Page 259 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Yes.”

“Can I have crepes for breakfast, Mum?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“I want cereal.”

“Ok, darling. I’m glad your tummy ache is gone.”

“I’m not wearing pants.

“Yes, Ethan, you are.”

“Evie doesn’t-”

“You’re wearing pants, Ethan.” My voice went up a few decibels. “So is Evie. Go. Get. Changed.”

“You always shout at us.” Ethan pointed out.

It hadn’t really been a shout, just a firm tone. A firm, loud tone…not that loud. I wasn’t shouting yet.

Eva nodded. “It’s true. We don’t shout at you.”

“It’s not nice to shout at people, Mummy.” Ethan reminded me.

Matt sauntered over to where the three of us stood.

“Daddy isn’t mean to us, he never shouts.” Eva added while beaming at Matt. Ethan sent a wide smile to his dad also and Matt grinned right back, encouraging the shit.

My eyes narrowed into slits as I felt my blood pressure rise. “I swear toGod,” I didn’t need to say anymore. They knew, even Matt knew, a line was about to be crossed.

“Ok,” He stepped in, taking charge and pissing me off further. “Daddy’s home now, so why don’t you two go do as Mummy says and get dressed.” Matt tried to slide an arm around my waist but I moved away. A look of concern flashed across his face before he resumed smiling at the children. “Would you like Daddy to take you today?”

“Yay!” Both of them cheered. What was I? Chopped liver? No bloody loyalty. Did it matter I was the one who had carried theminside mefor 34 weeks? Did they care I had managed to breast-feed for six months then kept up expressing once I had returned to work for a further three months? Did they care-

“Can we get ice cream, Daddy?”

“Of course, darling.” Matt absent-mindedly brushed a hand over Ethan’s hair as he and Eva walked by. He quickly added, “After your riding lessons.” when he heard my frustrated growl.

“I’m taking them.” I said. “You must be tired from flying,”

The twins halted their approach to the shared walk-in closet and began to complain.

“Aww! I want Daddy to take us.”

“Please, Daddy.”

Matt winked at me. “It’s fine. I slept on the plane.”

I knew when I wasn’t wanted. “Alright.” If they wanted their dad, they could have him. The twins cheered again then ran into their closet to get changed.

“Are you ok?” Matt asked, reaching for me again. He nabbed my arm and started rubbing his thumb over my skin.

“Yes.” I wasn’t ok, but now wasn’t the time to get into it.

Matt grimaced and leaned in closer. “You’re a terrible liar, sweetheart. Have they been a handful?”

I rolled my eyes and tried to sidestep him. If he wasn’t gone so much he would know the answer to that question. Even when he didn’t have to travel, he still spent crazy hours at his office. Caitlin had started penalizing Adam for staying late more than four times a week. I didn’t dare ask what his penalty was, Caitlin was kind of kinky but Adam was besotted with his wife. We got along swimmingly, although she was much closer to Hannah. Natty had filled me in on her uncle’s broken romance, but it all turned out ok considering they had been married for four years now. Their three year old son, Henry, loved his Aunt Madi, I gave the best tickles. Nathan and Bella’s children also adored me. And I was super-duper-fun aunt where Dante’s kids were concerned. Why my own kids thought I was mean was beyond me. It wasn’t like I shouted all the time. Did I?

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