Page 70 of Make Us Yours
At first, Sam was supposed to be seated with us on the overnight flight and Veronica with Aubrey two seats down. But he quickly offered to change his spot with her so she would be seated between us for the night. Which we gladly accepted, and Kitten didn’t seem too upset by the change either.
Veronica lifts her head from my shoulder and looks at me. “Are you doing okay?” She looks beside her at Gabe, making sure he’s really asleep before whispering, “With… you know. Being away for two weeks?” She’s talking about Trinity.
The truth is I’m pretty nervous about being so far away from her for so long. I hate not seeing her for more than a week. But I made sure the staff was aware that I would be away and checked with my service provider to make sure my phone would be working in Fiji. I also gave them the number to the reception desk at the resort, just in case they couldn’t reach me.
And I know I’m not the only one who’s nervous about this two-week trip. From what Greyson told us, Maddison, the little cancer girl, isn’t doing so great, to the point that Emma was ready to back out of the trip. But with a little convincing from everyone, Maddison included, she conceded. Emma has been putting on a bright face for all of us, but the dark circles under her usually glowing face tell a whole different story, one that Greyson confirmed. She’s not doing well.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I smile and kiss her forehead.
“Did you give them the number to the resort? Just in case. I know they also have my number, but sometimes cell reception can be shitty.”She’s so adorable, being all worried for me.
“Yeah, Kitten. I did. Everything will be fine. You don’t have to worry.” I kiss her lips this time.
She sighs happily against mine before whispering, “Okay.”
She pulls away and returns to my shoulder as I play through her hair. “And you, have you gotten… anything since?” I ask, referring to the only person on this planet I’m debating on killing.
She shakes her head. “No. Nothing, not even a text. I don’t know what he’s playing at, and that worries me. He would send me a message at least once a day before, but now it’s been three days of radio silence.”
“Think about what we offered you, Veronica. It would only help make you feel a little safer. I promise we won’t coddle you.”
She nods. “I’ll think about it. Just give me these two weeks to make my decision.”
“Okay.” I kiss her crown. I can’t get enough of kissing her. I have this vibrating need to always touch her in some way, and I love that she now comes willingly.
“Hey, are you guys up?” Emma appears in the narrow walkway with Gracie in her arms.
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” I ask her.
“Gracie’s having a hard time falling asleep, and I really need to use the washroom. Everyone else is sleeping. Would you mind watching her while I go take care of business?”
Veronica straightens and reaches out with her hands. “Of course, take all the time you need.” She takes Gracie from Em’s outstretched arms. “Come here, princess. You’re gonna spend some time with Aunty Ronnie while Mommy goes to tinkle.” She places her down on her lap, facing her.
“Thank you so much! Those bathrooms are so tiny, going in there with a toddler is horrible.” Emma widens her eyes, then rushes off to said bathroom.
“What’s going on, princess? Why aren’t you sleeping like the rest of these muggles?” she asks Gracie in a hushed tone.
I chuckle. “Did you just call us muggles?”
“Don’t judge me. I’ve been binge-watching Harry Potter in my spare time.”
“Are you going to start casting spells on us? Make a glass of scotch appear with…frozen water inside?” I cover my laugh with my fist.
She glares at me, which only makes it harder to stop laughing. “I can’t just makethings appear for you. That’s not how magic works.”
“Okay, okay, Hermione Granger.”
“Shush it.” She bumps her shoulder into mine.
“Do you want kids?” I have no idea where this question’s coming from, and by the wide eyes Veronica gives me, she doesn’t either.
“Umm… I don’t know. Honestly, I never saw myself having kids. I love Gracie and Dante, but I don’t know if motherhood is for me.” She won’t meet my eyes now, like the question is making her uncomfortable.
I hum in response. Her answer kind of bums me, and I’m not sure why. Like her, I’ve never really seen kids in my future. I’m not opposed to it, but it’s never been on my list of needs. It’s not something I’ve given much thought to, not like Ellis. Despite his shitty past, he really wants kids.
I still remember the way his face lit up when we found out Cecilia was pregnant. He was so happy that there would finally be a baby around us. It was like he was the husband finding out his wife was pregnant.
“You?” she whispers eventually.
