Page 92 of Surviving in Everton

“Not me. Made perfect sense to me when I found out that bitch was responsible for you leaving us. She always hated you, Rowe. She wasn’t even secretive about it. She tried for years after you left to get us to be with her. Thinking about it now, I’m shocked she didn’t try to use the same potion on one of us! Thank fucking god she didn’t though!” Nate exclaims.

“Oh god, could you imagine?” Ayden shudders.

Everyone finally relaxes and we're able to enjoy our evening without further talk of BB and he who must not be named. The dads fight over who gets to cook dinner before Kayden finally magics two extra grills so they can each have their own cooking space and not kill each other over some barbecue. While they're cooking, the moms fight over who gets the kids this weekend. I honestly don't know who wins that fight. But the kids will be gone and we'll finally get a chance to be truly alone with Rowen... together... this should be interesting.

Chapter 37

Rowen

It was really so nice to get to spend time with the parents again. I didn’t quite realize how much I missed everyone until they were surrounding me, welcoming me home with open arms and celebrating the fact that I’m finally completely free of Harris’ influence. Everyone was shocked and reasonably upset, but after explaining everything, the night turned into the reunion we should have had. Sitting around a fire reminiscing about the good ol’ days.

Violet and Logan were jumping with joy when we told them they were spending the weekend with the grandparents. After arguing for who knows how long, the moms finally decided to have a slumber party with the kids at my house. Apparently the guys are taking me somewhere, so it’s really the best option. Mom came over first thing this morning after Violet went to school. I think she’s a little too eager to spend time with her granddaughter, but thanks to Harris, she didn’t get to be as big a part of her life as she should have. I have a feeling now that we’re here and she can see her as often as she wants, we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

“Okay, Declan should be here with the kids soon. Once they get here, we’re gonna head out. Are you sure you’ll be okay with them for the whole weekend?” I bite my lip as I wipe down the already clean counter. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.

“Of course! We’ll be fine! There are three of us, and we raised all of you just fine. I’m quite certain we can handle those two little angels. Now, stop that! You’re gonna wear a hole in your pretty counter.” Mom snatches the rag out of my hand.

Letting out a deep sigh, my whole body sags as I sit down in one of the stools. “I’ve never been away from Violet this long. No one’s ever watched her over night before. What if something happens? What if she can’t sleep? What if she needs me? What… what if shedoesn’t?”

“Oh, sweetie.” Mom wraps her arm around my shoulders, squeezing me to her. “I know it’s hard, but you’ve gotta let her do things without you. You can’t be there twenty-four seven. As a parent, you want to be a part of all of her happy memories, but you can’t. You’ve gotta let her have some memories with other people too. Trust me, I know how hard that is. It was hard on me, letting you go and do fun things with the boys. I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to see the light in your eyes when you saw your first concert. But Hudson got tickets and wanted to take you. So I missed out on witnessing that special moment for you, but I’m glad I did, because I know that’s one of your favorite memories as a teenager. I didn’t want to hold you back from experiencing all of the joy life had in store for you. I know you feel the same way about Violet.”

It’s just like Mom to cut through all the shit and get to the heart of the matter. I know it’s not reasonable to want to be there for all of Violet’s memorable moments. But you can’t blame me forwantingto.

“Thanks, Mom. I knew you’d understand.”

“Of course, dear. Everything will be fine. You won’t even think about the kids or what fun you’re missing out on once you have your guys to yourself.” She winks at me as she walks over to the fridge, laughing at my answering groan as she pulls out a bottle of water.

“Ugh. Mom!”

“Oh, please. Like we don’t all know what you’re going to get up to on your weekend away,” she teases as I continue to die inside.

“Hello! Anyone home?!” a voice calls from the front door.

“We’re in the kitchen, Alice!” Mom hollers back.

“Oh, good! I was hoping you’d be here already! So what have we got planned?” she asks when she enters the room, rubbing her hands together.

“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. I suppose we can move the couches and make a fort in the living room,” Mom suggests.

“You know, Violet has a magical playhouse. You should have the party in there. The house changes into whatever you need it to be when you walk in. I’m sure Violet can turn it into the ultimate slumber party.”

“A magical playhouse? How’d she get that?!” Mom asks.

Shaking my head with a bemused smile, I tell her, “Nate made it for her the day we moved in. She basically lives in it. I’m surprised she didn’t insist on showing everyone last night, but she was pretty enthralled by the pool the guys made her.”

“Oh, was that new too? Those boys are spoiling you two,” Mom teases. “Good, you deserve it.”

“Those boys sure did grow up to be some amazing men, didn’t they?” Momma C. beams. “We must have done something right, huh Elaine?”

“It took a village, but I think we did alright.” Mom winks.

“Do you know when Momma H. will be here? I wanted to tell you all goodbye before we left.”

“I’m here! I'm here! Lost track of time again, sorry. Ever since I retired I find it difficult to be on time. Not having a schedule to keep allows me to get lost in what I’m doing and sometimes I forget to come back up for air and check the time. Luckily, Hudson knows how forgetful I’ve gotten and called to remind me what time the kids get out of school,” she rambles on.

“Just another example of how we raised some good men,” Momma C. says.

“Speaking of, where are those boys taking you this weekend?” Momma H. asks.

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