I shared a concerned glance with Gran, biting my lip as my heart tightened a little.
Janiyah seemed to be adjusting as well as a child possibly could after everything they’d been through, but Jamal had become quiet and reserved. Not the playful and happy child he once was, which was understandable, but it still broke my heart.
My brother, Cameron, had owned the restaurant for almost five years.
He’s purchased the mixed-use building after he married Melissa. The couple had moved into the top floor of the building and had been kind enough to invite Gran to live with them. I was living near the college campus at the time. Soon after the move, Melissa became pregnant with Jamal, and Janiyah followed soon after. During that time, Cam worked hard on his dream of making the restaurant profitable and he had been so close.
That thought always lingered in my mind. Cam would never see his own dream come to fruition. My niece and nephew would never get to have their father teach them how to ride their bikes. They would never learn Spanish from their mother or get to visit their mother’s country with her by their sides.
There was so much unfinished business their parents had left behind…
“Okay, listen up, rugrats.” I cleared my throat, shaking my head to rid myself of my thoughts as I leveled a hard stare at my niece and nephew. “I need you guys to stay out of the basement today. We have a guest, and I don’t want him to be disturbed.”
A chorus of moans and complaints immediately followed, but I held up my hands to halt them. “I’ll bring out whatever toys you want to play with. You guys have the run of the living room and my bedroom as well.”
“We can play inyourroom?” Janiyah’s big brown eyes widened.
I nodded. “Yeah, but only for today.Ifyou promise to stay out of the basement.”
My chest squeezed at the little girl’s wide grin. I’d walk over hot coals to see it every day.
“We promise!” the two kids chorused, Janiyah’s response loud and clear, Jamal’s mumbled.
I pushed my chair back. “Okay, time to get this day started, then. I’ll get the toys for you guys.”
Walking toward the door, I turned back to the kids a final time. “Remember,stay out of the basement.”
Twin sets of big brown eyes feigned innocence. I sent them both a warning look.
“Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure they keep out.” Gran winked at me as I walked by.
I shook my head and headed down to the restaurant. I figured that I should stop off in the kitchen first and pick up some breakfast for Jasper.
At the bottom of the stairs, I turned to look toward the basement for a moment before walking through the door that led to the restaurant. As soon as I entered the kitchen, I saw Marlon standing at the large, double sinks and knew what I needed to do…
Jasper
One moment, I was fast asleep and the next, my brow was furrowing as I wondered what thatannoyingsound was… After a few moments, I realized it was the sound of hushed whispers. Still trying to shake off the fuzzy haze from sleep, I let out a low groan as I stretched the few muscles I still had some control over.
The whispers continued and I let out another groan of annoyance, louder this time, and clearly loud enough to alarm whoever was talking because the whispers came to a sudden halt and the only sound in the room after that were a few quiet gasps.
When I opened my eyes, I froze as I saw two pairs of brown eyes peering into my own.
What? Why am I dreaming of kids?
The two kids continued staring at me curiously for a few moments, and I stared at them just as well, confused. Then, the little girl grinned at me, revealing a gap where her two front teeth were supposed to be, and sent me a small wave.
“Hi!”
My frown deepened as I continued trying to make sense of it all.
My gaze slid past them as I took in the small room. Toys of all shapes and sizes littered the floor, a few drawings hung up on the wall, and cardboard boxes took up the far corner of the room. Realization dawned on me, memories from the previous night bombarding me. I was no longer trapped inside my mansion, which was great, but… Now I was here, without Nigel and no way to contact him. I could have called Eddie, but that was thelastthing I wanted to do right now…
“Oh, man.” My head flopped back onto the pillow as I let out a quiet huff.
I’ve gone from being stuck in my home to being stuck in a basement. With children. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that Quinn could have a family here. I thought it was just her and her grandmother!
The little boy leaned closer so his face was hovering above mine again. He tipped his head to the side and a few short braids fell into his eyes as he stared at me.
