Chapter 61 Zander #2
I shake my head. “No, I want to come up with something way more romantic, but I just… I’d love you to be my wife before we have any more kids.
I know that’s old-fashioned, but I’ve wanted to marry you since…
” I tip my head, memories flooding me, but the truth is…
“Our first date. Watching you devour that insanely sweet dessert, teaching you how to play mini golf. I knew then that I wanted you forever. I just…” I wince.
“I lost my way in the middle there for a little minute. But I promise, I am never letting you go again.”
“I know.” She jumps up, wrapping her legs around me and kissing me until I can’t see straight.
I groan, palming her ass and giving it a light squeeze while gliding my tongue across hers and forgetting that we’re in a house full of people.
“Food’s ready!” Tyrell hollers, walking through the kitchen with a steaming tray of brats.
I take my time, finishing up my kiss before pulling away and smiling at Sienna.
Baxter eases past us, and I barely notice him until he lets out a “Whoa” and catches a missile with blonde curls as she races through the kitchen.
“No running in the kitchen,” Sienna reminds her.
I reluctantly lower my woman to the floor. We’ll pick this up later, and I seriously need to come up with a decent proposal. And a ring. Shit, I need to find the perfect ring. I’ll get Monica to help me with that.
My mind is ticking over while the bustle of activity in the dining room grows.
Sienna gathers up the drinks and is about to take them through when she’s stopped by Carson.
He frowns down at her, and I give him a warning glare, which he doesn’t notice because he’s too busy taking in Sienna’s unimpressed scowl.
Okay, so we still have a few kinks to work out with our living situation.
But I’ve yet to think of a decent solution. I wanted to get the girls settled after that clusterfuck with Russell.
“Ah!” Zoey lets out another scream, diving in front of Carson to hide from Kai.
Carson winces at her earsplitting volume and tries to move away from her, but she wraps her little arms and legs around him, sitting on his foot when Kai makes a move to tickle her.
Carson darts his foot away so Kai can’t reach, and Zoey laughs.
“Again! Again!”
“No! Get off me, kid.”
Kai stiffens at Carson’s grumpy voice, shrinking away from the guy and darting out of the room.
Sienna tuts. “Carson, be nice. You tone is too harsh. You just scared him.”
“I don’t give a shit,” he grumbles.
“He don’t give tit.”
“Zoey!” Sienna frowns. “Do not talk like Carson. He uses bad words.”
Confused, Zoey stares up at Carson like she’s thinking, He wouldn’t do something bad, would he?
I fight my grin as he stares right back at my adoring daughter.
“Get off my foot. I’m leaving.”
“No.” Zoey shakes her head. “Stay. Pay.”
“I don’t want to play.” Carson lifts his leg and gives it a shake, but Zoey holds on tight, giggling like this is a fun ride. “Seriously, would you get her off me?”
His exasperation is hilarious, but I don’t want him accidentally hurting my little girl, so I grab her around the waist and help my buddy out.
Pulling her against my chest, I give him a smile, but all he can do is narrow his eyes at me and growl, “This isn’t working, Donohue.
Either you find some new digs or I will. ”
I wince, hating that idea. Carson can’t leave. He’s too unpredictable, and he needs us to keep an eye on him.
But I don’t want to go either.
Unfortunately, that’s the better choice. Sienna and I will need to figure this out sooner or later.
“Sorry, man,” I mutter. “I’ll try and come up with something soon.”
“I still say we convert that garage out back into a studio apartment.” Wily walks in on our conversation. “You know Baxter’s thinking about starting up a reno business. Maybe we could give him some work.”
I hiss. “Not sure I can afford that, man.” Especially now that I have a ring to save for. I still have some funds left in my college account, but it won’t be enough for both.
“We can try pitching it to the landlord. Maybe he can cover the cost, or we can go halves with him. I’ve got the money.”
“Your family has the money,” I counter.
Wily rolls his eyes and ignores my comment. “It’ll definitely up the resale value of the house. Right now, it’s just an empty, wasted space filled with junk. I’ll help empty it out and prep it.”
Wily’s getting all excited, and I look across the room at Sienna, who’s nodding with a little grin.
Yeah, that could be a fun project.
I move out of the kitchen with Zoey and start hunting for Baxter while Carson mutters, “Thank fuck,” behind me and heads for the front door.
It slams a few moments later, and then Zoey and I watch him rev his motorcycle and shoot out of the driveway.
Shit, I have no idea where he’s going right now, but I hope he doesn’t do anything reckless.
He’s been off for a few weeks now, and I put it down to Sienna and Zoey being here.
The problem is, when Carson’s off… trouble always follows in his wake.
“You okay?” Sienna’s arms wrap around me from behind. Leaning her cheek against my arm, she stares out the window with me.
“Yeah.” I nod, turning so I can put my arm around her. Giving her a reassuring smile, I kiss her head. “Come on. Let’s go talk to Baxter and see if we can’t make ourselves a little studio apartment out back.”
She gives me a happy grin, kissing Zoey’s chubby little hands before heading into the dining room. I trail after her while Zoey pokes my cheek with her little finger and asks, “Daddy pay?”
“Yeah, of course I’ll play with you. Let’s just have some food first. Hey, how about a hot dog. I bet you’ve never had one of those before.”
I grin, walking into the dining room while Zoey cheerfully shouts, “Ho dogs! Ho dogs!” making everyone in the room but her mother laugh.
Giving Sienna a little wink, I prepare lunch for our daughter and see how easy it’s gonna be to get used to this.
Marrying Sienna. Making babies with that beauty. Raising Zoey and however many other kids we have.
Damn, if that idea doesn’t make me the happiest man on this planet.