Always and Forever

Chapter 19

HANNAH

"Kate, he flew us to Toronto in his freaking plane for our first date. Like, who does that?" I couldn't keep the wide grin off my face.

As briefly discussed at their dad's place the week before, I'd started picking up Oscar and Evan after school. I hadn't wanted to accept Kate's money for it, but she'd insisted, and I'd felt I had to give in. She could be very convincing when she wanted to be.

"A wealthy man who is very much in love with you, that's who," she responded with a smirk, picking up her water from the coffee table and taking a sip. "So...it was a good first date then?"

"The best. Oh my God, it was so romantic, like, straight out of a novel. I feel like the luckiest person on the planet." I couldn't stop gushing about Liam. I felt like a schoolgirl with a huge crush.

She chuckled and shook her head. "I know he feels the same way, and it's the same way with James and me, though it took us awhile to get there. That's how you know you've found the right one. You know just how good you've got it."

I nodded. That was exactly how it was.

Emily and the boys were playing pretend. She was dressed up as Elsa, and Evan was playing Olaf, making her laugh as he sang and danced around her. He was having a blast. Oscar, being far shyer than his little brother, had taken a little more cajoling from the toddler, especially while I was watching, but I'd pretended to be engrossed in my phone, and now he was happy to pretend to be Sven, crawling and carrying her around the living room on his back. I'd taken a few videos and sent them to both Liam and Kate. These kids were the cutest.

"And hey, thanks for picking the kids up, by the way. It's a big help, and they've had a great time this week with you and Em."

I smiled fondly at Kate. "Hey, it's been great for us too. Emily loves spending time with her cousins. And it's actually a load off my plate. I love playing with Emily, but do you remember how tiring it is to play with a toddler? She never stops."

Kate laughed and nodded. "I remember, and I'm exhausted just thinking about having to do it again when this one is Emily's age." She caressed her rounded belly affectionately. "I offer up the boys anytime. They love playing with her, so it's win/win."

"It is. Plus, I was teaching the boys how to play King of Tokyo today while Emily napped, so I got my board game fix in too."

Kate looked impressed and called out to the boys. "Wow, sounds like you guys had a great time with Auntie Hannah."

I blushed as both boys nodded enthusiastically and started telling her about their day. Apparently, they'd loved their time here this week so far. I was still stuck on the "Auntie Hannah" part. I'd never been an aunt before. Josh didn't have kids, and I had no idea whether or not Charlotte did, as I really hadn't had much of a relationship with her once I had moved in with my dad full-time. I hadn't even seen her in at least a decade.

To be considered an Auntie to Kate's kids really warmed my heart. It made me truly feel like I belonged in this family.

"She'll make board gamers out of you two yet," Kate was saying, affectionately mussing up Oscar's dark, curly hair and chuckling when, embarrassed, he pushed her hand away. She turned to me then. "Maybe you can work on James next. Then we'll be a whole board gaming family."

I chuckled and nodded. "I'll try my best."

The front door opened, and Liam's voice drifted back, along with another male voice. Kate's expression suddenly darkened.

"And with that, I think it's time for us to go. Boys! Time to pack up."

The boys complained, and I was confused—for about a second. As soon as Liam walked into the room with Roger in tow, I understood.