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This is why Seri is the fucking shit. She has everyone's backs, and she doesn't care who she reams out.
"I get it, Shadow, I fuckin' do. Everyone's still reelin' from Preach leavin' and they're tryin' to figure out how to deal with it all."
"I know, but it's still fucked up. You need anythin'?"
I shake my head. "Nah, I'm all good. Tonight, I'm chillin' at home. Hopefully, we’ll get through the night without Tyson wakin' every fuckin' hour."
He winces. "He still at that? Thought he settled last night?"
I nod. "Once Es put her light on, he did. Hence why I picked up a nightlight for him today. I'm hopin' he'll settle with it."
"Here's hopin', brother, but if you need anythin' just let me know."
"Will do. Go get Seri home. That woman would stay here if she could.”
He laughs. "You're not wrong there. She wants to make sure that both Esme and Tyson are okay, and that's not a bad thing. She cares."
"Es will no doubt repay the favor when Seri gives birth." Those two are thick as thieves. If I thought Octavia and Effiemia were tight, they have nothing on Seri and Esme. Those two are practically inseparable.
"Peach, give Es back her baby and let's go home," Shadow says as we walk back into the house. "If you hurry, we may be able to stop off at the restaurant you like and bring some takeout home."
I grin as Esme flips Shadow off, causing Seri to laugh. "Oh, you've done it now, Graham. Esme's pissed. She can't eat anything except if it's through a straw. You talking about food is making her hungry."
"How the fuck do you know that? She can't speak," Shadow growls.
"I just do. Es is my best friend. We don't have to talk to know what the other's thinking."
Esme nods as she types on her cell.
Like I know that Seri wants to smack you upside the head for asking stupid questions.
Christ, these women are crazy. But I know better than to say that out loud.
"Okay, okay." Shadow grins as he holds up his hands in surrender. "I forgot how protective the two of you are with one another. Now, Peach, hand Tyson over and let's get goin'. Reaper wants some alone time with his family. Let's give the man what he wants."
That's exactly what I want. Time with my family.
We say goodbye to Serenity and Shadow, and I help Esme onto the sofa, where she's able to stretch her foot out. The cast is annoying her, but she's got to wait until she gets the all clear from the doctor to take it off. I know she can't wait until she does. I know I can't either. It's been weeks since I've had her, and while I'm not going to fuck her until she's fully healed, I can give her pleasure, and that's exactly what I plan on doing tonight.
Tyson sits on my lap as Es tickles him. The two of them are a lot more at ease right now, and I can't lie, I am too. I watch with a smile as Esme continues to play with him, playing peek-a-boo and tickling him. All the while Tyson laughs at her, batting at her hand when she goes to tap his nose.
This feeling that I have, it's fucking peace. I finally know what it feels like. I have everything I could ever want right here in this house, and I'm so fucking happy. I never hoped for much. My parents were always fucking arguing and fighting. It was like living in a war zone. I never wanted much, knowing that I'm my parents' child, but the moment I met Esme, everything changed, and now I have more than I could have ever hoped.
It came at a price though, and that fucking hurts. Preacher is my brother, the man I was closest to. I'd die for him. But sometimes, things don't pan out. It guts me that my peace and happiness came at the expense of his. He’s in pain, and there's not a thing I can do to rectify that.
I just pray that my brother finds his peace and happiness and can find a way to be at ease with the past.
CHAPTER35
ESME
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Hands slide around my waist as I stand at the stove. I'm cooking, and it feels so fucking good to be able to stand here and do it. While I still have a little twinge here and there when I move weirdly, I'm more than capable of being back at work and doing my everyday normal things. I've gone back to work full-time. It was hard to be away from Tyson at first, but we all needed to get back to normal and set a routine for us.
While I'm at work, Octavia takes care of Tyson. She never went back to work after having Serafina and became the de facto babysitter with Eda, which they both love. There are six children under the age of two that they watch—well, five on most days and six when Seri brings my niece, Emerald, which I think is a beautiful name. They call her Emy for short. Tyson gets to spend the day with his cousins and his aunts and uncles, and then when I finish work, I pick him up and bring him home. Some nights we spend at the clubhouse, though I still find it hard, especially with our room being opposite to what used to be Preacher's. I feel so much guilt for being happy and in love with my family, and I know Grayson does too.
Gray has only spoken to Preacher twice since he moved to Ireland. As much as it sucks that he's not able to speak with him more, he knows it's what Preacher needs to heal, and that's all we want.
