Page 111 of Mia

“Good morning,” I said as I walked in.

They all looked at me and shook their heads.

“Y’all aren’t home, you know,” my father said. “And none of us wanna hear that.”

“That’s for sure,” my mother agreed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, walking over to the coffee machine. “Everything went okay with the girls last night?”

“Everything went fine. We saw the news this morning. You really did a number on that girl.”

I turned to face them with a coffee mug in my hands. “I did what needed to be done. She’s just the first of many.”

The doorbell rang, causing my head to jerk toward the security monitor perched in the corner. I released a heavy sigh when I saw it was only Nolan. Taking my coffee with me, I went to answer the door. When I opened it, Nolan was standing there with a smile on his face and a box of donuts in his hand.

“Good morning, Mrs. DeLuca.”

“You can call me Mia, Nolan.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I shook my head as I opened the door to allow him in. “You’re here early.”

“Quaid wanted to get a head start on things for today.”

“He’s probably already in the office area. Come on.”

I closed the door and led him down the hall to where he and Quaid had everything set up. Sure enough, my brother-in-law was in there on the phone with my sister. I smiled as he spoke softly to my nephew while Jaeda rubbed her belly. Bleu was resting on the pillow beside her. When she noticed us walking in, she smiled.

“Hey, sissy,” she said.

“Hey, boo.” I bent over to hug Quaid, and he instantly looked back at me.

“That’s new.”

I mushed his head. “I won’t hug you anymore, damn.”

He chuckled and pulled me in for a side hug. “It’s cool, sis. You just caught me off guard. I was expecting a punch in the arm or some shit like your bully ass brothers.”

I giggled. “My brothers love you. Don’t let them fool you.”

“I know they do. It just takes a little liquor in their system to admit it.”

“They love to pretend to be so damn hard,” Jaeda said. “They are big ass softies at heart.” She shook her head. “I’m about to get some rest, baby. Call me later.”

“I will. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I love you, sissy.”

“I love you too. Give my baby some love for me.”

“I will.”

They disconnected the call, and Quaid went back to pulling up everything after greeting Nolan. He took a seat and got right to work too.

“What do we have today?” I asked, pulling up a chair.