Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“My vnushka,” she coos, and for the first time since my brother was killed, I see the cloud of sorrow lift from her shoulders.
“Who are you?” Vincent asks.
“I’m your babushka…your grandmama.”
His eyes flit to Everleigh and me. “I have a grandma!” He claps his hands. “I’m so lucky. Mommy! Daddy! I have a grandma.” He looks at her again. “Jonas’ grandma always gives him candy. Do you have candy?”
“We have cupcakes,” Everleigh says. “Let’s head inside. I’m sure your mother is tired from the long flight.”
“Come, Mama,” I say, waiting for her to enter the house before I shut the door behind us.
Mama doesn’t let go of Vincent as she sits down on the couch, where she starts to cry.
Vincent gives her a concerned look, and there’s panic in his voice when he asks, “Why is grandma crying?”
“Because I’m so happy,” she sobs, hugging him tightly. “My little Vincent.”
“Aww…don’t cry, Grandma.” He pats her back in an attempt to comfort her. “There-there. It’s all better now.”
“It is.” She looks at him with so much love my heart clenches. “How old are you?” she asks, her voice much gentler than I’ve ever heard.
“I’m a whole three years old. I’m turning four soon.”
Christ.
I look at Everleigh. “When’s his birthday?”
“September twenty-third.”
“When’s your birthday?” I feel like shit for only asking now.
Everleigh lets out a chuckle. “June tenth.” She lifts an eyebrow at me. “And yours?”
“October sixteenth,” I answer.
I wrap my arm around Everleigh, and she leans closer to whisper, “It doesn’t look like she likes me.”
“She does. If she didn’t like you, she would’ve told you straight to your face you’re not good enough for me.”
“You’re lying,” she gasps.
“My mother is old school and very direct. Trust me, she’d tell you if she didn’t like you.”
No, she wouldn’t. My mother is wired to obey the man of the house, which is me. She’ll do anything I say, and she knows I love Everleigh. By default, she’ll accept her into the family.
I watch as Mama bonds with her grandson. Everleigh pulls away from me and goes to the kitchen. I follow her and smile when I see the blue and pink mini cupcakes.
“You baked?” I ask.
“With Rosalie’s help,” she admits. “It’s going to take a while before I get the hang of it.” She grins at me. “Taste one.”
“One isn’t going to be enough,” I warn her. “You know I have a sweet tooth.”
“That’s why I made a dozen. You can have four.”
I pick up a cupcake, and pulling the paper off, I pop the whole thing into my mouth. The sweet goodness makes me groan, and I pull Everleigh closer to press a kiss to her lips. “They’re perfect. Just like you.”
“I’m glad you like them. I burned the first batch.”
I grab the tray while Everleigh makes coffee, and before I set the cupcakes down on the coffee table, I pop another one into my mouth.
I look at my mother. “I missed your honey cake.”
“I’ll make one as soon as I’ve unpacked.”
Everleigh comes into the living room and places the tray down beside the cupcakes. “Help yourselves. I didn’t add sugar and cream.”
Mama pats the cushion beside her. “Come sit.”
Everleigh quickly takes a seat.
Emotion washes over Mama’s features as she looks at the woman I love. “Alek loves you a lot.”
Everleigh nods. “I know. I love him too.”
“My grandson is healthy and strong.” She stares at Vincent again. “You did a good job.”
“Thank you.” My woman takes a deep breath then says, “I’m so happy you’re here. If you need anything or you’d just like to go out for coffee, just let me know. I take Vincent to the playground once a week. You can join us. I can show you around the neighborhood and town so you can see where everything is.” She glances around the room. “And feel free to change anything in the house.”
Mama smiles at Everleigh and pats her cheek. “Such a good girl. Alek chose right.”
Everleigh beams, and I watch as her nervousness falls away.
I sit on the other couch and take a cup of coffee and another cupcake.
Vincent wriggles off Mama’s lap, and picking up a cupcake, he hands it to her. “This will make you feel better. Mommy always lets me have ice cream to make me feel better.”
“Thank you, my grandbaby.”
He grabs one for himself and comes to sit next to me. Leaning into my side, he starts to lick the icing off.
Mama turns her attention to Everleigh and asks, “Do you stay home to look after Vincent?”
“No, I have a bookstore in town. I take Vincent to work with me.”
“Oh.” Mama’s eyes widen. “He can stay with me during the day.”
“We’ll talk about that another time,” I say to save Everleigh from answering.
“Do you want me to show you the house?” Everleigh asks.
“Yes.” Mama climbs to her feet, and as the women disappear down the hallway, I swipe another cupcake from the plate.