Page 59 of Surviving in Everton

“Oh, Kitten. I’m sorry. Please don’t cry.” He wipes the traitorous tears that escape my eyes.

“I’m not crying.” I pull away from him and turn to hide my wet face, but I know it’s too late. He’s already seen the tears, both shed and filling my eyes.

“Nuh uh. No hiding from me, Kitten. I want your tears and your laughter. I want all of you. I won’t settle for anything less.” He grabs my chin and lifts my face, searching my watery eyes.

I don’t know what he sees in them, but he eventually pulls me in for a hug. We stand there holding each other until we’re interrupted by someone coughing. We break apart and look over to see West standing there.

“I’m…uh… just gonna head out now. Sorry for disturbing you. I’ll be back tomorrow to tell y’all what I found, okay, Killer?”

“Yeah. Thanks a lot, West. We would still be at square one if it weren’t for you.”

“You know I owe you. This is the least I could do. See y’all tomorrow.”

We watch him carry his computer out to his car then curl up on the couch.

“Feel like a movie night?” I ask hopefully.

“I do! Can we watchFrozen?” Violet cheers from behind us.

“No!” we answer together.

“Ugh, fiiine. What are we gonna watch then?”

“Just sit down and be quiet. You’ll like what I put on.”

Ooooh, Nate’s getting bossy. I wonder if that’ll extend to me, once Violet goes to bed. I’m stunned when Violet walks around the couch and sits on Nate’s other side, squishing him in between us. He smiles down at her as he grabs the remote and puts it on Disney Plus. I watch in fascination as he confidently scrolls through the titles looking for a specific movie. I don’t know why I’m surprised when he finally makes his selection and Robin Hood comes on. This was his favorite movie when we were kids.

He wraps an arm around each of us and pulls us into him. After we both get comfortable and curl up against him, he magics blankets for us, and we start watching the movie. This is the life I’ve always wanted. Someone to cuddle up to and watch a movie together as a family. We never did this with Harris, though, knowing what I do now, it makes sense. I’m just so thankful to have these amazing, caring men in my life.

Once the movie ends, all three of us make dinner together. Violet has so much fun. She really loves being in the kitchen, and Nate is amazing with her. Every time I see them together, I picture him holding a tiny baby, with her smiling up at him. I haven’t thought about having another baby in years, but seeing how good all of my guys are with Logan and Violet, is definitely starting to stir up those “I want a baby” feelings.

After we eat our homemade, personal pizzas, we sit back down on the couch and Nate picks another movie, though I don’t think either Violet or I will make it to the end. Nate’s back in the middle, with me curled against him on one side, and Violet has decided she wants to lay down, so she’s got her head in his lap, turned to face the tv.

I startle awake when I turn my head and there’s no shoulder there to lay on. I look around and see Nate carrying Violet up the stairs to her room. He comes back to the couch and picks me up the same way he was just holding my little girl.

“Come on, Kitten, time for bed.” He kisses my forehead, then carts me off to my room.

He gently lays me down then strips off his clothes, leaving him in only his boxers, before climbing into bed with me and covering us with my blankets. I turn over, facing away from him, and he lays behind me, pressing his chest to my back while wrapping his arm around my waist and holding me tight. I instantly fall into a peaceful slumber, filled with dreams of handsome men and babies.

Chapter 25

Hudson

Today has dragged on. It didn’t even matter if the bakery was busy. All I could think about was tonight and how important it was that I don’t screw this up. I really hope the potion works with both of Ayden’s spells mixed together. No one volunteered to play guinea pig after he added the “memory messer-upper”, as Ayden’s taken to calling it.

Mikey called and asked if I could cover for him tonight. With how much he’s been stepping up and taking care of the bakery for me, I wasn’t about to say no. So I’m closing a little early and going straight to the bar from work. Luckily, Nate already has the potion and will be ready when we order. I sent Rowe home when school got out. Declan’s been bringing Violet home so she could stay a little later, but I told her to go home and wait for me. It’s going to be a long night. Declan’s taking the list from Dr. Johnston, to get everything we’ll need for the potion. We’re hoping to get Rowen to take it tonight. I have no idea how long it’ll take to work, but we’re optimistic that it won’t take long.

Finally, my last customer leaves, so I lock up and head to the bar. I walk in right at seven o’clock. It’s too early for there to be a crowd, so I’m not surprised to see Britney sitting in the back, surrounded by empty tables. She, of course, notices me as soon as I walk in, so I put on my best flirty smile. Her eyes light up as she sits a little straighter in her seat, sticking out her chest more and flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“Hey, Brit! You been waiting long? Mikey called out, so I had to close up the bakery tonight.”

“Not long at all. Just got here a minute ago myself. I don’t knowwhyyou keep him around though. He’s completely incompetent. I came in once after my pilates class and you weren’t in, so I had to havehimmake my drink. It was awful, Hud! I don’t know how he can mess up a simple latte. I mean, how hard is it to pour some milk into a cup of espresso? He didn’t even make a design with the cream!”

“I’m sorry, Brit. Did you say anything?”

“Yes! I told him how awful it looked. I didn’t even want to drink it. Told him he could pour it out, I changed my mind. Then I left.”

Wow, I’m gonna need to give Mikey a raise. I hadn’t realized he had to deal with her. I thought she was careful to only come in when I was there.

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