Page 108 of Addiction

“You still goof around now only I hardly laugh at you anymore,” Nora says, coming up to us. “Now I just roll my eyes at your ridiculousness and carry on with my day.”

I chuckle when Asher gives her the middle finger.

“Please do not do that in front of my daughter.”

“Why? It’s not as if she understands it.”

“She will one day.

“And I’ll teach her how to use it in appropriate ways.”

“Funny.”

“I know I am.”

I can’t help but chuckle. I love hearing the two of them banter. It makes up for all the arguing they used to do when I was looking after their dad.

“Anyway, why do you come out here disturbing our baby time?”

“You want feeding too, don’t you?” She says, leaning down to pick up Ava.

“Is the food ready?”

“Yes. Now go wash your hands like a good little boy.”

He grins. “You know, if it weren’t for the fact you have Ava, I’d tackle you to the ground for your sass.”

“You could try but you wouldn’t win.”

“I was in the navy.”

“And I’m small but deadly. All it takes is a hit to the back of the knees and I’ll bring you down in no time.”

Both Asher and I get up and make our way toward the house along with Nora, but he continues teasing his little sister.

“Is that how you make Grayson cave?”

“No. I just get naked and play with myself for that.”

“Oh, my God, Nora. Too much.” Asher cringes. Nora, myself, and now Grayson are laughing at his reaction. “Why did you have to go there?”

“Well, you did ask.”

“One thing you should know about your sister by now is that if she doesn’t win a battle with actions, it’s words,” Grayson responds.

“I won’t even tell you what we were doing last night.”

“Please don’t,” Asher says, holding his hands up.

“I won’t. Only because Mom has just entered the room.”

Fiona comes in with a salad bowl and places it on the table, looking between her children. “As much as I don’t wish to hear the antics of what goes on behind closed doors, I do know how babies are made. And if you’re making them that’s all that matters.”

I shoot Nora a look as we all pull out a chair to sit at the table, Ava propped up on her shoulder.

“You were making babies?”

“No, we were not.”