— anxious after they get it in a few times. Shit I know if I didn’t see you for nine years…” I trailed off knowing I didn’t need to finish that sentence.

— advantage of that fact whenever he could. When she started laughing, I elevated a brow before bursting out laughing myself when I read the text and the response. “She’s definitely throwing something at you when she gets back.” I laughed and shook my head. “Maybe they’ll both feel a lot less —

— reaction with him. I definitely wouldn’t be shedding any tears for him. He was a selfish dick. I knew ma cared about him. As much as she hated him at times she still cared about him too. Not in the way she did for Esai but she did care more than she liked to let people see, and he took full —

Following Nan back outside, I sat down on the porch swing and nodded. “Yeah, I know. I figured that was the blanket he wanted. It’s good he thought of it too. Even Gracie knows that blanket is off limits.” Dark eyes rolled at the mention of Jax. I didn’t mean to do it, but it was like an automatic —

— I chuckled and watched Nan give Abel the blanket he wanted to share with Melody. “Yeah, I think she might be good for him to like help keep him calm.”

— it is gonna be an adjustment and she’s only eight. And yes, I’ll be the first to admit that E and I spoil the shit out of her so we’re partially to blame.” Looking over into the living room, I smiled watching them now. “She’s fine now. She doesn’t like when we use our ‘dad’ voices on her.” —

— looked over at her. “I know we’re all adjusting. She is too. She listens to me and E she knows better. Pero she’s not used to having to share her own things while she’s at home. Out and about or other places she could care less. So she’s gonna need a little grace and understanding too because —

“It’s nothing, babe. I wanted to make sure they were both good. And they deserve that after all this damn time.” Honestly, I felt bad for Manny, his jaw was obviously swollen and I certainly would never want to be on the receiving end of a punch from Lexi. Smiling into the kiss, I sighed as I —

— details to pop. Let him surprise her once they get there.” I flashed a dimpled grin, closing my laptop with a satisfied smirk.

— laptop and coming into the living room. Sitting down with Nan, I leaned close. “Babe… what’s that hotel they had ma’s quinceañera? I have an idea.” Once I explained the idea and I had all the details I needed, I quickly booked the room and shot a text with the details to pop. “I only sent the —

— Hearing Nan call for me, I walked back in and lowered my head so I was in frame. I wasn’t even going to ask if ma was okay. I knew she wasn’t. “I got you, ma. Te quiero los dos. And Wela too. I’ll text you the details when I’m done.” I winked at the camera and quickly straightened grabbing my —

— She hugged me tight around the neck. “I’ll be good. I promise.” She whispered. “Okay good. Don’t forget my kisses.” I pointed to one cheek which she kissed immediately and then I pointed to the other and she repeated before hopping down off the counter and padding back into the living room. —

— okay. She’s not in her home or with her parents right now. She’s familia and you need to treat nice. She loves you, she couldn’t wait to get here and spend time with you. So go be nice and spend time and play with her.” She tucked her chin and looked up at my through her lashes. “Lo siento.” —

— side knowing she’d listen quicker like she always did with E or I used our dad voices on her. Picking her up, I walked into the kitchen with her sitting her on the counter. “Escúchame. You need to be nice to Melody and share. She’s not going to hurt or ruin anything. She’s out of her element —

I hadn’t really noticed what Gracie was doing until I heard Abel raise his voice. Nan took over and talked to her but it only lasted a few minutes before she was at it again. I let Nan handle Abel and his request while I dealt with Gracie. “Gracie, mamas ven aquí.” I kept my voice more on the stern—

-- want either of you to have to be quiet about anything or anyone you want to talk about, especially not here. This is supposed to be the safe place for all of us. It's her house, pero it's also our home and there's no reason anyone who lives here should have to worry about what they want to say."

I smiled, leaning back into her when she wrapped her arms around my waist. The little girl puppy I was holding climbed up my chest and licked her nose. "When she gets back home we can ask her and see. Otherwise we can wait until next round." Turning my head, I kissed her cheek softly. "I don't --

— for wanting to keep you both quiet for so damn long.”

— have been anyway. There was no reason for anyone to silence you and I hate that you had to spend so much time keeping your mouth shut. And ma too. I want you both to be able to do and say whatever you want without worrying if you’re going to upset someone or piss them off. Because fuck them —

“Does she even have buyers for all of them? Maybe if she doesn’t we could keep one or two? If you wanted….” Flashing a dimpled grin, I sat down on the grass with the puppies and squinted up at her. “Babe, you don’t have to thank me for things like that. I get why you do it, pero it’s how it should —

— you know I like it when you get mad with your sexy ass.” Smirking, I stole another quick kiss before scooping up one of the puppies and bringing it over to her. “They always help me calm down and relax.”

— tilting her head up. I gazed down into her eyes for a moment before kissing her deeply. “No matter who you decide to tell off or speak your mind to, I’m not gonna let anything happen to you. I promise you that. You’re safe with me, always. I’m just glad you feel comfortable doing it now. Besides—

I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tight against my chest and kissing the top of her head. “Don’t be sorry, babe. You don’t gotta keep your mouth shut. If you want to say something then say it. Keeping shit all bottled up on makes us crazy in the end.” Bringing my finger under her chin, —

— follow her outside if I wanted to. I followed her out into the back yard with the dogs. “You weren’t wrong at all, babe. That shit pisses me the fuck off. He wants to be so protective of Lexi with everything else yet he’s one of the problems! It’s hypocritical and he needs to fix it.”

— about everything she was saying. And it pissed me off that Hap was one of the people making ma feel like she couldn’t talk about things or people. As long as she wasn’t mad at me and honestly, even when she was … Nan being pissed was sexy as fuck. I didn’t hesitate when she told me I could —

I didn’t even realize what was happening until I heard Nan’s voice raise an octave. I had gone over at Melody’s request for a hug and then had to love on Gracie and the boys before I headed back over to the table. There was no hiding the smirk on my face, and honestly, I didn’t care. She was right —

-- we just gotta be patient." Leaning my head back to rest on her shoulder, sighing. "I think we all need to just have some time to be able to relax and not worry about shit. It will be easier now that there won't be random people in and out of the house all the damn time too."

-- that you will get your answers you're looking for from her. I think she just needs to talk to pop first, clear the air with him and get back to some sense of normal there and then I think she will have no problem opening up to all of us with just about everything. We're getting her back, babe. --

Once I had everything fixed with the security codes for the house, I closed my laptop and slid it to the side. I knew all of this was heavy for each and every one of us in our own ways. I think we all wanted just one day where shit could just be normal and easy and not stressful. "Baby, I know --

-- tried to do anything about everyone being here she always just brushed us off and told us it was fine." I knew I had already said that, but I said it again because we really did fucking try, but somehow now it felt like we just didn't try hard enough.