Coming Home

Chapter 13

Watching Cayden and our sons interact for the first time is something I will never forget. He looked at them like they were the only people in the world and he would do anything for them. Looking at them I realized just how big a mistake I had made. Yes, he hurt me but I didn’t have to deprive both him and our children of this relationship that was just starting to develop. They looked so happy and it made me happy to see them like that.

“Kenzi!” a voice yelled out and the next thing I knew I was being lifted into the air and spun around.

“James! I’ve missed you,” I said with a laugh as he set me back down on my feet.

“I missed you too, Kenzi. Life’s boring without you around, although something tells me I’ll have to get used to it. I have a feeling you’re not coming back,” he said, a hint of sadness in his words.

“I haven’t made a decision about that yet. I know I’m here for at least a couple more months. Daddy’s still in the coma and I need to be here for him when he wakes up. Plus, I need to let Cayden and the boys have time together,” I answered, hating the sadness I heard.

Before he could say anything, I heard my name being called again. I turned my head towards the voice and saw my aunt, Chloe, rushing towards me with her boyfriend, Kyle, in tow. I hadn’t expected her to be there. When I had found out about Dad being in the hospital, I had tried to call Chloe but she hadn’t answered, so I had called her assistant, Marissa, and relayed the message. Marissa had assured me that she’d tell Chloe and I had just assumed that Chloe hadn’t been able to leave work.

“I thought you were in Spain for another couple of weeks,” I said as she gathered me in a hug.

“I’m supposed to be, but I left some designs at home so I flew home to get them. When I walked in the house, James, Jen, and Parker were there with the boys, packing their stuff. They filled me in on what was going on and I called and cancelled the rest of Spain and flew here with James, Kyle, and the twins,” she explained, sounding panicked.

“Did Marissa not tell you? I told her to tell you right after I found out!” I asked, angry that Chloe didn’t know about her brother until now.

“No, she didn’t. I fired her this morning,” she said as we headed over to baggage claim.

“I’m sorry Chloe, I would have tried harder to reach you if I had known,” I said, giving her an apologetic smile.

“Don’t be little one. It’s not your fault. Now let’s just get our stuff so I can get home to my big brother,” she said and I could tell she was trying not to cry.

“She’s upset right now, but I’m sure she’ll be fine once she sees Marc. From what James told us, he’s a lot better and he should be awake soon,” Kyle explained to me as Chloe started to walk to baggage claim.

“He is doing better. They should have him completely off the medication by next week since they have to ease him off it,” I answered.

“Well, it gives me time to prepare myself for the big brother’s wrath,” Kyle joked, giving a slightly strained chuckle.

“True. You don’t have to face Daddy’s wrath yet, but you have to face everybody else’s. You have to remember, Chloe’s only twenty-six. She may be older than my brothers, but they’re still incredibly protective of her. You have to face them,” I responded, watching as his face slightly paled.

“Well thanks for freaking me out kiddo. It’s good to see you too,” he said, kissing the top of my head before following Chloe.

I watched as Chloe, Kyle, and James walked to baggage claim, with Tristan, Tegan, and Liam in tow. Turning around, I saw Cayden hadn’t moved. He was still standing with one son in each arm, looking like a little kid on Christmas morning. I could see the pride and amazement in his eyes and I knew he would be a wonderful father to our sons.