Page 8 of Happily Ever Never

“That’s nearly a geriatric pregnancy. But I understand whatyou mean. The girls make me feel young and old all at the same time. And, yes,I worry about these babies. Worry that I’m not enough or am doing too much ornot enough. That’s what happens when you’re a parent. But I guess all of thatwas to say I want you to have the same worries.” She laughed, wiping away sometears.

“It would be nice to find the perfect person one day. Tohave what you have, or what Leif and Nick have with their women. But let’s behonest, you’re doing enough settling down for the both of us.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Excuse me. What do you mean bythat?”

“I’m currently looking at my four nieces, and you’repregnant with two of my nephews. I think that’s enough settling down.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Jerk. You deserve to be happy.”

“You’re saying I’m not happy?”

She shook her head. “I’m not saying you haveto be married with kids, a picket fence, and all that crap to be happy.But I know you. I know you want to get married and have children because youtold me. I’m not projecting on you. Those are your goals and dreams. So, yes, Iwant you to be happy.”

“Just let me be for a minute.” I leaned forward, kissed herhead again, and smiled.

“Leo!”

I turned, that familiar voice echoing in my ears with alarm.I scrambled to my feet as Caroline called her daughters toward her.

Luke ran to me full-out, his eyes wide, but he had a smileon his face.

I looked around, scanning the faces of the adults to see ifI recognized anybody. But Luke seemed to be alone. What the hell was Brooke’skid doing here by himself?

I smiled at him, trying not to look worried before Icrouched and swung Luke into my arms. He giggled and wrapped his arms around myshoulder.

“Hi, Leo. How are you?”

“I’m okay. How are you, buddy?”

“I am happy!” He looked over my shoulder. “Hi, Leo’s family.Hi, Leo’s friends. Hi!”

“Hi!” all four of my nieces called at once.

Luke tried to scramble down, but I held him tight.

“Luke? Where’s your mom?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.

“At work, silly.”

I opened my mouth to say more before a shout that made myblood run cold reached my ears.

“Luke!” May yelled as she ran full tilt toward us, a brokenshoe in one hand.

She saw me holding her charge, and her eyes widened. For aminute, terror filled her gaze before anger took its place. I didn’t think sherecognized me. The hand on her shoe tightened, and then she blinked as if itfinally clicked who I was.

She calmed instantly, her shoulders dropping slightly. Thenshe limped toward us, her hair wild and her face smoothed of emotion.

“Luke. You know better than to run off like that.”

I heard my sister get up, my nieces swirling around her likea flock of birds.

“Luke, buddy, did you run away from May?” I asked, just nowremembering that May was his nanny. I knew that. There was areason May was off-limits.

Because she was Leif’s damn nanny.That meant I wasn’t supposed to think dirty thoughts about her beyond a simpledaydream I might’ve had once or twice—or four times.

Yet with her standing here, a Valkyrie with a broken shoeand wild eyes, I had to remind myself that she was off-limits.

“I saw you. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Lukecurled in on himself, and I held back a curse. I set the kid on the groundbecause I had a feeling May wanted to hold him, to clutch him close. But shealso didn’t want to rip him from my arms and scare the boy more.