Page 96 of Accepted Precedent
She answers with a tight hug and a wide smile. Both the kids are affectionate, but Grace has always been a love bug.
“I missed you too, little one.”
Grace wiggles away and does the same to Mickey, hugging his treetrunk legs and gazing up at him. He picks her up and whispers something to her before setting her down, then she runs off to play.
Brandon spots the exchange and rushes over. Mickey lifts him up onto his hip, also quietly telling him something. Brandon’s a spitting image of his dad, and it’ll only be a matter of time before someone puts two and two together. With Mick staying out of the public eye, hopefully it won’t be any time soon.
Ileah joins us, she’s radiating joy, just like Finn. She has a little puffiness under her eyes, which could be from fatigue or morning sickness, like Finn mentioned. “Where’s Evie?”
“She’s laying down for a bit; complained about being tired even after a good night’s sleep.”
Mickey’s brows pinch and worry seeps into his expression. “Is she okay?”
“She seemed fine, just resting.”
“I’ll go check on her,” he insists, setting Brandon down.
“She’s fine, Mick.”
He doesn’t listen, marching into the house. I can’t say I’m surprised, he’s always been overprotective when it comes to her and the kids. Brandon chases after him, and I follow.
Ileah calls after me, “We’ll keep an eye on the twins,” at the same time I tell Mickey, “Let her rest.”
He stops and turns to face me. Brandon accidentally runs into him. “Sorry, Uncle Mickey.”
Mick tries his best to hide his disappointment at the dreaded U-word, and quickly schools his expression. “It’s okay, I’m just worried about your mam.” He ruffles Brandon’s hair and offers a smile meant to placate him. “But I’m sure she’s all right.” Lifting his gaze to me, he adds, “She’s been doing too much.”
“Come on, B. Let’s go play with everyone outside. Maybe play fetch with Finn’s dogs?”
At the mention of the pups, he lights up and runs back outside. Once he’s out of earshot, I quietly tell Mick, “I’m sure she’s fine.”
He nods, but still makes his way to the bedroom.
Chapter 42
Mickey
Ifind Evie in our bed, asleep on top of the covers. As I sit on the edge, the dip in the mattress wakes her. “Hey, angel. Are you all right?”
“Shit! Is everyone here? I must’ve overslept.”
“No, just Finn and Ileah. This is the third day in a row you’ve needed to rest in the middle of the day. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” she sighs, sitting up and tying her hair into a bun. “I haven’t been this tired since…” Her eyes widen.
“Since when?”
She looks away, brows furrowed as she works something out, then whispers, “Fuck.”
“Evelyn, I’m only going to ask you this one more time. What’s wrong?”
“It’s probably nothing.”
I climb onto the bed and pin her arms over her head. “We don’t keep secrets.” Evie lets out a full laugh, wrapping her legsaround me. “Nothing about this is funny. I’m worried about you.”
“Well, this is probably what caused my fatigue.”
Closing the distance, I stop a breath away from her lips. “Did I fuck my little brat to the point of exhaustion?”
