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“He won’t stay still, for Christ’s sake.” Bash flips over onto his belly, kicking and smiling as some of the foul-smelling contents of his nappy leak out the side. Nate cringes and edges closer to his girlfriend.
“Christ, Peach. A little help here!” Henry looks at his wife with frantic eyes, and Mila and Nate dissolve into floods of laughter.
Liv inclines her head, holding her husband’s eyes and speaking slowly, as though to an infant, much to his consternation. “I believe you said—and this is verbatim—‘I’m a pro at this shit. Hold my beer, Peach.’”
He shakes his head in clear desperation. “I’m not a pro. You are. You’re a damn queen, baby!”
Liv stands, plucks her wriggling son from the floor, somehow managing to keep all poop contained and heads in the direction of the bathroom. “And don’t you forget it.”
Three sets of eyes turn towards us when Jesse chuckles lightly, and as though in slow motion, all three mouths drop open.
I throw my arm across Jesse’s shoulder, tugging him in against my side. His face mirrors my smiling one as I puff out my chest. “Meet my son, Jesse.”
CHAPTER25
SUMMER
I’d never realisedhow lonely New York would be without my son.
After being glued to his side, pretty much for everything other than work or school, for his entire life, I’ve found myself at a loss when it comes to having free time.
I’ve tried to take extra shifts with Anna, but to no avail.
I’ve taken a trip out to Coney Island. It was a dumb idea. The boardwalk was not only congested, but the sights, sounds, and smells all reminded me of my boy.
And I was overcome with the insane idea that I’d love nothing further than to take Bella on all the rides. I had no doubt that her fearlessness would make her the best ride buddy.
My arms cried out to hold both the son of my body and the daughter of my heart, despite having no right to feel that way.
And on top of all these rampant feelings, my brain was still ticking away with ideas of how to get a bone marrow transplant should we not find a match within the North family.
I’ve been fixated on unearthing a donor since the doctors had first noted their recommendation almost six months earlier. The only time I’ve been able to shut off that side of my brain has been while I’ve been working, or with Caden.
And therein lies the other issue.
Having spent five blissful days close to my siren song, my entire being itches with the need to be close to him once more. I’d thought that since I’d deprived myself of his proximity for fifteen years, I’d be able to return to that state. However, the more time we are apart, the heavier my heart aches.
I miss the three of them with a bone-aching hunger.
Keeping busy is the only thing for it, and since Anna won’t have me at the diner, and everywhere else reminds me of Jesse, I find myself gravitating towards Rogue more and more.
Kellie is as good as her word, teaching me her mixology skills with relish. We even go for lunch one afternoon, and I feel happy at the beginning of a newfound friendship.
It’s one thing I’ve struggled with over the years. After trusting Noah, I’d been very slow to trust anyone else.
Anna had taken years to win me around. Vaughn too.
Kellie seemed to burrow in under my skin in a matter of days. And it felt nice to open myself up to a new friend, not to mention the fact that spending time with her was a welcome distraction from the myriad of thoughts inside my head.
Until Vaughn sends me a cryptic message.
Vaughn
Come upstairs. Tell no one where you’re going.
I drop my phone into my pocket and turn to Kellie. “I’ll be right back.”
She smiles brightly, continuing to apply her make-up.
