Chapter 34: Chapter Thirty-Four

Aubrey

“Auntie Aubrey, wake up! Uncle Everett is making teddy bear pancakes.” Heath’s excited voice shrieks, waking me from my slumber.

“He is?” I ask, meeting his excitement.

“Yes, so come on.”

I chuckle. “Yes, boss. I will be down in a minute.”

He hurries out of the room and back down the stairs. Reaching for my cell, I check the time. It is seven o’clock in the morning. Has Everett gotten all the kids up? I thought he would have been away by now. I didn’t expect him to be in the kitchen, making teddy bear pancakes. I wish he were away, but for the sake of the kids, I'll put on a happy face and join them.

Sitting up, I pull it together after a moment, climb out of bed and make my way downstairs to the kitchen. The sight in front of me takes me aback. Heath and Iris are settled at the table, patiently waiting for their breakfast. Everett is at the stove, cooking with Daisy attached to his hip. Who knew he could multitask?

“Good morning, everyone.” I greet happily.

“Auntie Aubrey.” Daisy gushes, excited to see me. Did she think I had left?

Everett smiles at me. “Morning.”

I nod, taking Daisy from him. I sit her at the table with her siblings. “How did everyone sleep?”

“Good!’ the kids chorused.

I ruffle their hair before going over to Everett. “Where are the dogs? Can I help with anything?”

“Out in the yard, enjoying their morning. They’ve had their breakfast, so they are happy. Can you get them all some milk and cut up some fruit, please?”

I smile. “Sure.”

It is strange seeing Everett in uncle mode. He seems the type who doesn’t like kids. He is showing his softer side, something I haven’t really experienced. Everett thanks me. I do what I need, and soon enough, the pancakes are ready and plated up. Little teddy bear faces, ears and all. He used chocolate chips for its eyes and nose, then strawberries for the smile. They are adorable. I smile as I look down at them.

“Cute,” I say.

I add fruit to the plate, setting them in front of the kids. They excitedly tucked in, their little faces lighting up.

“I can make you some if you want?” he chuckles.

“Thank you, but coffee is all I need.”

“There is fresh coffee in the pot.”

I pour each of us a mug of coffee, handing one to him. We rest against the counters, sip our coffee and keep our eyes on the kids as they eat.

“When did they wake? I didn’t hear them.”

“I am not sure. I woke at six-thirty to them giggling. I found them in Heath’s rooms, along with the dogs, Heath reading them a book.” He replies.

“As long as they are happy and safe.”

They get along great. Yes, they bicker like all siblings, but they are close.

“Aubrey, I really am sorry. Are you still mad at me?” Everett’s nervous voice asks.

Sighing, I turn to face him. “I don’t know, but now isn’t the time to discuss it.”

I don’t want the kids picking up on anything. Everett nods, not saying another word. We can talk about it if he wants, but not here, not now.

All the kids are bathed and ready, playing out in the yard with the dogs. Everett got his car fixed. I expected him to go home after, but he came back. Hugo and Erica aren’t home yet. They called to check in and talk with the kids. They will be back for lunchtime, so there are a couple of hours left. I told them Everett was here and explained why. I didn’t want them to come home, see Everett here and jump to the wrong conclusion. There was no reason to lie to them.

“Do you want to take the kids and dogs down to the lake? Take a walk through the woods? The dogs will need a walk anyway.” Everett asks from the spot next to me.

“Sure, if the kids are up for it. We can take snacks and drinks for them.”

Everett strolls over to ask them. By their excitement, the answer is yes. We’ll need to take Daisy’s stroller with us in case her or Iris’s legs get tired from walking. It wasn’t part of my plan to be spending my day with Everett, yet here I am. It is fine. He’ll behave, and we won’t argue, not with the kids here.

“The answer is yet.” He chuckles, approaching.

I laugh. “I gathered that by their reaction. Can you get their boots and coats on, please? I will sort a bag out with everything we need for them and the dogs. I’ll let Erica and Hugo know the plan. We don’t want them to worry when they return to an empty house.”

“I can do that.”

Everett offers me his hand to help me up. I am hesitant, but I take it, and he brings me to my feet. My clumsy ass stumbles, of course, and I fall against his chest.

Everett laughs, wrapping his arm around me to steady me. “Easy, beautiful.”

My cheek heats, and I look up at him. “Sorry.”

Everett stares down at me, silent. I swallow hard under his intense stare. It takes a moment, but he clears his throat, and he lets go of me. “It is fine.”

I gather myself and call for the kids and dogs to come inside to get organised. They all come running without needing to be asked again. They giggle, and the dogs yap in excitement as they do. It should be a good afternoon. It will tire them all out, making it an easy day for Erica and Hugo when they come home.

I open a text to Erica.

Hey, Everett and I are going to take the kids and the dogs down to the lake and then for a walk through the woods—no need to rush home. Enjoy the afternoon with your husband ;) xx

A reply comes through from Erica straightaway.

Okay, have fun. Send me some photos, please. Oh, I will enjoy my husband very much. Thank you, both of you xx

I will! See you later xx

I put my cell away, focusing on getting everything organised to head out before anyone becomes restless. When I stroll through, everyone is waiting by the front door patiently for me, the dogs on their leads. Everyone is eager to go.

“Ready?”

“Yes!” the kids’ chorus.

Daisy takes one of my hands, Iris takes the other while Heath takes Fang on the lead, and Everett has the other two in one hand and the stroller folded in another. We were ready to go. Hopefully, we have everything.