Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 44

Alaia

I adjusted my little one’s sweater. Nick had insisted that the kids visit his house, and after suggesting it for several days, I finally agreed. Ash and Loli have gone to the UK; it’s been a week since they left. They decided to go together, and their absence was deeply felt. Freya and Thea visit us often, as does Cedric, who has rented an apartment for them, so they’ll be here for a few weeks. Since my mother is organizing tonight’s dinner with them, today Elise will accompany the kids for their first afternoon with Nick. I took a deep breath.

“Are you ready, darling?” I asked my beautiful Alana, and she looked at her clothes.

“Noah is ready too,” my mother said, and I turned to see my handsome little prince.

“Today you’ll visit Nick. Aunt Elise will be with you and take care of you. If you want to come back home, just tell Elise, and she’ll bring you back, okay?” I explained clearly to both of them, and they nodded, looking at me with those beautiful eyes.

I pack Alana’s favorite blanket in the small suitcase, and my mother takes both suitcases where we’ve stored the kids‘ favorite toys.

“Let’s go,” I took them by the hand to the van and buckled them into their seats.

“Goodbye, my loves, behave well,” my mother said goodbye, and they waved their little hands and blew kisses.

Elise and I got into the van, and I sent Gavin the location of the house since he’d be the one driving us there.

It didn’t take more than ten minutes to reach the address. Just as we arrived, I saw Nick’s van pull up, allowing our car to enter first.

I took my kids, and that’s when I noticed the house. I couldn’t deny that the house was wonderful and looked quite large.

“Hey, champ,” Nick got where we were and got down to the kids‘ level.

“Hi, Ik,” said Noah, returning the fist bump, or rather, a little fist bump.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he said to Alana, taking her little hand. She smiled, scrunching up her tiny nose.

I admit Nick has stepped up; he’s done everything I asked. He’s present, plays with them, knows more about their likes, watches over their sleep, and the kids have gotten used to his presence.

“Welcome, come on in,” Nick shook Elise’s hand and just looked at me. He pointed to the entrance, which consists of a double door made of wood and glass.

We walked behind Nick, who let us in. The house was decorated in neutral colors and looks very elegant. My children observed everything with curiosity and seemed a bit shy.

“Go ahead, this is your home; you can play as much as you want,” he told the kids, and they looked at each other, starting to walk slowly and approach the objects that attracted their curiosity.

That didn’t seem like a good idea to me, as Alana soon grabbed a statuette from the coffee table in the living room.

“Sweetie, don’t touch that,” I told Alana, approaching where she was and taking the statue. It was Italian art.

“No touching,” she wagged her index finger.

“No, my love.”

“Nick, you shouldn’t have these kinds of objects within your reach.”

“They can touch whatever they want; it’s their house, everything belongs to them.” He looked at my kids, who were watching him.

“Touch,” said Alana.

“No, my love,” I insisted and looked at Nick, “they could break it and hurt themselves.”

“Marshall,” he called and an older man appeared.

“Sir.”

“Remove that piece.” He looked around, and we saw that it was the only one, “and eliminate any object that could endanger my kids,” he said. Elise turned to me, raising her eyebrows.

“As you wish,” he nodded. “Elise, Alaia, this is Marshall. Soon you’ll meet his wife, Sophie; they work for me and are trustworthy people. Sophie is a chef and is already aware of the kids‘ menu.”

At that moment, the mentioned woman arrived.

“It’s a pleasure,” Marshall nodded towards us.

“Nice to finally meet the kids and you,” Sophie said with a kind smile and leaned toward my children, who were just watching the couple.

“Likewise,” I said, and so did Elise. They seemed like good people, but I couldn’t let my guard down.

“Sophie, please show them the house. I’ll change into something comfortable,” Nick said, “as I’ve mentioned, this is your home,” he looked at me and proceeded to go up the stairs.

“Follow me,” Marshall requested, and they showed us every corner of the enormous house. I saw that everything had the necessary precautions, so my kids could move around freely, and to my surprise, everything was in order.

At one moment, we reached the backyard, where we heard dogs barking. I didn’t pay attention until I noticed a boy bringing two huskies, one completely white and the other honey and white. They were beautiful.

I looked at Marshall, thinking the boy had invaded the private property until he came closer to where we were, and Marshall approached to take the dogs‘ leashes.

We soon heard Alana’s excited scream upon noticing the dogs.

“Mommy, Doggy, Doggy!” said Noah, pointing at them.

“I love you,” he said, kissed me again, and we made love once more.

*****

“Alaia,” Elise called, touching my arm. I blinked, returning to reality.

“Yes?” I said, looking at the dogs and my kids who hadn’t left their side.

“You can go; remember you have to get ready for dinner,” she said. I nodded unconsciously.

Nick arrived where we were, wearing a white polo shirt and light denim pants.

“I see you’ve already met,” he approached the dogs, bent down to pet them, and we looked at each other silently until the kids caught his attention.

“I have to go. I’ll send my bodyguards to watch your entrance,” I said and approached my kids to kiss their heads. The dogs came close, preventing me from leaving.

When I managed to free myself from Cupcake, I said goodbye to everyone and left the house to go to mine. I had some things to do before getting ready.

I went home and went up to my room, took a bath, and sat in front of the vanity.

I stood silent, looking at my reflection, unable to avoid the memories flooding me.

“Everything okay, daughter?” my mother entered my room while I was drying my hair.

“Daughter?”

“Yes, fine, Mom,” I replied.

She had the red dress I’ll wear tonight.

“Are you sure?” she questioned, sitting on the bed.

“I’m worried about the kids and their first day with Nick,” I said, though that was not the reason.

“They’ll be fine. It only took a few weeks to know he does care about the kids,” she mentioned after a sigh.

I nodded, still feeling strange for some reason. I shook my head and pushed all those memories aside.