Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 43

Alaia

“Bye–bye.” My children said goodbye, as did Aidan. The three children seemed to be Darius‘ reason for living.

“Is Great–Grandpa gone?” Ash asked as soon as I arrived in the room with my little ones, who entered like lightning.

“Auntie!” they shouted when they reached her.

Darius had come a couple of times since I allowed him to see them. Ash prefers to avoid him, although, with the change in his attitude, I think she won’t say anything to Kurt. We can’t be sure, so we’ll continue as we are for now.

“Hello, my precious little ones, did you miss your aunt?” Ash leaned down, and they hugged her for several seconds, which indicates that they miss her, even though they’ve only been apart for a few hours. My cousin smiled, delighted.

“He’s gone. The good thing is that he always announces his visits, so there’s no chance he’ll see you.”

“It’s okay, we can’t deny him visits with the children. Him loving them is already a miracle.” She stood up and sat on the bed with them. “He’ll be back in the UK soon, and I’ve been busy lately. My studio is the only place I can be these days. I have to send the entire collection next week, and I’ll have to make a quick trip to see the fabrics before I start making them.”

We stayed with her for a while as she went back to her chair and continued designing.

“How’s the donor?” she asked, drawing a line on the dress she was designing.

“He surprised me. He’s interested in getting close to them.” I looked at my babies.

“That’s strange,” Ash said, looking at me.

“The way things ended, and the fact that they threatened you to make you get rid of the pregnancy, I thought he wouldn’t want them,” she said, annoyed.

“I know. I don’t want to think about it right now. I’ll just observe his behavior.”

“Uh–huh, observe,” she said, laughing.

“Not like that, you perv,” I replied, throwing a pillow at her. The kids get excited and we start a little pillow fight.

*****

A week has passed since Nick’s visits began, and I must say he’s trying. He was trying to get

close to the children, and they were accepting him little by little. To be honest, I was still not used to his visits.

I was getting ready to leave and let Nick into the house’s movie theater with the kids, but my baby wouldn’t let me, and I couldn’t say no to Noah. I couldn’t say no to anything they asked for. I would do anything for them, even share space with Nick.

During the movie, Nick looked at Alana and seemed delighted with her. It was something I wouldn’t believe if I hadn’t seen it.

Finally, the movie ended and we went out to the living room. All I could see was the attention Nick was giving my babies.

“Ceddy!” my children shouted, and my gaze went to the entrance where my fiancé entered with his mother and grandmother. I wasn’t expecting them.

I watched as Cedric leaned down and hugged my children, who received him delightedly, while Nick clenched his jaw.

“Princess.” He walked over to where I was, with each of my children in his arms, and leaned in to kiss me very close to my lips. When we separated, I noticed Nick was watching us.

“What a surprise.” I smiled, looking at his companions.

“My mother and grandmother decided to come. As soon as they found out I was coming, they wanted to surprise you,” he explained and looked at Nick.

“He already knows,” he whispered, and I nodded.

“Alaia, darling.” Freya hugged me. “Look how precious the children are,” she said after hugging me. She reaches out to caress my children’s cheeks.

My mother and Elise, who had just arrived, were talking to Grandma Thea.

“We didn’t want to wait. We decided to come see them as soon as the plane landed.” Cedric’s mother took my hand.

“Oh, I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” She noticed Nick’s presence.

“Enough, both of you,” Alaia hissed. “Nick, I’ll walk you out. Stop acting like jerks.” She took my arm and pointed the way to the door. The son of a b***h smiled, knowing that he’s the one who gets to stay. “Sweethearts, come on. Let’s say goodbye to Nick from the door.” She called my children, and they walked to the door with us.

Once there, I leaned down to say goodbye to my children. Alana shook her little hand, and Noah punched me, which made me smile, as did Alaia.

“Are you going to marry that jerk?” I had forgotten about the so–called wedding. I stood up, and she looked at me.

“He’s a good man, and he only acts like a jerk when you’re around,” she said, annoyed. “You two should try to get along. I don’t want the children caught in the middle of this.”

I grimaced.

“I bought a house nearby.” I changed the subject. I don’t think I can get along with Cedric. That’s not going to happen.

Alaia looked confused when I mentioned the new house.

“I’ll be moving in soon. I hope you’ll let me take the kids, and spend the hours that I’m entitled to with them once everything is settled.”

“You should have consulted me before making that kind of decision. And I don’t know. I need to see how they feel being alone with Loli and you in that… house.” She looked annoyed.

“You’re welcome to come if you want to keep an eye on me.” I had to get close to her somehow, and if in the process I took her away from that blonde i***t, it would be perfect.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll go, but not for you. I just want to make sure the house is safe for my children.” Her eyes are full of annoyance as she looks at me, and a short silence falls between us. I think this is the first time we’ve been alone, just the four of us.

“You should go now,” Alaia said, breaking the moment.

“Honey, dinner’s ready.” Paula went out of the house.

I nodded at Paula and turned my back to go to my truck.

Alana and Noah waved goodbye. Alana led them back to the house.

I couldn’t help but feel a great emptiness wash over me.