“Your parents will certainly lose it,” I say, dragging her onto my lap as I sit on my desk chair. Since they couldn’t have more kids, it was only a matter of time until they were hoping the grandbabies would start popping up. Vivian only got off birth control two months ago. We were waiting until things settled with the assholes involved with my accident. With Steiner dead months after I gained my memory, Thad finally in prison for his role, and Richie having taken a plea deal, it was time for us to move on.
Ms. Steiner and Vivian will never get along, and I don’t blame Viv for it. She’s moved to another town where no one knew her. Miles was generous enough to let her keep a large portion of her father’s assets, even some of the ill-gotten ones if she remained on her best behavior. The genuine happiness in her demeanor told me she was sincere. Even Vivian believed her, hatred aside.
Shelby moved to another town after word got around about why Richie committed the attack on me. Her lies and manipulations were out of control. Plus, the real father of her baby was the teacher who took them on the trip—Mr. Hart. He’ll be doing some lovely time in jail. He blames her for seducing him, but he’s a grown, married man and should have known better.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks, rubbing my scruffy chin.
“About how much has changed since Vail,” I sigh against her hand.
She nods. “Goodness. A lot, but it’s all for the better. Good riddance to bad rubbish, as they say,” Vivian says, waving her hand.
“Wow, becoming a mom already.”
She elbows me in the gut. I grunt, and then she gasps from thinking her little jab actually hurt me, so I let out a little laugh. “I should get back to work, and you need to get some rest.”
“I should. Someone has been working me to the bone,” she sighs, grinding her ass on my lap. I lift her off me and set her down on the sofa.
“Lie here for now. I shouldn’t be too much longer, and then I’ll drive you home.”
“Sounds good, Daddy.” We won’t worry about her vehicle because we’ll both be back tomorrow.
“Damn, baby girl. Don’t talk like that. I have to get back to work sometime today.” I adjust myself through my jeans, and she lets out a soft, musical giggle before falling asleep. My life has never been better, and I can’t wait for what the rest will bring.
Vivian
Twelve years later
“Mom, you’re spoiling them,” I say, setting down the grocery bags on the counter. She came over to watch the little ones while I went out shopping alone. I swear there wasn’t a new dollhouse in her arms when she walked through the door this morning, and yet there is one sitting in the middle of my kitchen floor in the play yard with the two little ones. I leave the back door open.
She waves her hand at me, hushing me.
I walk back out to grab the last set of bags. “Mom, the girls don’t need more toys,” I sigh, unloading the bags onto the floor near the pantry door.
She scoffs. “It’s my job as a grandma. It’s in the description. Didn’t you read it when you hired me all those years ago?” she answers, rolling her eyes at me. I can’t with her. Sometimes I don’t even know why I bother trying because she’s not going to give in. It’s been twelve years and five babies.
She stands up and starts helping me with the bags. “There’s more isn’t there?” I asked.
“Only for the older ones.” I laugh because I’m not even remotely bothered by the spoiling. It saves Simon and I from having to do it. We do the disciplining and that’s perfect for us.
“Are you staying for dinner?” I asked as I finished putting away the onions.
“I can’t because the babies and I are going to my house for the night,” she says, smirking at me while picking up one of the toys.
“What?”
“Yes, you and your hubby are going to have a night alone while we take the little ones.”
“Are you serious?”
“Sure. Why not? We love having the grandbabies over. Besides, Daniella isn’t breastfed anymore, so it’s perfect. You don’t have to worry so much, Vivi.”
I set my hands on the counter and stare at my mom who is a darling. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”
She scoffs, “Please. I’m so happy that we have so many little grandbabies to spoil.” She picks up Daniella, holding her close. “Nana, loves her babies.” We were all concerned that I’d have problems like my mom and that I’d have trouble with my pregnancies, but so far it’s been easy.
“They love you too.”
“Knock, knock,” I look over at my back door and see my father waving.
