Chapter Eight
Aurora
R outine keeps me busy while Nick is gone.
Routine. It isn’t something I’ve given much thought to until Nick entered our lives.
But as I told him, keeping to a schedule keeps me sane and teaches Leah to be responsible.
But I can’t deny I enjoyed my day of fun with Nick and Leah.
We were like a family, something I never had.
And although Nick has reappeared, it still, somehow, feels out of reach. At least for me.
Nick Facetimes often from California in a way I can count on—first, during Leah’s breakfast in the morning, even if it means he has to wake up at an ungodly hour in L.A.
and then around four p.m. during Leah’s down time after school.
He’s also added a third time, around nine-thirty, right before I turn in for bed.
Tonight, I slide under the covers, my bare legs feeling the cool sensation of the sheets against my skin. Leah is tucked into bed, and two glasses of water to quench her thirst later, she is sleeping like a baby .
I tip my head against the pillows and sigh. It was a busy but productive week at work. I breathe in deep and focus on some relaxation techniques when my phone rings.
Knowing who it is, I answer without checking the screen. “Hi, Nick.”
“Hi, yourself.”
I take in his deep, rich voice. “No Facetime tonight?”
He chuckles. “No. I was at the gym in the hotel and I’m on my way back to my room to shower before dinner. I have a meeting with the new manager and his assistant in an hour. Then I can leave in the morning, as planned.”
My heart skips a beat. “So you’re coming home? I mean back to New York?” He doesn’t have a home to speak of.
“Yes. I’m coming home .” He pauses, and I know he’s letting the word linger between us. “Would you be up to bringing Leah to my parents’ place in Greenwich on Saturday? My family would love to meet you both.”
I knew the time was coming, but I can’t deny how nervous I am at the thought of facing his family. What if they blame me for keeping Leah from Nick? Or they don’t like me? I already know they’ll love Leah. Of course, I’m biased, but I know the truth—my kid is awesome .
But why do I care so much what Nick’s family will think, anyway?
“Hey. Are you breathing, or did you pass out on me?” Nick asks, his tone calming.
He’s not laughing at me.
“I’m here. Sure. That’s fine.”
“They’re going to love you both,” he says, as if reading my thoughts. “And they know the facts. That you really had no way of finding me when you realized you were pregnant. They’re going to make you feel like one of us. I promise.”
How does he always read me so well?
“Okay,” I say, letting out the breath I’ve been holding before I grow dizzy.
“I’ll come and get you, myself.”
I frown. “But my place is in the opposite direction. You’ll be driving twice as long.”
He lets out a low chuckle. “How much more nervous will you be if you have to meet me there?” he asks.
The thought churns my stomach, and I can’t reply.
“Point made. I’ll come out Saturday morning.”
I know he’s grinning, and somehow it calms me. “Thanks.”
“Is Leah asleep?” he asks.
“One story and two glasses of water and yes, she’s sleeping.”
“I’m looking forward to reading her a story again. And I really can’t wait to see you .” His voice sounds like smooth whiskey, and my body responds, softening with need. “And on that note, I’ll let you get to bed.”
“Nick?” I ask.
“Hmm?”
I draw a deep breath. “Thank you.” I sense he’ll know what for without me spelling it out.
“Anything for you. Now get some sleep.”
His low, sexy voice rumbles through me, arousing me to the point where I wonder if I’ll have to use my vibrator before I calm down enough to sleep.
“Dream about me,” he says and disconnects the call.
I roll over and open my nightstand drawer, knowing I’ll do more than dream about Nick.
***
Nick
I pull Aurora’s SUV into the driveway of my parents’ house and shut off the engine.
Set back from the street, the structure is ten thousand square feet, massive in size.
If I didn’t know Aurora lived at the Kingston estate for a number of years, I’d be concerned she’ll be intimidated by the home I grew up in.
What does concern me however, is the likelihood that she’ll be overwhelmed by the amount of family who might show up today. All my siblings have been invited. I decided to arrive early to ease Aurora and Leah into the chaos.
Obviously excited, Leah has chattered the entire trip, not giving me a chance to talk to Aurora in any meaningful sense. The only way I know what is going on in her head is by the way she is twisting her hands in her lap.
“Are we here?” Leah asks.
Aurora releases her hands and turns. “We are. Are you ready?”
“Yes!” Leah exclaims.
Well, at least one of us is excited. I glance at Aurora, about to reassure her but she’s already stepped out of the car. I climb out and go to get Leah, opening her door.
She’s already unbuckled her seatbelt and is halfway out of her booster seat without help.
“That’s some outfit,” I say to Aurora, who’s joined me.
I recognize Leah’s leggings as Burberry. They are paired with a hot pink flowered top I’m not sure match the pants. And a headband with…yes, a big pink flower, sits on her head, and white sneakers are on her feet.
“It was a gift from Chloe. Way more than I would have spent, but I appreciated the sentiment. I told Leah it was for special occasions and today she used those words against me. She declared it was an important day and she needed to look pretty.”
I laugh. My kid is smart.
Aurora shrugs. “I learned a long time ago to pick my battles.” Her gaze slides to our daughter, and she smiles wide. “Besides, she really does look cute.”
I grin. “She sure does.”
She shifts her grip on the present she insisted on bringing for my parents.
“Can I take that for you?” I hold out my hands.
She shakes her head. “It’s not heavy.”
“Are you ready? You okay?”
She lifts her sunglasses and props them on top of her head. “I’m fine. Honestly.”
I look into her pretty sky-blue eyes and believe her. “Just to say, in case I haven’t already, you look gorgeous.”
My gaze skims over her off-white, tapered pants, Chanel sandals, and a royal blue satin top, with flirty ruffles on the short sleeves, that accentuate her eyes. I know, without asking, that she’s spent a long time choosing her outfit in order to make a good impression on the people I care about.
“Let’s go!” Leah tugs on my hand.
I look at Aurora. “You heard her. Let’s go,” I say just as Leah begins to skip up the path.
I place a hand on Aurora’s lower back and lead her across the large bluestones and to the front door. Leah lifts her hand to ring the bell, but the door opens before she can push, and Serenity appears.
A wide smile graces her face but Leah takes a step back and is suddenly shy. Before I can introduce anyone, my father walks up beside his wife.
I am proud, as I say, “Dad, Mom, this is Aurora, and our daughter, Leah.”
***
Aurora
I study Nick’s parents, struck by how much Nick looks like his father. Michael’s dark hair has very few streaks of gray, and he possesses the same indigo blue eyes as Nick and Leah, as well as similar features. Looking at Nick’s father gives me a good idea of how well Nick will age.
I’ve seen pictures of my own father at Melly’s, but I don’t have any of my own. And since I was too young when my grandmother died to understand about holding onto mementos like photographs, I have none of my mother, either. Not that I consider my parents keepsake-worthy .
“Aurora, meet my parents, Serenity and Michael Dare,” Nick says.
“It’s a pleasure,” I murmur, one hand holding the gift, the other I place on my daughter’s head.
“The same here,” Michael says. “We’ve heard so much about you both.”
“And this is Leah.” Nick reaches for our little girl and she lets go of my pants and grasps her father’s, making my throat grow thick with emotion. It is amazing to see how quickly she’s taken to and accepted Nick.
Michael steps forward and crouches down, bringing him eye level with his granddaughter. “Hi, Leah. I’m your daddy’s daddy. Do you know what that means?”
The usually loud child shakes her head in silence.
“I’m your grandpa, and Serenity is your grandma.”
The beautiful woman with long black hair smiles at Leah but stays back, obviously giving her time to adjust.
“Like Grandma Melly?” Leah asks.
I smile. “Exactly like Grandma Melly.”
Leah seems to think about that. “Okay.”
“God, I wish being an adult was that easy,” Michael says, rising to his feet and putting an arm around his wife.
Serenity grins. “Nothing in life is easy, but it’s all worth it. Now that the uncomfortable introductions are out of the way, come in and make yourselves at home,” she says, kissing Nick’s cheek. “Good to see you.”
“You, too,” he says. “Where is everyone?”
“Jade is in the kitchen. She’s the only one here already.
The triplets are at their friends’ house.
At their age, it’s all they want to do, and we thought it would be easier if we didn’t overwhelm you,” Serenity says.
“There will be enough adults, as it is. But Layla is home. She’s twelve.
I figured that would be an easy enough meet. ”
“Good thinking,” Nick says.
“Thank you,” I say. Serenity is so kind. Nick hit the jackpot getting her as his stepmom.
Michael looks at Nick, then Leah. “How about we go inside and you can meet your…meet Layla.” He chuckles. “Seems odd to call Layla an aunt right now.”
Everyone laughs.
“Come on, princess.” Nick pulls Leah to him. “Let’s go meet my sister.” He glances at me, silently asking if I’ll be okay with Serenity.
I give him a subtle nod.
“Aurora, we can go hang out in the kitchen. Jade wants to meet you. And Nick told us about your charity. I’d love to hear more about it,” Serenity says, gesturing for me to follow .