Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Blake
Ilike Liam. If I had to choose a favorite of Skyla’s men, it would absolutely be Liam.
Maybe it’s because he kind of reminds me of Zayden—the humor part, hold the unhinged.
Or maybe it’s because he’s been a godsend with the kids.
Every time I turn around, he’s playing some game or baking something with them.
Doing anything to distract them from the fact that their dads have basically been MIA since we arrived at this house full of strangers just before Christmas.
I know it’s nearly impossible for me to keep them completely sheltered from this life. I mean, this is our life. It’s one that we’ve all chosen, and there’s no changing it. I think it’s the least I can do as a mother to try, though.
We all sit back, casually chatting as we watch the kids watch the movie.
Well, Jackson and Brooks are watching the movie.
My boys are currently fussing over Seraphina, getting her pillows, blankets and doing everything they can to make her comfortable, and that little girl is eating it up.
I don’t know if they’re behaving this way because they see their dads acting like that with me or what, but it’s fucking adorable.
We only make it twenty minutes into the movie before a fight breaks out, which, honestly, is a record for them.
“Move!” Aries snaps.
“I did,” Ryder scoffs.
“You’re still touching her!” Aries says before he shoves Ryder away from Seraphina.
Ryder looks away, clearly trying to conceal his tears as Seraphina looks to Aries.
“You need to say sorry! You hurt his feelings.”
Aries looks at her and shakes his head. “I’m not gonna say sorry. He’s being a baby.”
“I am not!” Ryder says, then jumps over Seraphina and pushes Aries. It quickly turns into a scrap, and Asher, myself and Liam all move forward. Liam extracts Seraphina from the middle; Asher holds Aries back as I grip Ryder.
“That’s enough. Cool it,” Asher says in a tone that brokers no discussion.
Both of the boys fall quiet as they look at him before Ryder tears out of my grip and runs for the stairs.
I let out a heavy sigh as I turn to Aries. “You will be apologizing to your brother in the morning. Go brush your teeth and head to bed.”
“The movie isn’t over!” he argues.
I widen my eyes at him as the movie instantly turns off.
“Bedtime, kids. Let’s hit it,” Skyla says.
Several groans of protest sound from the couch, but I look to her and mouth, “Thank you,” before heading upstairs to track down Ryder.
When I step into the boys’ room, I don’t see him at first, but I hear him. Soft sniffling sounds come through the window, and I look to see it cracked open and Ryder sitting out on the flat roof.
“Ryder, get inside right now! You’re gonna fall!” I snap.
He looks at me and frowns before slowly coming back through the window.
He always does this at our house in Seattle, and that doesn’t have a flat roof.
Don’t come for me—we’ve literally had to bar his windows.
He likes being outside, looking at the stars, and he’s going to give me a fucking heart attack one of these days.
As soon as he’s inside, I lock the window behind him before shutting the curtains. He’s standing in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest and a pout twisting at his features.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask as I crouch down in front of him.
“Aries is a jerk,” he mutters.
I can’t help but laugh at that, shaking my head. “He’s not a jerk, sweetheart.”
His deep brown eyes come to me in frustration. “He’s always picking on me. I wasn’t even touching her.”
I let out a soft sigh as I rub his back. “You know your daddies always fought like this as kids too. It’s what brothers do unfortunately. It’s okay to speak up and tell him that you don’t like the way he’s treating you; it’s not okay to retaliate.”
“What’s that mean?”
I smile and huff. “Hit him back.”
“But that’s not fair!” he argues.
“Life isn’t fair, babe. Aries will be punished for pushing you, but now you’re in trouble too.”
He mutters under his breath, but I’m unable to make any of his words out.
“You both need to try to be a little kinder to each other. You’re family.”
“I wish Seraphina was my family instead.”
I don’t know how to respond to that, but luckily I don’t have to as he continues.
“Do we have to leave? Can’t we stay with them?”
I smile sadly. “You like it here, Ry?”
He nods as I do the same.
“Me too. We’re not leaving just yet, so enjoy the time you have, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Alright, go brush your teeth.”
He does so, begrudgingly, and I look to see Dominic is in the doorway watching me with a soft smile.
“Hi.”
I smile back. “Hi,” I say as I stand. Then I walk towards him and he wraps his arms around me.
“Did you hear all that?” I mutter into his chest.
“That our sons are six and already fighting over a girl? Yeah, saw that coming.”
I laugh at that. “Tell me it gets easier.”
He slips his hand beneath my chin, forcing me to look at him as he speaks. “Afraid not.”
Another laugh escapes me. True facts—I’ve got first-hand experience on that matter.
“I’m not sure there’s any tearing these kids apart. When we’re able to go home, that is,” I say.
Dominic shrugs. “They’ll get over it. Seattle to Salem isn’t exactly a weekend drive.”
That saddens me more than it should, which is stupid, I know. My stomach begins to twist and ache at the thought of leaving, which is so weird because I should be craving home more than anything. Home means we’re safe, home means we’re free. Instead…
I push out of Dominic’s arms and tear towards the bathroom.
“Mommy?” Ryder asks as I barely make it to the toilet before emptying my entire stomach inside.
“Give us a second, Ry,” Dominic says as he rubs my back soothingly.
My stomach heaves several more times before the nausea settles.
Dom is watching me with concern and pursed lips.
If I just threw up over the thought of leaving our newfound friends, that would be dramatic.
Morning sickness didn’t hit me this early with the twins.
Glancing to Dom, I can practically read his every thought.
I see the questions dancing through his head; I can feel the words on the tip of his tongue.
I shake my head, though, begging him not to ask, and to my relief, he doesn’t. We just stay there and he continues rubbing my back until the sickness slowly eases.
I’ll tell them. Soon. Just… not yet. Not when there are still three out of the Four Horsemen out for our heads. They don’t need the extra pressure, the extra worries, and neither do I. Once I tell them… it’s real, and though I’m coming round to the idea of it… I’m still terrified.