Page 66 of Bully's Second Chance
But Jax rushed up to my side. “Hey there, beautiful.”
I smiled up at him as Yuslan gripped my hand. “Did you mean that?”
He sat on the edge of my bed. “Mean what?”
I reached my hand up and cupped his cheek. “The promise you just made to Yuslan. The one about always being around, no matter what. Did you mean that?”
He grinned. “Someone’s been a sneaky little snake.”
Yuslan chuckled. “How long have you been awake?”
I looked over at the man who had essentially become my father. “Maybe for a few minutes.”
He shook his head. “Ever the trickster. You’ve always tried to make yourself so small for others. You should let us know when you’re awake. We want you awake.”
Jax bent forward and kissed my cheek. “Except for when you need the sleep, and he’s right, it’s only four in the morning.”
Then, I heard the woman who had become like a mother to me enter the room. “Lily!”
I watched her toss a covered tray to Jax as he shot up from the bed to catch it. Guadalupe rushed to my side and peppered my face with kisses while her hand slid through my hair. Yuslan kissed the back of my hand that he held within both of his, and I’d never felt more loved and more taken care of in all my life.
However, Jax still hadn’t answered my question. “Sweetheart?”
He set the tray on a chair and gazed into my eyes. “I like it when you call me that.”
I giggled softly. “Please, did you mean it?”
He nodded. “Every word.”
“Is what true? What are you two talking about?” Guadalupe said.
When I looked over at Yuslan, he got the picture. He knew what I needed, so he stood up and walked over to Guadalupe.
“Why don’t we give them some privacy,si?” he asked.
Guadalupe stood to her feet. “I don’t know what they’re talking about. Is everything okay? What happened while I was gone?”
Yuslan wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Everything is fine. She’s fine. But, she’s awake, and they have much to talk about.”
I smiled softly. “I love you, Ma.”
Guadalupe whipped around. “What did you just call me?”
Tears crested my eyes. “Would that be okay to call you? Ma? Because I’d really like my kid to call youabuela. Or, whatever the traditional name for grandma is.”
She rushed back to my side and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “I would love nothing more,princesa.”
I peeked over at Yuslan. “Pa? That okay with you, too?”
He blinked back tears. “You know it’s always okay,mi hija.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. “Okay, Jax and I need to talk. Why don’t you guys go on a little walk? We should be done in, oh, half an hour or so.”
Yuslan gathered Guadalupe beneath his arm and guided her toward the door. “We’ll be back soon.”
I waved softly at them. “We’ll be here.”
And after they left the room, Jax closed the door behind him before he came and crawled into bed with me. “Scoot over, gorgeous. Daddy’s comin’ in.”
