Chapter 31

Nan’s POV

Birthdays are not worth celebrating.

At least, that is what I had felt about my own. Always working and only being able to afford medicine left little money for celebrations. Not that I cared about it.

But this birthday…just might change my perspective. Most of the daily staff have been released early. It is just me, the girls, and Lionel in the mansion today.

But I would not call it quiet. The girls have decided to make me a birthday cake. Under careful supervision, I smile as I watch them put the finishing touches on the cake.

Vera says, “Wait Patti! The icing is uneven. Let me!”

Patti replies, “Okay, but make sure to squeeze the baggy hard. It’s not as easy as I thought.”

Lionel walks into the kitchen. He leans against the entry way, his tall frame filling the space with ease. He asks, “How are things going in here?”

I snort. “Things are…going. They’ve been working really hard on this.”

The countertops are covered in dirty dishes and flour. The girls are even worse. Their pajamas are drenched in flour, cake mix, and frosting.

Lionel eyes them critically. He raises a dark eyebrow. I shrug.

“I see…do you think a power washer will work on getting the gunk off of them?” He mummers. Amusement lurking at the corners of his face.

Laughter bubbles in my chest. “The water hose would probably work. Or a dunk in the pool.”

He chuckles. “I’m sure they would love that. Patti is practically a mermaid.”

Vera and Patti had been recently introduced to more kid movies. Playing mermaids became Patti’s favorite game. Vera…not so much.

His attention goes back to the counter. He grimaces a little. “I’ll pay the maid double.”

I shake my head. “No, they can clean up. It’s important that children learn to pick up after themselves, cleaning service or not.”

I prepare myself to give examples and arguments to make my case. I know Lionel comes from a privileged background, so he may not see things the same way. But Lionel does not argue with me.

I am relieved. After our almost kiss, I had decided that I am tired of fighting for Lionel when he clearly cannot make up his mind. I hope this means we can function normally together in the meantime.

“Is it supposed to be that shape?” Lionel changes the subject, pointing to the cake. Or the messy lump pretending to be a cake.

“Patti did not pour enough batter. Vera then over poured it. And when they took it out, the girls tried to pick the extra bits off to fix it.”

Lionel presses his lips together. But I can still see the emerging smile. “And the icing?”

“They wanted to make it colorful, so they put my favorite colors. Only, I don’t think they agreed on a color scheme.”

There were patches of brown chocolate icing and green frosting. It looked like…something you found on the ground. I was okay with eating only because I had watched them make it.

Looking at Lionel’s face, I could tell he thought the same thing. “I promise, it’s just chocolate icing. I did not leave their side for a minute.”

Lionel did not seem reassured. Still, he says, “I’ll take your word for it. I’m sorry I was not the one helping, but I am hopeless in the kitchen.”

“I kind of guessed that Mr. I’m So Rich I Have Cooks on Call 24 Hours. No competent cook would call up their own kitchen service at 3 am in their own house.”

Lionel threw me a half-hearted glare. I grinned back. ‘I will never let you live this down, never,’ I vow with bemusement.

At that point, the girls finish their self-appointed task. Vera and Patti look to me for approval.

There is slight anxiety in Vera’s voice. “Nan, did we do good?” I know this is her first time baking.

It is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Without hesitation, I lie “I love it, great job!”

Patti is practically jumping in excitement. Vera is more subdued, but I still see the way her eyes light up.

The cake is brought to the back patio. Fairy lights hang. There is an array of my favorite foods on the table that I know Patti must have helped with.

Patti skips the table, pulling Vera along. Lionel follows them, carrying the cake with care despite his earlier criticism. The atmosphere is relaxed and happy.

I try hard not to look at Lionel. I scold myself for noticing that he no longer chooses the chair closest to me, or the one that faces me. I hate that I am a little hurt that he is not in my personal space anymore.

At the same time, I almost like this Lionel. Before, our conversation would have been full of sexual tension or he would have been warm one moment and then cold. But today, he was so relaxed, open…sweet.

“Mom, Mom! You have to open our present first.” Patti cries out.

“Well, in that case, I’ll open you two girls’ gifts first. Slide it over.” The hand me a large, flat gift.

When I open the wrapping, tears sting my eyes. It is a painting of our little family. Vera, Patti, Lionel, and…me.

It is no artistic masterpiece. But I can see the careful effort put into it, the love. I open my arms.

“This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten. Come here girls. Give me a big hug.”

I hold the girls tight to me. Memorizing the feel of their little arms around me. I glance up to see the softest expression I had ever witnessed on Lionel’s face.

Then the girls sit back down. “Daddy, you have to give Mom her gift. It’s your turn now.”

Lionel clears his throat. “Well, I don’t know if my gift can compete. But I hope you like it.”

He hands me a small box. I am nervous. I can tell by the fabric on the box it will be something expensive.

I open it to reveal the most gorgeous necklace I have ever seen. It’s triangular shaped diamond on a simple chain. When I lift it, I see little ribbons of rainbow shine off it.

I think I might have a heart attack. I can’t imagine how pricey this was. Mortification runs hotly in my veins.

“Lionel! You should not have gotten me something so expensive! I would have been happy just with this meal.”

Lionel insistently says, “It made me think of you when I saw it. Besides, you know this wouldn’t even put a dent in my fortune.”

His tone is calm. But my brain interprets those words ominously. I do not like what that implies.

Determined, I stand my ground. “I cannot accept this. It’s too much.”

Lionel sighs. “How about this? I’ll tell you how much I spent, and you can pay me back over time.”

I hesitate. But it’s not a bad offer. And I really do like the necklace.

“Okay. How much is it?”

Lionel’s POV

The sight of Nan and the girl’s embracing is the loveliest view. Seeing all my girls together, happy and their scents content…it brings me a peace I rarely achieved since becoming the alpha.

Nan’s face when she opened the box was exactly as I had hoped. Those grey sky eyes widening, taking in the necklace in awe…the way the rainbows had bounced off her eyes. The diamond necklace is perfect.

Of course, Nan’s sensibilities overruled her emotions. But I am not offended. This is a part of Nan’s personality that I find endearing.

When my reasoning fails, I know there is only one route left. Bargaining.

So I haggle. “How about this? I’ll tell you how much I spent, and you can pay me back over time.”

I see the conflict warring on her face. Her mouth purses and fingers twitch. Triumph washes over me when she says, “Okay. How much is it?”

There is no way she would accept the necklace if she knew the true price. I know this in my bones. So, I pull out the same maneuver that she did on the girls.

“The necklace was 250.” I lie without remorse.

She blows out a breath of air. “Okay, that’s doable.”

The rest of the dinner party resumes its previous air. I watch all my girls longingly. Perhaps Joseph was wrong.

Fighting my feelings has only led to misery. If I could have more days like this…then maybe we could find a way to work this out. Love could find a way.