No Way Out [Book 3]

Chapter 26 - Photo Album

***Bea's POV

I've felt like Harry has been trying to win over my heart just like when we were in high school.

All throughout the afternoon, he was very attentive to my needs, making sure I didn't have to get up unnecessarily, he held my hand, snuck in kisses when the girls weren't looking and he even cooked dinner for us. His special attention made me feel like the only woman in the world for him and I know it has everything to do with our conversation earlier.

You were stupid to think he'd cheat on you, Bea. Good lord, it's not like he was going to bend April over the kitchen table and f-

"No no no, Mommy! Again," Janelle whines, wiggling on my lap.

"The movie's over, sweet baby," I coo with a kiss to the top of her head and I turn her to face me which only further aggravates her. "Guess what. It's bath time! Who wants to take a bath?"

Janelle's big brown eyes widen and she gives me the biggest smile while bouncing on my lap. In her excitement, she kicks my hip, causing a sharp pain to shoot in my side and I gently stop her from moving.

"She loves her baths, huh?" Ferris giggles and I hum in answer with a fake smile. "Can I take the bath with her? Please, Mom."

"If you want, sure," I say and the excitement from my girls spurs on Bella to bark. "Ferris, can you be a big help and take her in the backyard to do her business, then put her in her little bed for the night, please?"

"Okay, but can I have another dollar? And remember you said you'd give me a dollar for helping you with the, the, the dishes, too."

"Shi--oot, that's right, I owe you for that, too, huh?" I ask and she nods politely. "Alright, I'll give you another dollar. It's worth it to me not to get up right now."

"Yay! Okay, c'mon, my little Bella-ba-della," she coos, picking her up and she makes her wave with her paw. "Say night-night to Jelly Bean."

"Wave to Bella, sweet baby," I encourage her while making her arm wave all about and she giggles. "Oh, and after Bella does her business, you can give her a treat."

"How many?" Ferris asks while gently swaying Bella in her arms and she gives several kisses on her head.

"Just one," I answer and she nods with a smile before leaving the living room.

"Mommy!" Janelle giggles and I give her a big smile.

"Hi, sweet baby. Oh, Janelle Elizabeth Styles, do you know how beautiful you are?" I ask, tracing her light brown behind her ears, being careful not to knock her hearing aids or glasses. She doesn't answer because she's too intrigued with one of the many holes in my Rolling Stones t-shirt, so I continue to talk to my daughter. "You can be anything you want to be when you grow up. Did you know that? You are so smart and loving and funny and Mommy, Dadda and Sister love you so so much."

My baby girl looks up at me and grins, no doubt because she recognized the word 'Dadda' and my eyes fill with tears.

Your brother loves you, too. Oh my God, what's gonna happen if I die? Harry will have to tell our girls about Sebastian by himself. I can't do that to him. We have to tell them together. And soon.

"Thank God that's over," Harry sighs and I look over to see him walking into the living room.

"What happened? Did you get ahold of Gemma?"

"Yeah and skirting around the reason why we need them to babysit tomorrow morning wasn't easy. She can watch the girls, by the way," he sits down on the couch, exhaling an exaggerated breath and Janelle reaches for him. "Aw, you want Dadda to hold you? Okay, c'mere, little princess. Where's Ferris?"