So, I called her and stood from my chair facing the wall. "Hello?" I could hear myself croak, so I cleared my throat and repeated. "Hello, Nani?" She told me to call her that when we first met each other. The term means grandmother in India, and she wanted me to be affectionate towards her."I assumed you know why I had you call me at this hour?" Seema's voice was stern and angry, although she calmly answered and gave me a chill.I thought grandparents were supposed to be loving and hug all the time like Grandma Birdie, but Seema and Birdie are the total opposite of each other. It is how they were raised differently."Yes, Nani.""How on earth are you engaged to another man?" Her voice squealed like a pig. High tone. "It doesn't make sense that some other man claims to be your fiancé and works for Odin King. How do you know him?""Odin King happens to be Effie's grandfather," I said to her."I can not believe all this," she scowled on the other end. Then I heard you speak her dialect
After Dad and I talked and discussed making another room for the nursery, he also wanted to know if I've ever come up with a baby name. I never really thought of it. With my life full of shit happening, I haven't given one second of what I should name the baby. I still have around seven months. How hard can it be to name a baby? Wow. A baby. Me. Having a baby. And with a Wolfe. Oh god! I just felt the world spin forward. It was hard to believe that I was going to be a mother. Just the thought of a bit of human inside of me I'm going to be taking care of, feeding, putting to sleep, then the sleepless nights - oh no, I won't have any time to relax. But luckily, Dad said he and Daddy Wayne would do it for me because I'm still in high school and need my sleep. Later I drove to Reid/Wolfe's house and saw that the two-combine houses were almost done. It's only for a few weeks, and it looks like a mansion compared to the houses next to them. I parked and turned off the ignition, and l
I let the tears fall without realizing it. I hurt my friend, who's been through a lot, and now I'm beating myself. "Does Liam know?" She managed to say. "I mean, that's why you ask for him?" I wiped my eyes and sniffled. "No, I wanted to. But I couldn't. You heard the way he talked to me. He doesn't fucking care about me. If I tell him about his only child, do you think he will be with me just for the baby? Yes, he would, but there's no love for me in his heart." I continued to wipe off the tears around my eyes and cheeks. They just kept on falling. "Liam isn't that kind of guy," Effie said, rubbing my back. "He and his brothers are not that low to do that. They are loyal. Ohana. I only know Logan for a couple of months, and we are still new to this relationship, but I won't lie. It's funny to have a boyfriend, and I love him, and he's the same. He and I will live under one roof, and I'm nervous about that. Since we are together, we are sharing a room instead." She chuckled. "Athen
I let the tears fall without realizing it. I hurt my friend, who's been through a lot, and now I'm beating myself. "Does Liam know?" She managed to say. "I mean, that's why you ask for him?" I wiped my eyes and sniffled. "No, I wanted to. But I couldn't. You heard the way he talked to me. He doesn't fucking care about me. If I tell him about his only child, do you think he will be with me just for the baby? Yes, he would, but there's no love for me in his heart." I continued to wipe off the tears around my eyes and cheeks. They just kept on falling. "Liam isn't that kind of guy," Effie said, rubbing my back. "He and his brothers are not that low to do that. They are loyal. Ohana. I only know Logan for a couple of months, and we are still new to this relationship, but I won't lie. It's funny to have a boyfriend, and I love him, and he's the same. He and I will live under one roof, and I'm nervous about that. Since we are together, we are sharing a room instead." She chuckled. "Athen
"My, you are quite the comedic, Liam," my grandma flattered her eyelashes after Liam told a joke I didn't find funny.Since dinner started, Liam and I have tried to fool my grandparents. At first, they were skeptical of him because of his background, and because he was not my chosen husband suddenly changed their minds when he opened his mouth to impress them with class and humor.It's like freak Crazy Rich Asians but with the Haasan family.I didn't know he could be funny and have mannerisms answering every question Seema mostly asked and getting to know Liam as the conversation continued. My grandparents never question his "job" with Odin because Vishal and Seema can be compelling when it comes to others with money, and learning that Liam works for the big man of a different world, they shouldn't insult him in any way. I knew that from Effie when she told me everything about her grandfather's work life. I was too afraid to be close to her, but Effie is Effie, and Odin is friendly. I
I rushed to the nearest bathroom, locked the door, and threw up. I didn't eat much, but being pregnant and lying to people made it worst for me to continue this act.No, it's the pregnancy.Once I had released my worries in a pile of odorous substances, I flushed it and washed my mouth and face. I let the water run as I looked at myself in the mirror, thinking about what kind of person I was. What am I doing? I laid my hand over my stomach and caressed it.All I wanted was for my grandparents to know that I didn't want to marry Kareem, even though he was my betroth, given the promise by my mother. Suddenly, my grandparents weren't happy that I was engaged to another guy they had never met. They wanted an entire interrogation of Liam because he wasn't what the family wanted. But now they seemed to be getting along, and the acting paid off.I sat on the bathroom tile floor and just sat there, waiting for what exactly? Should I go back and watch a show I don't like or continue the role a
"Princess, all packed and ready to go?"I heard Daddy call outside my room as I zipped my suitcase shut. "Yeah, I just need to put my boots on."As I put on my snow boots, I thought about things going through my mind. First, I never thought me and my family would be going to see Grandma Birdie at Big Bear for Thanksgiving because she wanted to cook and see us. It's been a while since I've seen Grandma Birdie, she's a wild lady with a heart of a daredevil. She can do anything that seems risky for her age. Not saying she's old-old, but people age, and she isn't getting any younger. Sometimes I would be getting postcards from places where dangerous things can happen, skydiving, ATV at the dunes, swimming with sharks, going on a safari journey, anything the whole world can provide that my grandma can do. But I love her braveness if only I can get some of that.Secondly, I'm glad we are having Thanksgiving dinner at her house; otherwise, that lie I told Athena the other day would be just a
Birdie closed the door behind us as I felt the warm feeling of this house. It has been a long time since we visited, and I could never forget. "So, Lily, do you have a boyfriend yet?"My body flinched at her question. "Boyfriend? I don't have time for a boyfriend," I laughed nervously."Really? You are grown now, eighteen, practically a young adult. Don't tell me you don't have someone in mind." Birdie frowned. "Is your daddy not letting you date? If he is, then I'll give him a good lecture about-""No!" I grabbed her arm, stopping her. I looked down, squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath, and lifted my head. "No, my dads are okay with me dating it just...not right now since it's my senior year, and I have lots of things to do, like looking for a good college."Birdie made a face and studied me for a whole minute. I felt so uncomfortable with her stare that I was sweating, then sighed. She smiled as she reached for my cheek and patted it softly. "I understand. You are responsible
I open the door after the first ring and pull up a curve smile wide enough to greet Grandma Birdie standing at the doorstep. "Oh, my little Lily," Grandma Birdie squeezed my face and kissed the side of my face. "After giving birth, you became more beautiful than ever." "Oh, stop it, Grandma," I blush. "Congratulations on graduating high school. Here for you and Effie," she hands me a gift bag. "It's something you both desperately need." "What is it?" "Open it later," she winks and walks towards the family room as she yells. "Wayne, Nicky, oh, and my baby boy Ramsey. Come to Gram Gram." I watch her get Ramsey from Dad and shower him with love. I pull up a grin before Effie comes to my side. "Oh, Birdie is here." "Yeah." Looking down at the bag. "So, what did she get you?" Effie asks, looking over my shoulder. "Us," I correct her. "Me too? Well, can I see?" "I was planning on opening it when my grandma or anybody isn't around," I say. "I got an uneasy feeling the gift won't b
Liam and I couldn't wait.He drove fast with the family's CRV and took us to his house. We were frantic that his brothers, Effie, or the others would notice, but we didn't care. I'm worried about leaving Ramsey with his grandparents, especially Seema. Rahul reassured me that she would not harm my child. If she does, I would have to bitch slap her. Liam abruptly stops on the side, never caring to park in the driveway. He got out first, as I already unhook the seatbelt. He opened my door and pulled me out as he closed the door. Liam locks the car while he holds my hand, unlocking the front door, he checks around the house to see if anybody is home as if we are about to make a heist, and when it is all clear, we run upstairs into his room.Liam shut the door and locked it. While he did that, I was already removing my clothes, and as soon as I pulled my shirt. Liam cups the fabric of my bra on my breast and kisses my neck.I moan from his touch—the urge and hunger I wanted so badly from
"Thank you for coming, Lily. After that fiasco at the supermarket, you wouldn't want to see me again.""I didn't have a choice since you said my great-grandfather is here to see me."She seems close the door as I'm inside her home. I had Liam drive me here before he went with the guys and picked me up later. Seema texted me last night and told me her dad, my great-grandfather, is flying here to L. A and wanted to see me.I don't know why since I'm not close to him, but my mother would have wanted me to meet him. At first, I didn't want to because of Seema, but knowing and meeting."You didn't bring you...son," she says as if Ramsey is a parasite. I clench my hands, and so help me want to slap her. I refrain and posture myself."He is with his father, bonding," I tell her with a sour face. "I will ask Liam to bring him here to meet his great-great-grandfather. But he will contract some disease if he sees you."Seema gasps shockingly. "How dare you talk like that? I would have slapped y
I hum a lullaby while I rock Ramsey to sleep. The boys are outside while the girls are inside binge-watching Grey's Anatomy.Soft knocks on the door as Effie enters the nursery, shuts the door and tiptoes her way to the couch across from me."Zara asleep?"She nods. "After her bottle, she fell asleep. Playing with her uncle wore her out.""I never notice how big she is getting." I chuckle, looking down at my sleeping Prince. "The first time I saw her, she was tiny.""Zara is a big eater."We both laugh but stop when Ramsey stirs in his sleep. I rise from the rocking chair and place my son in his crib. I did not want to leave his side. Leaving him and being apart from my son makes a part of my soul crumble. Is this what being a mom feels like? Is this how my mother felt when she left me?"Grandpa told me everything," Effie says. "To think that the man who destroyed Liam's adolescence is your father. Your real father."A sense of pity filled in Effie's words as she mentioned, 'My fathe
"Are you going to be okay, Lily-pad?"I only smile. "I'll be fine, Dad. Liam, Effie, and the gang are coming for a sleepover.""It's weird that boys will be joining a slumber party.""Don't worry," I assure him. "Some of us are studying for finals while the rest will hang out with the babies."Dad pouts while Papa passes by with luggage.I turn Dad's body around and push him out the door towards the truck. "You don't want to wait another day because I'm going home alone.""But-""No buts, you and Papa bought the tickets ahead of time, and you finally get to watch Mariah Carey in Vegas.""But, babykins-" Dad's pouting level up."Papa, a little help here."Papa Wayne closed the trunk and carried Dad like a princess putting him inside the car, putting on the seatbelt, and shutting the door."Thanks, Papa," I beam and kissed the big man.He pats my head and smiles. "You guys behave. No partying and no alcohol. Especially alcohol. Who knows what you guys will be doing drunk.""Yes, Daddy."
Odin nod to Mr. Nobile and then walks inside the interrogation room. The guard standing outside the room closes the door. I count four more police guards standing in each corner of the room.We sat down and sat there. None of us said a word to each other. Devin, looking like a homeless guy, just kept staring at us. He scoffs, sniffles, then coughs a laugh once he lands his eyes on Odin."It's been a long time, Odin," Devin says with a malicious grin.Odin slams his hand on the table and rises, pointing the finger at Devin. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."I try to calm him down by putting him back on his chair. For an old man, he's strong."But you didn't, did you?" Devin taunts Odin. "You couldn't kill your brother, can you?"My eyes shot wide open, looking at Devin to Odin. "Brother?""You are no brother of mine.""Of course," Devin lean back against his chair, still grinning. "We grew up in the same neighborhood. Well, you had a family, and I didn't. I stayed in th
After two days of being discharged from the hospital, I was instructed to stay home for a few more days. I can't go to school yet because I just recovered from being shot and had been cut open to give birth to my baby boy, except I can attend graduation. I had homework delivered to my house from either Liam, Effie, or Clark. Sometimes Logan and the brothers. Even Jordan, personally.They just wanted to make sure Ramsey and I were okay. Liam especially. He debated whether to stay home and take care of me. But rumors of the birth of my son spread at school. They already knew I was pregnant, and Liam was the father. The students are just all talking.My parents went out, so it's just me in the house with my baby. I stand before my mirror and lift my shirt to reveal the surgical line cut open to bring my son out. It's healing slowly, and it doesn't hurt. I trace my finger over the line, just staring at myself. I was on the brink of death after experiencing such a horrible event with Devin
"So, what happened to Devin?" I ask Liam, who is on his lap, fast-moving his fingers on the keyboard. Studying in a hospital room can be peaceful, but it sucks I could get out just yet.I forgot about asking about Devin but at the same time. I didn't care. However, I wonder what happened to him once he made a hit-and-run scheme. This topic has been bothering me since Liam came to visit.Liam looks up. "The coast guard captured him before he crossed to Mexico."That's a relief."So, he's in prison.""Odin and his lawyers gave the court all the evidence on Devin. Charged with kidnapping, charged with rape with a minor, charged with human trafficking, charged with the possession of drugs, charged with attempted murder, and the list goes on and on. He has a long list of charges that will make him stay in prison till the day he dies." He then looks at me then furrows his brows. "Why are you asking about him?"I look down at the study guide for math with a problem that is half-solved. "Liam
It felt like I had died and been brought back to life for a long time. God didn't want me to leave this world just yet. After my conscience met my mother for the first time, I felt a dream. Some supernatural shit like when a hero failed to save the world, they would meet someone who never wants them to give up and gives a second chance.It seemed like forever, but I finally opened my eyes. It was a blur until I focused on the bright light above me. Was this the light that brought me back?I hear soft snores beside me, and my hand cupped into something warm and familiar. Slightly turn my head and lift the corner of my lips into a somewhat weak grin.With his head on the side of the bed, Liam uses his arm as a pillow while the other holds my hand. He is sleeping soundly; I don't want to wake him. My whole body is stiff and in pain. I look up and see a female nurse enter the room. We made eye contact, and quickly shaking my head, I eyed my sleeping prince.She understood my gesture and m