Chapter 28 Emma #2
My heart warms in my chest at the look on his face. There’s only one word to describe it, love. “I miss you so much, baby. I miss you both so much,” he says softly.
“We miss you, too. Come home to us soon.”
“Soon.”
We get lost in the moment, our eyes burning deep inside each other’s soul.
“Bunny… I—” he starts but stops to look up at whoever just entered the room.
“Yo, time to get ready. Oh, shit. You’re on the phone.” Silas suddenly joins the frame with a wide grin. “Hey, Mackenzie. Hi, Princess Dino,” he says before bouncing back off the bed and wandering off.
Greyson sighs and looks down with disappointment for a moment. He looks back up and offers me a sad smile. “I gotta go, baby. I’ll call you tonight after the game. Kiss Buttercup goodnight for me.”
“I will. Bye, Wolf.”
“Bye, Bunny,” he whispers back before hanging up.
My dad sets my phone down on the table in front of us, and I place Gracie back on the ground as she tries to wiggle out of my hold. When I turn back to my father, he gazes at me with an intense look.
“You love him.”
“So much…” I whisper. “I’ve never felt anything like this, Daddy.
Sometimes it’s so strong, I feel like I can’t breathe.
I feel completely lost when he’s not here, like I don’t know how to function anymore without him.
It’s never been like this.” I take a few calming breaths, trying to gain control over my emotions quickly surfacing.
“I don’t know how I ever thought I loved Tommy, because I didn’t feel an ounce of what I feel for Greyson.
And that terrifies me. He has the power to destroy me, and even if I didn’t want that, there would be no way for me to stop this.
” I don’t realize my hands are shaking until my father puts his over mine.
I sniffle and blink rapidly, trying to clear the glossiness from my eyes.
“It’s normal to be scared, Sunflower, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
Because from where I’m standing, with the way he looks at you, it’s clear as day that he feels the exact same way,” he tries to reassure me, his thumb rubbing over my knuckles.
“Don’t fight those feelings, sweetheart; cherish them.
People would kill to feel them, even just for one day.
Hell, even I wish I could have had that kind of love in my life.
I’m just glad you get to experience it because it’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. ”
“But I don’t even know if we want the same things.
I want the whole fairytale, Dad. The wedding, the house, the kids.
He already has two-thirds of those things.
What if he doesn’t want more kids? Or to ever get married?
” I say, worry lacing my voice. I know he mentioned it in his song, but what if they were just words?
“I think that’s a talk you two should have. And if he doesn’t, then you need to figure out if those are things you are willing to give up.”
I simply nod, that worry growing like vines inside of me. Could I really give up on marriage and kids if he doesn’t truly want that?
~ Three Days Later ~
“How’s your organization going along? When are you guys set to launch?” Morgan asks from her spot at the kitchen island.
We’re currently at Cecilia’s house, waiting for the boys to get back.
They won their game last night and automatically clinched a playoff berth.
The team will most likely have a party within the next couple of days to celebrate, but we wanted to have a little get-together with the gang when they got back.
“Oh, it’s going great,” Cecilia says with excitement.
“Everything is moving along perfectly. We already have a few employees lined up for the launch, as well as more than enough sponsors and donations. We originally wanted to launch at the end of June after the playoffs. But since we’re all going on vacation at the beginning of July, it would have been silly to start an organization and not even be present for the start of it. ”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t be the best way to start a company and wouldn’t give a great image, either,” Aubrey agrees.
“Exactly, so instead we pushed it back to the end of July. We already have ten separate events scheduled, as well as the launch party,” she informs the girls while sipping her glass. We went with pina coladas today rather than our usual wine or margarita.
“What is it you guys will be doing exactly? I didn’t quite follow when you talked about it last time,” Ronnie asks as she makes herself a second cocktail.
“We’re essentially a non-profit event-planning organization for the less fortunate.
Specifically birthday parties or celebrations for children who come from low-income families or foster homes.
Even orphanages and anything that doesn’t have the funds to provide these special little moments that should be celebrated,” I tell her, feeling fulfilled for the first time in a while, like my life finally has a purpose again.
“Wow, that’s really cool. But how do you make money off this? I mean, if you have employees, you’ll need to pay them somehow,” she questions in return.
“You’re right. Even if we are a non-profit organization, we still need a way to make income to stay in business.
We plan on having fundraising events regularly where we’ll collect donations.
We also want to make our own brand of merchandise that we’ll use during the parties but also sell on the side at an affordable price for those who simply need supplies. ”
Cece nods in agreement. “Plus, the place we’re buying as the company’s headquarters also has a huge hall connected to the side, so we won’t be needing to rent out venues. But we’ll still give the option to have it in the families’ homes if that’s what they prefer.”
“Wow, that’s great!” Aubrey smiles. We’ve talked about it a bit here and there with the girls but never went into deep details like this.
“We also already have a short list of places that are willing to rent out their venues at a minimal cost if we ever decide to go with something different. Honestly, we aren’t doing it for the money.
We just want to make their special day a little easier and brighter when times are already so hard for them.
” Cecilia smiles emotionally. She has such a big, beautiful heart.
“It’s amazing what you two are doing. It’s definitely gonna be a hit.” Morgan takes both our hands from her seat in front of us, a sweet, genuine smile lining her lips. “Have you thought of a name yet?”
I nod my head eagerly. “We’ve decided on ‘The Mackenzie Rose Funhouse’. It’s fun and playful and pretty easy to remember.”
“Oh! That’s a good one. And how’s the nanny hunt going?” Aubrey asks from beside me.
“Oh God! It’s a nightmare. Who knew men could be so hard to please?” I sigh as I drop my head dramatically to the counter, arms stretched out above me.
“They aren’t. A simple blowjob and they’ll agree to anything,” Ronnie says with a frown.
“Oh, hun, you have so much to learn. That works for the most part… until you get married. I swear, it’s like a switch is turned on in their brain, and suddenly sexual acts don’t daze them long enough to agree anymore.
So instead we just do whatever we want and then settle the argument with sex.
” Cecilia shrugs, then giggles, earning an approving nod from Morgan.
“So what’s making finding a nanny a hard process?” Aubrey questions.
“Well, let’s see. Silas wants an older woman who isn’t attractive in any way and is highly educated with years of service. Greyson wants a younger nanny because he feels that an older one won’t have the energy to play and take care of two young kids,” I start.
“Silas doesn’t want the nanny to take the kids out of the house because he fears what could happen while watching two kids out in the open. Greyson wants the nanny to take them out for a minimum of one hour to get some fresh air,” Cecilia adds in with a sigh.
“Silas wants a strict routine in place, while Greyson prefers if things are changed up every day to make it more fun for the kids. You see where we’re going with this, right?” I ask, exhausted at the thought of everything the boys have been disagreeing about.
Morgan, Aubrey, and Ronnie all stare with wide eyes, at a loss for words.
“They can’t agree on anything except that she can’t be attractive and doesn’t care too much about hockey players. Which we both agree on the last part, we really don’t want to invite a crazy fan into our home and around our kids.” Cecilia points a finger with her glass in hand.
“So in the end, we’re looking for a sixty-year-old woman with forty years of experience as a nanny.
Who has the health and physique of a twenty-five-year-old but looks like Nanny McFee.
Who will give the kids a routine yet changes it up daily.
Take them out for some air, but without leaving the house.
And she can’t be obsessed with hockey.” I give them a tight, exhausted smile.
“If you have any suggestions for our problem, please, ladies, provide them,” Cece says with exasperation as she drops her head in her hands, elbows resting on the marble surface.
“What if the nanny only took them out in the yard? It’s still on the property, so technically they aren’t leaving the house,” Morgan offers as a solution for one problem.
“And for the routine, maybe stick to a schedule including naps and feeding times. But change it up daily when it comes to activities. Like that, there’s a routine but also some change from day to day,” Aubrey adds, fixing another one of our nanny issues.
“Okay, yes, those could actually work. But what about the age and physique issue? How do we fix that one?” Cecilia asks, looking at our three other friends.
All noise dies down as they search their minds for an easy fix that neither Cecilia nor I could come up with. Dante and Gracie are still napping upstairs, and the boys still haven’t arrived. The silence grows so loud that all you can hear is Milo’s soft snores from the doggy bed in the living room.
That is until Ronnie starts to giggle mischievously. “I got it.”
“Tell us,” I practically beg as I drain the last of my glass.
“Let’s be real. The only thing the guys actually care about is that she isn’t attractive. That there’s no chance of causing problems.”
“Most likely, yeah,” Cece answers, to which I agree.
“Okay. So, here’s the answer to all your problems…” She pauses to give a more dramatic effect, making us all wait in anticipation. “Hire a male nanny,” Ronnie finishes with an evil grin.
Morgan spits out her drink while Aubrey stares with wide eyes, horror written all over her face. She clearly knows how her brother will react to that.
“Oh, they are going to kill us.” I giggle as I turn to Cecilia, who bites her lip as she tries to hold in her own laugh. Seems we’ll have to start our search over again. Grey and Sy will definitely not be happy about that.
“Just don’t tell them. Hire the person, and when they show up, then you’ll deal with it,” Morgan says with a shrug.
“That might actually make it worse…” Cecilia says with hesitation.
“Would you rather inform them first? Because I can guarantee it will be a no from Grey. What about you? Do you think Silas will say yes to having a male nanny around his wife all the time?” I raise a brow in question, already knowing the answer.
“Oh God, no. Never,” she says with wide eyes as she shakes her head.
“Exactly. So the only option we have is to do it behind their backs and deal with the consequences when the contract is signed.”
Just then, the door flies open, and in come our favorite hockey players. I turn to the girls quickly with a warning look. “Not a word of this.” They all nod and leave the island to greet the boys.
I stand back and admire as they all smile and laugh, welcoming them home.
I watch as Cecilia jumps into her husband’s arms, Morgan kisses Clay with all the passion in the world, and Ronnie hesitantly lets Noah and Gabe hug her.
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the little smirk playing on her lips.
I turn my attention to Aubrey next, who hugs Greyson with so much love and affection.
Suddenly, Greyson’s head lifts my way, and our eyes lock.
He releases his sister and stalks over to me, a blank expression lining his features until I’m within arm’s reach, and a heart-stopping grin breaks free on his lips.
He lowers quickly, his hands wrapping around my thighs as he hoists me off the ground, then he spins us in circles as I laugh my heart away.
“We made it, baby. First team to be clinched for the playoffs. This is our year, I can feel it, Bunny. We’re taking home that cup. And when I do, we’re spending all day in bed next to it,” he says as he stops spinning us and looks up at me, euphoria radiating through his voice.
I giggle and shake my head, arms outstretched as I hold on to his shoulders, my hair falling around us. “I am not having sex beside the Stanley Cup, Greyson.”
He smiles wide with a hint of devilry. “We’ll see about that.”
I throw my head back and laugh while he lowers me slightly, my elbows now resting on his shoulders. I look back down at him, pushing my hair behind one ear. “You’re ridiculous.” I smirk as he rubs the tip of his nose against mine.
From beside us, the baby monitors come to life, letting us know the kids are now awake. They must have sensed their daddies.
“We’re on it!” Gabe informs as he sprints up the stairs, followed by Noah.
I turn back to Greyson as he gazes up at me. “I’m so proud of you,” I whisper and lower my head, sealing my lips to his, devotion exploding through our kiss.
“My Bunny,” he murmurs against my lips.
“My Wolf.”