Chapter Seventeen #2
Everyone stands in line for food, and Remy guides me around them.
Bane moves the chair at the head of the table, and I sit with a smile.
A plate is placed in front of me as the others take a seat.
Elijah sits at the island, holding his son.
He’s adorable, and I’m itching to hold him.
The conversation flows around me while I eat two pieces of chicken and mashed potatoes.
Bane sits to my right, and Lawson to my left.
Hunter takes a seat at the other end, with Remy beside him.
Micah holds a plate, leaning against the window, Daisy beside him.
I smile as I see him feeding her bites of food.
The women are cared for, catered to, and it’s odd to see.
“She deserved it,” Breeane announces, and I tune into the conversation.
“She did. I saw it,” Sally says.
“We did the only thing we could when she insulted Breeane,” Saylor says, and I frown.
“It was a small bar fight,” Sally explains, looking at me.
“Small?” Las grumbles.
“Breeane was hit,” Logan says.
“Our slugger made them regret it,” Lucas says.
“Good,” Daisy says, smirking.
“My bloodthirsty mate,” Micah rumbles.
“I’ve heard Penny tell the story many times, and it’s different every time,” Saphira says.
“I don’t think I’ve heard the story yet,” Juliana says.
“We had a girls' night out,” Saylor says, talking with her hands.
“Except we had Ryker and Bash as chaperones,” Breeane adds.
“As if they did the job,” Lucas snorts.
“Marie and Harmony were there too,” Breeane says.
“Some human women made some comments.” Saylor glares. “Nasty words toward Breeane.”
“They didn’t react well.” Sally chuckles.
“You weren’t even at the table,” Saylor says.
“I have good hearing. I was dancing by when they said it,” she defends herself. “I knew you could handle it. I didn’t need to interfere.”
“You enjoyed watching,” Saylor says.
“It was quite the show.” Sally shakes her head, laughing harder.
“Food flying everywhere. I saw the woman smack Breeane, and she punched her hard.” Her hands press against her stomach, and tears gather in her eyes.
“You all had food in your hair and dripping down your faces. It was brilliant.” Luca and Atlas watch her, grinning at her.
“Did you get in trouble?” I ask.
“Not with any authority,” Breeane mumbles, looking at her mates.
“The men were not pleased,” Saylor says.
“I was pleased as fuck,” Elijah drawls. “Saylor kicked ass, and I was so proud.” Saylor shares a grin with him, her eyes drifting to their son.
“It was hilarious. The men lined up outside in front of a line of their mates.” Sally gasps. “The food…” She motions down her face. “I’ll never forget it. I took a video. I still watch it when I need a laugh.”
“You said you deleted it,” Saylor growls.
“I lied.” Sally wiggles her eyebrows, tipping her drink toward her.
“Sally,” Breeane cries.
“You want to see it?” she asks, and Breeane tilts her head.
“Maybe later,” she mumbles.
“I definitely want to,” Saphira says quietly.
“Now we have to,” Daisy laughs.
I sit back, stuffed, as they continue to outline the events of that night. Elijah hasn’t eaten; his son has his sole attention. I leave my seat and move toward him. Laughter erupts behind me, but I focus on the baby.
“I can hold him,” I offer. “You haven’t eaten. If you don’t mind.”
Elijah smiles. “I don’t mind,” he says softly. He stands, and I move close. As he transfers his son to my arms, my heart beats hard.
I want one.
Elijah grabs a plate, and I glide away, my gaze on the precious bundle.
He’s sleeping, and warm in my arms. I gently rock back and forth at the end of the island.
I’m amazed that he can sleep through the noise.
He must feel so loved and safe. He has parents who adore him.
He's fiercely protected. I wonder what it'll feel like to hold my baby. I’ve always wanted a large, loving family.
I lightly glide my finger down his cheek and smile.
I glance around the room. The conversation.
The teasing and stories of the good times.
The easy camaraderie is heartwarming. What would my life have been like now if I had had this growing up?
The only gathering we had was pretentious dinner parties with my father’s acquaintances.
I had to dress up and sit stiffly through the meal.
Once the food was consumed, I was dismissed because I was too young to understand the conversation that followed.
I didn’t mind because it wasn’t interesting.
Bar fights are interesting.
They have moved on to another time, something to do with Saphira and fire.
Sally is leaning against Luca, gasping, because she's laughing so hard. Saphira is pouting, and the men are shaking their heads. Juliana is smiling, leaning against Heath. My gaze connects with Bane’s, and I suck in a breath because of the intensity in his eyes.
My rocking slows as I recognize the need in his expression.
I exhale slowly and look away, only to see Lawson with a similar expression.
Curiosity causes my gaze to move to Hunter, and I almost stumble by the gentleness on his face.
Remy is smiling softly, his gaze moving over my face and to the baby.
“I can take him.” I shake my head and notice Saylor in front of me. “You must like babies.”
“I do.” I cradle him close a moment more before gently moving him to her arms. “I’ve always wanted a big family.”
“That’s good,” she says softly, her eyes crinkling.
“I haven’t got to snuggle him yet,” Sally says.
“Coming, godmother,” Saylor sings, and winks at me.
“I need the practice,” Sally says, patting her flat stomach.
“Sally’s pregnant,” Hunter says, his attention on me.
“I’m kind of disappointed,” she says, taking the baby. “I haven’t had any weird cravings yet.”
“Not true,” Atlas says, and she glares at him. “The other night I had to go to the gas station to get those pink balls covered in coconut.”
“They’re amazing, and I would have had that craving anytime,” she says.
“A time after that, I had to go retrieve a jug of cheese balls,” Luca adds.
“Cheese is always yummy.” She points at them. “I find it interesting you both said had to.” She narrows her eyes, and I laugh. Two fierce vampires start to backtrack.
Lawson stands up, drawing my attention, and quietly leaves the room. He disappears out the front door.
“He needs some time,” Bane says softly, and I jump. I was focused on Lawson and didn’t see him move.
“Is he alright?” I ask, and he nods. Remy asked me to distract him, and I feel like I failed. I should go after him. “Where is he going?”
“There’s a small creek behind the house. He likes to sit there,” Bane says.
I lean toward him. “Will you take me there? Would that be rude?” I ask.
“I don’t care if it is,” he replies, grabbing my hand.
Breeane smiles at me as Bane leads me through the room.
Hunter nods lightly at him as we pass, and his fingers glide across my hip.
All I want is to get to Lawson. Somehow, I feel his turmoil, just as I can feel Bane’s.
He hides it well, but I feel his need to be with his brother.
I’m loving the family, yet my mates need me.