Chapter 39: Cops and Robbers

POV: Gabby

Word Count: 3900

August 29, 2009

Owl number five had came Wednesday at the studio, left outside the door. It was a pretty teal color one, still looked stern.The note wasn’t even creepy or bad like the last one. Just wanted me to have a good weekend. Which was strange considered this weekend was Stella’s bachelorette party. Unlike Nicole’s Heather was only providing the place and everything else was on Kayla, which was Stella’s maid of honor. We’d gone Tuesday and selected the bridesmaids dresses, which were adorable and I was so happy she’d gone with something that wouldn’t make me feel like a balloon, but she was undecided between two so we were still waiting.

Taylor’s was actually out of town, his best man had planned it in Vegas and while Zac wasn’t going to go because I’d be home alone then, Sierra quickly stepped in. She’d brought me to the house where we were staying all weekend. Friday was her birthday party and it was off the hook to say the least, I’d fended off more drunk guys than I ever wanted too and ended up going to the bedroom at nine because I was tired of them.

Did the baby agree with that? No. She flatly hated that I wasn’t home in our bed. The mattress was too soft in one room, felt like a rock in another one and I’d eventually found a recliner that she agreed with in the room she was conceived in.

“You look tired.” Heather said.

I was debating about coffee but the doctor said that was bad. “She hates every fucking bed here, so I went up at nine and sometime around four I found a place she liked.”

She frowned. “Did you try them all?”

“Yes. Least the ones not occupied.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I will nap today.”

She smiled and fixed us breakfast and we got to talk a bit before anyone else arrived. Kayla was first and I helped where I could. At this point that was pretty much in the kitchen making sandwiches.

“You look so good to be 26 weeks.”

She started to go in for a rub but the shirt stopped her and she laughed. I’d worn one I’d picked out. It was white with “don’t touch. I bite” written across the shirt. Kayla’s hand seemed to magically retract.

“That’s a shirt I will need.”

“I don’t know why but I had too. Every time I’m at the studio it feels like a petting zoo with Taylor.”

“Just him?” She asked.

“He’s like got baby fever or something. But it’s even in stores. Some old woman came up and was all rubbing my belly the other day.”

“I know it can be a pain, my family is all touchy. I don’t mean to offend, please don’t bite me.”

“You’re safe. I’m not so freaked out by people I know. But the random people is weird. Like, Ruby at the dress shop. She’s a fan and someone Zac was with before, it seemed like every time I was near her she was touching me. She didn’t stop until I growled at her.”

Katie had come in and giggled. “I remember that growl too. She sure did back away quick though.”

“Sadly, growls don’t work with Zac.”

“I doubt anything you do would work with him.”

“Oh no, I don’t mind. Middle of the night when she gets to being feisty all I have to do is lay his hand over her. She calms right now. Why did Isaac have to choose Vegas?! Bastard.”

“I think my husband is in deep water.” Nicole said.

“Just a little, I got to sleep about four and somewhere around seven she decided somersaults were appropriate.”

She smiled. “Not much longer before you can sleep without a bladder or kidney being kicked.”

“Truth.”

They got busy putting up the decorations and I finished the snacks. Sierra came down about one, her first reaction was to rub my belly and then she saw the shirt.

“Do I get bitten now or later?”

“Ask your girlfriend.”

“She isn’t the one promising to bite people if they touch her, you are. Besides, I will touch you whenever I want, little Mary Sue will always see me as the favorite aunt.”

“Mary sue? If you think that’s her name you are sadly mistaken and maybe I do need to bite you for that one.”

She smiled. “First thing that came to mind. Have either of you even discussed names?”

“Oh sure we have, Zac is insistent on Elijah. The boy refuses to believe she is a she.”

She shook her head. “Well, he’ll have no choice when she comes out and there is no penis.”

“I know.”

I took a two hour nap before Stella arrived. I wasn’t sure I’d make it without one and I guess she didn’t mind the bed I chose, so I locked that room for me tonight. Stella’s party was different than Nicole’s, mostly because while they were drinking it was lighter stuff and not so hardcore. We took turns doing nails first, and catching up on gossip. Which, to her friends gossip was about actors, musicians, bands, actresses, mostly things I was out of the loop with. I mean, Zac was trying but I could only remember so much about Harry Potter and Twilight.

“Didn’t you visit Forks?” Katie asked.

“Yeah, flew up on the tour and Taylor took me there.”

That prompted a 45 minutes discussion on the location, what she saw, and in depth thoughts on the movie. Sierra was looking glassy eyed and Heather was beyond happy as she was fully immersed. I didn’t think anyone noticed the little mark of pain but Sierra did.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, no one said having a little person moving around doesn’t hurt at times. I think she just punched my ribs.”

“Yeah, see I don’t ever wanna feel that.” She said.

“It’s not so bad.”

It didn’t deter their conversation and I was glad when we paused for food, which shifted the conversation to what Stella was doing with the bookstore and afterwards we got to swim. I just wore shorts and a t-shirt with a white old bra underneath, mostly to not show anything, I wasn’t stupid Sierra and Heather were both into women.

“No bathing suit?” heather asked.

“Not worth buying one when I’m hardly here. But, I’ll admit the water helps the back so much.”

“Taylor has this wild notion that you got pregnant at his birthday party.” Stella said.

“Well…I kind of did.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, we just didn’t find out until April. I contributed the massive headaches to the paint.”

“He will never let you live that down, he’s going to bug Zac forever about that.”

“Zac doesn’t care.”

“So…Taylor may have kind of overheard you two talking about your parents this week. Did they find you?”

“They did.”

“Excuse me? Your biological parents found you?” Sierra asked.

“Showed up over a week ago. I talked to Shawn last Friday and I won’t be contacting them. Not worth it. Not worth ruining this party either. So, anyone got anything else?”

“We could play the same game we did last time, we got fresh blood this time.” Heather said.

I giggled. “Yeah, but come on everyone knows I’m no saint.”

“Pft, you are too.” Katie said.

“Agreed. I can even see the halo.” Kayla said.

Sierra dissolved into a fit of giggles that lead to uncontrollable laughter. I rolled my eyes.

“Come on new things here. Who is going to be joining me in this pregnancy misery soon?”

“I have a daughter already, does that count?” Kayla asked.

“Sure.”

“I blame Zac for giving Taylor baby fever. Do you know the boy has a crib picked out for us already?” Stella asked.

“That I can see. Taylor has always been baby crazy.”

“I’m shocked he hasn’t been back to the store.”

“Zac told him the swing and stuff was enough, that he needed to spread his love out over eighteen years and not try to cram it into the two months before he, even though it’s a girl, arrives.”

“Is he still saying that baby is a boy?” Nicole asked.

“Yep. He asked the doctor to do another sonogram just to be sure and they refused.”

“Even I can tell the sonogram is clear as day.” She said.

“I guess he wanted a boy huh?” Katie asked.

“Oh yeah. Like he painted the nursery pink but swore he’d be redoing it. I think he’ll come around before December, but I don’t know.”

“He better.”

They did play a round of questions game, asking about who’d they rather do some event with, sometimes it was a sexual event other times it was just random things. I answered when I was familiar with the person but otherwise skipped. We had a massive dinner at six, all of Stella’s favorites which was steak, potatoes and assorted vegetables. We then did presents and while I was sitting there watching her open multiple packages with a host of barely there items Zac sent me a text.

I really think I wanna kick Ike’s ass…

Get in line. You’re #2. You can have whatever is left…

What did he do to you?!

She was not pleased with the change in beds, location, the fact you didn’t have your hand there. I got to sleep at 4 in a recliner…

: - ( recliner? That’s not where you need to be sleeping Gabby.

No – but nothing feels comfortable. I was in a different room today for my nap, I’m trying there tonight. You are coming home tomorrow right?!

Yes – My flight leaves at 10 am. Taylor and Isaac are leaving tomorrow afternoon sometime.

Are you going to be able to make that flight?!

Yes. I chose to limit myself to 3 beers and 1 shot. I’d much rather not do anything stupid.

Pretty sure you won’t do that baby. You should have fun too.

I am, watching Taylor attempt to dance knowing he’s about drunk. Quite funny.

I just saw her open a gift…yeah Taylor would love that suit and you’d just groan if I described it.

Ugh – don’t need the visual in a packed club!

*kisses* you be safe and no hotel keys. Our… ‘entertainment’ should be here soon.

*hugs* no going to rooms with the ‘entertainment’. I’ll msg you later.

I laid the phone down and sure enough the entertainment arrived about 7:45. Heather had arranged the entertainment using the same company, only she went with five men this time and no women. They came in wearing Cop and Robber outfits, there were two that were wearing masks this time though. I was perfectly fine to just watch them and let their focus be the other ladies. Even Heather and Sierra were appreciating the fineness, the first two that came near me took a polite headshake as a stay away signal. I did get a picture of that cop in that blue thong though and sent it to Zac.

Mmm…any chance you’d wear this if I bought it? Preferably the right size…

It was several minutes before I got a reply, which was a picture of some red headed woman in a bright pink thong and pink pasties.

Only if you’re wearing that.

I can make that much more pleasant for you. Sure. You buy that, I’ll buy yours.

…you know I was rather hoping for a “hell no” there…

Sorry to disappoint, thongs and pasties are my favorites! Now, you can enjoy that visual and try not to make those poor ladies think it was them.

I got a not amused emoticon in response and I returned my attention to the men. The party here was definitely hyped by the amount of hip thrusting and yelling they were doing. I was rather glad they were enjoying themselves, but they got chairs from the kitchen and sat them up, five chairs and I found Sierra was missing. One of the men, the cop, came over and held his hand out.

“We can’t do musical chairs with just four.”

“I’d…”

“Come on Gabby! Zac’s not going to deny himself a lap dance, get your ass over here.” Heather said.

He just smiled and I got his hand, let him lead me to the chair. While the others certainly were getting super close to them, this guy toned it down. The robbers were removing their clothes behind me, this cop was providing a very nice strip tease.

“Remind me again why I got married?” I asked.

“Vegas and Vodka is what you tell us.” Nicole said.

I did keep my hands to myself too and while his hands were certainly not touching me inappropriately that slim part of me wished he sure as hell would. Mental note, Zac has to do this when he gets home. No questions, no denials.

He moved behind me and I felt his hands slide down my arms, pulling them behind me and I was handcuffed before I could realize what he was doing. But that was fine because he still wasn’t getting close to me. Yet they switched places, I wasn’t quite expecting that. The new man was a robber, classic black thong, chiseled abs and golden tan. He did get a bit closer but still kept his distance. I needed a fan for real though, it was getting quite hot and why the hell did Isaac choose Vegas again?!

The next switch gave me a cop and the last one put another robber in front of me, but I recognized him, the Chinese symbols on his side which now sported pink dogwood blossoms with branches weaving through the symbols, it was super nice. He started out nice enough, but I didn’t like when he turned and was shaking his ass on me, it was very uncomfortable being pregnant. Pretty sure she didn’t like that either, she’d protested by a rough kick to the kidney or lower abdomen.

“Hey, can you not do that? Step away.”

It was like the dude was deaf, he totally ignored me. Kept on until he felt like moving and I was trying to pull my hands free, surely these weren’t real handcuffs! When he turned facing me, I could only see the dark chocolate eyes, the rest of his face was covered with the mask. I couldn’t even see his hair color. Once facing me his hands went to places I didn’t think they should be, my inner thigh and I responded by tightening my legs, as his hands had been trying to travel north. They just came up, gliding under the shirt and while when Zac did this it felt nice, it suddenly felt very wrong.

“You need to stop.”

I was pretty sure he’d smiled at me even winked! What the fuck! His hands moved about half way up and clearly she didn’t much like it either as I am sure she kicked his hand, not that I much liked the way he looked at that. I could hear the girls behind me whooping, hollering, and laughing.

“Uncuff me. I’m done.”

He leaned down, his hands coming right to my breast, the squeeze hurt. “Why would I uncuff you, I have you right where I’ve always wanted you.”

His voice was super low, I was pretty sure no one else heard anything he said. I really wanted to leave. He moved away and did some little dance, before I found his foot on the back of the chair, if he tipped me over that was going to severely hurt with my hands like this. But he didn’t push the chair, he just got way to close for my comfort. I did not need to see the thong that close up, certainly didn’t need to see underneath it and that’s exactly what his reason was. I know because he politely took his entire package out of the thong. But it wasn’t the dick in my face, or the balls. It was the smell. This overwhelming musky smell that I’d smelled weeks ago at the house. It was also the owl tattooed right at the base of his dick, clean shaven it was highly visible.

I started yanking on the cuffs, praying I didn’t leave marks. I was about to scream when he stumbled away a bit and blue hair and that fine ass was there in front of me.

“I think you need to cover your dick up, she doesn’t want to see that shit. The rest of us may, but she doesn’t.”

I could see his face and even with the mask I could tell he was pissed off at her, but one of the cops came over and released my hands.

“Thank you.”

“No problem, they weren’t really supposed to be that way.”

Sierra turned to me. “Are you okay?”

I just nodded, that smell was just flooding my senses, there was no way this guy was the one responsible. I was pretty sure it was someone closer to us and I would remember such an elaborate tattoo.

“I think I need to…I just…”

“Gabby?” Stella asked.

“I just need to lay down, it’s fine. You guys keep on.”

“I’ll go with her. She didn’t sleep well last night so we’ll get her off these feet and lay down.”

“You can stay.”

“Not happening, I want to make sure you get to the room okay.”

I got hugs from the girls and they returned to the remaining guys, they had at least an hour left. She escorted me to the chosen room and stayed until I was changed and comfortable. I sat down on the bed and she did too.

“Sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. I’m going to call Zac and bug him.”

“Isn’t he out with the guys?”

“Yeah, but he’ll answer if I call.”

“Gabby, give the man a break. Lay down.”

I knew she’d nag me so I laid down and she even tucked me in.

“I’m not a kid.”

“No, but you look tired. Let Zac have his night, you worry about sleeping.”

She laid her hand on the belly and I growled some. “Careful, I’m not like most other girls I like when you growl. Alright little one you need to let Mommy sleep tonight. Good night Gabby.”

“Night.”

She plugged my phone in and turned the lights off then left the room. She wasn’t even gone more than a few minutes before she moved around.

“I know little one you miss Daddy too.”

It almost felt like she agreed with me, curse Isaac for choosing Vegas! I must have fallen asleep because I woke up about 1:30, not because she was moving but because there was light shining on me. Creepy looking lights and I blinked, a second later my phone rang, it was Zac so I answered.

“Morning baby.” I said.

“I didn’t wake you up did I?”

“It’s okay, I was waking up to pee anyway.”

I got up and went to the bathroom, taking the phone with me. There was no noise where he was either.

“Did you have a good time?” I asked.

“I did, Taylor is not making a ten am flight, that poor guy is smashed beyond repair.”

I giggled. “Like you were at yours?”

“He’s far worse, Isaac isn’t much better. I helped them both to bed and they’re asleep. I set multiple alarms for them but the flight is like six pm or something.”

“Sounds like you were playing the big brother role.”

“Yes. I was. How was your night? I mean you’re in bed already.”

“I’m on the second floor so I can’t tell if they’re up or not. I just…”

I washed my hands and returned to the bed, but with the lamp on I could see that it was an horned owl, the wings open and the lights made it look super creepy. I guess I was staring too much.

“Gabby? What is it?”

If I told him about the Owl he’d flip out. The owl was even plugged in, meaning someone had put it there. I went with the stripper story.

“You remember the stripper from Nicole’s? Couldn’t keep his hands to himself?”

“Yes. Was he there?”

“Yeah.” I explained what happened to him, he’d ask anyway because I had noticed some mild bruising on my arm.

“Sierra better have saved you and what the fuck was wrong with him?”

“I don’t know but…he just…what if he is the guy?”

“Baby, no one we know are strippers.”

“Doesn’t mean they can’t keep it from us.”

“True. Do you have a picture of him?”

“Yeah, but he’s dressed. I didn’t get any after I got up.”

“Ask the others, they may have some. Sounds like I need to not let you go to anymore bachelorette parties with that dude.”

“I think I’m done. Even if Sierra does one they’ll be women dancers.”

He giggled. “How is the baby?”

“Pissed off at you and taking it out on me. She’s very active right now.”

“Want me to talk to her?”

“Sure, why not. The doctor said she could hear us.”

I turned the phone on speaker and laid it closer to where I felt her head was. Listened to him tell her to be good and let me rest, that he’d be there soon. God help me when he left if she wanted this every night. I reached for the bottle of water beside the bed, took a few swallows as he kept talking.

“Okay, I need to get some sleep and so do you. I’ll be there in the morning.”

“Okay. Sleep well and make sure they’re okay before you leave.”

“I will. Night Baby, sleep well.”

“Sleep well.”

I laid the phone back down and looked at the owl. There was a piece of paper laying under it, so I gently slid it out.

Every time I watch you open those beautiful eyes, I gaze with awe just thinking of how blessed I would be to spend the rest of my life with you. How blessed we’d be to have our own baby kicking my hand, how blessed I’d be to feel you without all those clothes. It won’t be much longer…

Considering the Owl lamp was sitting beside the bed, he would have had to be there. I got my phone from the night stand and got up, Sierra and Heather were sleeping just down the hallway and while it really was against my best judgment, I went to their room. I gently shook Sierra.

She groaned, half awake. “Kitten?”

“Can I stay here for the rest of the night.”

“Always.”

She started to slide over but Heather stopped her. “By the look on her face I think the center is better.”

I wasn’t going to argue that having someone on either side wasn’t a pleasant idea. I laid my phone beside the bed and Sierra let me get in the middle.

“You know Zac’s going to be all kind of weirded by this.” Heather said.

“He won’t mind.”

Even with them both on either side, it took what felt like forever for me to fall asleep. Clearly I wasn’t use to sleeping without him there now, it took Sierra and Heather both kind of making me the crème to their sandwich. The last thought was safety…I was craving that feeling.

(The lamp)

The figure