Page 32 of No Regrets

“Yeah, and he’s going to break that little girl’s heart when he decides your arranged marriage isn’t something he wants to be apart of any more.”

“You know, you could at least be nice to him. He’s still the same Kaden you all used to love. He’s grown up a lot.” Brianna pushed her sleeves up and began mashing the potatoes. “We had to go to ER last night.”

“What? Why?” Regina and Teresa dropped their spatulas and waited for her response.

“Shiloh had a temperature, and we didn’t know why. She cried two hours straight with pain, and the doctor said she had double ear infections. That’s why she’s not her usual self today. Kaden tried to get me to keep her home, but I didn’t want her to miss Christmas.”

“Oh, Brianna, that poor baby.” Teresa went to the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron. “Kaden, you can lay her in Jessie’s crib if you want. Brianna said she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Uh, okay. Where’s it at?” He stood holding his little girl close to him.

“Right down the hall. Last room at the end.”

Brianna wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “I’ll show you.”

They walked in silence, Brianna leading the way. “Your family hates me.”

“They do not. They did, but I told them about how you took care of Shiloh last night, and they all think your Superman now.”

She watched as he laid Shiloh in the crib, patting her back so she’d stay asleep. Finally, when he was satisfied she’d be okay, he turned, and Brianna wrapped her arms around him. She held him for a second before speaking.

“I’m sorry, Kaden. I was just scared last night because she’d never done that before. Thank you for being there for me, for her. I’m sorry I’m bitchy and keep picking fights with you.”

His arms came around her, pulling her to him, tight. “Brianna, there’s no place else I’d rather be than with you and that little girl. The good, bad, and ugly, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

She nodded, smiling up at him. “I promise we’ll leave after lunch. Shiloh would rest better in her own bed, or in ours.”

He kissed her nose. “Let’s go.”

True to her word, right after lunch Brianna bid her goodbyes while Kaden got Shiloh ready. Max, her cousin, helped load their presents in the car. Amazingly, the kid probably wouldn’t need toys for a few years. It’d take her at least that long to play with all the ones she received just this Christmas.

After everyone hugged them goodbye, they drove off.

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