Paige 00

Paige 00
I didn’t know how long went by, but eventually, Asher sent a message to Nate telling him he’d taken me down to my sister’s suite to get my mind off things. They’d probably only just woken up, but it was a good idea. The kids were always a good distraction.
Especially when Alex and Thorn’s emotions inside me were lost. I felt the loss even more since I’d just made the connection and bonded with Alex, but Asher told me they would have blocked the connection for my sake.
I knocked on the door, and it sprang open by a smiling Sophie. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me close. Lifting her head, she dug her chin into my hip. “Hiya, Aunty Paige.”
I ran my hands over her head. “Hiya, Sophie. Is your mom awake?”
“I think so. I didn’t call out this morning. I snuck out my room and heard her yell at Daddy about doing something harder.”
Oh shit.
Asher choked, holding back a laugh.
“Ah, yeah, okay. I’m sure she’ll be out soon.”
Asher choked again, and I elbowed him. Curling my arm around Sophie’s shoulders, I ushered her back into the living room. “You know you shouldn’t answer the door on your own.”
“But there’s men who watch to keep us safe. Mommy told me.”
“I know, honey, but your mom and dad would still like you to never answer the door without them around.”
She sighed. “Okay.” She skipped over to Asher, her arms already raised. He scooped her up and swung her around, drawing out a giggle. “Hiya, Uncle Asher.”
He stilled, just blinking down at her.
“What’s wrong with him?” she asked.
I laughed. “Nothing, honey. He’s just happy that you’re calling him Uncle Asher.”
“Oh.” She grinned. “Mommy said I could when I asked. And I get to call Nate my uncle Nate, and Thorn my uncle Thorn, and Alex my uncle Alex. Even though Alex does supercool magic and I wanted to marry him, Mommy said I couldn’t because he was your boyfriend, Aunty Paige. Then I asked how come you get to date, like, four boys, but she said she’d tell me when I’m older or that I had to ask you… so…?”
I didn’t know what to say. What I did think, though, was that I was going to kill my sister for leaving it up to me.
Maybe it would be best for the simple answer. “Because I love them all, and they were made just for me.”
“That’s amazing!” she cried, and then squished Asher’s cheeks together. “Isn’t that amazing!” He nodded, smiling, also trying to hold in his laughter again. Sophie didn’t. She giggled and announced, “I want to be just like Aunty Paige and love lots of boys.”
Oh fuck.
“How about we make a start on breakfast for everyone?” I suggested quickly.
“Yes,” she cried. “I’m starving.”
Oscar was the next to rise, just as I had the bacon and eggs cooking while Asher talked, and Sophie got the cutlery and cups out. My nephew walked in looking like a little monster himself with his shuffling feet, messy hair, and tired eyes. He made his way straight to Asher and leaned into Asher’s side. I looked on, my heart melting as Asher put his arm around Oscar and said, “Morning, buddy.” Oscar grunted back in reply.
Asher would have made an amazing father. The only time I saw his expression that soft was when he was with me and the rest of the men. Outside our rooms, he was cold and hard. It was beautiful to see the difference he held, the gentleness to him, for the people important to him. I wished I could give my men children.
Sadness washed through me. I couldn’t regret what I’d become or where my life was at because I had my men, but I would have loved to have extended our own little family with their kids.
Asher’s gaze lifted, his gates opened, and he flooded me with contentment and happiness. I smiled warmly at him and went back to cooking. No, I could never regret where my life was because I had four beautiful, amazing men. If only Ezra were around…. I shook my head from that thought before it took me under.
“Aunty,” Oscar mumbled.
“Yes, little man?”
“Can I have pancakes?”
“You can have anything. As soon as I’m done here, I’ll make you some.”
“Thanks. Uncle Asher, do you want pancakes?”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Asher’s eyes shine, his chest expanding. I could feel how honored he was the kids were calling him uncle.
“Morning,” my sister announced, walking in with a satisfied smile and fresh from the shower, dressed in jeans and a woolen sweater.
“Morning, Mommy,” Sophie cried and ran at Yasmin to hug her. “I got up myself this morning, and then Aunty Paige was here. Did Daddy end up doing it harder?”
I laughed and Asher chuckled when Yasmin choked on her own saliva. “W-What?”
“I got up without calling out like you asked, and I heard you yell at Daddy about doing it harder.”
“Ah, right….” Yasmin looked at us for help. We were too busy enjoying her embarrassment.
“It’s all right, Soph,” Eric said as he walked in. “I took care of it.”
“Goodie,” she yelled, and then went back to grabbing juice out of the refrigerator.
“Eric,” Yasmin whispered in a harsh tone.
“She doesn’t know any better.”
“But others do.” She gestured her head toward us.
Eric just smiled and called “Morning,” before he planted a quick kiss on Yasmin’s cheek and walked our way.
I froze when a frantic knock sounded on the door. Asher was up out of his seat and at the door in seconds, opening it. He stepped back, and Aggie, the witch who was spying on her coven mistress, moved in. Her eyes wide with worry.
“Eric, take this,” I said, handing him the spatula. “Ollie wants pancakes.”
“So does Asher,” Oscar said quickly.
“I’ll let your mom know if we can make it back in time.”
He grumbled, “Fine.” I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then Sophie and finally Yasmin. Only when I went to pull away from my sister, she took my hand. Our eyes met and she studied me.
“I’m okay,” I told her.
“Promise?”