Page 130 of Blissful Devotion

“Let me just toss a few things in a bag and pee. I’ll meet you down there.” I’m halfway out the door already when he calls after me.

“Nathan grabbed the kids' stuff, and Alex packed a bag for you. Pee and meet us in the car.”

I nod and rush to the bathroom as he heads down the stairs, making the most adorable sounds as he talks to Nico and makes him giggle.

In the bathroom, I take a second to look at myself in the mirror; the ring on my hand catches the light, and again I’m taken by how beautiful it is, how beautiful life is.

I breathe and just take a moment.

How is this my life?

I feel like it shouldn’t be possible to have everything when just two years ago I moved here with nothing and no one.

I splash a little water on my face and run my fingers through my hair, feeling a whole new wave of excitement. I’d been talking about how excited I am for spring, maybe even spent some time whining about the snow, but I didn’t expect anything from it.

Nobody controls Mother Nature, after all.

But of course they would find a way to best her.

I finish in the bathroom and fly down the stairs, nearly running into Alex, who waits near the door.

“Slow down, Cherry, it’s our plane. It won’t leave without us.”

I laugh and shake my head at him as he reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers with mine as I slide my shoes on.

“I know that. I’m just excited to be just about anywhere else.”

“I thought you liked the snow?” He releases my hand, holding out my coat so I can slide it on, then takes my hand again.

“I do. It’s beautiful, but I also enjoy being outside and hate being cold.”

His face tells me that it sounded as crazy as I thought it did.

“Whatever, I'm just over being stuck in the house.”

“Which is why we’re leaving.” He pulls the door open and lets me out, then closes and locks it behind us.

“What about Ruby?” I feel bad for not saying goodbye, and I worry she'll miss us.

Ruby is very protective of Nico; I can’t imagine she will love being separated like this.

“She’s in the car.”

Well, they really had thought of everything.

The ride to the airport feels like it takes forever, and honestly, it kind of does. The snow had been coming down for the last few days, which made the streets slick.

Who knew you could make New York traffic worse?

By the time we reach the airport, I’m anxious from the drive and nervous about flying for the first time with Nico.

One thing leads to another, and after takeoff I rush to the bathroom, hardly making it in time before I lose my lunch.

Damn it, I hate throwing up.

“You good, Kitten?” Des calls through the door as I rinse my mouth out. I don’t have a toothbrush, unfortunately, so that will have to do for now.

I pull the door open and come face-to-chest with Des. It’s not fair how big they all are; good genetics, I guess.