Page 82 of From Angel to Rogue

“I’m nervous. Are you nervous?” I asked, pacing the floor. Luka would be here any moment now and I was already losing my mind.

“Katy, it’s going to be fine,” Lan offered with a reassuring smile. “It’s Luka, and he loves you already.”

I nodded, forcing a tight smile that did nothing to help the nerves twisting my gut.

“K, come here.” Matty gestured from the couch to sit beside him.

I shook my head and both the men sighed loudly while I slid them a glare.

The shrill of Lan’s phone echoed through the room, and I stilled, watching as he spoke in hushed tones to Naomi.

“They’re here,” he announced as the call ended. “I’ll go and bring Luka up.”

“I’ll go too.” I was already walking toward him when he gave me a look that stopped me in my tracks.

“You stay right here with your brother, Katy,” Lan warned, and he didn’t give me a second to react before he bolted out.

And I stood there gaping at the closed door.

“K.” My twin’s big hand gripped my shoulder, tugging me toward the couch. “Sit.” He motioned like I was some anxious pet, and I sighed, lowering myself.

Maybe I was being a bit too dramatic than necessary.

It was just that…just that I was scared.

They didn’t know. They just didn’t know how I felt.

All I wanted was to be a mother, and this was my chance, and I didn’t want to mess it up like I’ve been ruining everything lately.

The seconds ticked louder than usual and after what felt like ten minutes, the sound of the door code beeping made me jump to my feet.

I held my breath as I watched Lan walk in carrying an awe-eyed Luka in his arms while he dragged the smallest suitcase behind him.

Something clawed my chest at the sight of that. Is that all he had? All his life reduced to the tiniest possible suitcase when I’d been hoarding unnecessary things all my life to keep up an image, when kids like Luka didn’t even get to have food.

Guilt added to my chest, I made a mental note to spoil him and make a few donations.

“Luka,” I greeted, rushing to his side.

His eyes lit up when his gaze snapped to me. “Katiew,” he shouted, holding out his arms.

Unexplainable emotions crowded my chest as I hugged them both together, squeezing Luka between us and Lan’s other arm wrapped around me, caging us in.

I pressed about a dozen kisses on Luka’s soft cheek and he smiled.

“Katiew, I think I am cruswhed,” Luka announced in an adorable voice that made both Lan and me laugh.

I ruffled his hair as I pulled away. “Are you excited to live with Lan and Katy?”

“Yes.” He nodded, biting his lip. “Lawndon told me we can have ice cream for dinner, Katiew. Can I have chocolate flavor, please?”

“Of course, baby.”

Lan narrowed his eyes. “Only if you get to brush your teeth and be a good little man.”

“Duh, I am a good man, Lawndon,” Luka said like it was the most obvious truth.

The expression on his face only made us smile harder.

---