Grace
Twenty-Five
I smile at my newly framed picture a month after new years.
Finally getting a frame that I thought suited the picture - glittery pink with flowers and love hearts, I put it right in the middle of the photo collage I have been adding to over the past half a year.
There's so many good memories in these photos.
Good memories to replace the bad ones. And the new addition has got to be one of my favourites.
Definitely worth being exhausted for the rest of the day over.
I put my hands on my hips and try to hide my smug smile.
“You couldn’t have put it in your room or something?” Julian grumbles from the sofa. Crossing his arms and pouting like the adorable little grump he is.
“Nope.” I pop the P. “I think it looks perfect right there.” He groans and slaps a hand over his eyes. “I mean, you look soooo cute. So why shouldn’t I put a cute picture of my boyfriend up on my wall.”
He beams at the word boyfriend. “That’s the first time you called me that.” He stands, “I fucking love it.”
“LANGUAGE!” Gustin whisper shouts from where he’s snuggling Nattie-Grace on the chair.
Anya has gone out with Dante, Bull and the three boys along with Pea to pick up some new school supplies.
We've all agreed that the little ones should begin school and Anya and Gustin are being home schooled by Dante, who told me yesterday he has been continuing his teaching degree online.
I’m so fucking proud of him.
Holding back my laugh as Gustin berates Julian for using such foul language in front of his daughter - the DNA test came back and confirmed what we already knew - I wrap my arms around the big goof.
“I’m so sneaking it out when you’re not looking.” He whispers in my ear.
“Na,” I stand on my tiptoes and lower my voice so Gustin can’t hear, “because if that picture disappears, I’ll never let you taste me again.”
He stills, “fine. You can keep the damn picture.” He grumbles with a smile.
“Good.” I kiss his jawline, then let him go.
“Grace, do you think we could talk?” Gustin asks, “alone.”
Julian nods and leaves to go and get the earlier promised takeout - after a lot of convincing from everyone, Julian finally agreed to take a break from cooking and have pizza. “Sorry.”
“Gustin…”
“Please let me finish,” he sighs and puts Nattie-Grace into her bassinet beside the chair.
“I know I say it a lot. But this is a personal apology to you.” I sit beside him.
“I love her, Grace. I am in love with Anya, but I know she's too good for a fucked up boy like me.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “She’s asleep, I can swear.” I let out a quiet chuckle. “What do I do?”
“I think you should tell her.” I pat my shoulder and he lays his head against it, I lift my hand and stroke his hair. “It’s best to be honest when it comes to feelings.”
“You think?” He sniffs.
“I know so. I didn’t tell Julian I felt for a long time, I missed out on years with him because of it.” I smile. “Plus, we all know how you feel.”
“You do?”
“We do.” I sigh, “and you’re not a fucked up boy Gustin.
You’re a young man who has had a troubled past, but has a bright future ahead of him.
” I spin to face him. Holding his face in my hands.
“I want you to listen to me and listen well, okay? I am so, so proud of you.” Tears spring to his eyes.
“ We are all so proud.” I grab some tissue and wipe his eyes.
“Don’t let your past define your future.
Be the man you need to be for your baby.
For yourself. I will always be here to assist you in any way I can. I love you, Roo .”
“I love you too, Kanga.” He sobs and wraps his arms around me. “You’re the best mother figure I could have ever asked for.”
“And you’re the best person I could ever wish to be with my child.”
I rock him as he cries, letting out years of trauma.
Years of torture. This is the worst it’s ever been since he’s lived here.
But with all the sleepless nights for the past few weeks, the stress of waiting for the DNA results and making sure Anya is okay with her newfound confidence, it’s taken a toll on the teen.
I’m still rocking a sniffling Gustin when Dante arrives along with all the kids, Bull following close behind carrying all the bags.
“What’s happened?” Anya rushes over, falling to her knees in front of us. “Are you okay?” This is the first time seeing him cry and she’s scared. Understandable.
“I’m alright.” He sniffs putting his brave face back on for her, reaching down to pull her up for a cuddle. “Can we talk?” She nods and they walk into their room.
“Auntie Grace, catch.” I barely catch the rubber ball that comes flying towards my face by Iggy.
He and his brother Rory look so much healthier now.
Bull got the adoption papers signed a few months ago, sorted by someone they call the big boss.
I don’t know who he is, but I thank him for keeping the boys with their dad.
“Whoops sorry!” He jumps on me, literally, along with Rory and Nico.
“Careful boys.” Dante and Bull say in unison.
“They’re fine.” I start tickling them all.
All three fall to the floor in fits of giggles.
God I love my little family, they may not be perfect, but they’re mine.
When I look around for my best friend, Bull tells me that she’s gone with Julian to make sure he gets all the right toppings on the pizza. I just roll my eyes.
“Typical.” I tut. Then chuckle. “Julian is actually pretty annoyed at her, so that’s going to be fun.”
“Oh, you mean spilling the beans about you to his mom?” I nod. “Ha, yeah that wasn’t her.” He smiles smugly. “That was me.”
“What?” Dante chokes on his water. Almost spitting it all over me. “Sorry, kitten.”
“She called me old. And Julian pissed me off when he… you know.”
“Seriously?” I suck my teeth. “All you bandits are so petty. It’s hard to believe you’re adults at times.”
“Hey.” Dante pouts, looking hurt.
“Not you baby.” I purse my lips for a kiss. “I think me and you are the only ones who are actually grown up about things.”
“You were the one that messaged Pea to tell her the gossip as soon as you managed to get thirty seconds away from these two to pee. And you say you’re a grown up.” Bull states.
“It wasn’t gossiping. It was informing my best friend of a decision I made.”
“Well, she gossipped to me.” He snorts. “For a full hour about how…” I put my hand up.
“I know, she gave me the same spiel when we went out for coffee the next day.” I scrunch up my nose when she was questioning me on who went first, how many times did I O, how big are they etcetera etcetera.
And with her being my first proper friend, I didn’t know whether I could confide in her about those sorts of things.
Of course, she ended up getting the answers from me, her relentless questions were giving me a headache - although it was probably from the lack of sleep, I think blaming her is better.
The three boys finally stop their mini tickle fight between themselves and decide to gang up on me, along with Bull , and pin me down tickling my feet and hips. Dante standing there watching with a smile.
I fucking love his smile. I love his eyes, I love his softhearted personality, his tenderness for his child.
I love him.
I love Julian.
And for once in my shitty life - I love myself.
After pizza and a very sulky Pea trying to find out who actually told Julian's mum about me - which we didn’t help her with, letting her suffer and saving Bull from Julian's wrath, we leave Pea and Bull with the kids while me and my men go back to the warehouse, where two more monsters are waiting for us.
I put my mask on with pride.
Yes, I’m sick. Get over it. Or under it, just not under my men. They’re mine.
“It’s spine-chilling how excited you get when we’re about to enter this room.” Dante shivers. I know he hates being in here, but comes in with me because he wants to make sure I’m okay. It makes my heart swell.
Dante’s sweetness balances out Julians psycho.
“I’m happy to be taking another predator from the world. That’s all.” I lift my mask and plant a wet kiss on his cheek. “You know you don’t have to come in amore mio. ”
Why does something feel so wrong today?
“I know. But I want to, gattina. ” He pulls me into his arms, always wanting to touch, not like I mind. The more the better I say.
“You ready, our bloodthirsty little devil?” Julian hugs me from behind, kissing my neck. Being back between them makes my skin heat up. In that marvelous way of desire. I need them both inside me again soon.
Bare.
I need to get these kills done, and then I can go to pick up my pill prescription. The sooner I start them the better.
“Keep doing that and they’ll have to wait to die a little longer.
Can’t be having that.” Dante captures my lips with his quickly, before moving away, leaving me in the arms of a very turned on Julian.
I move away from him unwillingly. We’ve all snuck away every night for the last week to be together, and yet I still can’t get enough.
I don’t think I’d ever get enough of my men.
“Fine, but after they're dead, I’m joining you for a shower. Watching you for all those years, your body slick from the water, drove me fucking crazy.”
“Shower sex with Grace is the best.” Dante quips, winding Julian up even more.
“I bet. I mean, she gets soaked just thinking about us, brother. I can just imagine how wet she is in the shower.” His hand glides under my jeans and panties, his middle finger teasing my entrance. “Shit, she’s all ready for us already.”
“Julian.” I pull his hand away. “Patience.”
“Aww.” He pouts. “But fine. Foreplay first.” He grabs his knife from the table.
“You know how much you tease me when you get covered in the blood of your enemies.” I roll my eyes, forgetting that my mask doesn’t have mesh over the eyes like theirs.
“Keep rolling your eyes at me baby, I love when you’re cheeky. ”