Chapter 38
Alaia
We had just finished dinner, and I was in the living room with the girls and the kids. Noah was on my lap, and Alana was on Ashley’s.
“So,” said Noah, showing me the colorful toy car he was holding in his hands.
“Yes, my love, it’s a car,” I said, brushing his hair. His eyes, so identical to his father’s, smiled at me.
“He demanded to see the kids, denied sending his grandfather to ask me to abort, said he
never knew I was pregnant,” I exhale.
“That’s intense,” Ash commented.
My mother and Elise remained silent, clearly holding back whatever was on their minds.
“What are you thinking?” I asked them suspiciously.
“Well, darling, I won’t deny that we overheard the conversation. Don’t kill us,” said my mother. I rolled my eyes, noticing Ash pretending to be oblivious. “And say what you will, but it seemed like that man genuinely had no idea about your pregnancy,” she added, and Elise nodded in agreement.
“Mom, please, don’t be gullible. Nick has a huge capacity for lying and deceit. For more than two years, he pretended to be someone else just to keep me by his side when I was merely a challenge to him. He stayed with me until he got bored,” I kissed my son’s hair and inhaled his scent before he and his sister ran off when their uncle Aidan called them to play. “Maybe he just wants to mess with me,” I said. It’s a possibility that he now wants to use my children to annoy me and make us believe he genuinely cares about them.
“He probably wants to mess with you, but not in the way you think,” Ash said, holding back laughter. I hit her shoulder. “b***h, that hurts!” she said, rubbing the spot where I hit her.
“What will happen now?” my mother asked.
“I want to know what he’ll do to see the kids p>
“He can start a legal process. You’re denying him something that, whether we like it or not, he has a right to,” Ash said.
“I know, and I’ve considered that possibility. I’m open to it. That would be an indicator that he wants to see them. He’ll have to hire a lawyer wait for the process, and be patient. It will be a test for him,” I explained.
“As always, we’ll support your decisions, sweetheart.” My mother took my hands, and Elise did the same. Ash hugged me by the shoulders.
“Thank you, I love you all.” I leaned on Ash.
The next day…
An hour ago, we finished breakfast. The day was beautiful, not a single cloud in the sky, and the kids were ready to swim.
After swimming together and the kids deciding to stay in the pool a bit longer, we watched them from the chairs at the edge. Alana’s excited shouts were loud and clear. My father has made a quick trip to the UK. Cedric traveled early yesterday; it was an unexpected trip, required by his company. When it was time for lunch, we took a bath and changed; it would be an afternoon of movies.
“Alaia, next weekend, I’ll be traveling to the UK. I’ll take two weeks off from my vacation, remember?” Loli said while we were in the kitchen making popcorn. I recalled that her vacation was scheduled for this month.
“Yes, I remember. Did you talk to your family? They must be excited p>
“I haven’t told them yet; it will be a surprise,” she said happily. “They will be thrilled when they see you,” I take her hands. “Remind me to go shopping; I want to send gifts to your parents and your sister p>
“Miss, a couple of packages have arrived for the kids.” Gavin entered the kitchen.
I looked at Loli in total confusion. Maybe my father left something for them and told her, as we always communicate when we order something for my kids. But I noticed Loli had turned red and was looking at her hands; my cousin and I exchanged suspicious glances.
“Check everything, and if there’s nothing strange, ask them to bring them in,” I told Gavin. He nodded and left.
“Someone here looks like a teenager who has seen her school crush,” Ash said, narrowing her eyes at Loli.
“What are you saying, Ashley?!” she shouted, turning even redder if possible.
“Come on, woman, you’re single, beautiful, and have a lot to offer,” I hugged her by the shoulders.
“He’s a kid!” she said, embarrassed.
“Well, he looks pretty grown–up to me,” Ash said.
“No, he’s a kid to me. I’m thirty–two, and he must have just turned twenty. He wouldn’t be interested in someone like me; he doesn’t even look at me.” She lowered her gaze. “Besides, he has a girlfriend p>
Ash and I look at her with a face of “What p>
“Well, I overheard him talking to someone on the phone, and he sounded sweet p>
“But come on, what’s with that self–esteem, Loli? My goodness,” Ash scolded her. “If you could change your style a bit, those baggy jeans with those oversized shirts and those Vans shoes wouldn’t help much. Plus, that low ponytail stuck to your head, not to mention that boring uniform you wear occasionally,” Loli looked at herself. “I didn’t want to interfere because I respect everyone’s style, but you could try something new once in a while. You have it all, blondie,” Ash said affectionately.
“I don’t know, girls, I think there’s no hope for me. No one has ever loved me,” she said, disheartened, and I felt bad for her.
“That will change; you’re in good hands,” I said, hugging her a little tighter.
“Miss, we’ve checked the boxes, and everything is in order.” Gavin entered again, and Loli tensed up.
“Here are the cards.” He handed them to me.
“Thank you, Gavin.” We walked to the entrance of the house where my children were already in front of two large boxes, as tall as the kids. My mother and Elise helped them open them. I checked the cards and heard a scream from Alana that prevented me from starting to read.
“Princesses!” she said. I looked up and saw lilac metallic balloons reaching the ceiling. The box opened, revealing all the Disney princesses in plush form and other characters.
The same happened with Noah’s box. Blue balloons reached the ceiling when it opened. It contained several soft plush toys from video games. Noah looked happy, grabbing as many as he could in his little arms. Ash and I exchanged looks. I quickly opened the card and saw that it was addressed to my children and signed by Nick. My cousin peeked at the cards.
“I think he is serious,” Ash said, as my children started playing with the toys.
Okay, this surprised me.
Nick
I didn’t sleep well. Knowing I have two children and haven’t been able to see them because of my decisions and my grandfather’s actions was killing me. I never imagined that two little people could change my perspective on things, and I haven’t even seen them yet.
I went down to have breakfast, deciding to do it in the outdoor dining area. My gaze got lost in the trees. I sensed Marshall’s movement; my dogs ran around me.
“The lady left early; she said she was going to the club with her mother,” he informed me, and I nodded. Sophia, Marshall’s wife, serves me breakfast. I took a sip of the coffee while still lost in my thoughts.
“Is everything okay, sir?” Sophia asked.
“Yes, perfect,” I lied.
“Are you sure? You haven’t touched your breakfast.” She pointed to the table. The food must be cold by now.
“I can prepare everything again,” she said, taking one of the plates.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll just have the coffee.” I showed her the cup.
“Excuse my boldness, sir,” she said, and I turned to look at her. “But since I’ve been working in this house, I’ve always seen you as a tough, strong man who doesn’t smile, maybe only for the dogs,” she pointed at them, “but today, you look like a different person. I notice something different about you. I hope I don’t get in trouble for saying it.” She smiled, and her eyes squint. I had never noticed that before.
“It’s okay,” I said neutrally, looking back at the trees and sipping from my cup.
“It’s obvious something is bothering you, and although it may not seem like it, I’m an observant person.” She laughed. “You are a man who doesn’t get along with your family members. I can see that you only trust yourself and maybe that crazy cousin of yours, that handsome but crazy guy,” she mentioned, making me laugh.
“I just want you to know that this older woman is here to listen and give you advice if you ever need it,” she said and turned to leave.
I thought about it for a moment.
“Wait,” I said, and she stopped. I showed her the chair in front of me.