Chapter 11: The Pattern

A couple of days later
Harper was ready to go home. She’d been in a hospital long enough, although she did enjoy Cole waiting hand and foot on her and their daughter. Harper had been so happy when he rushed in before she gave birth; she’d long ago forgiven him for what he did. She enjoyed everyone’s company but did miss her dad. He didn’t support her, therefore, he didn’t come to visit; it made her a little sad but at the end of the day, she had Cole and they had Emerald. The door opened and he wheeled in a wheelchair. “Time to go,” he said with a smile. “Finally. I want to sleep in my own bed.” “You’re going back home?” She gave him a puzzled look, “Well yeah. Where else do you expect me to go?” “Well, what about Emerald? Where will she stay?” “With me… I guess.” He lifted her up and into the wheelchair, “We’ll talk about this later but I want Emerald to be a part of my life too.” “You don’t seriously expect me to move into you and your brothers’ house where they throw raves with a baby do you?” She had a point there. “Well, I can look into getting us our own place.” “I’m not moving in with you.” “Why not? Don’t you love me?” “I do but I’m only 17.” “Right. Shit.” “Language.” “Right, sorry.” With her settled into the wheelchair, he handed her Emerald. Then he gathered what little stuff she had and wheeled her out. He helped her into his car and drove her home.
“Do you want to get something to eat before we get to your place?” he asked. Harper yawned, “No thanks. I just want to go to sleep.” He nodded. Once they got to her place, he helped her get comfortable and not long after she was fast asleep. “Pst.” Harvey said from her doorway. He motioned for Cole to come out. Cole turned to look at Harper and Emerald before he followed Harvey out. “What’s up?” he asked. Harvey cracked his knuckles, “I’m going to knock the shit out of you for knocking my sister up.” “... Oh.” “Any last words?” “Just don’t hit my face; I want to be able to see my daughter when this is all over and she not be terrified of me.” Harvey laughed, “That’s it?” Cole shook his head, “And don’t break my arms because I need to be able to hold my daughter. Don’t break my legs either because I have to be able to get things for your sister. So that leaves my stomach.” Harvey was cracking up at this point but Cole was straight serious. Harvey patted him on the shoulder, “I was joking. But I do want to talk to you.” Cole sighed with relief, “Oh thank goodness.” “Here’s the thing, when Harper was born, our mom walked out on us. Our dad didn’t know what to do with a newborn so I raised her myself. That just made us a whole lot closer. I love my sister to death and do not want to see her hurt, especially by my best friend. Promise me you’ll take care of her and my niece.” Cole looked Harvey right in the eye, “I promise.” Harvey patted him on the shoulder, “Good. Because should you harm either of them, I'll chop off your balls and feed them to you.” Cole gulped, “Right.”
……….
A few weeks later
Over the following weeks, Harper and Cole fell into a pattern.
Monday morning: Harper got up and dressed and ready for school. She couldn’t afford to drop out of 12th grade. She had a quick breakfast then got Emerald’s things together. Once she was ready to go, she buckled Emerald in her car seat then drove to the Martinson boys’ house. Ding dong. A half-asleep Chase opened the door, “Harper.” He let her in as Cole came down the stairs. He smiled when he saw them. She sat Emerald’s car seat on the couch and her bag beside it on the floor. Cole gave her a kiss, “Have a good day baby. Love you,” he said against her lips. “Love you too.” She went to school. Cole watched Emerald all day. He fed her milk that Harper pumped the previous evening, changed her diapers, and put her down to nap. His brothers teased him that Emerald already had him wrapped around her finger; she did. After school, Harper came right over and did any homework she had then went to sleep. Emerald kept her up a good portion of the night. Cole stroked her cheek as he watched her and Emerald sleep. He couldn’t remember a time when he was happier. That evening, once Harper was up, she’d play with Emerald or hang out with him, his brothers, or one of their friends that came over. Cole dropped her off at home after dinner. Once home, Harper got ready to bed, fed Emerald and pumped some extra milk for the next day, then went to bed. That was their routine Monday through Friday. On the weekends, Cole would spend the day at Harper’s house playing video games with Harvey or spending time with Harper and Emerald. It just depended on how tired Harper was. This was a routine Cole could get used to, and was getting used to until it all came crashing down.