Page 145 of The Betrayal
“Hey princess,” I coo, sniffling. I hadn't even noticed the tear that escaped is now rolling down my cheek. “I'm your big sister, I promise to always be there for you, promise to always be the cool one when your mum and dad say no...” and as I flick my eyes up to my dad he raises his brows, “I’ll be your best friend,” and my heart thumps against my rib cage.
“Plus, you will have some friends to play with soon,” I blink back another wave of tears and swallow the apple sized lump.
I stroke the soft and delicate skin of her cheek with the side of my index finger and an all-consuming love prickles over me.
“I love her so much,” I look at my dad and Amora, “thank you for taking the job dad and thank you for doing all the stuff I don't want to think about you doing, so you could have her,” they both laugh, and my dad is at Amora's side, scooping her hand in his and planting a soft kiss on the back of it.
“Bet your mom and dad are over the moon for their first grandchild,” I sigh, slowly rocking from side to side.
“They are, I mean, it's not what they wanted for their twenty-five-year-old but,” Amora laughs just as Xavier and Royal step into the room.
“What didn't they want?” Royal's brows raise, “Hey Arizona.”
Amora ignores her mother’s question.
“Hey,” I nod and Xavier knocks my dad out the way and presses a kiss to the top of his daughter’s head and I let out a low chuckle.
“Morning Arizona,” Xavier stands, folding his hands into his pockets, “where is your husband?”
“No idea,” I throw a scowl at my dad, “he was sent away, was told he wasn't welcome,” venom seeps through my voice.
“Well, that's not ideal is it.” He turns to face my dad. “Titty, you should treat your son-in-law with how you would expect to be treated by your own father-in-law,” and I don't miss the condescending tone.
“I do, I treat him like shit because that's how you treat me,” my dad snipes and Amora sighs, Royal shakes her head from side to side.
“Now, now boys,” she mocks, placing her hand on her husband’s forearm, giving him a look that only he knows.
“Fine,” Xavier rolls his eyes in an exaggerated manner. “As far as son-in-laws go, you really aren't that bad. It could have been a lot worse.”
“No shit,” my dad scoffs and that's when the room fills with a piercing little cry, and everyone falls silent. I step towards Amora and hand her over to her. She soothes her and Titus is there helping her remove her top so Twyla can latch on.
“Titus, close your eyes, stop looking,” Xavier booms across the room as he turns away from his daughter so she can nurse in peace.
“Dad!” Amora shouts at him and Titus chuckles, shaking his head.
“I'm going to take that as my cue to leave,” I smile, reaching up and undoing the tie on my gown and discarding it into the bin in the corner of the room.
“Sunshine,” my dad looks at me confused, Amora facing me too, perfect brows pinched. “You don't have to leave.”
“I know,” I smile, rubbing my own bump, “but I’ll see you a bit later yeah? thanks for inviting me to meet Twyla.”
My dad stands tall and walks towards me, pulling me in for a hug, lingering for a moment or two.
“Love you baby,” he kisses the top of my head and I give him a squeeze.
“You too,” I step back and give Amora a kiss on the cheek. Waving to Xavier and Royal, I walk out the room and that's when I see Keaton.
Standing at the end of the hallway with a crooked smile on his face and looking as handsome as ever. We walk towards each other, my arms throwing around his neck as his lips slant over mine.
“Take me home,” I whisper.
“Always, Blossom,” he kisses me once more, “always.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
KEATON
Sitting at my desk, I am lost in my spreadsheet when Kaleb knocks on the door.