Fulfillment Golland, M. (best classic literature TXT) 📖

“Was that aset up?” he asked me.

Jen cracked uplaughing.

“Was what aset up?” I asked, slightly confused.

“Elise’s nappywas far from clean,” he blurted out as he bounced her on hiship.

“Oh.Sorry...but shit happens...literally.” I giggled at my lame jokeand walked over to him, stopping to take Elise into my arms. “Didyou give Uncle Bryce a nice Easter present?” I babbled to myniece.

The entireroom fell silent at my choice of words, and I very quickly felt asthough I had five pairs of eyes burrowing into my back. I looked upat Bryce who was standing directly in front of me, his faceelated—thank goodness.

“Yes, she did.So next time, I choose Jack.” He kissed me on the top of the headand proceeded to sit back at the table, unperturbed at the fact Ihad just declared him a surrogate uncle. My family, too, continuedtheir discussions and all was well.

Nate, Charliand Olivia woke up shortly after and scoured the gardenssurrounding Mum and Dad’s house for treats the Easter Bunny hadleft behind. When they were sure all traces of foil-coveredchocolate had been found, we all sat down and enjoyed another mealtogether—this one just as entertaining as the night before. Afterlunch, we sadly said our goodbyes with kisses to the cheeks, warmembraces and promises to see one another soon. Jake had shookBryce’s hand and warned him—in a friendly manner—to take care ofme, and not because he would have to answer to my brother if hedidn’t. Instead, because he’d have to answer to me, as I apparentlywas the scariest one of us all—Bryce tended to agree.

***

Easter Sundaynight was spent at the apartment with Lucy, Nic and Baby Alexander.Bryce was once again so natural when it came to handling a baby; itwas an incredible turn on. I couldn’t help but formulate a picturein my mind of him holding, hugging, kissing and fussing over ourbaby. And as a result of this beautiful piece of imagery foresight,I had a ridiculously large smile plastered on my face.

“You seemhappy,” Lucy smirked as she gave me a nudge while we made a cup ofcoffee.

“I am, veryhappy. Your brother is essentially all one could ever wish for in aman, and I can’t for the life of me remember making that wish orbeing lucky enough to deserve it being granted.” I looked up fromthe bench while stirring the mug, noticing Bryce enthralled in agame of peek-a-boo with Charli and Alexander.

“True love isnot the result of a wish, Alexis. It is found by those who haveopen eyes. Unfortunately, so many people are blind—and because ofthat—will never experience it.” She put her mug to her lips andblew gently. “I will be forever grateful to you for opening youreyes. My brother deserves the love he has found with you.”

I turned toface her, a small tear in my eye. I also stupidly placed my hand onmy abdomen. Her eyes twinkled and her mouth opened, and that’s whenI realised what I had done. So I said the first stupid thing thatcame to my mind.

“Oooh, I thinkI have a bit of wind.” Nice, Alexis! After that heartfeltdeclaration, the first thing she hears you say is you havewind.

She squintedher eyes at me ever so mildly then sipped her coffee. “Better outthan in I’ve always said.”

She picked upNic’s cup, smiled at me and walked back into the lounge area.Shit! Crap! Balls! I picked up Bryce’s mug and followed her,feeling like a bloody idiot with a flatulence problem. I handed himthe mug and sat down beside him on the sofa, red-faced and morbidlyembarrassed. Lucy was still smiling at me. Fuck, I think sheknows.

I diverted myguilty you’ve-busted-me face and addressed my kids. “I hate tobreak up your game, but Charli and Nate, your father will be herebright and early in the morning to pick you both up. So it’sbedtime. Say goodnight and get yourselves ready for bed. I will beup to tuck you both in shortly.”

“Is RJ gonnabe there? Because if he is, I’m not going,” Nate said firmly.

“No, he’s not.But you are going to have to meet him soon Nate. You can’t avoid itforever, and besides, you will probably really like him.” I kissedhim on the head as he fist-bumped Bryce.

“I doubt it,”Nate murmured.

“He likescaramel and so do you. And he barracks for the Bombers like we do,”Charli offered. I winked at her and gave her a kiss, again whileshe and Bryce fist-bumped.

“Whatever.”Nate shrugged his shoulders and headed upstairs after sayinggoodnight to Lucy, Nic, and Alexander—Charli right behind him.

***

The nextmorning, Rick was at the apartment at the crack of dawn like hesaid he would be. I had barely registered the daylight when thebuzzer to the foyer sounded. Nic, Lucy, and Alexander were stillsound asleep. The kids were finishing packing their bags for theirstay with Rick, and Bryce was in the shower.

I opened thedoor still in my satin nightie and robe. “Hi,” I said as I let himin. “Since when did you become a morning person?”

“Since youleft me.” His response was flat, with a cutting tone.

I glared athim. “Well, it doesn’t agree with you.” Bite me and I’ll biteback.

“So what thehell was that the other day?”

“What?” Iasked bemused.

“KickingClaire out of my house.”

Oh, yeah. Iforgot about that. I walked into the kitchen, motioning him tofollow me. I didn’t need anyone else hearing this conversation,which was obviously about to get nasty. Once he was around thecorner and I was satisfied that we were alone, I answered him.

“For starters,Rick, it is not your house until you pay me forit.” He gave me a hostile look. “And secondly, she was wearing myfucking dress. How did you expect me to react?”

“Oh, I don’tknow...maybe like an adult. You didn’t even let her get her shoes.”Really? Oh! Bahaha that’s fucking funny. No, Alexis, it’snot.

“She surprisedme, Rick. I was not expecting her there. I just wanted to get therest of my things.”

“You took thecouch cushions, Alexis. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Nothing, theyare my couch cushions. I chose them. I bought them.”

“You’re actinglike a child.”

“Yeah, wellyou’d know all about that,” I yelled at him

“Are youfinished?” he asked quietly.

“With you?Yes. I don’t