby is born.”

“Nonsense,” I say, pulling her into my arms. She’s been a comfort to have here. My mom wanted to come, but I told her it was okay to stay home. I kept her updated daily and told her if I needed her, I’d call, but with Liam, Harrison and Brigette here twenty-four seven the room is crowded. “Jimmy will be happy that you’re here.”

Brigette moves my hair off my shoulder. “Don’t give him a hard time about Chelsea when he fully wakes. He was in love with her once, a long time ago. He thought she was the one for him, but she put him through hell and back. First with her family and then she cheated on him. I’d never seen him so broken.”

“Is that why he started sowing his wild oats?”

She laughs, but I really don’t want to call my husband a man-whore even though that is what he was.

“I guess you could say that. He very much did play the field, until he met you. I knew the day that you two…well, you know, because when he rang me, he was different. He was happy and talking about moving to Beaumont to be closer to Liam and Harrison. Before, he was adamant that he would stay in LA because he needed to be a free spirit.”

“I’m usually not that type of girl.”

“I know you’re not.”

“What type of girl?” We both turn to Jimmy coming back into the room. His breathing tube has been removed and he’s smiling. Once his bed is in place, I rush over and place my lips on his. He pulls away too quickly for my liking.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth in a month, Sweet Lips. I would really like to before you start kissing me again.”

“We can have a nurse come in and give you a sponge bath, Mr. Davis.”

I see red when the doctor suggests that. His mom and I have been the ones bathing him while he was in the coma. I’ll be dead before some nurse comes in to wash him now that he’s awake.

“I’ll do it.”

Jimmy smiles although it doesn’t reach his eyes. He’s tired. I can see it in his face. He’s trying to stay awake to please us. I brush his hair away from his face. He leans into my hand. I hope that I’m bringing him a bit of comfort.

“I’ll repeat what I told you after I read your x-ray. You’ll need to wear the oxygen mask until your levels rise, but can take it off to answer questions. You’re going to feel tired for a while and even though it seems like you’ve been asleep, your body doesn’t realize that. So be patient with your recovery.”

“Thank you,” he says. His voice is hoarse and scratchy. It sounds like he’s been yelling for days on end.

“I’ll leave you to take your bath,” Brigette says, winking at Jimmy as she leaves behind the doctor. I close all the blinds and fill the bucket with warm water.

“You have a couple of scars,” I say, when I come back. I roll down his blankets. I untie the top of his hospital issued nightgown and let it fall open. “They can do plastic surgery if you want them removed, but they’re healing nice.”

Jimmy looks down at his chest and stifles a cry. I gingerly kiss his chest, away from his sutures.

“I look like Frankenstein.”