« Please. Just once. Please. »
The midwives talked amongst themselves and ignored her. She cried harder as she Realized the women who had ignored her during the whole labour had no intention of allowing her to hold her babies.
« I'm begging you, » June reached up and frowned as her moves were restrained. She shouted in frustration and pulled at the handcuffs tying her to the medical bed on both side. She was exhausted, she ached everywhere and the last contractions were still trying to tear her young body open. « Just a glimpse. »
One of the women holding her children turned to look at her over her shoulder.
« We want the best for the babies, » she glared at her and walked toward the door.
June felt as if she was about to pass out and started struggling violently against the cuffs.
« Let me see my babies ! » She screamed out and pulled against the burning pain at her wrists. She had just given birth to twins without epidural, her vagina was torn open and the cuffs were cutting into her skin, but nothing hurt more than her heart as the midwives walked away. « Don't take them away from me ! »
She shouted and begged, but nobody answered. Until warm hands came to push her arms down.
« Stop hurting yourself, » Dr Erting frowned down at her in worry. « You're bleeding… »
« I didn't do it… » She muttered in a broken voice. Her mind a mess as she tried to fight against exhaustion and excruciating pain. « I'm innocent. »
« Shh, » he soothed her and went to sit between her open legs. « Let me handle this and I'll treat your wrists next. »
« I didn't kill her, » she cried until she lost consciousness.
June startled awake and reflexively rubbed at the scars on her wrists.
It had been the worst day of her life. And she could never forgive them for robbing her of her first meetings with the babies she had loved and carried for eight months.
June shook herself awake and got up to get ready for the day. She had baked the day before and only had to get dressed. She had carefully picked her outfit, she didn't want to embarrass her son. She showered and arranged her short hair in a tressed crown around her head. She had picked some plain tan palazo at the thrift shop that went well with a long-sleeved white blouse she already had at home. She even dared to wear heeled sandals along. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she made her way to the high school. She nervously made her way to the highest bleachers but was happily waved down by Autumn, Sawyer's wife. June hesitate but she couldn't be rude to Thomas' best friend's wife.
« It's great to see you again, » the gorgeous blond smiled at her and pulled her down by the hand. « Sawyer and Thomas went to greet the coach. »
« Your son is playing too ? » She asked politely.
« Yeah, James finally recovered from his sprained ankle, » Autumn smiled fondly.
They chitchatted while the bleachers slowly filled up and June was acutely aware of being surrounded but tried to focus on Autumn's warm voice. She was almost convinced she could remain incognito until she heard someone whisper her name. It spread like wildfire. June dared to look back, half hoping she was being paranoid but indeed, almost all eyes were on her. Accusing, judging eyes.
« Hm, » she rudely cut Autumn off. « I forgot to tie my bike. I-I'll be right back. »
And she left without waiting for an answer. She waited until she heard the whistle before forcing herself to head back. She had promised her son to be there and that was all that mattered. She could handle this, she had had to bear a lot worse. Most people were too focused on the game to notice her as she slid back at the end of the highest bleacher. Her eyes immediately searched the field and even though he was far and his face was hidden by his helmet, she recognised her son right away. And he recognised her too. Her heart warmed as she Realized he had been searching for her and he excitedly waved upon finally finding her in the crowd. She timidly waved back until he had to run back to his teammates. It was only then that she noticed intense eyes on her and like a magnet, she was immediately attracted to the grass right under the bleachers. Thomas stood big and imposing and he was looking up at her with intense, darkened eyes. She attempted a small wave but wasn't ready for the bright smile he sent back and quickly averted her gaze.
Julian's team obliterated their adversaries and June took advantage of the commotion to slid away. She sent a congratulating message to Julian and told him they'd meet up at the Oswald's house. She took her time riding back home to pick up the snacks she had prepared and took even more time to ride up to their house. It had always looked so big and beautiful to her but now that she had been to Thomas' house, she Realized how poor she had always been.
—
Thomas rushed his son and his team to the showers, eager to catch June before she ran away. He had heard from Sawyer what had happened and felt guilty because he had assured her she wouldn't be recognised.
And when he saw his son's shoulders raise in excitement and he waved up at the crowd, he immediately knew she had come back. He was so proud when he saw her sitting alone in the bleacher. So fucking proud. He didn't care who noticed it. Hell, he wanted everyone to see it.
By the time the boys piled up into the cars, June was nowhere to be seen and he hurried to his grandparents'.
His Pa sighed when he found Thomas standing guard in front of the door and dragged him to the garden.
Thomas should have known something was off when Lizzy rushed to open the door. His daughter hated playing doorman.
« Fuck, » Sawyer cursed making Thomas turn to see what it was about.
« Fuck, » he immediately frowned as he watched his grandmother greet the tall brunette under his daughter's excited eyes.
He glared as she met his eyes and batted her eyelashes.. He thought he had put a stop to this five years ago and it had been a long time since she last showed up at a social gathering like that. He had been more than clear.
« Lizzy, » he called his daughter over and at least she had the decency to look guilty. It only lasted until Julian loudly entered the garden with his mother in toe.
« Guys ! » Julian immediately approached the pool in which half of his teammates had jumped while the other half lazed around with food in hands, not even noticing the woman who stood in high heels with his sister and great grandmother. « Meet my mom, mom, the guys, » he introduced proudly with an arm around her shoulders.
June timidly greeted the big boys gawking up at her. Thomas could see the wheels turning in their head but they were all too polite, or too scared of Julian, to make any remark.
« You were great today, » June complimented sincerely and the easy teenagers quickly warmed up to her.
« Julian sometimes shares the snacks you make, » one of the wide receivers shouted. « Please, tell me you brought some today. »
June beamed at him and raised the huge bags she carried in hands. Thomas felt warmth spread in his chest at the laugh she let out as half of the guys ran out of the pool and followed her to the table where she laid it all out.
He was about to go over and greet her when Mary walked up to him.
« Thomas, » she smiled seductively.
« Mary, » he didn't even turn to look at her.
« Don't be so cold, » she put a hand on his arm and squeezed. He snatched it off. « Your daughter invited me. »
« You have no shame, » he seethed.
« You weren't talking about shame when I used to suck you down my throat, » she chuckled.
Thomas had the perfect retort, the right balance between accurate and mean, but just as he was about to open his mouth he noticed June was passing by. She looked at them with wide eyes and he immediately knew she had heard everything. Thomas cursed and went after her as she picked up her pace.
« Leave, » he glared down at Mary.
He followed June to the refreshment table where she was pulling out the drinks she had prepared.
« Hey, » he greeted softly and hated how tense she was.
« I'm sorry I didn't mean to overhear, » she blurted out but wouldn't meet his eyes.
« No, no ! » Thomas panicked, desperate to salvage the rocky equilibrium they had finally reached. « She's not- »
« Dad, » Lizzy suddenly showed up out of nowhere and June's attention was immediately on her. « Mary's here. Oh, hello. »
« Hello, » June answered breathlessly, her smile so wide it must have ached.
And Thomas hated that their daughter was playing her. Lizzy had never once greeted her mother. The only words she had ever exchanged with her had been insults. And here she was all soft and polite.
« Mary's my former teacher, » Lizzy added and June looked over the moon that her daughter was finally acknowledging her.
« Oh, she's really pretty, » June complimented the woman Lizzy seemed to like.
« Yeah, that's why we set her up with dad, » Lizzy grinned. « They were an immediate match. »
« Lizzy… » Thomas threatened in a low voice.
« That's great, » June said and she really sounded like she meant it which stabbed him in the guts. « It's nice of you to think about your dad. »
« You should talk to Mary, » Lizzy smirked cruelly but June was too blinded by joy to see it. « Let me introduce you. »
June was eagerly nodding when Thomas stopped them.
« I don't think it's necessary, » he glared at his scheming daughter.
« Oh, » June looked so hurt he wanted to slap himself. « I understand. »
« It's not what you think, » he rubbed a hand over his face.
« No, it's okay, I get that it'll be weird for you, » June nodded sounding too understanding. « But maybe you'll introduce me to your friend. Ruth is it ? » June asked hopefully as she looked at their daughter.
« No need, » Lizzy refused coldly and just like that she was back to hating her mother.
« Oh. Alright. »
Thomas had never been more disappointed with his daughter than he was now. June's expression fell as her eyes followed Lizzy who ran to Mary's side.
« June- »
« I haven't greeted your grandparents yet, » she cut him off and left.
Thomas cursed and rubbed his face in exhaustion and desperation. One step forward, ten back.