Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 62

Alaia

We finally arrived home. My children looked so awake and happy to see me in the car with them. Carefully, I hugged and kissed them before Loli and Erika took them inside the house.

“Alaia.” Sondra came out to meet me and greeted me affectionately, although her face showed concern.

“I’m fine,” I said, taking her hand. “I prepared something light for you to eat for dinner.” I nodded as Nick approached my seat and carried me in his arms to my room.

“Mommy, princess,” my daughter said when she saw me in her father’s arms, and she smiled at him, as did Nick. “I want to take a bath,” I said before Nick took me to bed. “I can help you.”

Nick’s voice was husky, and I parted my lips slightly, not knowing how to respond. Okay, Alaia, focus. “I appreciate your disinterested offer,” I regained control of my sedated body and took two steps back. Nick watched me, and his gaze told me he found what was happening to me amusing. “But Sondra can help me.”

“It seems like you’re trying to run away from me,” he muttered, taking a step to close the distance I had imposed.

“That doesn’t make sense,” I replied.

“It does to me. What I’m not sure of is if you’re running away from something you want to get away from or if you’re running away from something you want.” He came closer, looking very confident.

“I don’t want you.” I lifted my chin, our eyes locked in a challenge. “Miss,” Loli returned to Sondra. I cut off whatever was happening and went with her to the shower, where I saw a large bruise under my breasts that hurt to the touch. I felt a bit of peace knowing that González was where he deserved to be.

Loli would be in charge of bathing and changing the children.

Sondra helped me into comfortable pajamas. I settled into bed, my body resisting my movements. Erika and Ignacio said goodbye when they finished dinner, and I was grateful to have people like them in my life.

“I should go,” Darius entered my room after I allowed him to pass. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. I just called your father. They’ll be here tomorrow morning. Aidan is coming tomorrow, too. He’s worried about you,” he commented, and I smiled at the thought of my little brother. “The security personnel will be at your complete disposal.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“You don’t have to thank me. You’re my granddaughter,” he replied, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. I nodded and watched him leave. Sondra arrived with a tray in her hands. It smelled delicious. I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. Following her, my children entered like two earthquakes and climbed onto the bed.

“Careful, my darlings. Mommy has a boo–boo, here.” I pointed to my ribs. “And here.” I showed them my leg.

“Boo–boo, hurt,” Alana said, and both of them carefully touched my chest. A smile spread across my lips at their tender gesture.

For tonight, I let the children eat in bed. Of course, we took precautions in case there were any accidents. Loli and I fed them dinner, and when they finished, it was my turn. That’s how I decided. Nick, who had been watching us in silence, approached with my plate.

“I think it’s Mommy’s turn to eat dinner,” he said and sat down in front of me on the bed. He took a spoonful of the broth and took it into my mouth. I looked at him, and he looked at me.

Mommy, eat soup,” Noah pointed to the spoon, and I couldn’t refuse my son’s request. Nor did I want them to see me refuse to eat; they might do the same later. Nick made me finish the broth between our gazes.

“Thank you,” I said, and he took the plate to the tray. Then he checked the package with the medications and compared them with the prescriptions. He filled a glass with water and helped me take the medicine.

We brushed our teeth and went back to bed. “Story, Mommy,” Noah went to the shelf. Nick came out of the bathroom at that moment and looked for the book Noah was pointing at.

“Nick,” Alaia’s voice stopped me.

“Thank you.” We looked at each other for a few seconds.

“But there’s so much tension in here, and tension of all kinds, my God,” Valentino spoke, making us look at him.

“I’m just saying what I see.” He raised both hands. “Damn it, Tino.” Asher nudged him discreetly. “Don’t hit her, daughter!” he hissed. I frowned when I heard that “daughter,” but I imagined Asher was gay too. Would Will know? They started arguing in hushed tones. Alaia and I looked at each other and laughed at the same time. I decided to leave before she realized what she was doing.

I took my suit jacket in my hand and went downstairs.

I found Alaia’s parents in a rather strange pose. It seemed like things were never boring in this house.

“Nick,” Paula moved away from Patrick. “Thank you for acting quickly and helping my daughter.”

“Your daughter and grandchildren are more important to me than they seem, and so I have been able to show that. I would do anything for them,” I expressed, and she analyzed my words.

“Nick, Alaia has already moved forward.”

“What’s between us is on hold, Paula. It’s not over. I’ll come by later. Patrick.” I nodded at him and turned to go to the door. I opened it, but I stopped when I saw Cedric sending a call. He barely registered that someone was behind him. “You’re late,” I said, noticing that he didn’t say anything. I put on my sunglasses and walked towards the car, where I saw him enter the house after typing something on his phone. I narrowed my eyes and started the car.