Chapter 114 Ready?
Chapter 114 Ready?
Mia’s POV +35
“Are you absolutely certain you packed your compression socks?” Mom asked, folding another cardigan I definitely hadn’t requested and tucking it into the corner of any already overstuffed suitcase.
“Yes, Mom. They’re in my carry–on, along with the medical information Dr. Matthews printed out, extra prenatal vitamins, and the list of approved medications.” I stifled a yawn as I zipped my toiletry bag, Six in the morning was cruel, even with the prospect of Paris on the horizon.
The twins seemed to agree, unusually quiet this morning after keeping me awake half the night with their gymnastics routine. I rested my hand on my growing bump, now impossible to hide at six months pregnant. “You guys better behave on this flight,” I murmured.
Mom glanced up, her eyes softening. “Talking to my grandsons already?”
“Someone needs to establish the ground rules early.” I smiled, watching her methodically reorganize my haphazard packing job. She’d been up since four, making me breakfast, double–checking my luggage, and pretending she wasn’t worried about me crossing an ocean while pregnant with twins.
Gas circled us anxiously, sensing the impending departure. His furry eyebrows twitched with each suitcase adjustment.
“I know, buddy,” I scratched behind his ears. “Two weeks will fly by. And you’ll have so much fun with Nate and the gang.”
My phone buzzed with an incoming text. Scarlett, of course, the only person besides my mother who would consider 6:17 AM an appropriate time to message people:
Leaving in 10!!! PARIS HERE WE COME!!! Did you pack the black maternity dress? The shoes?? The FACE MASKS???
I smiled despite my exhaustion, typing back: Yes to all. Though I maintain the shoes are ambitious for someone who can barely see her own feet.
Her response was immediate: FASHION WAITS FOR NO PREGNANCY! Be ready in 7 minutes! Morton says plane leaves at 8:30 sharp and there’s traffic!
“Scarlett?” Mom asked knowingly. After my nod, she smiled. “Tell her if she doesn’t make sure you get proper rest on this trip, she’ll answer to me.”
I laughed. “I think she’s more afraid of you than she is of Morton’s entire security team.”
“As she should be,” Mom said with mock seriousness, before her expression softened. “I’m going to miss you, sweetheart.”
“It’s only two weeks, Mom,” I reminded her, though the thought of being so far from her sent an unexpected pang through my chest. After so many years of absence, every separation carried an echo of that loss.
“I know.” She busied herself with smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from my sweater. “I’ve just gotten used to having you around again.”
“I’ve gotten used to it too,” I admitted, my throat tightening unexpectedly. Pregnancy hormones were no joke. But Paris is waiting, and you have what, three meetings with lawyers while I’m gone?”
#1
“Four,” she corrected, a gleam entering her eyes. “Your father’s legal team requested a continuation, but Judge Williams denied it.”
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Chapter 114 Ready?
“Any relation?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
+35 BONUS
“Pure coincidence,” Mom said, with a smile that suggested it was anything but. “Though I may have mentioned our family connection to his clerk during that charity gala last month.”
I laughed, Mom’s determination to make Dad pay for his transgressions never failing to impress me. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
“Too late for that warning,” she teased, zipping my suitcase with a decisive flourish. “Remember when you were sixteen and borrowed my car without permission?”
“You grounded me for a month!” I protested. “For driving to the library!”
“At midnight,” she added. “With a boy.”
“With Jeo,” I corrected. “Who needed to return an overdue calculus textbook before they charged him another day.
11
Mom’s rejoinder was interrupted by the distinctive purr of an expensive engine outside our window. Gas immediately abandoned his anxious pacing to race toward the door, barking his alert.
“That’ll be our ride,” I said, checking my bag one last time for essentials. “Passport, prenatal vitamins, phone charger…”
“And this,” Mom pressed a small gift–wrapped package into my hands. “For the flight. Don’t open it until you’re in the air.”
I blinked back sudden tears, cursing my hormonal state for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. ‘ Mom, you didn’t have to-”
“I know,” she said simply. “But I wanted to.”
The sound of our doorbell broke the moment, followed by Gas’s increasingly enthusiastic barking. Mom gave me a quick hug before moving to answer it. “That dog,” she sighed. “Worst guard dog in history. Burglars could bring treats and he’d help them carry out the silver.”
“He’s selective about his guarding,” I defended, following her to the door. “Just wait until someone looks at me wrong. He turns into Cujo.”
A knock at the door made Gas increase his barking to near–hysteria. Mom opened it to reveal Scarlett, resplendent despite the early hour in a cream pantsuit and oversized sunglasses, holding a tray of to–go coffee cups.
“Good morning, Williams women!” she chirped, sweeping in with her typical hurricane energy. “Are we Paris- ready? Tell me we’re Paris–ready! Morton’s waiting in the car and you know how he gets about schedules.”
I took in the sight of her–fresh blowout, perfect makeup, not a hint of the exhaustion I felt bone–deep. “How are you this functional before seven AM?”
“Darling, I haven’t slept,” she said breezily, handing me the smallest coffee cup. “Decaf with a splash of cream, disgusting as instructed.”
“Thank you,” I accepted the cup gratefully, immediately soothed by its warmth, especially in the chill of fall morning.
“Sarah,” Scarlett handed Mom the second cup. “Double espresso, black, just like your soul.”
ly
Mom laughed, accepting the coffee. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” Scarlett winked. “Now, where’s my favorite fur nephew? Gas! Come give Auntie
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Chapter 4 Ready
Scarlett a proper goodbye!”
635 BOWS
Gas bounded over, all wagging tail and wiggling body. Scarlett crouched impressively in her four–inch heels to accept his enthusiastic greeting, unconcerned about potential paw prints on her designer outfit.
“You’re going to be a good boy for Dr. Handsome, aren’t you?” she coned, scratching under his chin. “Yes you are! And when we get back, Auntie Scarlett is bringing you all the French treats!”
Mom caught my eye over Scarlett’s head, mouthing ‘Dr. Handsome?‘ with raised eyebrows, I rolled my eyes in response. Scarlett’s nickname for Nate had unfortunately stick, at least in her universe.
“Speaking of,” Scarlett straightened, checking her phone. Nate texted. He’s five minutes out with the dog posse Morton says the luggage guy is waiting whenever we’re ready.”
“Luggage guy?” I echoed.
“Carlos,” Scarlett explained as if this were obvious. “He handles all our air travel logistics. Bags, security screening, customs forms. The boring bits.”
The casual reminder of the Mortons‘ wealth still caught me off guard sometimes. In Scarlett’s world, of course there were people whose sole job was to manage luggage. Why wouldn’t there be?
A sleek black Escalade was parked at our curb, and a uniformed driver was already loading suitcases into the trunk with practiced efficiency. James Morton sat in the back, typing something on his phone, the picture of corporate composure even at this hour.
Morton looked up as we approached, his serious expression warming. “Good morning, Mia. Sarah.” He nodded respectfully to my mother. “Everything set for the big adventure?”
“As ready as we’ll ever be,” I replied, allowing the driver to take my suitcase.
“I’ve sent you the detailed itinerary,” he told Mom, with the precise efficiency that had probably made him millions before turning thirty. “Including the direct number for our pilot, the hotel manager in Paris, and my security team. If you need anything at all, day or night-”
“I appreciate that, James,” Mom cut in with a smile. “But I’ll be just fine. It’s my daughter and grandsons I’m concerned about.”
“They couldn’t be in better hands,” he assured her, gesturing to the car. “Our medical staff reviewed all of Mia’s records, and we have a specialist on call in Paris should any concerns arise.”
Mom’s eyebrows rose. “You have medical staff?”
“Morton Foundation maintains a healthcare team,” he explained, as if this were perfectly normal. “Standard procedure for international travel.”
I bit back a smile at Mom’s expression–halfway between impressed and bemused. The Mortons operated in a different reality than most people, a fact that still surprised me despite years of friendship with Scarlett.
“See? Totally safe!” Scarlett threw an arm around niy shoulders. “Now, Sarah, I solemnly swear to make sure your daughter eats properly, sleeps adequately, and doesn’t overexert herself shopping on the Champs–Elysées.”
“That’s all I ask,” Mom replied dryly. “Though I notice you didn’t promise to limit her macaron co tion.”
“Some things are beyond even my control,” Scarlett said with mock seriousness. “French pastry is a force of
nature.”
The sound of another vehicle approaching made us all turn. Nate’s familiar SUV pulled up behind the Escalade, and Gas immediately perked up, recognizing the car before it had even stopped completely.
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Chapter 114 Ready?
“Perfect timing,” Morton noted, checking his watch.
