GRINGA (103 page)

             
His eyes are bright and shiny, his excitement with my babies so infectious.

             
He stiffens. ‘You don’t believe me? When you’re awake I’m gonna prove it to you. You’re gonna be blown away with their smiles.’

             
‘I can’t wait,’ I say. My eyes are closing again. ‘How long you gonna hang around here, Blake?’

             
He hesitates before he answers. ‘However long you need me, Payton.’

             
My eyes still closed, I give a slight smile. ‘I might need you
forever
, then what?’

             
His answer is immediate. ‘Then
forever
, I’ll be here.’

             
My eyes fly open to look at him. 

             
His gaze is fixed on my face and he’s not smiling.

             
I reach out, draw his face close to mine and gently caress it. We look into each other’s eyes and smile.

             
‘I have morphine to blame for anything I do or say, you know.’

             
‘Yeah.’ He whispers, his breath fanning my face. ‘Don’t let me stop you - take full advantage of it. Now’s the time to hit on me.’

             
With a chuckle, I take his hand, touch it gently to my lips then cradle it against my breasts.

             
A feeling of contentment oozes through me. Could be the morphine. Could be my beautiful babies. Could be Depp. Could be all three. 

             
‘Best part about having babies
,’
I whisper as I drift off to sleep, ‘I’m now entitled to Mother’s Day gifts.’

End

Dedication

To Raine, Skye and Vass

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