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Allie swung her legs, barely acknowledging Bailey, and nodded.
“And you’ve got your dress and shoes.” Bailey slid her hand over Allie’s hair. “Aunt Trini is going to do yours and Emme’s hair, I heard. Did you pick a style yet?”
“Not yet,” she muttered.
Bailey cocked her head and shared a look with Hades. Then, she quickly turned her attention back to Allie.
“Thanks for helping me with Eloise. You’re going to make a really good big sister.” Bailey smiled and raised her brows. “When Daddy and Vada have a baby.”
The topic of babies was prevalent in the Monroe household, usually commandeered by Allie. She wanted to be a big sister and had already put her request in for a baby brother. The subject always sparked something in her. Allie glowed and chatted without taking a breath about all the things she’d do with her sibling. Except tonight. She clasped her hands on her lap and stared down.
He’d thought something was off when he’d gotten home and picked her up. It wasn’t anything Allie had said, more of a vibe. She was quieter than usual, almost somber. Hades had asked earlier if anything was wrong, and she merely shook her head. He didn’t buy it. He’d been in sync with his daughter’s emotions since the first time he’d laid eyes on her and held her in his arms. Something was wrong.
Allie had been especially quiet while at Saint and Bailey’s, but Hades chalked it up to being a bit tired or bored. This scene was shifting his thoughts. What the fuck happened?
“Change your mind?” Hades waited for Allie to look up at him. “Don’t want a brother anymore?”
“I do, but—” Allie clamped her lips.
“But?” Hades raised his brows, waiting. Pushing her may not be the right answer, but he was determined to find out what was bothering her. He was her father; he’d fix it.
“He won’t be my real brother,” Allie whispered.
What the fuck? Saint must have noticed Hades’ growing anger. It wasn’t aimed at Allie. She was innocent in her questioning, but someone had tainted her mind. Saint straightened in his chair, speaking directly to her.
“Of course he will, Allie.”
Allie glanced over at Saint, the corner of her lips pulled down in a severe frown. She remained silent, and Hades was at a loss for where to go from here. He shared a look with Saint, who seemed just as dumbfounded as he felt. They were obviously missing something. Hades looked over to Bailey, who’d scooted her chair a bit closer to Allie’s, and gently rested her hand on Allie’s back.
“I have to finish making dessert. Will you come help me?”
Allie nodded and stood, taking Bailey’s hand and walking up the back steps. Bailey opened the door, allowing Allie to pass first, then Bailey glanced back at him and gave a soft, knowing smile. If anyone besides Vada could easily get Allie to open up, it would be Bailey. His daughter and his sister-in-law had always had a strong relationship. Bailey filled a void for Allie that would eventually be taken over by Vada. Though it didn’t weaken Allie’s bond with Bailey.
Hades turned to his brother, seeking guidance. “What the fuck was that? Real brother?”
Saint took a swig of his beer, eyeing the back door. “Could someone have said something, maybe at school? A different last name than Vada might have sparked something with one of the kids in her class. I don’t need to remind you how cruel some kids can be.”
Hades cupped his mouth, looking back at the house. “She was fine when I left this morning. Vada hasn’t said anything, and she’s more in tune with Allie than I am most days.”
Saint snorted. “Same as Bailey with Cia.”
“Even since Eloise?”
“More so. Blended families can be tricky to maneuver. A lot of moving pieces and personalities. It was important to Bailey to make sure Cia didn’t feel like she was being left behind or replaced.” Saint sighed. “This isn’t the first sibling for her. She’s got three brothers from Tara, but” —he paused, and his face softened— “Bailey said this would be the first time Cia had to share me, and it was important we made sure that she knew it wouldn’t change anything.”
It made sense, and Hades wasn’t surprised Bailey had considered Cia above everyone else. She’d stepped into the bonus mom role effortlessly. Hades had no doubt Vada would handle it the same way. It never occurred to him that Allie would look at a child of his and Vada’s as anything less than a full-fledged sibling. This came completely out of left field, and he wanted answers. As if he’d manifested her arrival, Bailey walked out the back door alone and made her way through the yard. She looked over at Saint, and then sat and glanced over at Hades and smiled. It was forced.
Fuck!
“What?”
Bailey shifted in her chair and licked her lips. “So, apparently, Allie overheard a conversation and was a bit confused by the terminology used. She asked me what manipulating meant.”
Hades furrowed his brows. “Where’d she hear that?”
Bailey cocked her head. “She wouldn’t say, so I told her it means getting someone to do something they don’t wanna do. I was trying to give a simple answer she’d understand, and it backfired. She got very upset,” Bailey stared back at Hades, gauging his reaction. I’m not gonna fucking like this.
“She started to cry.”
