Their reaction was immediate and jubilant. Eva’s squeal of delight mingled with Millie’s giggles as they each grabbed one of my hands, leading me with triumphant enthusiasm toward their miniature tea party setup.
“Schatje?”
The familiar, affectionate call from Nana drew my attention. Her voice, always tinged with the warm lilt of her Belgian roots, brought a smile to my face. Nana was visiting from Belgium, and in her fondness, she called all of us grandkidsschatje— sweetheart.
I turned, finding her in the doorway, a picture of old-world charm. Nana, petite and sprightly despite her years, peered over her gold wire-framed glasses. Her hair, always neatly coiled into a bun, seemed to echo the wisdom and stories tucked behind her twinkling eyes. Today, she was dressed in her usual attire: a long skirt paired with a crisp white blouse. All she needed was an apron, and she’d be a carbon copy of Granny from Loony Toons.
“Yes, Nana,” I replied, the affection in my voice reflecting the warmth she always brought into a room.
Nana smiled, a gesture that seemed to crinkle her entire being into an expression of love and gentle amusement. “I see you’ve been recruited for royal tea duties,” she remarked, her gaze drifting to the excited children.
Her comment, simple yet filled with the gentle humor she was known for, reminded me of the countless afternoons spent under her nurturing watch. Nana had a way of making even the most mundane moments feel like chapters from a cherished storybook.
“Yes, I couldn’t possibly refuse an invitation to tea with their majesties,” I replied, gesturing towards Eva and Millie, who bubbled over with giggles. “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind setting another place for you.”
But Nana’s smile, usually so full of warmth, flickered with a hint of something else — concern. “Actually, dear, I was hoping you could drive me to see your brother Brian.”
At the mention of Brian, my stomach clenched. Brian, my older brother, had recently found his fated mate in Edward, the king of the lion pride, and moved to the pride house. The very place where Talon, the man haunting my thoughts, resided. The prospect of seeing him sent a flurry of butterflies through me.
The shrill cheers from the boys jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. I glanced back at Nana, trying to mask my anxiety. “I’m sorry, Nana. I can’t. I’ve got the kids to watch.”
Nana’s expression grew more earnest. “It’s important, Lucas. Brian won’t mind the children visiting.”
“Can’t it wait for Mom to get here?”
“I have something I need to tell him. It’s a matter of mates. Otherwise, I’d wait for your mom to get home.”
“What about mates?” Her cryptic tone sent my heart racing. Was this good? Bad?
She shook her head, her eyes conveying urgency. “It’s only for when you get mated. I can’t tell you now.”
“Why not?” My curiosity was piqued, but Nana remained resolute.
“It’s just how it is,” she said, her brow furrowing in thought. “Perhaps I should call a Stuber.”
A slight chuckle escaped me despite the tension. “You mean an Uber, Nana?”
“That’s it, yes. One of those,” she replied, a touch of sheepishness in her voice. “I’ll call one of those.”
It was my turn to shake my head. “No, Nana. I’ll take you.” I turned to the excited children. “Guys, change of plans. We’re visiting Uncle Brian.”
“At the lion’s den!” Simon’s eyes lit up with excitement.
I chucked. Ever since finding out that’s what they called it, the kids were infatuated with it. The place was ginormous, a palace, really. It had everything a kid could want and then some. The building itself was the size of a football field and was on acres far from prying eyes. They could shift if they wanted.
Gathering the kids for an impromptu trip to the pride house felt like herding cats, but with a flurry of activity and a few gentle prods from Nana, we got everyone ready. I watched as she deftly navigated through the chaos, her calm demeanor a steady anchor amidst the storm of excited children.
“Simon, Eva, shoes on now, please,” I called out, grabbing my keys and a bag of essentials. Millie was already tugging at my hand. Her small face was lit up with the promise of adventure.
As we filed out of the house, I glimpsed Nana, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of fondness and an unreadable emotion. She seemed lost in thought, her usual cheerfulness tempered by whatever message she held for Brian.
The children’s chatter filled the car, their voices overlapping in a symphony of excitement and curiosity. I secured Millie in her booster seat, double-checking the seatbelts before sliding into the driver’s seat. I looked at Nana in the passenger seat. She was whispering something to herself, her fingers tracing the outline of the old, worn photo of my granddad she always carried with her.
As I started the engine, the weight of the upcoming visit settled in my stomach. Thoughts of Talon swirled in my mind, a tumultuous mix of anticipation and apprehension. What would this visit bring? And what secret was Nana so eager to share with Brian about mates?
My hand clenched the steering wheel, and my knuckles turned white. What was I going to say to him? Fuck!
“Schatje, are you okay?” Nana’s concerned voice broke through my reverie.
