Chapter 30 Derrick
DERRICK
We are back from the rollercoaster that was Monaco, and things between Isla and Finn are not good.
I told Finn that I will not get involved, he has to sort it out himself because I told him what to do months ago, and he didn’t.
This is their journey, and I know they will eventually sort it out.
Look at Vanessa and Christian, it was hell for a couple of months, but they worked out.
Sienna and Evan had a bumpy road, too, and he flew halfway across the world to fix it. I have faith in them.
It's an exciting day today as we get the keys to the building next door. “Can’t believe this is ours.” We stare at the building Sienna just purchased for our business.
“It’s exciting.”
“But this will be your project, Sienna doesn’t need the stress,” Evan says in daddy protect mode.
“Babe.” Sienna groans.
“Don’t babe me. You have been throwing up every day.
You’re struggling to get out of bed with this pregnancy.
This is a huge project to undertake, and I know you are a strong, capable woman who can do anything, but I’m worried about you.
I can’t just sit back and watch you struggle and not do anything. I love you.”
Dammit, Evan, that’s sweet.
“I will video call you every day. You can FaceTime into any meeting, I’ll even put cameras up so you can watch what is happening from home,” Stacey adds.
“Love that idea,” Evan says.
“All plans will be run past you. This is your project, too, but baby Wyld is more important. It will be the face of the kids’ store,” I tell her.
“Fine. But I trust you guys, you don’t have to include me in everything.” Sienna grumbles.
“We can’t do much with the wedding and holidays around the corner. Luckily, what needs to be done to the shop is all cosmetic as the shop is in good condition. The contractors know what you want as they are the same ones who helped us in the first place,” Stacey explains.
“Looks like you all have it worked out.” Sienna huffs.
“We do. Now, Evan, take your lovely wife home and look after her.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” He grins and takes Sienna home.
“I feel bad for her, she so wants to be a part of this,” Stacey says.
“She needs to stop getting knocked up by her husband then.”
“Please, as if Evan would ever allow that. She’s lucky she got a bit of a break between Ryder and this next baby. You know he’s going to knock her up again. He probably has some kind of breeding fetish,” Stacey muses.
“You’re the one who would know all about fetishes,” I tease. Stacey flips me off. “How are things going with Ragnar?”
“We’re having fun.” Stacey smirks.
“Really …” I push.
“D, it’s just sex. We have an agreement that this is casual. I’m not looking for anything more with anyone. Between you and Sienna, my life is full of work. I’m too young to be settling down. Oscar is great, he’s not clingy, and he doesn’t get upset if I’m on a date with someone else. He’s great.”
My brows pull together. “And you don’t get jealous?”
She shakes her head. “No. I’ve watched him screw other girls in front of me before. It’s kind of hot.”
“Knew it. You are a freak.” I chuckle.
“I like what I like. Maybe one day I won’t like it from the person I’m seeing, but I’m not there yet.”
“More power to you, girlfriend. I was jealous all the time when I was with Chance,” I confess to her.
“That’s because you didn’t establish the boundaries of your relationship.”
“Yeah, that definitely didn’t happen.” I sigh.
“He also wasn’t honest with his intentions. Oscar has been honest from the start, as have I. We both talked about what we wanted from the other, and that’s why it works so well,” Stacey explains. Wow. She really does have it all sorted out.
“You’re like a kinky Yoda.”
We have a weekly dinner at a different person’s house, we are co-dependent like that, and tonight we are at Vanessa and Christian’s home for dinner.
They had a baby checkup, and we are all over at their place to celebrate.
Once we’ve sat down, with Finn at one end and Isla at the other end, Christian clears his throat and announces that they are having twins, showing us the black and white image of two little jellybeans.
“Twins!” I gasp. Oh my god, Ness, your poor vagina having to push out two watermelons.
“Two little Christians running around. Shit.” Axel chuckles as he sips his beer.
“Twice the fun.” Christian smirks.
“I remember what it was like to be stuck with you, those poor kids,” Axel bites back.
“Do you know what you’re having yet?” Isla asks, staring at the little image of their babies.
“No idea,” Vanessa answers.
“I hope they are girls, just to torture Chris,” Oscar announces. Christian flips him off.
“Yep, I think they will be girls, too.” Isla smirks.
“As if you’re a radiographer, you can’t tell from this image,” Finn argues with her.
How dare he be a dick to my girl.
“Whatever, I just have a feeling,” Isla says, rolling her eyes at him.
“I think Sienna and Evan are having a girl,” Stacey adds.
“Nah, I think it’s a boy. I mean, my swimmers are pretty potent,” Evan adds.
Chris throws a cushion at him. “Are you saying my swimmers aren’t any good? Because I created two kids at once, I’m so potent.”
“Jesus, they are arguing about whose stuff is more potent. I don’t need to know anything about my brother’s swimmers, thank you very much.” Charlotte groans.
“So, when do we find out about the sexes of your babies?” I ask. We need to know what kind of aesthetic we are going with. And if it’s twins, are we dressing them the same, or the same outfits but different colors, or completely different?
“Doctor told us next month, so after we get back, they should be able to tell, unless you have a blood test like I did last time and find out,” Sienna explains.
“Okay, so we hold off on decorating the nursery, then,” I advise.
“Hold on, decorating the nursery? Isn’t it a little early to be doing that?” Christian asks.
“Um … no, there’s so much to do, and you now have two, Mr. Taylor, so twice the amount of work,” I remind him.
“And twice the amount of money,” Evan teases.
“Hey, Mr. Moneybags, don’t you dare grumble about dollars because you loved how awesome Ryder’s nursery was,” I remind him.
“Yes, yes, it was pretty cute, but the bills were not,” Evan tells me.
“Lucky you know someone who is about to open a baby boutique,” Charlotte states.
“I’m going to need the family and friends’ discount.” Christian groans.
“Sienna, are you hoping for a little girl this time?” Stacey asks her.
“I would love a little girl, but I’ve just mastered little boys so it would feel like starting all over again.”
“I’m still wrapping my head around twins,” Vanessa says, shaking her head.
“She had a panic attack in the car,” Christian tells us.
“As if you weren’t freaking out, too,” Vanessa adds.
“I feel for your vagina, Ness. Two babies at once,” I say, shaking my head.
“Thanks, D,” she grumbles.
“Hey, don’t talk about my wife’s vagina. Her vagina is awesome and will always be awesome.” Christian glares at me.
“You don’t have to stick up for my vagina, babe,” Ness tells him.
“Hell, yeah I will because I love it,” he says, nuzzling her neck and probably whispering dirty things into her ear, judging by the pink cheeks Vanessa is sporting.
“You’re going to need a bulk order of horny goat weed soon, especially because she has hormones for two,” Evan teases.
“Please, my stamina is unmatched,” Christian says triumphantly.
Sienna and Evan look at each other and burst out laughing, which makes Christian frown. I remember how voracious Sienna’s horniness was, and she only had one baby inside her, Ness is going to kill poor Christian.
“You have no idea what’s coming for you, buddy.” Evan chuckles knowingly.
“Anyway, the Dirty Texas family is going to welcome three new babies next year unless someone else surprises us,” Vanessa jokes.
“Don’t look at me. It would be a miracle if that happened,” I say, holding up my hands.
“Ew, yeah, I’ll pass,” Isla says, screwing up her nose at the thought.
“Don’t look at me. I don’t want any of what is happening over there. Keep your baby-making juju away from me,” Stacey adds.
“Not on your life,” Axel adds.
“I wrap up every single time,” Oscar declares proudly.
“Never,” Finn grumbles.
“Oh, come on, you guys, our babies need friends. How cool would it be for all our kids to grow up together,” Sienna pushes.
You're preaching to the wrong crowd, girlfriend.
Vanessa: Camryn just found out Harris has been cheating on her.
Derrick: Bastard!
Isla: No way.
Sienna: Is she okay?
Stacey: How did she find out?
Vanessa: She organized his engagement party.
Derrick: What???
Sienna: He’s got a fiancée.
Isla: I’m confused.
Stacey: How does that happen?
Vanessa: Apparently, Kim was dealing with the in-laws, and it was all secret squirrel business, which is normal she said, if it’s a celebrity.
Derrick: Harris is not a celebrity.
Isla: Harris is a dick, that’s what he is.
Stacey: Agreed.
Sienna: He gave me the creeps.
Derrick: Me too.
Vanessa: I never suspected anything.
Isla: When did she find out it was his engagement party?
Vanessa: At the event when the fiancée introduced them.
Derrick: No.
Sienna: Did she tell his fiancée?
Isla: Hope she stabbed him.
Stacey: What did she do?
Vanessa: She was stronger than I would have been. She smiled and pretended she didn’t know him.
Derrick: Nooo!!
Stacey: Oh wow.
Isla: I would have punched him in the dick.
Sienna: The poor thing. That’s horrible.
Vanessa: He told her he was on a business trip the night before, and he had been messaging her all day saying how much he missed her.
Isla: Men are lying assholes.
Stacey: Dick.
Sienna: So, the fiancée has no idea?
Vanessa: Nope. Cam suspects Harris’ father set it all up to get her away from him.
Derrick: Like father, like son.
Isla: Assholes.
Sienna: Is she okay? What can we do for her?
Vanessa: Nothing. She’s decided to head to England early. Get out of New York to clear her head.
Derrick: Good idea. I can’t imagine what she must be going through.
Sienna: Poor thing. She must be devastated.
Isla: How can men lie like that?
Stacey: Did Harris say anything to her?
Vanessa: Yeah. Told her he didn’t love the woman, that his father is making him marry her or he will cut him out of the will.
Derrick: Of course, he chose the money.
Vanessa: Wanted Cam to be his mistress.
Isla: The audacity.
Sienna: Creep.
Derrick: Camryn is too hot to be someone’s mistress.
Vanessa: Right? Once she’s mended her heart, she is going to find someone so much better than that cheating asshole.