Mr. Big Love (Mr. Big 2)

LUKE: Would Mother approve?

FATHER: It’s built with my money, so I don’t know what say she has in it. If she isn’t back on good terms with you by next year, she can take a holiday somewhere during the week you two get married. I plan on letting you use the beach house and I plan on being there.

LUKE: I appreciate the support. I’d be pretty sad if she can’t find her way to supporting us, but if she doesn’t, having you with us will be some solace. And I’d love to have it at the beach house.

FATHER: Consider it done. Any update on the crazy ex-boyfriend?

I was shocked at that question, not having thought about Blaine for a while.

LUKE: No. He’ll be arrested as soon as police locate him because he’s broken the terms of his parole, not to mention he’s probably the one who pushed Candace off the platform at the subway station.

FATHER: I hope they find him. I wouldn’t be very happy if I knew I had a psychopath like him lurking around.

LUKE: We have security in place.

FATHER: Good. Don’t let your guard down for a minute until they find him.

LUKE: Thanks, Dad. I appreciate your concern.

FATHER: Of course, I’m concerned. She’s the future-mother of my future-grandchildren. Now that Dana and Eric are separated, I don’t expect I’ll have any more from her any time soon.

LUKE: She’ll find someone else.

FATHER: Hope so. Gotta go. Your mother just came in, so I better put my cell away.

LUKE: Thanks for texting me. It was nice hearing from you.

FATHER: Give Alexa my love.

LUKE: I will. Thanks, Dad.

I closed my messages and smiled.

When Alexa arrived back at the apartment after her afternoon class, she looked exhausted.

“Hey, babe,” I said and pulled her into my arms after she removed her shoes and dropped her book bag by the door. “I’ll be glad when we’re out of this place. Next week, right? Are you excited?”

“I’m exhausted,” she said and slumped in my arms so that I had to pick her up. “Can you be my knight in shining armor and order in supper?”

“What does Milady fancy? Take-out or something from room service?”

She made a face. “Salad? My stomach’s off for some reason.”

“Salad?” I said in dismay. “How about a nice steak and baked potato and salad from room service. Their meat is really good.”

“Meat? Ugh,” she said and let go of me, running to the bathroom. I followed her to the door only to see her leaning over the toilet.

Vomiting.

She took some toilet paper and wiped her mouth. “I must have the stomach flu,” she said and rinsed her mouth out and then brushed her teeth. “I felt sick earlier today.”

I nodded and followed her to the bed when she was finished.

“I can get something for myself,” I said. “You should lie down and rest if you’re sick.”

“Thank you,” she replied and crawled into bed. She laid her head on the pillow, her eyes closed, her hand tucked under one cheek. “Can you turn off the lights?”

“Sure,” I said and pulled the covers up around her, tucking her in. I kissed her cheek and then left the bed. “Do you need a bucket or anything? I could bring you the ice bucket…”