Page 130 of Victorious: Part 3

Dad taught me that.

I glance around at the rest of my adopted family, standing back as they wait for Valerie’s arrival. Maverick and Sadie with their fourteen-year-old daughter, Hope. She’s currently messing around with her Uncle Phoenix. Those two are like peas in a pod, and I can’t help but smile as Clover rolls her eyes at her husband running around the prison parking lot with his niece like a kid.

“Phoenix, you have far too much energy, you’re making me even more tired than I already am!” Clover groans, rubbing her swollen belly.

Phoenix chuckles while moving to Clover and leans down, kissing her heavily pregnant belly. “When we get back to the clubhouse, I’m gonna run you a bath, rub your feet, and make sure you rest, my beautiful wife. Gotta make sure that baby of mine is taken care of.”

Clover curls up her nose. “Oh, so take care of the baby! He’s all you care about!”

Maverick and Sadie laugh as Phoenix leans up, planting a gentle kiss on Clover’s nose. “Did you miss the part about the bath and the massage?”

Phoenix wraps his arms around Clover, holding her tight, and she melts into him. “Well… fine, but you did this to me, so you can put up with my mood swings.”

Phoenix smiles widely. “I never have to‘put up’with you, Reel Girl. Every minute with you is the best part of my day. Mood swings and all.”

Hope makes gagging noises behind them, and everyonechuckles as Clover’s eyes well up. She leans in, kissing him just as Bea arrives late on the scene in her minivan.

Loki smiles, walking toward the van as Dad and the rest of the guys chuckle. “Oh, Jesus,The Brady Bunchhas arrived,” Ink calls out, and Loki shoots him a death glare, helping Bea out of the van.

“Hey, baby,” Loki chimes, the brightest smile on his face.

“So sorry I’m late, everyone. I couldn’t find Harmony’s shoe, and Nix decided he needed to play video games instead of getting dressed. Don’t even get me started on Lexi’s arguing with Jason over the bathroom and—”

Loki leans in, pressing his lips to hers, stopping Bea from her stressed rambling while the kids hop out of the van.

“Eww, Daaad! Do you have to do that while I am here? Gross,” the eleven-year-old Lexi drones as she slides out of the van holding her cell in one hand while helping her five-year-old sister, Harmony, out of the van with the other. Then she starts walking toward Hope with a smile on her face.

Jason, their eldest, who they named after Loki’s brother, who died of leukemia, slides out next, helping his mother with the rest of their brood. Eight-year-old Nix jumps out, his wild hair untamed as he takes off toward Phoenix, just like most of the kids do, and then Jason helps baby Sage into his mother’s arms.

Jason is a good kid. I guess being the eldest child of five kids, he has helped Bea and Loki a great deal. But he is a lot like his father, smart, cunning, but with the kindness of his mother.

He’s going to be someone amazing when he grows into himself.

They all move over with the rest of us.

Haven wraps her arm around Bea, who is bouncing baby Sage on her hip. “You good, Mama?” Haven asks.

Bea lets out a long exhale, smiling. “It’s going to be a great day, I can feel it. I just can’t wait until those gates open, andValerie comes out. It’s been a fucking long time coming.”

“Bad word, Mama!” Harmony gasps, but Nix, Lexi, and Jason chuckle like they’re used to hearing their mama constantly swear.

Loki grins as Bea shrugs. “Sorry, Harm. God, you’re such a good girl, I swear you’re adopted.”

Everyone bursts out laughing as Harmony’s eyes widen, a look of shock washing over her features. “Shit, no, baby girl. You’renotadopted. Mama was being silly.”

Loki leans down, picking Harmony up into his arms, cuddling her, and chuckling under his breath. “Don’t worry, Harm, Mama’s having one of her crazy days today.”

Bea glares at Loki, but you can tell it’s all in good fun as the rest of us stand around waiting.

Loki glances at me, shaking his head. “You look tense, Poppy. It’s okay to relax a little.”

Dad chuckles, wrapping his arm around Haven. “She’s the president now. Being tense is our thing.”

I try to ease the tension in my shoulders, and I raise my brow at my father. “I learned it from you.”

Haven bursts out laughing. “Touché!”

“But still, we’re all gathering together like this, and though it’s for a good cause, it’s a great opportunity for someone looking to cause a fight to take their advantage,” I murmur, looking out at my sisters.