Chapter 18
“Avacation?” I look at Nyx wondering if he’s lost his mind. Most of the brothers have traveled to Long Beach to take down Cliff, and I have to admit I was a little relieved when Nyx and Brax were given the job of holding down the fort here.
“Yeah, just me, you, and the kids.” He shrugs like this isn’t a big deal.
“And my dad’s cleared this?” I check, trying not to get too excited.
“It was your daddy’s idea, darlin’.” He steps closer and lifts me up onto the kitchen counter, kissing my lips until I force him away.
“Do you really think now is the time for a vacation? My mom’s here and you know?—”
“That’s exactly why this is the time for a vacation. Your parents” issues become your issues and right now you have enough to deal with. You need a break.” He checks over his shoulder to ensure Sophia’s still asleep in her travel cot before he slides his hands up my dress.
“Ermmm… are you looking to make baby number three?” I shove his hand away and slide myself off the counter.
“Always.” He stops me from getting away from him and pulls me back.
“Come on, we need this. Just me, you, and the kids. It’ll be perfect.”
“I… I want to, but…”
“But what?” Nyx laughs as he gives me some space.
“I’m worried about Dad, haven’t you noticed that he isn’t himself lately?” I question. It can’t just be me that”s noticed how he’s closed himself off.
“He’s never himself when your mom’s around, they have unfinished business, which is exactly why you need to get outta here. You don’t need to be dragged into all that shit,”
“It’s not just Mom, he’s been acting strange before she got here. He’s looking tired. There”s something distracting him.”
“Ella, there’s always somethin’ going on around here and he’s our leader. Takin’ down Cliff has really shaken shit up and he’s tryin’ to figure the best way to handle it. The last thing he’d want is you worryin’ about him. Now, you gonna pack a bag and let me getcha outta here?” Nyx slides his hand up to my cheek and strokes it tenderly with his thumb.
“Not before I take you into that bedroom and jump your bones.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.
“Baby number three incomin’” He crouches so he can throw me over his shoulder and rush me to the bedroom, creeping carefully past Sophia so we don’t disturb her.
* * *
“You know I do want more kids, right?” I assure him while he throws his shirt back over his head. I know Nyx wants a whole house full of them, he got real excited just before I started college again when he thought I might be pregnant.
“Darlin’, I couldn’t ask ya for any more than what you’ve already given me.” He climbs across the bed and places a kiss on my forehead.
“I get that, but I just wanted to remind you that we want the same things. I wanna graduate college and make a career for myself before we have anymore. I already feel like we ask a lot of people when it comes to helping with childcare.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, everyone loves the kids. They like helpin’ out. It’s exactly what your dad wanted when he started this place,” he assures me.
“You and him have gotten close over the years.” I smile to myself when I look back to the time I thought my dad was gonna kill him. All that seems like so long ago. There”s a bond between my dad and Nyx now, one that”s become really special.
“He sees me differently since I fell for you, and I sure as hell understand him better. He just wants what every parent wants for their kids.”
“I want him to be happy too.” I smile sadly.
“Ella, he is happy. Don’t ya see the way his face lights up when you and the kids walk into the room? He’s so fuckin’ proud of you and he adores ‘em.” He slides some of the hair that’s fallen over my eyes back over my head and smiles at me.
“I kinda hate her for what she did.” The words tumble from my mouth unexpectedly. I know the way Nyx feels about my mother and I don’t like to fuel his fire but he’s my person and I won’t hide from him how I feel. “It was selfish of her and cruel. She knew how much Walker hated me. She denied me a childhood with a man who would have loved me unconditionally. And it wasn’t just him she took from me. She denied me any chance I ever had to know Hayley.” Tears well in my eyes when I think about the sister I never got to meet. “It’s hard to be forgiving of that.” I wipe my cheeks.
“And yet you prove you”re a much better person than her by denyin’ her nothin’.” Nyx takes my hand in his and squeezes it tight. “You allow her to have a relationship with the kids. You let her into your life and show her kindness because you”re a good person. You don’t have to like someone to love ‘em,” he reminds me.
“My dad still loves her, doesn”t he?” I feel sad for him because I don’t think he ever moved on from her.
“Yeah, he loves her. I don’t think he ever stopped lovin’ her,” Nyx points out.
“You”re right, we need this vacation.” I kiss my husband before climbing out of bed and starting to pack.