Page 20 of Vengeful Pawn (Adair Legacy #6)
MiaBella
I ’ve been out of the hospital for a month, still have no memory of what happened that night, and now we’re finally moving into the house Hendrix bought for us.
The first few days at his parents’ home were stressful and filled with pain.
In the hospital, I’d been given medications primarily through IV, so I hadn’t realized just how bad my injuries were beyond waking up the first time.
It took us a few days to figure out a routine that kept the pain almost non-existent.
I’ve healed well. My ribs still hurt, I continue to get awful headaches, and the surgery site gives me fits at times when I overdo it. But overall, everything is on schedule.
Obtaining custody of Coral and Charlotte was challenging at first due to their circumstances and the presence of living relatives.
It’s only because of my meticulous notes and recorded sessions with the girls that we were granted full custody a week ago after an emergency hearing, which included the judge in Alabama who testified for us.
“Don’t lift that,” Charlotte growls at me as I go to grab my suitcase from the back of Hendrix’s truck.
A lot of his family has been helping us move into the house and arranging things as I like, at the insistence of Hendrix and Castiel.
They refuse to have a piece of furniture touch the off-white hardwood floors without my approval.
I had to come outside to get some air because all I want to do is lie in bed and sleep for a week.
The baby has been growing like a weed, and the women of the family are taking bets that I’m carrying a boy because of how low he’s settled in my stomach and the heart rate.
All myths, of course, but it's fun seeing a family unit bond this way.
Coral and Charlotte have begun opening up more and more every day, thanks to the positive attention they receive and the help of their therapists.
“I wasn’t touching it.” My hands raise as she eyes me skeptically.
“Dad, come get your wife in line!” she yells, and Hendrix immediately rushes out to see what’s going on.
The girls don’t trust a lot of men, but Hendrix holds their adoration. Castiel, Bishop, and Saint have also been around so much that they no longer hesitate to interact with them.
He growls. “What are you doing, princess?”
“Sitting?” I smile sweetly.
He snorts, rolls his eyes, and picks me up to sit fully on the tailgate. Pointing at Charlotte, he orders, “Keep an eye on her.”
“Well, okay then,” I grouch halfheartedly. “What do you want for dinner, sweetheart?” I have this wicked craving for jalapeno cheese garlic bread loaded with hot sauce.
“Spaghetti?” Charlotte offers. Which also sounds fantastic.
“Why don’t you go grab your sister and Hadley, and we’ll hit the grocery store.”
Hadley has been amazing with both girls. She’s taken on more of a best friend role than an aunt, and I think they’ve needed that. They’ve done pizza nights and movie marathons while I recovered, and now that we have our own home, I’m thinking about a monthly backyard BBQ with the entire family.
Charlotte runs inside as I slowly get up and walk to my car. Luckily, I brought my purse out with me, so I don’t have to trek back up those steps to find it and get in someone’s way.
I insisted that the girls’ rooms were the first areas put together furniture-wise, and thankfully, that’s done. Now the guys are moving in the new appliances for the kitchen, so I’d rather not trip anyone up with how slow I can be.
“Dinner shopping?” Hadley says while she and the girls come bouncing out of the house. Hendrix stands in the doorway with a stern expression on his face.
Waving my fingers at him, he shakes his head and gives a slight grin. As we pull out, Hadley looks at me. “You make him happy.” There is emotion in her tone. “Thank you.”
I nod in response. If I speak, my emotions will get the best of me. Hendrix has come so far since I met him. I can’t imagine how his family has felt with his struggles and being kept in the dark, for the most part.
“When we were younger, Lake and I used to climb trees like crazy. We’d go so high that the branches would become slimmer and start cracking, and the top of the tree would sway. Hendrix and Saint would get so mad.”
“Did it ever break?” My eyes shift from the road to Hadley’s amused face.
“Once, but it was a small tree, and the fall was maybe ten feet. I had a few scrapes and bruises, but Hendrix was even more vigilant after that.” She’s telling me this for a reason, so I remain silent.
“He joined the military because of his insane protective instincts. I know he thinks he screwed up on that last mission. Maybe he did; he won’t share the details with me.
But I know he’ll protect the four of you with every breath in his body. ”
“I know that, too.” That’s never been in doubt.
“Please, just don’t break his heart.” The affection in her tone, the fear that I could ever do that, is something I struggle with as well.
Reaching over, I grip her arm as I pull into the grocery store parking lot. “I have every intention of protecting him just as fiercely.”
“Yeah, I figured as much.” She wears the grin of a girl who proved her point. “So, did we decide on dinner?”
“Well, Char and I decided on spaghetti, but with so many people, I’m thinking of just tossing it on the counter.
” Three confused looks focus on me, and I laugh before explaining.
“Cover the countertops with tin foil or parchment paper, toss the cooked noodles and meat sauce over it, and grab a fork! No dishes. Well, barely any.”
The girls giggle in the backseat, and there’s the widest grin on Hadley’s face. These girls are going to get me into some troubling situations with Hendrix in the future, and I won’t have a single complaint.
The more I get to know Hendrix’s family, especially the women, the more comfortable I feel about settling down in Florida instead of closer to home.
It won’t take much to get a transfer for my job, especially with the outreach work I do.
Now, convincing Castle and the guys that the move is the best choice for the baby and me is another story.
After our shopping is done, I’m beyond exhausted and ask Hadley to drive us home. Minutes later, I’m asleep but waking to the feeling of Hendrix’s arms around my body as he carries me inside.
“Next time, just order it to be delivered.” He kisses my head as he places me in our new bed. “Sleep, I’ll cook and come get you once it’s ready so you can do this spread the girls are so excited about.”
My eyes close before he’s finished speaking. For the first time in my adult life, I’m surrounded by people who genuinely care about us, and it feels like the family I lost out on in my youth.
“Mom, wake up.” Whispers surround me as I break free of my nap and the comfort of a warm bed. “Dinner’s ready. Dad figured out how to do the counter toss thing.” Coral’s happiness shines brightly on her young face as I reach a hand out to touch her cheek. She leans into my touch and smiles.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you girls, but I’m so happy to have you both in my life.”
Climbing into bed, Coral’s tinier body cuddles into me as I wrap an arm around her and let her cry. She hasn’t done this nearly enough in my opinion, and I’m glad she trusts me to hold her through the storm.
A few minutes pass before Charlotte and Hendrix come looking for us.
Sharing a worried look, Hendrix settles in at my back, while Charlotte lies behind her younger sister.
I don’t know how long we lay like this, but eventually my grumbling stomach breaks the mood, and everyone laughs as we climb out of bed.
“We good?” Hendrix looks each of us in the eye, waiting until we nod before ushering us downstairs, where everyone is enjoying dinner off the large island and chatting and laughing about it. These are the kind of family nights I want for the rest of my life.
“Everywhere you go, you make an impact.” Hendrix kisses the shell of my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I love your family,” I say, then turn in his arms and inhale his scent. “But I love you more.” Holding my breath, I await his response.
Brushing his hands through my hair, he tilts my head and brings his lips to mine. “I love you too, MiaBella, my sweet princess with a heart of gold. I love you more than I ever thought possible and the life you’re creating for us.”
Lifting to my toes, I take the kiss I so desperately crave. This man holds me while I explore his mouth, not stopping until the catcalls and hollers to get a room interrupt and make me blush furiously.
“Forever, Mia. We have forever.” Of course, he’s right.