Mason's Winter

“Come this way.” We follow him into a small interrogation room. I pull out the chair for Winter then take the other seat, dragging it closer to her and sit down.

“So can you tell me about the day you moved out of the Grables?”

“That night, I received a nasty voicemail from Mr. Grable telling me my things would be outside when I got back. Mason called James’s moving company, and they picked it up that night. The next morning, they dropped it off. I didn’t know about the device until the shooting, but Mason did.”

I take over adding what I know. “They told me it was found in one of her boxes and would keep it with them. James took hold of it, and you already have his part of the story when it comes to the shooting.”

He nods, acknowledging me then directs his gaze to Winter. “Yes, so please give me a little information about your relationship with your mother.”

“We never had a good relationship. When I was younger, I remember my parents fighting about me, and my father looking into getting a divorce. They didn’t divorce because he died a week later. She moved quickly onto the next man, but he was old enough to be her dad. She used him until he had enough and divorced her.

Again, saddled with me, she brought me along to win over Mr. Grable. After that worked, I was left to my own devices until she needed to show me off to his fancy friends and such. She filed for divorce and fled. This time I was old enough to not come with, and she was ever grateful for that one. Mr. Grable let me stay to finish my education as long as I assisted his daughter. Of course, it was to use it against her in the divorce to help him keep the majority of his assets. That’s pretty much it.”

“Your story matches a lot of what Mr. Grable gave in his statement about your mother and you. That’s all we need to give the district attorney for the case to move forward.”

“Is she claiming she’s not guilty?” Winter protests nearly popping out of her chair.

“Yes, but the evidence is mounting. Her account of your relationship doesn’t match either yours or Mr. Grable’s statements.”

“Well thank you, detective. If that’s all, we’re going to be on our way,” I blurt out. This is too much for Winter as it is.

We shake hands, and as he walks out, he adds, “Again, thank you for coming in.”

“Can we go home? I’m so tired,” Winter complains, laying her head on my shoulder.

I tug her closer around the waist, then give her a little kiss on her temple. “Absolutely. Still jetlagged?”

“I suppose, but it could be that you kept me up last night, or your swimmers are Olympians.”

“Shit, are you thinking you could be?” I ask, smiling from ear to ear.

“I haven’t had my period, so it’s a huge possibility,” she remarks as if it’s not a big deal.

“I’ll pick up a test after work. Will that be okay?” I doubt I’ll be able to hold back that long, but we’ll see.

“You’d really do that?” she questions, stopping in front of the car.

“Why not? Let everyone see that buying tests. I’m just making sure I knocked up my wife.” I puff up my chest, then open the passenger door and help her inside. I run around to the other side, feeling lighter than air right now. My gut tells me it’s true. She’s going to be having my baby. Now, if I could keep my cool, I might make it until after work tomorrow.

Chapter 18

Winter

I wake up from my nap and see it’s only nine at night. Mason’s not anywhere in our bedroom. I exit the room and look for him. “Mason,” I call out.

“I’m coming.” He dashes up the stairs. “How are you doing, my beloved wife?”

“I’m great. What’s going on?” I question. He’s looking rather suspicious.

“Um. I left for a little while.”

“And?”

“I picked up these.” It was a bunch of roses and a box of pregnancy tests. I grab them both, laughing the entire time. He’s so adorable. I pull him in for a kiss then go back into the bedroom.

“It might be too early to tell, you know,” I remark, closing the bathroom door before he can sneak in, locking it because I can’t trust his eager ass. Setting the roses in the sink, I open the box, pulling out a wrapped stick. I read the instructions, even though I’m pretty sure this is very basic. And it is: pee on stick, wait, read results. Bingo.

“What’s taking so long?” he asks through the door. I giggle some more.

“I’ve just read the instructions. Chill out. Are you going to stand there and listen to me pee?”