We are Forever (Book 6 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 34

Nick

Demi was released that next day, later in the afternoon, a few hours after I was released, so we were able to go home together. Once we were home, I insisted that Demi take it easy. We welcomed all the visitors that came once everyone heard about my accident. Wilmer & Olivia were the first visitors the day after we got home. We hadn't met the newest addition to their family yet. Their second daughter, Marina Celeste, was born on June 16, 2023.

They came over to spend the day with us & have dinner. We were all sitting on the back patio, while the kids were playing in a kiddie pool. Marina had been sleeping & when she started to cry, Olivia picked her up to calm her down. I was sitting next to her, so I could see how gorgeous Marina was. After she finished a bottle, I asked Olivia if I could hold her & then I picked her up in my arms before I sat back down in the chair. Everyone looked over at Mercy to see if she was paying attention. She wasn't & there was a collective sigh of relief.

I held Marina in my arms, watching her for a while. I couldn't wait until our new baby was here. I missed the twins being that little. I looked up at Olivia, when I felt her gaze. She was leaning on the chair, watching me hold Marina & for a moment, I saw a yearning in her eyes. It was like she was imagining Marina was her baby with me. I felt uncomfortable, briefly, but then Olivia looked away, over at Wilmer. I looked at Demi, who was watching me with a peculiar look on her face. She saw the look, too. I knew it by reading her face. I smiled, with my eyebrows up, letting her know I knew what she was thinking, "Olivia needs to stop daydreaming about my man."

I was staring down at Marina's delicate features, when I saw Mercy come up to me. I gave Mercy a smile, but my smile was met with an icy glare. "Daddy, why are you holding that baby?" Mercy asked, her hands on her hips & her lips in a somber pout.

Demi, Wilmer & Olivia all laughed, quietly. I sighed. Here we go again. "Because she's cute & I need to remember how to hold a baby for when your little brother gets here."

Mercy leaned on my knee & peered down at the baby. "She's not as cute as Chloe."

"Aww. That's not a nice thing to say, Mercy." I said, giving her a look, with my eyebrows up.

Mercy smiled, leaning her chin on her shoulder. "I jus kiddin. She cute. But you're not gonna hold my baby brother. Mommy is cuz he need to be fed & only mommy can feed him."

I grinned, glancing up at Demi, who was very amused by our daughter right now. "Why can't I feed him, too." I asked.

Mercy's eyes widened. "You don't have milk in dare." She said, pointing at my chest. We all busted out laughing & Mercy looked around in confusion. This kid didn't miss a thing.

"Mommy will put some milk into bottles so I can feed him. You'll be able to help feed him, too." I explained. Mercy's face lit up, a little, giving me a sense of relief. I was starting to worry about Mercy's reaction to the new baby.

"Okay, Daddy, you can give dat baby back now." Mercy got serious & I laughed.

"Nah, I'm gonna keep holding her. She's asleep & she's comfortable." I said.

Mercy stared at my face for a few minutes, probably wondering if I was being serious or not. She saw that I wasn't putting Marina down & she sighed, leaning on my leg again. "Can I watch her sweep?"

"Sure. You want to sit on my lap? I got room for two." I smiled down at her.

Mercy nodded, quickly, smiling from ear to ear. I moved Marina into my left arm, so I could free my other one & pulled Mercy onto my lap. Mercy snuggled into my chest, looking down at Marina. I looked up at Olivia's amused face as she pulled out her phone to take a picture. She took a few pictures of us looking at the baby, then told us to smile up at her when she stood to take one. Mercy was all about that, smiling her very best.