Gifted Connections 1

I tried to keep a blank face. “Probably so.” I stated.

“Beth, stop teasing the girl,” Will said as he came down the stairs.

His face lit up as Ella ran across the room to give him a large embrace. He swung her up into his arms, and she smacked a kiss on his cheek. “I missed you,” she stated emphatically.

He chuckled and squeezed her close. “I saw you this morning, little lamb.”

She giggled. “I know.”

“Zack Young is a pretentious, arrogant, ass,” Beth told me, drawing my attention back to her.

I let out a surprised laugh.

“Beth,” Steven said with a gentle warning, but his eyes were dancing with laughter.

“Children are present,” Cora rolled her eyes. I had a feeling this was a daily occurrence between the three of them.

“Well, it’s true,” Beth stated crossing her arms.

“Now I know where his daughters get it from,” I winked at Beth. “Although, there’s still hope for Mei Linn.”

“Not likely,” Cora snorted. “Their mothers are just as bad and encourage the behavior.”

I frowned. “Well hopefully she can rise above her environment,” I stated.

“I heard you made Tamara prance around in her underwear,” Beth stepped closer to me and grabbed my hands. I could tell she was a handful for her connections. She was Jemmy times three. “Show me!”

“Beth, really,” Cora snapped. “As a gifted, you should realize we’re not circus monkeys to perform at someone else’s whim.”

“Says who?” Beth asked innocently and I watched as her hair change from blond, to purple, to pink, to blue, and back to blond. Then her eyes changed in the same kaleidoscope of colors.

I giggled. “Maybe some other time,” I promised. “I think I pushed my limits for the day.” I told her truthfully. I was feeling tired and hungry from my demonstrations in the kitchen earlier and I didn’t want to push myself to the point of straining again.

Beth gave me a pretty pout. “Boo, some other time then.”

“Well girls, I think Drake has some cookies ready for you to decorate,” I said clapping my hands.

They both squealed and headed to the kitchen. I laughed as I followed them.

“Would you like a glass of wine or beer, and some cookies?” Will asked as I was leaving.

“Yes please,” Cora said quickly.

“She’ll be fine,” Beth scoffed.

“This is the first time our baby is spending the night anywhere; can you be a little more concerned. Or pretend to be.” Cora snapped back.

“You forget who gave birth to her,” Beth snapped. Then said softer, “I’m sorry Cora, she is ours, and I am anxious, but worrying will do Nadia no favors. We decided she needed to gain confidence and this is a step in the right direction. Who better to stay with than Will, he’ll make sure our girl is taken care of.”

I went into the kitchen, done with eavesdropping.

I wondered if my life would be even more complicated if I decided to bear a child. It wasn’t as simple as their situation. It was clear Steven had an intimate relationship with both women, but when they chose to add to the family, it was clear who the mother was, even if they shared maternal responsibilities. If I ever chose to have a family, how would I choose the father? And if the choice was taken out of my hands would it be clear who the child’s father was without tests being done? Would the guys raise him or her as their own?

We decided to let the girls watch a new animated film. I was surprised to see the guys getting into it as much as the girls. We had popped popcorn and put it in bowls throughout the room. We let the girls drink some soda, which was a rare treat for both of them, and munched on the cookies Drake had made us.

I was laying on Jace while Remy had my feet in his lap rubbing them. Drake was sitting in front of me and I was running my fingers through his hair. I was feeling warm and tired, but it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet and I didn’t want to fall asleep. Jax was sitting on the other sofa and Jemmy and Rachel were on either side of him with their heads in his lap.

Will was on his oversized recliner, one girl on each leg; further proving my theory that he was a changed man. I wish my dad was still around so he could see this. See that it was never too late to change your ways.