While we make our way down the path, I adjust Ethan, lifting him until he’s on my shoulders, his tiny hands gripping my hair like its reins.
Vanessa laughs at my side, “He’ll rip your hair out,” She warns.
“Perhaps it’s due a cut,” I counter.
She gasps as if I offended her, “No!”
I laugh and while Ethan holds my hair tight, he doesn’t pull or rip, he uses it more to keep himself balanced while he giggles with delight atop my shoulders. And I can see Vanessa smiling in the corner of my eye, walking at my side, her hand brushing the side of my leg with each stride.
It’s something I can get used to, something I can see us doing over and over again.
I can see her swollen and glowing with another baby, see her cradling a newborn while I hold our son. I want to know life with her.
We make it to Torin’s house ten minutes later, trudging through the snow and ice so our skin is cold, Vanessa’s cheeks pinkened by the frost, but Ethan didn’t seem to mind, even if his own cheeks resembled his mother’s. He squeals with delight when Maya opens the door, saying her name on repeat and fidgeting atop my shoulders to get down and go to her, which she accepts gladly.
Ness embraces Maya warmly as she enters, and my brother’s wife gives me a sweet smile as I follow. I hadn’t spent a lot of time here since I’ve come back, not since I’ve dedicated my time to Ness and Ethan, but I’d never guess it with the warm welcome we receive as we head through to the living room.
Arryn is on Vanessa immediately, hugging her close like she’s a second sister and Harper is there too, grinning up at her. Vanessa takes it all, speaking with them while I greet my brothers with rough back slaps and tight nods.
I guess it’ll take some time before we’re on good terms like before, Rett feels betrayed whereas Torin doesn’t know how to handle what I did for him to keep him alive.
Olivia, Arryn’s sister just sits awkwardly in front of the fire. She smiles and talks but you can tell this isn’t where she belongs.
She greets me kindly enough but quickly goes back to her phone, wincing a little. I feel bad for her, understanding how hard it is to fit in to such a lifestyle. Both her and Arryn have lived a life in the limelight, constantly social and active but where Arryn is relieved with the solitude this island brings, Olivia, I can tell, isnot. It didn’t matter that she’s about to marry a literal devil, she isn’t a small town girl.
When the greetings and conversations are done, Arryn throws herself down next to her sister while Maya goes to Torin, my son on her hip. I knew she was also pregnant with her and Torin’s first baby, though they had yet to make it public.
Rett however sits in front of the fire, his elbows resting on his knees while he stares at Vanessa and me, notably the space between us.
“Look at this,” Rett grins like the cheshire cat, “The whole family back together.”
He’s still pissed at me, even if he understands why I did what I did, but he wasn’t getting over it anytime soon and I have a feeling he’s about to mess with me. He’d never do anything to harm me or Vanessa, but needling and stirring the pot is definitely in his skill set.
And I’ll have to deal with it until he feels like he’s fairly got his own back on me.
And with Rett, who knows how long it’ll be before he decides he’s paid me back for the shit I put him through with Arryn.
It appears my brothers have filled their girls in with the news of Ethan which made mine and Vanessa’s life easier, I guess. Vanessa gently touches my arm and heads over to the space next to Maya, and Rett just grins wider.
I guess it’s time I sit and play whatever game he’s about to start.
Chapter Thirty-one
“Are we settling into blissful domestic life?” Rett asks Vanessa.
“Rett,” Torin warns.
“It’s just a question,” He shrugs.
“It’s been fine,” Vanessa says nervously, flicking her eyes to me. My own narrow in on my brother, he can fuck with me all he likes, but I’ll be dead before I let him fuck with Ness.
“Just fine,” Rett winces dramatically, “My big bro that bad?”
Torin groans, throwing an arm around Maya to drag her into him until her back is on his chest, and Ethan is sat between them with a cookie Maya snagged from the plate in the middle of the table. He’s happy there, which I’m grateful for, because it’ll be hard to kick my brother’s ass with a baby on my hip. Doable, but I’d rather not.
“We’re getting used to it,” she defends.
“I imagine,” He agrees, “So how is it going to work with dating?”
