All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) A.D. Justice (short novels to read TXT) 📖

thought of Landen and Isa as our kids. My knees give way out from under me just as I reach the chair. A quick glance around the room reassures me no one noticed my moment of panic, thinking about having a child with Rod. At some point in the very near future, I have to give him the news.

Juliana sits on the arm of my chair, so I move over and indicate for her to squeeze in with me. When she does, I realize how much weight she’s lost since I first met her, but she’s hiding it with her clothes. She cuts her eyes to me when she feels my stare boring through her.

“No, Daisy. I’m okay. Trust me, this is the best option. I’ve talked the situation over with my oncologist. Everything is set for me to resume treatments when we get home.”

“You’re killing me, Jules.” Poor choice of words, maybe. But I try not to treat her any differently than I would Marlee or Tracy. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

“On the contrary., I’m saving you in the long run. Don’t worry—I know what I’m doing. Now enjoy the show.” She motions her head toward the kids, wide-eyed and staring at the mountain of wrapped presents in front of each of them. “Rod needs to experience this moment every bit as much as the kids do.”

“What are you waiting for? Open your gifts.” Rod encourages them to dive into the sea of presents as Jules and I ready our cameras.

We manage to capture the memories amid tearing paper, boxes flying, and Rod’s influence over their excitement. When the last gift is unwrapped and we’ve cleaned up the resulting mess, we’re all exhausted.

“I declare today as Pajama Day. None of us is changing out of our comfy clothes until tomorrow.” Rod carries the garbage bags out to the garage, and I head to the kitchen on a coffee run.

Mom is in there alone when I walk in. I join her at the sink and wrap my arms around her from behind. “Thank you for having all of us and taking such good care of us.”

“You know I enjoy playing hostess, so it’s my pleasure. I love having my kids home for the holidays.”

“We love being here too.”

“I know I told you before, but Juliana is one of my kids now. She is a very special young lady.”

“She really is the best.” My heart hurts just thinking about her situation. Mom turns to face me.

“She’s facing the unimaginable. The procedure she’ll undergo will be the closest to death anyone can imagine. The process is brutal, Daisy, but Juliana is a smart cookie. She understands the challenges she’s facing. You should listen to her when she voices her wishes. The chances of her not surviving the bone marrow transplant are very real. Don’t take away her chance to share her final wishes with you.”

I nod, unable to speak with the huge ball of emotion stuck in my throat.

“Besides, you never know. Your baby may be an answered prayer in ways you’ve never even considered. That baby may be exactly what Rod needs.” She pins me with her mom-face, those eyes that see straight through the bullshit and decipher the truth.

“How did you know? Did Jules tell you?”

“No, sweetheart. No one had to tell me anything. You’re my baby, and I know you better than you think I do. Tell Rod. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by his reaction. He’s in love with you, regardless of how much that scares him. But he raised his sister, even caring for her through her illness and their mother’s. His past tells me he’s more of a family man than he wants to admit.”

Mom always knows exactly what to say to quiet my fears and stoke my courage. “I’ll tell him when we get back home. Just in case he reacts badly. I don’t want to chance ruining their Christmas together.”

“Don’t wait too long.”

The kids are in bed, fast asleep. My extended family has retired for the night after a full day of Christmas festivities. Tracy, Kevin, Juliana, Rod, and I sit around the outdoor fireplace, relaxing and chatting in the glow of the flames.

“I love all the kids and the entire family, but it’s nice to have some downtime with a few adults tonight.” Tracy stretches out on the lounge chair with Kevin. He slides his arm over her waist and closes the gap between them.

“It is nice to have a little peace and quiet, isn’t it? We’ve been going nonstop since the kids jumped on us first thing this morning.” I stand and pick up my empty glass. “Does anyone need anything from the kitchen?”

“All I need is for you to hurry back to me.” Rod pats the empty space beside him. “I’m already getting cold.”

“You’re such a drama queen. If I’m not cold, there’s no way you’re cold.” Juliana rolls her eyes exaggeratedly, showing Rod she’s teasing. She’s usually passed out at this time of night, so I’m thrilled she’s able to stay up and spend time with us.

As I turn to leave, I wink at Tracy to let her know it’s time. She’s my cohort in crime, keeping everyone outside while I grab the small gifts she and I bought on our impromptu shopping spree. When I told Rod the adults in my family don’t exchange gifts, I stated the truth. We purposely don’t. But this trip is special for so many reasons, I couldn’t let it pass without getting small symbolic tokens for Rod and Juliana.

Inside the house, I dart into the den and pull the three wrapped packages from their hiding place behind the couch. The giggle erupts from my throat before I can catch it. They’ll all be surprised, but more than that, I can’t wait to see their reactions. When I step through the back door, I purposely keep the presents hidden behind my back as I cross the patio.

Rod immediately senses