He nods slowly, his glassy eyes stuck on the boy sitting with his head bowed. It finally sinks in when a tear rolls down Grace’s cheek, and Seiji’s spoon slips past his fingers as he gapes at Monkey.
So, that really happened? August said his first words to me. He called meMama.
A small sniffle breaks the silence, snapping me out of my shock. Monkey wipes his nose with the back of his hand, and my heart nearly stops at the hurt on his face.
Fuck, why am I standing here like an idiot when my baby’s crying because he thinks he said something wrong?
I gently spin August’s chair and crouch in front of him, taking his small hands in mine. “I’m so sorry, baby. You just surprised me. I… I didn’t mean to make you cry.” My voice cracks, betraying how hard I’m trying to keep the tears at bay. “I love you too, kiddo. Of course I do.”
I wipe the tears from his chubby red cheeks and kiss his hands. When Monkey still refuses to look at me and keeps sniffing, I hate myself for freezing up.
The thought of him finally talking to me blurs my vision, but I force myself to keep it together. I don’t want him to think I’m sad because of what he said.
“Hey, remember our rule? If you’re happy, I’m happy. But if you start crying, I’ll cry too. And you know I can’t cry in public. I have a reputation to uphold.” That earns me a tiny smile.
August finally looks up, his bright blue eyes piercing straight into my soul. “You vo-vove me?”
I cup his tear-streaked face and kiss his nose, earning another giggle as he tries to break free.
“Mhm. I do. I love you so, so much.”
My reassurance soothes whatever storm was brewing inside him, and August leaps from his chair into my arms. I stumble back in surprise, but thanks to Angel and his preparation for literally everything, he’s already standingbehind me, steadying us before I can fall.
Angel grabs my shoulders and helps me to my feet, his smile brighter than I’ve ever seen.
I look around the table, taking in the faces glowing with adoration and eyes shimmering with unshed tears as my family showers August with love and kisses.
“I knew cake had magical powers,” Seiji cheers, and we all burst into laughter, our eyes finally shedding the tears we’ve been holding back.
Angel pulls me into his arms, pressing a string of kisses to August’s cheeks. The little guy laughs so hard, Angel has to steady both of us before we topple over.
“Papa, I talk now!” August squeals, and I frame this moment deep into my memory.
August hides his nose under his little hands when Angel pretends to eat it, yelling Hazel’s name to save him. He can’t really say his L’s properly, so it sounds more likeHaze, and I swear the siren chokes up on tears as she ducks her face, stuffing her mouth with cake.
Angel steals a heart-stopping kiss from me. We’re both grinning like fools when August grabs my chin and directs me to kiss his cheek instead, and Angel throws his head back in laughter.
Still wrapped in the moment, I almost miss the movement from the corner of my eye. Seiji is about to stick his fork into my cake when my head snaps to him.
He’s caught red-handed, so I expect him to back off, but to my surprise, he doesn’t even flinch at my murderous glare.
He’s about to take a huge bite out ofmycake when I decide to use my most powerful weapon. I send Angel a pleading look, begging him to rescue my plate before the bratty princess can clean it.
One look from Angel, and Seiji turns to Grace, who generously offers her share, much to her mate’s annoyance.
“You know he’s more terrified of you than me, right?” Angel doesn’t even try to hide his amusement, caressing the back ofAugust’s head where it rests on my shoulder.
“Not anymore. That leech has crawled his way into my heart and isn’t scared of my threats anymore,” I mutter grumpily. I’m losing my edge.
“You love him.” It’s not a question. Angel knows how much these people mean to me.
“I do. And it’s not good for my health or my reputation. Did I tell you I have heart problems now because of Hazel?”
35. A living nightmare
Nevaeh
As we take the quiet route back home, I feel light as a feather.
