AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I felt her in my heart even then,” I told her honestly.
“I believe you.” She handed me a set of keys. “Take my vehicle since you came with your parents. I’m not going anywhere, so I don’t need it. Just drive carefully.”
“Could I…” I paused, not sure how she was going to react to my request.
As if she already knew what I was going to ask, she winked up at me. “Shane wants you to stay the night. But if he asks… Scratch that. When he asks, you slept on the couch.”
“I will sleep on the couch,” I tried to promise, but she lifted skeptical brows at me.
“Luca, that girl needs you too much tonight for you to be so noble.” She patted me on the arm. “I trust you with the life of one of the most precious people in my world. I don’t see any harm in you two sleeping in the same bed for a night…or two.”
With another wink, she walked over to where Mason and Violet were still sitting. Crouching down in front of her kids, she touched each of their cheeks. “Hey, babies. You two must be so tired after sitting here all day. Luca is going to drive you both home and stay with you tonight. Then bring you back tomorrow when Dad is feeling up to having visitors.”
“I don’t want to go home,” Violet told her, the stubborn tilt of her chin reminding me of her dad. “Can’t we stay, and then when Dad is fully awake, we can see him?”
“You need to go home and sleep in your own beds,” Aunt Harper told her, refusing to give an inch. “Your dad will sleep better tonight knowing you two are comfortable. Cannon took Oscar for a walk earlier, but he’s going to want to sleep with someone tonight. I bet he’s upset with Dad not there to go running with him.”
“I’ll take him for a run in the morning,” Mason promised, getting to his feet. “And he can sleep with me tonight.”
She beamed at him and kissed his cheek. “That’s my baby boy. Now, don’t come back until you three have eaten a full breakfast and taken care of Oscar. Take your time. Relax. Everything is fine now. There isn’t a single thing to worry about where your dad and Uncle Drake are concerned.”
Violet just sat there. “I don’t want to go home. I want to see Dad.”
“And you will. Tomorrow.” Her mom glanced at me imploringly, and I bent to scoop my girl into my arms.
Pressing my lips to her ear, I whispered, “Don’t stress your mom out. She’s had just as hard of a day as you have.”
Guilt flashed in her eyes, and her chin trembled for all of two seconds before she made her face clear. “I’m sorry,” she told Aunt Harper contritely.
“I know you’re upset, honey. But this is better for everyone.”
After saying our goodbyes, I drove us to their house. On the way, I stopped to get us a late dinner from a drive-thru. Aunt Emmie had brought meals in throughout the day, but neither Mason nor Violet had eaten much at the time. Now that they knew their dad was going to be okay, their appetites had returned, and we were all starving.
Oscar met us at the back door when we walked in through the garage, barking happily at the sight of two of his humans before coming over to greet me. I scratched his head while Violet set our food on the kitchen island then pulled drinks out of the fridge and Mason washed his hands at the sink. For a long while, we all sat and ate in silence until our food was gone.
“Cannon fed Oscar when he took him for a walk earlier, so we’re going to head to bed.” Mason yawned and got to his feet. “Night. Love you, guys.”
“Love you,” Violet said quietly, frowning down at her empty salad bowl.
“Night, Mase,” I called after him.
I waited a bit, giving Mason time to get upstairs before pulling Violet onto my lap. She gave a small squeak, then mewled softly as she rested her head on my shoulder.
“It’s been a long day,” I murmured, kissing the top of her head. “Let’s go to bed. We can cuddle and watch TV until you fall asleep.”
“Okay,” she said with a tiny sigh.
Leaving the trash to clean up the next morning, I carried her up to her room. Her bed was a queen, with pink and purple pillows and a soft gray comforter. The desk by the window had her laptop sitting closed on it along with her iPad and a few textbooks for school. The door to her bathroom was ajar with the light off, but I knew what I would find in there. Her vanity would have makeup tossed everywhere, and there was probably a wet towel on the floor from that morning’s shower.
Placing her in the middle of her bed, I kicked off my shoes and then pulled my shirt over my head. “I need a shower, babe.”
“Okay,” she said again, laying her head on her pillow and closing her eyes, not bothering to attempt to change into night clothes.
I bent and pressed my lips to her cheek. “Sleep. I won’t be long.”
I walked to the door so I could get a pair of my shorts I kept in Mason’s room for all the times I’d spent the night there in the past, and I could already hear her snoring softly. Twenty minutes later, I climbed into bed behind my girl and pulled her close.
She turned over, murmuring unhappily in her sleep, and pillowed her head on my bare chest. Her soft hand rubbed over my stomach, and then she was squirming against me.
