Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Josie
Six Months Postpartum
Leaning back into Monty’s chest, I watch everyone enjoy the beautiful day before us.
Monty’s arms tighten around my center, pulling me in closer to him.
Heaving out a content sigh, I watch as my mom plays in the baby splash pad area with Hayes.
He’s loving every minute of the water, using his feet and his hands to make as big of splashes as he can muster.
Harper was just the latest victim of Shiloh’s bucket challenge since we arrived. Monty and Xavier have been taking the brunt of it, and us girls thought we managed to get out of it.
We were wrong. Now as Harper comes back sopping from head to toe, she wraps herself and sits on the lounge beside me.
“That wasn’t too bad was it?” I inquire, because I know my time is coming.
Harper’s body visibly shakes. “The water itself wasn’t terrible, it was the anticipation of the bucket flipping over and waiting for the water to hit that sucked. A cold shock to the system.” Xavier puts another towel around her before pulling her into his lap.
Glancing over, I notice Evie is quiet. She looks like she’s off in another world, there’s a look of anguish that radiates off her. Causing my chest to constrict with the need to comfort. The moment quickly changes as Shiloh jumps in front of her.
“Come on Evie! It’s your turn!” He grabs her hand and begins to pull on her. Her body language changes from somber to bright. A warm smile spreads on her face as she stands up.
“It’s my turn? Well alright, let me just take this off.
” Standing she unties the tie of her dress.
Shrugging the material off her shoulders, letting it drop to her chair.
Monty’s grip on my stomach tightens, and he adjusts himself while simultaneously dragging me closer to him.
Placing a kiss on the crook of my neck, I tilt my head to allow him more access.
My eyes stay on Evie as I take in the sage green of her bikini. The shade complementing her olive skin. The top criss crosses on the top and then wraps around her torso twice. Monty’s lips trace back up my neck, before stopping at my ear.
“Fuck, she looks stunning.” He whispers in my ear. Nodding my head in agreement, I continue to follow her as they head toward the water.
Watching Evie and Shiloh is something magical. She doesn’t just follow along, but she makes sure she’s at his eye level. She actively listens to him no matter what he talks about, even if he’s told her the same story countless times.
Something settles in my stomach as I watch how effortless it is when it comes to Evie.
She’s the best thing that could have come into our lives.
I mean more than just her being the nanny.
I have found a friend. Someone who is there consistently, where I can be my most authentic self.
She understands my need to care for people, and Monty’s goofy antics.
Hell, sometimes she joins in on those antics.
I don’t know what Monty’s take on things are.
We’ve talked about our attraction, we also talked about the complications that could destroy the flawless dynamic that has developed in our everyday routines.
If we move forward with anything and it isn’t received well then it could be catastrophic.
Not only to us, but to our boys who have grown accustomed to her presence.
We spend the rest of the afternoon taking turns in the park with Shiloh. I make sure everyone keeps up with sunscreen and water. I don’t want anyone to be burned or have heat stroke and be out for the count. Hayes spent his time in the baby section and is currently sleeping in the shade.
Shiloh approaches me, putting my book down, I prepare for him to declare it’s my turn to go back into the park with him. Instead he crawls into my lap, wrapping his little arms around my neck and burrows his face in the crook.
This boy is wiped out, giving us our sign that it’s time to head back.
“I think it’s time we head back for supper, yeah?
” my voice is not too loud, but enough for him to hear me.
I don’t get a reply but just a nod of his head.
I look over to where Monty, Xavier, Harper and Evie are sitting at a table playing a round of cards.
Our parents had made their way back to the rentals about an hour ago, telling us they were going to get supper started.
As if sensing me, Monty looks up and sees Shiloh curled up in my arms.
A soft smile touches his lips, and we communicate without speaking. He looks back to the group and says something that I can’t quite hear but know he’s stating it’s time to go. The rest of the group begins to pack up and bring things to the cars.
Evie walks over to me and smiles, “Do you want me to pack up Hayes and his stuff for you?” she asks me, but already begins to collect the items that were laid out into the diaper bag.
“Thank you.” I respond, thankful that I can soak up a few more minutes with my tired boy.
When everything is packed in the cars we all pile in and head back.
We get settled at home, I find my mom is setting the table while I notice the guys have gathered around the barbeque.
Shiloh zooms past me, energy restored and ready to take on the world again.
He grabs Harper's hand and drags her toward the patio door.
“Come on Auntie Harper, I gotta show you this cool thing I found in the backyard.” He tries to speed up while Harper follows behind. An uneasy look on her face as she agrees to follow him.
“That cool thing he said he found can be anything from a rock to a dead bug.” Evie comments beside me. I stifle a laugh and watch as they exit to the back yard.
“You aren’t wrong. The things kids find cool is vastly different than what adults find cool.
” I respond, thinking about all the times Shiloh has told me about something cool he has found.
I’ll never forget the pure disgust I felt when he came up to me at the park one time, claiming he found the coolest thing as he approached with hands behind his back.
When he came forward with a sock that was somehow soggy and crusty at the same time.
My body shudders, wishing I could scrub it from my memory like I did with Shiloh’s hands after I chucked it in the garbage.
He was distraught, but I managed to calm him down easily enough and before I knew it he was playing happily in the park again.
I walk over to the fridge to grab something to drink
“Are you thirsty? Do you want a drink?” I ask over my shoulder reaching to grab myself a Diet Coke.
“Oh yes please, a Diet Coke.” Evie answers, sitting down at the dining table, she has her phone out and begins to scroll.
Grabbing the cool can, I take my place across from her, placing the drink in front of her.
“Thank you.” Evie hums as she cracks the can open and takes a drink. I find myself watching how her lips rest along the can, her neck straining as she pulls the liquid from it. She licks the rim before placing it down on the table and suddenly, I'm parched.
Quickly opening my own drink I take a few pulls, savoring the fizzing sensation of the carbonation as I swallow.
When I place the drink down, I notice Evie has her phone hanging lazily from her hand, her eyes homed in on my lips.
I swipe my tongue across my bottom lip, which snaps her attention up to me.
Instead of shying away from being caught Evie's lips pull to the side as she tilts her head.
I open my mouth to say something but I’m interrupted when the patio door opens and the sound of my husband laughing as he enters the house.
“Dinner is served!”