15. Gabriel #3
She shakes her head. “No. Nothing, not even a text. I don’t know what he’s playing at, and that worries me. He would send me a message at least once a day before, but now it’s been three days of radio silence.”
“Think about what we offered you, Veronica. It would only help make you feel a little safer. I promise we won’t coddle you.”
She nods. “I’ll think about it. Just give me these two weeks to make my decision.”
“Okay.” I kiss her crown. I can’t get enough of kissing her. I have this vibrating need to always touch her in some way, and I love that she now comes willingly.
“Hey, are you guys up?” Emma appears in the narrow walkway with Gracie in her arms.
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” I ask her.
“Gracie’s having a hard time falling asleep, and I really need to use the washroom. Everyone else is sleeping. Would you mind watching her while I go take care of business?”
Veronica straightens and reaches out with her hands. “Of course, take all the time you need.” She takes Gracie from Em’s outstretched arms. “Come here, princess. You’re gonna spend some time with Aunty Ronnie while Mommy goes to tinkle.” She places her down on her lap, facing her.
“Thank you so much! Those bathrooms are so tiny, going in there with a toddler is horrible.” Emma widens her eyes, then rushes off to said bathroom.
“What’s going on, princess? Why aren’t you sleeping like the rest of these muggles?” she asks Gracie in a hushed tone.
I chuckle. “Did you just call us muggles?”
“Don’t judge me. I’ve been binge-watching Harry Potter in my spare time.”
“Are you going to start casting spells on us? Make a glass of scotch appear with…frozen water inside?” I cover my laugh with my fist.
She glares at me, which only makes it harder to stop laughing. “I can’t just make things appear for you. That’s not how magic works.”
“Okay, okay, Hermione Granger.”
“Shush it.” She bumps her shoulder into mine.
“Do you want kids?” I have no idea where this question’s coming from, and by the wide eyes Veronica gives me, she doesn’t either.
“Umm… I don’t know. Honestly, I never saw myself having kids. I love Gracie and Dante, but I don’t know if motherhood is for me.” She won’t meet my eyes now, like the question is making her uncomfortable.
I hum in response. Her answer kind of bums me, and I’m not sure why. Like her, I’ve never really seen kids in my future. I’m not opposed to it, but it’s never been on my list of needs. It’s not something I’ve given much thought to, not like Ellis. Despite his shitty past, he really wants kids.
I still remember the way his face lit up when we found out Cecilia was pregnant. He was so happy that there would finally be a baby around us. It was like he was the husband finding out his wife was pregnant.
“You?” she whispers eventually.
“I’m a little indifferent to the idea. If I have some, great, but I’m also fine not having any,” I tell her truthfully.
She nods, seeming lost in her head, then turns to look at Gabe, who’s still sound asleep. “But Gabe wants kids, doesn’t he?”
I’m not sure where we’re going with this conversation. We’re nowhere close to being ready to talk about the future and babies. I’m guessing Clay’s comment two weeks ago got inside our head without us realizing it.
I nod. “He does.”
She chews on her lip with a frown while cradling Gracie to her chest, and I place my hand on her knee to get her attention.
“Hey, it doesn’t matter what we want or what you want right now.
We’re just getting to know each other better.
How about we just focus on our relationship first and see where that goes before even thinking about potential kids?
There’s no need to stress about anything like that. ”
I smile at her. “If whatever is going on between us three does develop into something more down the line, then we can reevaluate and have a more serious conversation about it. But that won’t be any time soon. It was just a simple question, Kitten. Nothing more.”
“Okay.” She sends me a small smile in return.
“Thank you so much!” Emma shows up again. “I thought I was going to burst in my seat. Come on, little Tulip. It’s time to go night-night.” She reaches out as Veronica passes Gracie back.
“You’re welcome. If she doesn’t end up sleeping and you want a little break, don’t hesitate to pass her over again,” Veronica tells her.
“I should be fine, but I’ll keep that in mind. You two should try and get some sleep, too. We have a big day ahead of us.” She grins and walks away with Gracie.
I look at Veronica as she turns to face me. “Are you tired?”
“Not really, I slept through the whole first flight,” she says, shaking her head. “And I’m a little excited to arrive on the island.”
“You know what I’m excited for?” I grab her chin and pull her closer to my lips.
“What?” she breathes against them.
“Seeing you in all those pretty bikinis you bought, or maybe even without them.” I bite her bottom lip delicately.
She smiles with a soft giggle. “Of course you are, Casanova.”
She brings her hand up to my nape and fuses our lips together, shutting me up for the rest of our flight.