6
1570 Words
4:00am
SPENCER WOKE UP. Much to his chagrin, he couldn't flip the lights on. He noticed the cold, nipping at his extremities.
It hit him. The snowstorm. It had been forecasted for later in the day, but Carlos was early, and like a mother giving birth to premature child, he was not prepared.
At all.
His second thought was Lily. Then Vince and Vinny. His Aunt. An unfamiliar panic filled him. What about Little One? Was she safe? Did she have a heater? Was she awake? Frantically, he rushed out of his apartment banging on the door.
Bailey was sound asleep, the sound of banging jarring her from her sleep. Who was that!
She sleep walked to the front room, grabbing her old baseball bat. "Who is it?"
"It's Spencer, Little One let me in."
She did, only to be rushed into his arms. She was ice cold, a fever developing. She'd accidentally left her window open, and snow was covered her room.
"Oh, Bailey." Setting her down, he found her room, closed the window. He rummaged through every closet, finding some blankets, a first aid kit, a crank radio, a crank heat generator, some flashlights, candles, matches and batteries.
Even though he was freezing he grinned in pride.
He carried everything at once, wrapping everything but the generator in the blankets, and setting the generator on top.
When he came back into the front room, he found her shivering. Touching her forehead he frowned. Her fever spiked.
Spencer ripped her Pajamas off, putting her in his arms, but leaving her uncovered. As soon as the fever lowered, he wrapped her in blankets until she looked like a burrito.
Satisfied, he cuddled up to his Little Burrito throwing a cover over himself, pulling her close.
A little while later, Bailey woke up in something hard, soft and warm.
"Hm." She groaned turning over, snuggling Ito the warm pillow.
She smiled at the feeling of the pillow tighten it's hold on her.
Wait....
"Huh?"
She wriggled but could move. "Little One, calm down."
She did. "The snowstorm hit, and your window was open. You had a cold fever so I stripped you, and wrapped you in blankets."
“You stripped me?” She squeaked.
Sure enough she was naked.
“I didn't look I promise,” He reassured her.
“Not that I didn't want to,” He muttered in irritation.
Bailey heard, and her cheeks warmed. She was black, she couldn't visibly blush as such, but you could tell when she was embarrassed.
Her cheeks got warm and she got the cutest look on her face.
“Do you want to call your family?”
Bailey stared at the tattooed man, nodding. Then she wriggled to get up, but Spencer held her still.
“My phone's in the room.”
“I'll get it.”
“But—”
Spencer gave her a look, making her jaw snap shut.
Spencer smirked at her response, and got up to look for Bailey's phone.
He went into her room, and while he tried not to snoop he was curious about his little one.
So while he searched for her phone, looked around a bit. Unfortunately, her phone was on her nightstand, so there wasn't much finding to had.
Sighing, he came back out of the freezing room, and back into her living room.
Bailey was wrapped so tightly, she couldn't move her arms.
“Spencer let me out.”
He watched her flop around like a fish in amusement.
“Hold on. I'll help you.”
He gently undid the makeshift swaddle he put her in, loosening it until she could move more freely. But she was naked under that cover and he didn't want to tempt himself anymore than necessary.
“Got it?” He brushed a stray piece of hair from her face.
Flushing, she nodded.
Trying to stay on track, she grabbed her phone and dialed the only three people she truly cared about.
“Sis?”
She sighed in relief. “You okay? What about Little Lee?”
Peter smiled. “We're fine. I got supplies before the storm. You know no one else would've.”
Bailey gritted her teeth so hard, they could break. Closing her eyes, she struggled to keep her face neutral. She calmed her breathing.
“I'm sorry. If I could, I would take you abd Lee but...unless she signs over guardianship, I can't do that.”
Peter had no inclinations toward putting the phone down. He rarely got to talk to his sister. Even little Lee looked like she was going to pass out from excitement.
“I know. Two more years right?”
“You can't leave Lee alone with them. God knows what they'd turn her into.”
Bailey had forgotten that Spencer was there, watching her. Listening.
She was just so happy they were safe. Her family.
“How's Dad?”
Peter scoffed. “The Coward?”
“Peter be respectful.”
“He doesn't deserve respect! He can't stand up for you, he let's them trample all over you—”
“I let them trample over me. You know me better than that.”
Peter sighed, pure frustration a bubble in his chest.
“Still. He should defend you.”
Bailey didn't say anything. Instead looking unseeingly at the credenza.
“Bails, when are you gonna stop supporting them?”
“When both of you leave the house.”
“Bailey that's like....ten years. Lia's only six. Can't you...like sue them or something?”
Bailey nodded. “I could.”
“Why don't you?”
“It's more trouble than it's worth Peter. There's no guarantee a court would award me custody anyway. You know how Portia is.”
Peter sneered at her name, holding Lia closer to him.
“I hate that woman.”
“She's still our mother. Show respect.”
“Why do you saying that? These people are horrible—”
“I never said they weren't. But that doesn't change the facts. You show a measure of respect, even if you don't respect them.”
“But why?” Peter pleaded.
“Because if you don't, you end up disrespecting yourself. You keep your morals, don't let their ignorance change you into someone you aren't.”
Peter sighed. He just missed his big sister. She was his home, this place...it was his prison.
“I miss you, Sis.”
“I miss you too. I told you come over whenever. I gave you a key, I bought you a car, and I gave you a car seat.”
“How will I sneak out?”
“Don't. I pay for everything they have, so if they want to keep you from me, then they'll find how easily their comforts can be removed.”
“I love you. You're so awesome. I don't get how you could come from them.”
She snorted. “I tell people I'm adopted. Or orphan. I prefer orphan.”
“They're alive.”
“Well they're dead to me.”
“Hey, so Lorilei is trying with this guy named Eric.”
All the blood seeped from her face.
“What does he look like?”
“Guy's a real prick. I haven't seen him yet.”
She nodded. “How's school?”
“Snobby white kids, snobby teachers, good food.”
She chuckled. “Doesn't sound you like it. I can transfer you.”
“No, no. It's just. I miss you. You're the only person I consider family. You and Lee.”
“I know. But stick it out. And you be a poster child. After all, should they... disappear, family is the first they suspect.”
“Did you find that out for your novel?”
Bailey smirked evilly.
“Let's go with that.”
“Look, I don't want your phone to die so call me if you have to. Otherwise. wait until the storm is over.”
“Okay. When the power comes back on, can I come over?”
“No. Wait until the roads are clear. And remember: También pasará. This too shall pass.”
Peter chanted along with her, she'd told him that since he was little.
“This too shall pass.”
After saying goodbye once more, she hung up.
⚡
Spencer watched her, entranced. Her mannerisms, her eloquence. Her love for her siblings. She had completely forgotten he was there, which he was glad of.
She would've never shown the real her had she known he was watching.
All he knew was that she was beautiful. So sexy, such a...
Treasure. She was a treasure.
That would be her name to him.
“Everything okay at home?”
Bailey jumped with a yelp.
“O-Oh, yeah. Fine.”
He nodded.
“It's late. You should try to get some sleep.”
“I do have a deadline to meet...”
Bailey glanced over him, q.uickly looking away. That man was fine. Tattoos made him look bad, but his eyes were so bright and intelligent.
He was built like a fighter, she loved it. She wanted to stroke his stubble, kiss his lips, his neck, coc—
“You want something, Treasure?” He smirked.
“Can I trust you?”
“Yes. I won't touch you or look at you,” he swore adding a, “Unless you want me to.”
- Writer
