Page 4 of Deprived No More

“No,” he huffs.

Walking over to him, I cup his cheeks. “I’ll make it up to you later,” I whisper before placing a chaste kiss on his lips. Lips that taste of me. “Go fix yourself a drink. Maybe one for me too.” I wink.

“You sure? You’ve become quite the lightweight since the kids.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I bite back. “These kids are exhausting. I love every minute of it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. But sometimes, at the end of the day, when I’ve waited for some adult time, I feel like I hit a wall, and it’s all I can do to crawl into bed. Cocktails just hasten the trip.”

“I know. You’re an incredible mother. I just-”

“Mommy. It smells funny out here,” Mason says from the other side of the door.

“Oh, shit,” Nick shouts as he races for the door. As he flings it open, the distinct smell of burnt food smacks into us, and a trail of dark smoke emerges from the kitchen just before the fire alarm sounds, and Olivia breaks into fits of tears. He instinctively runs to the kitchen as I dart for Grace and Olivia. Liv’s little arms are thrown frantically toward me, trying desperately to find comfort, her red face scrunched as tears trail down her cheeks.

“It’s okay, Livy. We’re okay. Let’s go outside while Daddy takes care of this.” Gathering the boys, I shove them out the back door onto the deck. They are wide-eyed and fixated on Nick. “Let’s give Dad some space to take care of this and let the kitchen air out.”

“What were you doing in there?” Logan asks.

“Um, what?” Startled by this change in conversation.

“We heard yelling, and the buzzer kept going off,” he adds with a questioning look.

Holy crap, I’m the worst mother in the world.My kids were probably scared and could’ve been hurt, all for a quick-

“Everything is fine now. Why don’t we eat outside tonight?” Nick interrupts.

“Spaghetti isn’t exactly picnic food,” I answer.

“Why not? The boys aren’t wearing any shirts to get dirty. Won’t be any different than inside. I’ll just throw them in the lake afterward to clean up.”

“Yeah!” the boys yell, swords lifted high in the air.

“Me too,” Olivia squeals.

“No, princess. The lake water is too cold for you. But you can take a swim in Mommy’s big tub afterward.” Olivia loves the jets from the oversized jacuzzi in the master bath.

Nick sends the boys to play in the yard and grabs Olivia from Grace before giving me a peck on the cheek. “Just yell when it’s ready.”

“Thank you.”

Gathering paper plates, cups, and plastic cutlery, I make my way to the large picnic table that Nick and his father, Garrett, built a few years ago. It’s a little chilly this evening, but the kids won’t mind, and I’m grateful Nick could think quickly. Stepping back inside to grab milk for the kids, I notice the air has already thinned out. The windows are open on both sides of the home, allowing the breeze off the lake to purify the air. I’m sure by the time we finish with dinner, things will be back to normal.Never a dull moment in this house.

Nick

What had I been saying on the trip home from work? I just couldn’t wait to get home and relax with my family.Right.

Our tranquil lake house turned into anything but. Two rowdy boys going out of their way to get covered in messy pasta on the deck so I’d come through on my threat to throw them in the lake, a house that smells like a forest fire, and sexual frustration that still has my balls aching.

But it’s home.

Sipping my scotch by the fire pit, waiting to join Kat after the long day, I can’t help but chuckle. This all-consuming crew. If anyone had told me eight years ago that this would be my life, I’d never have believed it. There’s not a day I don’t thank my lucky stars.

Lifting my glass tumbler to my mouth, I catch Kat’s shadow from the corner of my eye as she moves behind the glass bricks of our master bath window, where she’s helping Olivia in the tub. That woman changed everything for me. She may not have been able to have children the old-fashioned way, but she was destined to be a mother. I only wish my mom could’ve met Katarina. I like to think she’s watching us, feeling proud of my choices. That I could get past my hurt and fear and take a chance with Kat. Hell, she should be prouder still of Kat that she’d take a chance on me after everything I put her through.

The lights from the bathroom flick off, drawing me back to the present. I take another sip of my scotch, enjoying its warmth, while gazing across the lake where ripples dance under the night’s sky and the trees sway about the water’s edge. Now, this is relaxing.

Slam.

Jumping at the intrusion, I see Jonas through the trees, walking toward his deck railing and instantly place the loud noise. His screen porch door has always made that awful sound as it smacks closed. An ember glow illuminates through the leaves as he lights his cigar. We don’t know them well, but Jonas and Susanna seem nice enough. They’ve been incredibly welcoming since we arrived here, and I like knowing they’re close by if Kat needs anything.

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