Page 29 of Demetri
I'm sitting outside in a lounge chair curled up with a blanket sipping on a steaming cup of coffee while watching the sun come up over the mountain top in the distance. The stillness of the early morning allows me to be alone with my thoughts as I reflect on last night. I hadn't planned on telling Grace about Ronan, but it felt freeing to purge my secret. The rest of the night was spent engaging in meaningless conversation for which I was grateful. The guys joined us women around the fire, and I began to realize how much I had missed my family. Something akin to regret began making its way to the surface from where I had buried it two years ago, causing a twinge of pain to weigh heavily on my chest. I initially told myself leaving Polson was because I didn't want to be dependent on my best friend. I told myself my demons were my own and not anyone else's burden to bear. I now see how wrong I was.
"What ya doing up this early, darlin'?" a deep voice echoes from behind me, and I startle. When I whip my head around, I'm met by Quinn.
"Not much," I smile. "Just enjoying the view while I drink my coffee. What about you? What has you up this early?"
"I got up with Lydia so Emerson could sleep," he informs taking a seat across from me and lights a cigarette, then gestures to his right.
Turning in my seat, I look through the sliding glass door that leads to the kitchen and spot Quinn's daughter sitting in a highchair at the table eating and sitting beside her is Sasha. I take in his stiff posture, and the look of discomfort on his face as Lydia tries offering him a bite from her tiny spoon, and chuckle. I can tell he's not around children often. When I turn my attention back to Quinn, he's taking in the same scene with a massive smile on his face. "How's fatherhood treating you, Quinn?"
"Best fuckin' thing in the world," he boasts. "I'm trying to convince Emerson to give me another one."
"And how's that working out?"
"I think I've about worn her down," he grins.
"Yeah, keep dreaming, babe," Emerson's sleep filled voice says as she steps outside with a mug of steaming liquid in her hand. Reaching out, Quinn snags his wife around her waist and pulls her down onto his lap. I watch as Quinn whispers into Emerson's ear, making her giggle. Witnessing their public display of affection makes me miss Demetri that much more. Demetri called last night just as promised and hung on the phone with me until I could no longer hold my eyes open. I told him about last night's events, and he expressed how proud he was of me. We ended the call with him telling me he was wrapping up business there in Russia and would be home sometime tomorrow.
"So, what time do you ladies plan on heading out today?" Quinn asks glancing from me to Emerson. The girls and I made plans to hit up a few shops for some retail therapy. Quinn will be tagging along with Sasha today to help keep a watch on us.
I peer down at my watch noting it's already 8:00 am and I've been sitting out here since 5:00 am. "In a couple of hours. I'm going to grab a shower and eat breakfast. Is Lisa here? I've been dreaming about her French toast."
"She is," Emerson confirms. "She was already in the kitchen cooking when I walked out here." Quinn quickly ushers Emerson off his lap. She scoffs as he stands. "Really, Quinn? Must you always think with your stomach?" Emerson rolls her eyes.
Quinn pulls Emerson close. "I'm always either hungry or horny, babe. If you see me without a boner, make me a sandwich," he smirks, then gives her a hot as hell kiss, before walking away.
Sure enough, when I look through the sliding glass door, I see Lisa bustling around in the kitchen. Standing from my chair, I follow behind Quinn and Emerson as we make our way inside. "Glory!" Lisa calls out for me. Her face breaks out in a warm smile as she wipes her hands on a towel. "Come here, child." Lisa holds her arms open, and I step into her embrace. Lisa is the mother hen of the club. She spends her days looking after everyone.
"It's good to see you, Mrs. Lisa."
"Oh, you too, Glory. We've missed you around here." She takes a step back. "You hungry?"
"I'm hungry." Quinn butts in before I get a chance to speak.
Emerson pinches his side. "She wasn't talking to you."
Lisa waves her hand and rolls her eyes. "Your plate is in the microwave, sweetheart."
Quinn gives us a look as to saysee I'm specialas he breezes past us, heading straight for his food.
Lisa turns her attention back to me. "Now tell me what you want for breakfast."
I smile. "I'd kill for some French toast. If it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all. Sit. I'll have some whipped up in no time."
Taking the oatmeal covered toddler from the highchair, Emerson props her daughter on her hip. "I'm going to get her cleaned up."
When Emerson leaves, I take a seat next to Sasha, who at the moment, is shoveling eggs and bacon into his mouth. "I see you're finding out pretty quickly being my babysitter comes with perks. Not only do you get the pleasure of my company, but you get your meals made by the best cook in the world."
"You got that right," Quinn adds around a mouthful of food.
Later that afternoon,I'm out shopping with Grace and Bella at a boutique in town. Alba was unable to make it because her son came down with a fever overnight, and both Emerson and Mila had to work. Grace is sifting through the clothing rack next to me when she asks, "when is Demetri going to be here?"
I look up from the denim skirt in my hand. "I spoke to him last night. He said he'd come home sometime tomorrow. Possibly in the morning."
"How were things in Russia. What was it like? I can imagine how beautiful it is."
"What little I saw was beautiful. Demetri's house is beyond comprehension. He did take me to dinner. I also had the pleasure of meeting his ex-wife." At my last statement, both Grace and Bella freeze.
