Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ELLIOT
M y mind continues playing the scene at Fern’s childhood home. Her mother reminds me a lot of mine. The way she treated her hit too close to home. Thank you for helping me while I needed you, but you’ve disappointed me, and I don’t trust you anymore.
That’s what I heard, maybe it’s not what Dawn Spearman meant, but it took a lot of strength not to snap at her. Fern has to fight her battles, but I’ll let her mom and her brothers know that their behavior toward her has to change or they’ll have a problem with me.
Fern is not alone. She has me, and I’ll never let anyone hurt her.
“Do you need anything?” I ask as we arrive at her house.
She shakes her head. I take her into my arms. “It’s going to be okay. She’ll come around.”
“I’m capable, you know?”
I kiss her temple, cheek, and the corner of her lips. “You’re going to be the best mother ever. I just know it. Why don’t I cook us something?”
“So I can puke it up later?”
I pull out an energy bar from my pocket. “Here, let’s keep those snacks going.”
“You’re carrying them with you?”
I wink at her. “It’s part of the service.”
She chuckles. “And what is that?”
“Keeping my baby mama fed and happy.” I caress her cheek and head to the kitchen.
After preparing tea with warm milk for Fern, the way Mom used to make when my sisters needed some extra TLC, I search through her fridge.
There’s not much, but I find some veggies and pasta.
That should do for today. Tomorrow I’ll make sure to stock the kitchen so I can start cooking more often for her.
I’m chopping some peppers when the doorbell rings.
Fern is on her couch, too comfortable to move. I’m about to wash my hands to check who it is when I hear the commotion. “Honey, we’re home!” a male voice booms throughout the house.
There’s a whistle and so much noise my back tenses.
Fern gives me an annoyed look. “Well, at least they rang the bell,” she mumbles.
“Your brothers?”
“Yeah. This isn’t good. They’re supposed to be having dinner at Mom’s.”
“So, we moved the party to your place,” Lysander says as if he knows that Fern is concerned about his presence.
Huxley almost runs to Fern’s side and tackles her. “Are you okay?”
“I am, bud. I thought you were working tonight?”
He shrugs. “We have people. I had a thing with a friend, but?—”
“I’m glad he didn’t come, or things would’ve gone from scary to torching the house,” Gatsby says as he steps into the living room holding his wife’s hand. “Cory was ready to start a revolution.”
“Vive la révolution!” someone yells. I can’t recognize which brother did it.
Maia heads to hug Fern, and so does Keaton.
But Huxley doesn’t move from her side. It’s like a child not letting his mother go.
I knew they were close. I’ve witnessed it, but seeing how concerned they are about their sister makes me miss my family.
We stopped being like that long ago, and I wish… I want to have that again.
Maybe that’s why I’ve been around them for the last year. Not only because I can’t stop thinking about Fern but also because I want to be a part of them.
Before we get sidetracked and they fuss around Fern, I have to feed her. “So, you guys moved the dinner here?” I ask, wondering if I should order food.
Aslan nods. “We did.” He glances at Fern and then at me. “Thank you for getting her out of there.”
I don’t tell him that if I’m around, no one will treat her like shit or make her feel like she’s not worth it—not even her mother. “It’s all good.”
“What happened?” Fern asks. “Mom’s not going to be happy.”
“Cory confronted her,” Gatz answers.
I notice his little sister is clinging to Heath as if she’s ten and in need of her big brother. “It’s going to be okay, squirt.”
“I don’t care if she doesn’t want to see me again. I’m just too angry.”
“Do you want some tea with warm milk?” Fern asks.
I place my hands on the counter. “Before you continue this discussion, I need a second of your attention. We don’t have enough food?—”
Maia waves her phone. “I’ll get that. Their usual is already stored in my app.”
“Okay, that’s settled. I’ll make the tea for Cory. No one upset my woman or you’re out of here. Do you understand?” I warn them, and everyone nods in agreement.
I’m not surprised that while we’re having dinner, Aslan, Lysander, and Gatsby push me into a corner.
“What are your intentions with my sister?” Aslan asks.
I almost laugh. Fern doesn’t need them to fight her battles, but I understand what they’re doing. I did the same with Kyle, even though he’s been my best friend since we were ten.
“To follow her lead,” I answer with honesty.
“She’s been hurt—I assume her wounds have to do with what happened with your parents.
I want to be with her, and at some point, marry her.
However, I said too many stupid things before realizing I was in love with her.
I’ll have a hard time convincing her that I want us to be a family. ”
Gatsby rolls his eyes. “I told you that hiding who you were was a bad idea. Be careful with her or I’ll call my people. They’ll make you disappear, and no one will ever notice that you went missing.”
“What’s going to happen with your mom?” I ask, ignoring his warning.
The three of them shrug.
“We asked her to go back to therapy,” Aslan says. “Cory was a little harsh with her. I guess my sisters make it look like they have a great relationship with Mom, but they actually don’t.”
Lysander squeezes my shoulder. “Listen, I understand that you’re trying to work things out with Fern, but?—”
“I’m not going to hurt her.”
“What are you three doing?” The triplets jump at the sound of Fern’s firm voice. It’s kind of funny to see them react like that. They’re scared of her.
I take her hand and pull her to me. “How are you?”
“Fine.” She glares at her brothers. “I wouldn’t say the same about you three.”
Lysander smiles at her. “You love that we’re overbearing assholes.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “No, I don’t, but I do love you. Thank you for coming.” She yawns. “You need to stay away from Elliot.”
Aslan shrugs. “I can’t guarantee that, but to show you that we care, I’ll get these savages to clean the place and leave.”
She hugs him. “Thank you for being a great big brother.”
“It’s going to be fine,” he assures her.
Lysander and Gatsby hug her too. In just a few minutes, they clean the living room and kitchen. Thirty minutes later, the house is empty and quiet.
“That was…” I close my eyes, finally able to relax.
“They’re noisy.”
“And efficient.”
Fern places a hand on my chest and looks up at me. “Thank you for today.”
“There’s nothing to thank. We’re a team, aren’t we?”
She sucks on her bottom lip. “There have to be boundaries between us.”
“What are we talking about?”
“We’re going to be parents. Neither of us is looking for a relationship. You like to be single, and I want to find someone who loves me no matter what. It’ll be pointless to continue having sex when that will confuse us or give the wrong idea to those around us, including the babies.”
I hear what she says but hold onto just one phrase. “Someone who loves you no matter what?”
She nods a couple of times. “Whoever falls in love with me will be okay with my messy family, introverted personality, and the babies. Even with you since you’re now part of the package.”
I smirk. “Glad to be part of this package. Do you want a tea with milk like the one I prepared you earlier?”
“Would you mind?”
“I’ll be happy to.” I wink at her. “Maybe afterward, we can read a nighttime story to the kids before you head to bed.”
“Where are you staying today?”
“Probably Blake’s place.”
“You can stay in my guest room,” she offers.
I press my mouth tightly to suppress the grin. She just gave me an in into this house, and I’m going to exploit the fuck out of that invitation. In just a few weeks or months, she will realize that I love her, and I’ll do anything for her.
“If that’s okay with you, I’ll bring my things from the truck.”
She narrows her gaze. “Don’t make me regret this, McPhee.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “I wouldn’t dare, Spearman.”