Page 31 of Mark
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We’re set to sail out in the morning, but that doesn’t mean we’re all sat around passing the time. Instead, most of us made our way up to the top deck, where the pool and sun loungers are, for the midnight party. There’s actually a soundproof club onone of the floors below, but for the first night and last night, they have the party on deck.
Lily left with Jaxon and Rose to go settle into their cabin. Lily isn’t good around drunk people, which is why they decided to call it an early night.
I spin Sunday around one more time before lifting her up in my arms. “Sorry, squirt. Your dad is glaring at me because you should be in bed.”
“I want party,” she pouts.
I grin at the attitude. “I promise to take you to the kids one tomorrow.”
“No. Sunday stay.”
I spin her around in my arms once more, but accidentally knock into someone. “Shit!”
“Shit,” Sunday repeats, and I groan.
Aiden is going to kill me.
It took her weeks to stop saying fuck the last time she overheard a stranger say it in the street. If I tell her she can’t say it, she’ll only say it more.
“I’m sorry,” I call out to the person picking themselves up off the floor.
I step back when I see it’s Freya. She dusts off her shorts, narrowing her eyes on me. “Why am I not surprised it was you.”
“It was an accident,” I swear, lifting Sunday further up my chest. “We were partying.”
Like she’s only just noticed Sunday, her gaze goes to her and her smile lights up her entire face. I’ve only ever seen her scowl or grimace, and fuck me I’m thankful for it. She has a gorgeous fucking smile. She smiles with her eyes too.
“Boogie woogie,” Sunday confirms, wiggling her butt.
“Hello, sweetie,” Freya greets, holding out her hand.
Sunday doesn’t take it. Instead, she throws herself at Freya, causing her to drop her cocktail so she can catch her.
“Pweety!” Sunday beams, playing with the locks falling over Freya’s face.
“So are you,” Freya coos before turning to me. “Did you steal this adorable child too?”
“What? No! That’s my niece,” I growl.
“I swear, if you keep stealing my daughter this entire holiday, we are going to have problems,” Aiden growls, and gently takes Sunday from Freya.
Who is arching a brow at me.
“I didn’t steal her. She’s my niece!”
“He stole her. He keeps stealing her,” Aiden grouches.
“No, Daddy. Sunday party,” Sunday whines.
Bailey joins Aiden, signing to Sunday. I have no clue what she’s saying. I just know they are teaching Sunday just in case Bailey ever loses her hearing aid, which has happened a few times. Aiden has gotten pretty good at signing, but for all I know, he could be asking for his favourite food. Faith and Lily are doing good too, but I’m still at the pleasantries of, how are you, thank you, please, or I’m going.
Aiden goes to hand Sunday back to me but turns at the last minute to hand her to Freya. He begins to sign back to her, nodding here and there.
“What’s going on?” I ask. “Has she lost her hearing aid?”
He lowers his hands. “We’re too close to the speakers. She can’t hear over the music. She wanted me to tell you to stop stealing our daughter.”