Chapter 34 Jayne
We didn’t spend much time bringing Larsen up to speed.
She was busy, and I needed to get back to feed JJ.
Not only for that reason. I missed him something fierce.
I wasn’t sure I really wanted to leave him alone again tonight, but I knew Sin’s family would get a big kick out of seeing the aurora borealis.
As we walked into the palace, Sin said, “Do you mind if I swing by to see Ezreal? I want to mention the security issue to him. I won’t be long.”
“No, go ahead. He’ll probably want to know how the visit with Serja went.”
“I’ll fill him in. See you in a few minutes.”
I kissed his cheek, and we parted in the main corridor.
When I walked into the apartment, headed for the kitchen to drop my slice of to-go cake off, Lila and Zinnia were in the living room. Lila was on the couch, looking at photos on her iPad. Zinnia was crocheting what looked like a tiny sweater in black and gray stripes.
I had to smile. Those were definitely Sin’s colors. I loved that she wanted to dress JJ like his daddy. “Whatever you’re making, Zinnia, I love it.”
“Thanks. It’s a rugby sweater. Might be a little big but that way JJ can grow into it.”
“Great idea.”
Lila glanced up. “Where’s Sinclair?”
“He had a quick errand to run.” I didn’t want to freak anyone out with the extra security bit just yet.
“Your dress was delivered from LeRoy’s. I hung it in the coat closet. How was the interview?”
“Thanks.” I sighed. “It was fine. I don’t think it got us any closer to finding our killer, though.”
“That’s too bad.”
I glanced at the iPad. “What are you looking at there?”
Grinning, she turned the iPad so I could see it better. “Who’s this look like?”
I stared at the black and white photo a second, then frowned in confusion. “Did you take that? Is that JJ?”
“No, that’s Sinclair when he was a baby. Anson scanned and uploaded a bunch of our old photos so we’d have them in an online album. I kept thinking JJ looked like his dad as a baby, so I had to check. I was right. Of course, Sin’s hair was black, not dark blue, but in this picture you can’t tell.”
“Wow, they really do look alike.” I sat next to her, studying the picture with a smile on my face. It was almost like looking at a mirror image of JJ. And Sin had thought our son took after me. “I’d love to have a copy of that.”
“I’ll send it to you.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate you and Zinnia looking after JJ for us. How was he?”
Zinnia’s hands kept moving, and I swore I could see the sweater forming before my eyes. “He’s an angel.”
Lila nodded. “He was so good. He’s been sleeping for about an hour. You know, those cats of yours just love him. They’re in the nursery with him now.”
“I know, it’s very sweet.” I stood up. “I’m going to peek in on him.”
“We’ll head back to our apartment then,” Lila said. “I might take a quick nap before the big festivities this evening.”
“Same here.” Zinnia tucked her crochet work into the craft bag next to her. “I don’t usually stay up that late, so if I don’t nap, I’ll fall asleep.”
“Thank you both so much. I’ll see you tonight!”
They left, and I slipped quietly into the nursery.
JJ was still asleep, so I didn’t touch him, even though I wanted to pick him up and hold him and kiss his sweet face. Spider and Sugar were curled up under the crib. The only signs of them were one black paw and the tip of a white tail sticking out.
My happy little family. And the rest of my happy extended family scattered throughout the palace and the town. I was so blessed.
I sat in the rocking chair, looking over at JJ, my heart full, and yet somehow not as full as it could have been.
I had an aunt I’d never met. JJ would never meet her, either. She would forever remain a mystery to us. As good as dead. It was sad. And understanding what had happened with her had done nothing to make me stop thinking about her.
Mysteries had a way of sticking in my brain.
Where was Janvier? What had she been like as a kid? Would she and I have been friends? What would my life be like if my dad hadn’t become king? Very different, I bet.
Would I have ever been sent to Nocturne Falls? Probably not. Which meant I never would have met Sin. Or married him. Or had JJ.
An odd weight settled over me, a strange sense of melancholy over things that had never happened. It was silly to feel like I’d lost something when, in truth, I’d gained so much because of what Janvier had done.
Life was funny sometimes.
I heard the door and Sin calling out, “Hey, I’m home.”
I got up and went to greet him. “JJ’s sleeping, and your mom and aunt just went back to their place. How did it go with Ezreal?”
“He’s going to reach out to the head of palace security and make them aware we might need some extra coverage.” He looked into the kitchen. “Have you really not eaten your cake yet?”
I poked him in the arm. “No. I was going to eat it after I fed JJ, but he’s still asleep. I don’t think that’ll last too much longer though.”
“So the plan is feed JJ, eat cake, then what?”
“Nap? That’s what your mom and aunt are doing. Tonight will be on the late side, so it’s not a bad idea.”
“My parents are used to being up late.”
“True, but they’re not used to being up late after getting up early.”
“Also true.” He leaned closer on his crutches. “Couch or bed?”
Hmm. The couch was big and comfortable, but the bed meant we could snuggle. “Bed.”
“Sounds good to me. Movie?”
“Definitely. Something we’ve already seen and perfect for drifting off to.”
“I’ll find something.”
Soft whimpers drifted from the nursery.
I raised a finger. “That’s my cue. Meet you in the bedroom.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re going to eat cake in bed?”
“No, I was going to eat it in the kitchen so I don’t have to share.” I started laughing before I got all the words out. “Yes, I was going to eat it in bed. I won’t get crumbs on the sheets, I promise.”
The whimpers got louder. Spider came walking out. “Mama, little brother is crying.”
“I know, I hear him. I’m coming.” I gave Sin a smile. “Gotta go.”
“I’ll get your cake ready.”
“You’re the best,” I called over my shoulder as Spider and I went to take care of JJ.
“Dadman is the best,” Spider said.
“Yes, he is.” I scooped JJ up from the crib. “Mama’s here, sweet boy.”
He stopped fussing.
If only solving this murder was that easy.