Page 22 of Talk Wicked to Me

“You are pushy, but you’re also generous.”

“That’s my son to a T,” Ginger said lovingly. “I hope you like chicken casserole and homemade biscuits.” She set the bags on the chair.

“Sounds delicious,” Emerson said. “But you didn’t have to go to all that trouble.”

“That was really nice of you, Mom. Thanks.” Baz hugged her.

“It was no trouble at all. Sid had Ollie with her when she stopped by earlier. Your father was elated to make a new four-legged friend, and you know how quickly word spreads. The girls are excited to meet your new friend and her sweet boy.” Ginger peered into the bassinet and put her hand over her heart. “My goodness, Emerson, you must be over the moon. What a precious little one he is. You are truly blessed.”

“Thank you.” She got a little choked up at the emotion in Ginger’s voice, which made her miss her mom even more and reminded her that Ginger had lost her daughter. “Who are the girls?”

“I think she means Leah and Sid,” Baz said.

“I do,” Ginger said. “And Baz’s cousin Madigan, and her brothers’ significant others, Chloe and Reese. They’re putting together a meal train, so you won’t have to worry about cooking for a few weeks.”

There was no hiding Emerson’s surprise. “That’s really nice of them to think of me, but they don’t have to do that. I can handle it. I’m used to taking care of myself.”

“Oh, honey. It has nothing to do with you not being able to handle it.” Ginger sat on the side of the bed and put her hand over Emerson’s. “We did this for Leah and Chloe, too, and believe me, those young ladies can handle anything.”

“But they’re your family,” Emerson argued. “None of you even know me.”

“We don’t need to,” Ginger said sweetly. “Baz knows you, and that makes you and your baby family, too.”

Panic bloomed in her chest. “I think you have the wrong idea. Baz and I aren’t…I’m not trying to get him to be my baby daddy. I’ve been telling him he doesn’t have to hang around.”

“Nobody thinks you’re trying to rope me in,” Baz reassured her. “That’s not what she meant.” He and his mother exchanged a glance she couldn’t read. “Family has a much broader meaning to us than just bloodlines, birthrights, and intimate relationships. Every member of the Dark Knights is my brother, and their families are our family.”

“And the people we meet, the people we help, and the ones who help us, are family, too,” Ginger added. “We’re all found family, and I believe we’re brought together for a reason.”

“Like you and Gwen,” Baz said, holding her gaze, the painful past she’d confided in him hanging in the silence.

She swallowed hard. “I understand, and it’s really nice of all of you, but they don’t have to go to that much trouble for us. We’re going to be fine.”

“Of course you will, honey,” Ginger said. “But if you’re like most single moms, once you’re out of the hospital, you’ll try to jump back into doing all the things you always have. I have no doubt you’ll be able to accomplish a lot, but you’re going to be far more exhausted than you can imagine. Trust me. I’ve been through it a number of times.”

“Leah and Chloe were whipped, day and night,” Baz added.

“Being a mother is hard work,” Ginger said. “I remember feeling like a walking zombie, and I had Baz’s father helping me at night. Hopefully Brennan won’t end up being awake all night, like Baz was for the first few weeks.”

Baz leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Don’t believe her. I was a perfect baby.”

Ginger smiled. “You were perfect, honey, but I swear after we came home from the hospital, you fussed from the second the sun went down until it rose the next morning. You woke Tank up every night.”

“He probably deserved it.” Baz smirked.

Ginger looked at her. “We tried everything to calm Baz down. We walked the halls, rocked him, sang to him, but he was relentless. Until one night, when his father jokingly said he needed to be raised by wolves, and lay down with him beside our dog.”

“And that worked?” Emerson asked.

“Like a charm. Magnus was always protective of the kids, and as Baz got older, they were inseparable. It’s no surprise he became a vet. He’s always had a way of connecting with animals.”

Emerson had a feeling he’d always had a way of connecting with women, too.

“Sorry about all the sleepless nights, Mom.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. You were just preparing me for when you boys got to be teenagers,” Ginger teased. “But those are stories for another day. Emerson, I can ask the girls not to help, but you’ve just spent months nurturing a new life inside your body, and pregnancy and childbirth take a big physical and emotional toll. These first few weeks should be about bonding with your baby and resting, so your body can heal. You’ve got plenty of time to be Superwoman, and the girls don’t have to stick around. They can drop off the goodies and be on their way. Or if you’d rather, Mads and I can do it. And don’t worry, Leah and Chloe nursed their babies, too. We all know what foods to stay away from, and we are happy to make meals around your preferences.”

Emerson was exhausted, and the thought of trying to plan and cook healthy meals seemed like it would take too much brainpower. She’d probably end up eating peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches or spaghetti every night. “Are you sure they don’t mind doing all that cooking?”