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She looks between me and him, waiting for one of us to explain. I decide to be a chicken, and grab the boys’ hands. “Hey boys, let's go look at the car!” I say as I usher them away as fast as possible. I spend the next ten minutes showing them the whole car and all the features, including the liftgate.
Once we are done, the boys run inside to go play with their sister. I’ve got to say, the nanny cams everywhere are nice, so I don’t have to keep a constant eye on them but I know they are safe. I sit in the car just looking at everything all over again. I went from having to beg for money for gas, or anything me and Vivi needed, to now owning a brand new car outright. It’s a mix of relief, shock, and thankfulness. I can’t believe how fast my life has changed. Figuring I’ve stalled long enough and I need to face Maw-Maw, I finally climb out of the third row where I was hiding.
Walking back to Silas and my grandmother, I can see the latter looks pissed. “Isla Claire Aaron, why didn’t you call me and tell me what was going on?”
Shrugging, I reply, “What could you do? You didn’t have the kids’ car seats to come up there, and we had it handled.”
Glaring at me, she sighs. “Let me guess, you don’t want me doing anything?’’
I laugh, “Oh hell no, I want you to show your ass. He was a psychotic asshole.” The sinister smile that crosses her face is actually kinda scary.
“Yeah, well, I’ll take care of that little problem.” She says goodbye to Silas and marches in the house, to raise hell I’m sure.
I have so many mixed feelings right now, looking up at this amazing man who closed his shop all day, helped me pick out a car, sat there during all the paperwork, and then managed to win over my kids.
“Thank you so much for today, Silas. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your help. I know you don’t really understand what happened with Vivi, but she is terrified of men. Like, scream bloody murder when men come around. Honestly, I don’t know how tomorrow will go, but thank you for offering to spend some time with the boys. They aren’t used to that.” I look down at my feet, so he doesn't see the shame in my eyes. I wish I would have left sooner. Because of me, my kids went through so many terrible things, it seems I’ve failed them so many times. I hope now that we are safe I can make it up to them.
He lifts my head to meet his gaze. “You’re welcome. You are worth the time and effort, even if it’s just for friendship. You are worth it.’’ He continues as he wipes a tear of my cheek, “I know Callum and Orin will be as interested in you as me, Bodie and Odin are. As for the kids, no matter what will ever happen between us, even if nothing happens, if you’re okay with it I would like to build some kind of relationship with the kids.”
I go to cut him off, but he holds up a finger. “Hold on, Wildflower. You can determine the rules and everything, I just think they need to be shown they are worthy of love as well. They need to be shown that not all the men in their life will be hateful. Even if I have to do it as the funny uncle, okay? Just think about it please, because to be honest with you, that little smile from Vivi about melted me into a puddle.”
I don’t know what comes over me in that minute, but I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to me and kiss him, and what an amazing kiss it is. Holy shit, I can’t remember the last time I even kissed anyone. Corin and I weren’t physical at all after I was pregnant with Vivian, probably because he was too busy sticking his dick in every random hole he found. This kiss blows every other kiss I have ever had out of the water. Silas kisses me like he’s drowning and I’m the air he needs to breathe. He slips his tongue in and swipes it along my lips and I let out a breathy moan. Before we can get carried away, a throat clears behind us and we jump apart.
My grandmother is standing there all smug, arms crossed and a Cheshire grin plastered on her face. “Do you two need a room? We have plenty, preferably somewhere your kids won’t see you.”
I’m sure my face is as red as a tomato. “Um, that won’t be necessary, thanks Maw-Maw.” I glare at her back as she cackles all the way back into the house. A small chuckle comes from behind me, so I spin around to face Silas again.
“So well, that happened… ummm, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Pulling me in for a hug, he replies. “Yeah, Wildflower. Me and the guys will probably be here around one. I’ll call or text you after I talk to them and know for sure. I’m going to make a run to a sporting goods store on my way home and get some fishing poles for the kids.”
“Here, let me give you some money for that.” I reach for my purse, but he waves me away.
“Nope. Not gonna happen, woman. I’m going to go now, I’ll see you tomorrow, and we can talk about that kiss, too.”
Before I can even think of a reply, he gives me a quick peck and sprints to his truck. Trying to process what a mess my life is, I walk back into the house, listening to find my little monsters. I hear their laughs coming from the direction of the playroom, so I walk that way and I find the boys sitting at their sister’s little tea table, in princess dresses, having real donuts and cookies–that I’m sure my grandmother brought–while their sister pours them actual freaking tea. This is ridiculous. I’m glad they are finally getting to be kids, and enjoy playing and being carefree, but she’s going to have them so spoiled.
“Mommy! Come play with me!” Vivian calls out, so I walk over and take a seat in one of the tiny chairs. I never thought we would get this. I’m so thankful I get to spend the rest of the afternoon just playing with and loving my kids. We have a tea party, and I take tons of pictures of the boys in dresses, for teenage blackmail. After tea, we play superheroes, and then decide we want to swim until dinner.
When my grandmother calls for us over the intercom for dinner, I dry myself and the kids off, then head to the kitchen to find one of my favorite meals on the table; Rotel chicken, made with cream of chicken soup, a full block of Velveeta Mexican blend cheese, a can of Rotel, and noodles. It was my comfort food as a teen, and I’m sure Maw-Maw knows I’m all over the place after that kiss.
“Thanks, Maw-Maw, this looks great. I’m not sure the boys will eat it though; they don’t like spicy food,” I tell her as I help finish setting the table.
“I know, dear. I made them buttered noodles with carrots and parmesan cheese, just like I had to make Saige whenever I made this for you.” I sigh sadly, knowing it’s hard on her with my sister being in jail, but Maw-Maw isn’t the type to use her money to ‘fix’ mistakes like Saige made.
“Have you talked to her recently?’’ I ask.
“No, she’s mad that I wouldn’t do anything to help reduce her sentence. She blames me for her being in jail.”
I roll my eyes; my sister always was the dramatic one. “How is it your fault she decided to get high and drunk and get behind the wheel? She almost killed someone. I know it was hard for her since she was the one with mom and dad when they wrecked, but she was four. It’s been twenty years and she doesn’t even remember what happened. We had a great childhood with you and Paw-Paw, we never wanted for anything. She acted out because she didn’t want to follow the rules, and it was the dumbass boyfriend Scott she had in high school that got her started on the drugs and alcohol.”
She pats my hand knowingly as we go to grab the kids’ plates and drinks. “I know Isla, but she will always look for someone to blame.” The conversation dies down while we get the kids situated and then fix our own bowls and dig in. Man, I missed her food.
“Momma?’’ Arden calls out around a mouth full of food.
“Eat what’s in your mouth, then talk, love.” I remind him gently, and he nods, waiting until his mouth is empty before looking at me with hope shining in his eyes.
“Do you really think Si and his brothers will come?”
“Of course they will, sweetheart. They are some good men, and if they say they will do something, they will,” my grandmother answers, since I’m still chewing.
“I hope so….” he says with a hint of vulnerability. This is a bit of a make or break it moment for the guys. If they break my kids’ hearts I’m not sure I’ll have a second chance in me. Hell, I don’t think Maw-Maw will either. But something tells me it won’t be an issue. From the heated look Silas gave me after that kiss to the easy teasing between the brothers I’ve met, I think they’re genuine enough to mean what they say.
We finish dinner and I get the kids bathed, then the four of us snuggle in my big bed and watch a movie. I fall asleep with my reasons for living all cuddled beside me. While Vivi probably dreams of princess tea parties and the boys are likely dreaming of fishing, I dream of five amazing men; three I can see clearly, one’s face is completely blank. Orin I picture as mostly identical to Odin, but less guarded and with green eyes, not blue.
