Page 21 of Accidentally Perfect

Laney wasn't exaggerating when she spoke about her mother. If it were up to me, I would have kicked her sorry ass out after the first vile word came out of her mouth. But this is Laney’s call, not mine. “It’s nice to meet you, Nathan.” Brad squeezes my hand.

He’s the past, so I’m not worried about him. I can tell by the way Laney speaks of him that he's firmly planted in her past. They share children, and nothing more. She's admitted that she chose wrong when she decided to marry Brad. She said he was never a priority to her, it was always the girls and her schooling. That's the reason why Brad found comfort in between the legs of a co-worker, but his loss is my gain.

I look over to Michael. He and I couldn't be any more different. He has longish blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He looks like he's all about playing and having fun while I'm all about seriousness and business. Just by looking at him, I can tell that he's exactly what Laney had told me, a distraction. He's no threat. There's nothing about him that says responsible or step-father material. It almost makes me question my wife's lack of judgment but then again, she did marry me in a hot second.

“I don’t understand,” Michael speaks up. “How can you be married when a little over two days ago, you and I were together? How could you do this?”

“I don’t even know why you’re here, Michael." Laney sounds frustrated. "We broke up.”

“I called him. I couldn’t get a hold of you, and Brad was in the emergency room with the girls. I didn’t know that you two were no longer an item.” Her mother explains.

“We should still be an item.” Michael argues.

“Are you really going there?"

“Nathan.” Laney warns.

“I’m sorry, love.” I pull her next to me, kissing her temple. A gasp comes from behind me, belonging to Vivian.

“What did you just call her?” Her tone is accusatory.

“Love.” I turn to answer her. “Is that a problem?”

“My father used to call me that,” Laney whispers next to me. Another sign, this was meant to be.

“All the more reason for me to continue.” I lean down and kiss her gently on the lips.

“Mr. and Mrs. Richards?” the doctor calls from over Laney’s shoulder.

“It’s Mr. Richards and Mrs. Whitmore, doctor. I’m Nathan Whitmore, Laney’s husband.”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Whitmore. I would like to bring everyone up to date on the condition of the girls before they wake up. I’m sure, Mrs. Whitmore, you’re anxious to see them.”

I look over at Michael, who’s now sitting next to Vivian’s husband who hasn’t said one word. “It’s time for you to leave." I tell him. "We’ve got it handled from here. Run along, this is no longer your concern.” I turn my back to listen to what the doctor has already been saying.

“The break was on her growth plate. There's a possibility that she may have problems in the future with the growth of her right leg, if it doesn't heal properly. I'm hopeful that won't be the case since she's still so young. If the plate does in fact have problems, you will start to see a difference in the length of the injured leg, but right now we just have to wait and see.”

“I'll make some calls. I'd like to bring in an orthopedic specialist to make sure Addie has the best care possible.”

“You don’t need to go through the trouble, Nathan.” Brad speaks up.

“It’s no trouble, Brad. I’m doing what needs to be done to help.”

“Nathan, please.” I know Laney doesn’t want the fight between Brad and me.

“I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary, Laney. Addie needs help, and I’m going to make sure that she gets it.”

“The doctor said she would be fine.” Really Brad?

“I said there's a good possibility that her leg will be fine. However, having a specialist is always welcomed. Whatever we can do to make sure Addie makes a full recovery.”

“It’s settled then, let me make the calls.”

“Nathan, like I said, you don’t need to go through the trouble.” I look over to Laney, who is standing there with tears falling down her cheeks. Her pain makes my decision for me.

“Brad, I'm not trying to step on your toes here. I only want to help and make sure Laney has all the help she can get to make sure those girls are taken care of. I have the means to do this. It's only a phone call, so please, just let me help."

“Those are my girls that are lying in those beds.” He pounds on his chest.

“I don’t deny that, Brad, but Laney is my wife now, they’re my step children, and I’ll always do want what's best for them, and for her.”

“Brad please,” Laney speaks up. “I need Addie to be alright. I need this.”

“Fine. I’m going to sit with the girls.”