Lauren
Pepper pulled up in my driveway. I was released from the hospital a hour ago.
"We're here." Pepper said putting the car in park.
"Yayy." Lexi said and jumped out the truck.
Pepper grabbed my hand. "Come on Lo."
I sighed and unbuckled my seat belt. The kids ran into the house.
I slowly walked inside.
"You hungry? Do you want me to cook you some soup or something?" Pep asked.
"I just want to lay down." I said dryly and started walking up the steps.
As I was walking to my bedroom I passed the nursery that was half way finished.
I walked into the room. The letters Adrianna were across the wall. That was going to be her name.
I grabbed the opened can of pink paint that was sitting on the floor and threw it down the stairs crying in the process. The paint splashed every where. I dropped down to my knees and cried in my hands.
"Mommy? Why you do that?" Lexi said.
I looked up at her still crying.
"Don't cry." She took her sock off and started to wipe my tears. "It's okay. That's what daddy tells me when I cry." She hugged my neck.
I just cried harder and harder.
"Go back downstairs with your brother." Pepper told her and Lexi did as she was told to do.
"Lauren. Look at me." Pepper grabbed my face.
"Stop it."
"I can't." I sobbed.
"You have to stop at some point. You can't keep crying everyday for the rest of your life girl." Pepper wiped my tears. "Yea I know you lost your daughter, but you need to get yourself together."
I listened to everything she was saying and she was right. I took a deep breath and pulled myself together.
I gave her a hug. "Thanks for being there for me."
"Anytime."
*
*
*
"Mommy I want donut!" Lexi said crying.
I was in the middle of getting ready for work.
"No!" I fussed at her.
She had a tantrum on my bedroom floor.
My phone rang and I answered.
"You have-" I pressed one.
"Hey Ace." I said putting on earrings.
"Wassup baby. What's all that noise in the background?"
"Lexi. She wants a donut."
He laughed. "Just spoiled. What you doing?"
"Getting ready for work."
"Work? I thought you would take some off since you just had the baby...well uh.. gave birth."
I sighed. "With you gone I need to be making money to take care of Luke and Lexi."
"It's money in the safe."
"It's not enough money too last for 12 years."
He did a loud sigh.
The time on the clock read 8:25.
"I'm late. I gotta' go."
"Alright I love-" I hung up before he could finish.
I just wasn't in the mood for Ace right now.
Lexi was still on the floor crying and screaming.
"Shut the hell up!"
That only made her scream louder.
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my purse and keys.
Luke was on the couch watching TV like always. The front door opened and Abby walked in.
"Hey sis."
"Hey." I said. "I'm already late. Can you please cook the kids breakfast."
"Sure."
I was about to walk out the door until she placed her hand on my back.
"You okay?"
"Yea." I smiled then got into the car.
As I was driving to work I got a call from my doctor. Dr. Smith to be exact.
"Lauren? Good Morning. How are you today?"
"Fine Doc. Wassup?"
"Oh nothing. I always call and check on my patients to make sure everything is okay."
"Well everything is fine, just fine."
*
*
*
I walked into work.
"Lauren! Your almost an hour late!" Vicky said on my ass.
"Yea I know I'm sorry."
"Sorry isn't going to cut it every time Lauren." Vicky handed me 3 folders.
"Now go sell some houses." She said and walked away.
I took a deep breath and bit my bottom lip trying to not go off on her. Only if she knew what I was going through at this moment.
I looked over the folders she gave me. I got the keys to the houses that the three people wanted then got back into my truck.
I put my head on my steering wheel and started to cry. Too much shit is happening to me.
*
*
*
I was down to my last customer. I was waiting on them to arrive in the driveway of the house they wanted.
A couple of minutes later a car pulled up next to me and I noticed it was Dr. Smith.
"Dr. Smith?" I said stepping out of my car.
"Oh hey Lauren. I didn't know you were a realtor."
"Yea I am." I said and pulled out the keys to the house.
He walked inside when I opened the front door.
"Says here your name is Richard Smith." I said looking at his folder.
"It is."
"Well I'm still gonna' call you Dr. Smith."
He chuckled. "That's fine."
"Let's begin the house tour."
2 hours passed and Dr. Smith finally agreed on buying the house. What a relief because I was ready to go home!
"Sign on the dotted line, and the house will be all yours." I handed him a pen.
He signed and I handed over the key.
"Nice doing business with ya'." I shook his hand and headed outside to my truck.
On my way home I picked up some Wendy's for the kids.
I pulled up in the driveway and saw them playing outside with Abby.
"Your home early." Abby said tossing the basketball to Luke.
"Yea I know." I stepped out of the car.
All of a sudden Lexi picked up a rock and threw it at the window causing the window to break.
She laughed and started running.
This shit is going to be so hard without Ace. I hope these 12 years go by fast.