Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Chapter Eight
Ava
The day with Tobias and the boys had been wonderful. He’d make a great father. I’m on my last pack of pills, so I must go to the nearest clinic and retrieve more. The thought of having Tobias’s children floods my mind. It’s silly, but after seeing the way he played with them, I can imagine a life with him. I clean the dishes after a late lunch. The boys fell asleep on the sofa.
I stare at the sweet scene before me. Tobias senses me and turns. “Beautiful,” he mouths.
“Thank you,” I utter lightly, coming over to the chair and taking a seat. I just took a shower since we didn’t get a chance to when the boys came this morning. I let Tobias go ahead of me because I wanted to clean up the kitchen.
His phone goes off on the table, so he picks it up before it wakes the boys.
“John’s calling,” he whispers, nudging the little one and scooting him onto the sofa. “One second,” he says into the phone. Kissing my forehead, he leaves for a few minutes. When he comes back in he’s not smiling, and I brace myself for the bad news. I might not know Louisa’s parents, but I know how much she loves them.
“Long road, but they’re going to make it.” He tucks his phone in his back pocket and then pulls me into his arms.
“Thank goodness. So when are they coming for the boys?”
He looks nervously as he stares down into my eyes. He brushes my hair out of my face and behind my ears before he says, “That’s the thing. They want us to keep them for the night. I hope that’s not a problem.”
I shake my head, stealing a look behind us to where the boys are sleeping and reply just above a murmur, “Not at all, but what are we going to tell them?”
Tobias caresses my cheek slowly, rubbing his thumb over my jaw. “It’s okay. John and Louisa want to talk to them in a while when the boys wake up from their nap. I’m sorry about this, babe. I had plans of keeping you in bed and relaxing today.”
“No, this is fun, but you can take me to bed tonight.” I press my head on his chest while he rubs my back.
“Thank you, Ava.” I look up at him and his mouth comes down on mine. I let out a moan and slide my hands into his hair.
“Auntie Ava, are you okay?” a sleepy Greyson says. I blush, hiding between Tobias’s large frame, hoping he didn’t see us kissing.
“She’s fine. I’m stealing kisses from Auntie Ava.” I slap his chest and sigh. He’s just placating the kids, but it feels nice that he’s treating our relationship as more than temporary.
“Oh like Daddy and Mommy. They kiss a lot. Are they coming home soon?”
“They’re visiting your grandparents. Do you want to spend the night with Auntie and I?”
“Sure! Can we have pizza?” His eyes looking pleadingly up at us. It’s New Year’s Day, so I don’t know how delivery works, but it’s probably too crazy even if they are open.
“I don’t think they’re delivering,” he says, leaning down to Greyson as his head drops in sadness.
“What kind of pizza do you like?” I ask Greyson.
“Cheese.”
“I can make that.”
Tobias straightens up as Greyson lights up and my heart feels better. They don’t know about their grandparents yet, but I’m sure they know something strange is going on. I’m going to do whatever I can to ease their hearts.
“Are you serious, babe?” Tobias asks, sliding his hand onto my waist, giving it a gentle squeeze. The worry that mars his face is pointless. I’m more than happy to do it.
Sliding my hand over the one he has on my waist, I return the squeeze. “Yes. We bought the ingredients.”
He kisses my cheek. “You’re amazing.”
“Don’t speak so soon. I haven’t made it in a long time,” I say.
His hand makes circles around my belly button. We stare into each other’s eyes and I swear he’s about to kiss me. I bend my head back against his chest as his mouth drops to my neck, lightly brushing my skin with his lips. “I’m sure it will taste as good as you. Do you need some help?” His words are laced with intent, nothing to do with actual food. A moan comes from me, giving him more room to continue his ministrations
“I want to help,” Greyson tosses out. We both turn to him, forgetting for a moment that we had little eyes on us. I straighten myself, pulling away from Tobias who lets a grumble out in response.
“Me too,” a drowsy Connor says, padding over to us in the hallway.
“Do you know what you signed up for, Connor?” Tobias asks with a smirk on his face.