The Search

Chapter 23.

Nikolai

Once we all sit down for dinner, we get into our nightly routine.  Which happens to be asking the kids about their days.

We usually go youngest to oldest, so we start at Ollie.  Because Lexi can't talk and doesn't do much in a day except eat, poop and sleep. 

Ollie sits up on his knees and reaches for the salt and pepper.  Alex ends up grabbing it for him so he doesn't fall.

"I finished my book." He states in an almost bored tone.  He doesn't like this part of dinner all that much, so we try not to push him too hard.  Jade says he's a lot like she was at that age.

"The one you started yesterday?" I ask putting a bib on Lexi.

"Mhm." He nods, "it was good, the writing was kind of childish but I want to read the second one."

"Okay," I say softly, "ask mommy nicely please,"

He looks at Jade with pleading eyes, "can I please have the second book mommy?" He asks.

"Of course baby, I'll order it soon yeah? But in the mean time read some of the books we got you for Christmas, maybe even the one Nonno got you." Jade suggests and Alessio smiles at Ollie.

Jade turns to Colten when he doesn't speak first she continues, "how was your day?"

"Fine." He shrugs playing around with his food.  Jade looks at me giving me a questioning look if she we should go on.  I lightly shake my head, we'll talk to him in privacy where he doesn't feel cornered. 

We move on to the rest of the kids eventually getting to Alex.  "Good, we beat Western so the tournament should be pretty easy this weekend."

"Good." I announce, "your uncles and Nonno are coming, no pressure." I tease.

Alex smirks looking at his uncles and Nonno who now have to sit through hours of game time on a Saturday. 

Then we move on to Tucker, who seems surprised, (as well as his parents) that we are asking him too.  He looks between Jade and I and his parents.

He clears his throat, "it was good..." he says hesitantly, "school is fun I guess, definitely unusual compared to homeschooling."

Jade nods smiling, "if you need anything just ask us alright? It's unusual to go to school if you're older but why not experience it?" She shrugs.

We turn to Jackson who's eyes widen as he takes a bite of food, "oh." He finishes chewing. "I am having a blast I guess, cool place you guys live in." He smiles.

My eyes narrow, as someone who is good at profiling, this kid is keeping something from us. Not that he has to tell his aunt and uncle anything.

His eyes cast downwards when he mentions "a blast."

His smile widens when he says, "cool place," as in something is making it better, maybe someone.

I state at him with a skeptical look right when he glances over, he keeps eye contact for a second and then he looks down first, gulping,

I take another bite of food, I'll comment on that later.

After dinner is finished everyone spreads out to do their own thing, Jade and I head upstairs with Lexi.  I hold my baby close to my chest rocking her lightly back and forth. 

I don't want to put her in the crib.  We ended up moving it to our room so Jade and I have more room but I just want to hold her. I kiss her chubby cheek, softly stroking her hair back from her forehead.

Jade just took out her pigtails so her hair is a bunched up mess. I smile trying to massage the tension the hair ties might have caused to her little head.

My beautiful wife comes out of the bathroom after having a shower, she changed into some pyjamas and braided her wet hair.

Jade smiles at us and comes over giving Lexi a kiss on the forehead and me a kiss on the lips. "Put her in the crib." She laughs.

I look down at her, "I can't she's so warm and cute." and this is probably our last baby so I want to soak it in a bit more,  in the end it's all up to Jade. I'm already happy with all of our kids and it's Jades body that goes through everything.

Jace lays her cheek down on my shoulder, "do you think she's our last?"

I hum, "up to you baby, I'm happy as long as your happy and I love all of our kids."

She nods, "I think she's going to be our last, maybe we can think about the animal part of the family now."

My head shoots up, "what?"

"I want a puppy." She smiles widely, "a big dog that will protect our kids and a small kitten that will give us attitude but still love us."

I kiss her forhead, "who's going to end up taking care of it?" I point out. It's going to be me, I'll have to walk it and pick up it's shit.

"The kids and I of course." She says almost in a hurt tone, "you won't have to do anything."

I hum and then place Lexi in the crib, "okay baby, we'll get a puppy and kitten." I laugh when she jumps up happily.

"As a surprise for Lexis birthday you think? oh and-" I smile, God she's cute. 

She does on a lot longer, we lie down and she tells me how she's always wanted an animal, how lonely she was without one back in Italy. Maybe emotional support animals will help the kids, Jade and I.

We end up falling asleep coming up with boy and girl names for each. It's like we're having a kid all over again.