Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I’ll never forget the expression on his face when he asked, “What do you do when the woman you lived for, stops living for you? I wanted my heart back, Cami, but how was that possible when she took it with her?”
I shuddered, feeling the weight of his questions in my soul.
“I’m so sorry, Aiden.”
I thought I wanted to know his feelings, now I wasn’t so sure.
How could I compete with that once-in-a-lifetime love?
I couldn’t.
I wouldn’t.
Making me realize…
There might be no future for us after all.
Chapter 18
<>Aiden<>
“What are you doing up?” I asked, walking into the kitchen from the garage. Quietly closing the door behind me.
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as I’d driven home from my midnight shift at the hospital. Never expecting to see my boys and baby girl up before Camila on a Saturday.
What was more surprising, they were all dressed and ready for the day ahead.
Jackson shrugged, as I grabbed Journey out of his arms.
“We’re making Mary Poppins breakfast. You know, for her birthday today or whatever.”
I smiled. “I’m sure she’s going to love that.”
He cracked an egg in the skillet, scrambling them up. “It’s just some eggs and toast. It’s not a big deal.”
I nodded, it was a huge deal. My oldest son came into this world a pain in the ass. He arrived two weeks past his due date, always needing to do things on his own time and pace.
Some things never changed.
Although he gave Camila a hard time with all his pranks, he still loved her. Jackson showed his emotions through his rebellious ways. It was how he coped with what he was feeling.
In the same way he’d always done with Harley.
My boy was a little shit like that.
Things between Camila and I were strained since last weekend on the beach. I didn’t get to finish what I wanted to say. What I needed her to hear.
Jackson and Jagger had interrupted our moment, and I’d been swamped at the hospital all week. Never having a moment alone with her since, my hectic schedule once again taking over my life.
“Did you know today was her birthday, Dad?” Jagger questioned, pulling my attention to him.
“I do.”
He grinned. “Did you get her anything?”
“Did you?”
“Yeah. I made her this.” He handed me a homemade book stapled together. “It’s from the both of us, Jackson.”
“What? Breakfast is my gift. What the hell did you do?”
“Jackson, watch your mouth.” I turned the pages of what looked like a coupon booklet for cleaning his room, the bathroom, and so on. “Jagger, this is very thoughtful of you.”
“I made mom one before, remember?”
“I do.”
“Mom loved it, so I’m hoping Camila does too. She’s been so down this week, not acting like herself at all. I mean I only saw her shake her ass maybe two or three times. That’s really unlike her.”
“Jagger, mouth,” I reprimanded, handing his present back to him.
“Yeah, she has been down this week now that you mention it. I thought I was the only one that noticed. She didn’t give a rat’s as—”
I glared at Jackson, halting his choice of words, but only for a second.
“She didn’t care about my latest prank. Shit, I hope I’m not losing my touch.”
Before I could chastise him yet again, Journey chimed in, “Da!”
“I know, baby.” I peered down at her. “Your brothers need their mouths washed out with soap.”
“Ma!”
I laughed. “Maybe Ma will do it.”
My sons’ eyes were wide when I looked back up at them.
“What?”
Jagger answered, “Dad, you just called Camila, Ma.”
“I… I… well shit, I did, didn’t I?”
And I wondered why my boys had foul mouths.
“Why is everyone up and in the kitchen?” Cami questioned, abruptly making us all turn to face her.
“Ah, shit!”
“Jackson!” she scolded, as I stood there in a state of shock.
I can’t believe I just called her Ma, and I didn’t even notice.
“On three,” Jagger instructed. “One, two, three. Happy birthday, Mary Poppins!” they greeted together, causing her and Journey to jolt, taken by surprise.
“They made you breakfast for your birthday.”
Her eyes shifted over to me. “Did you make them do that?”
I shook my head no, still trying to recover with how easily “Ma” flew out of my mouth.
“You guys did this for me? Because you wanted to?”
“Camila, it’s not a big de—”
She burst into tears.
“Ah, shit,” Jagger repeated.
“I’m going to let that cussword slide, because I can’t believe you did this for me! Oh my God! You do love me!”
In three strides, she was pulling them both into a loving hug.
“Oh, come on, Mary Poppins! This is completely unnecessary!”
“I love you too, Jackson,” she sniffled, closing her eyes and holding them as tight as possible to her body.
Reluctantly, Jackson hugged her back, hiding his smile. “Yeah, whatever…” he grumbled under his breath. “Eat your breakfast before it gets cold.”
“Wait.” She pulled away. “You didn’t do anything to it, right?”