Family Forever (Book 5 in Nemi Forever series)

Chapter 4

Nick

I stood in the center of my bedroom, staring at the bag on my bed as Demi put my things into it. I felt numb. I just talked to my grandpa the day before. It was a great conversation. He had called to say he got the photos, I sent him in the mail, of our photo sessions while he was here. He sounded so proud & we talked for a while. I told him how excited I was to be moving to Texas so my children could get to know their great grandpa & he was equally ecstatic. He told me all the things we could do after we moved there. Now we'd never do those things. He was gone. Forever. I knew he wouldn't be around forever, but I hoped I had a few more years with him. He was my hero, my friend, a mentor & one of the greatest guys in the entire world. I was going to miss him terribly. I was trying to be grateful that he was in my life for all these years, but my heart was hurting. I was grieving. I needed time to let my grief sink in & one day, I'd be happy he was in Heaven now, watching over those he loved.

Demi put her arms around me & pressed her cheek against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, letting a sigh slip from my mouth. "I'm going to see if my mom will take the twins or stay here with them, so I can come with you." Demi said.

I shook my head. "No. You don't need to leave them. You can't leave them when you're breastfeeding anyway. You don't have enough milk saved."

Demi took a step away from me. "They can drink formula, too. I was going to start giving it to them anyway, because I feel like I'm always feeding them. And I have been pumping like crazy & it never seems like enough." I looked down at the floor. "Nick. I want to be there for you." Demi said, moving her body so I was forced to look at her.

"I have no idea how long I'll be gone, Dem. Just stay & take care of our babies. It will make me feel better knowing that one of us can be here." I was telling Demi to stay here, but honestly, I wanted her with me. Having her arms around me just made me feel better about everything. I was being selfish, though. I know our babies needed her more. I sat down on the bed to fix the things in my bag, so I could zip it.

Demi rubbed my shoulder. "I want to be there for you." She said in a quiet voice.

I looked up at her, giving her a small smile. "I appreciate that so much, but Mercy & Jer..." A sob choked me up as I started to say my grandpa's name. "Jered need you more." I hoped one day, I would call him Jerry, proudly & it wouldn't hurt my heart like it did right now.

"They will be fine for a few days."

"Demi, it could be a week that I'm gone." I turned my attention back to the bag.

Demi ran her hand through my hair. "Then I'll have my mom & dad fly to Texas with the twins."

I looked up at her. "That's too much for them."

"My mom would want to go to the funeral anyway. Denise is her friend."

"Baby, please just stay here with them. I will let you know when the funeral is & we'll go from there." I pleaded with my eyes. I didn't want to take Demi away from the twins, even if I needed her, desperately. "I don't think they need to fly just yet, anyway. They're so young."

Demi sighed, loudly. "Fine." I watched her go to the bathroom & emerge a moment later with my shaving kit & toothbrush. I watched her finish putting things I'd need, into the bag. I was so grateful for her right now, because I was not thinking clearly. I looked at her face & she looked sad. I grabbed her hand as she walked past me, pulling her to me. My arms wrapped around her waist as I looked up at her.

"Thank you."

Demi put her hands on my shoulders. "For what?" She asked, her head tilted.

"For packing my bag. For being there for me. For loving me." I smiled at her, feeling tears fill my eyes.