Forever Strong (Book 7 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 2

Demi

Jerry was in my embrace & I really didn't want to let him go. "Mommy. That's enough hugging." Jerry sighed as I let go of him, reluctantly. He rolled his eyes as he fixed his hat. "Nobody else is wearing a hat." He said, looking around, sadly.

"I guess no one here is as cool as you." I smiled, giving him a wink.

"Am I as cute as Daddy in this hat?" He batted his lashes at me. "You always say how cute Daddy is when he wears his hats."

I was on my knees, holding Reid with one hand & holding Jerry's hand in my other. "You are even cuter than Daddy." I whispered. "But don't tell him I said that." I said & Jerry laughed as he nodded. I let go of his hand & held the rim of his hat to make him look at my face. "You look just like your Daddy, actually. You have a great day, baby. I love you & I'm gonna miss you so much today." I stuck my lip out.

Jerry smiled, looking down. "Gonna miss you, too, Mommy, but you have Reid to keep you company." Jerry looked at Reid who gave me an ornery smile before he tried to run off. I had a grip on his shirt, so he didn't get far. Jerry laughed as I sighed.

"I sure do have Reid. Bye, sweetie." I gave Jerry a kiss.

"Bye, Mommy!" He shouted before running off. I tried really hard not to cry. It helped that Reid was tugging on my arm, begging me to leave. He was so bored & caught sight of the playground, so he wanted to go play. I watched Jerry run over to his friend, Jacob, who lived a few houses down from us. He looked so comfortable. He wasn't scared at all. I, suddenly, felt useless, like he didn't need me anymore. I felt strong arms come around me as I stood just outside his classroom door. I felt Nick kiss my cheek.

"He's gonna be fine. Let's go before Reid gets expelled before he even starts school." He whispered, chuckling in my ear.

Minutes later, Nick & I were walking home, each of us holding one of Reid's little hands. "One.... two... three..." Nick said, then Reid would lift his feet off the ground so Nick & I could swing him, quickly, making him squeal with delight. "You really need to stop worrying, babe. They're gonna be fine." Nick said, watching me, closely.

I sighed. "I know. It's the first day, can you cut me a little slack, please?"

"Okay, but just for today." Nick laughed.

I had put off my book about my relationship & my life with Nick, so now I was finishing it up & getting ready to release it. Nick & the guys were working on another album & they had plans to do a tour that following summer after the album was released in the spring. Summer was easy to tour for all the guys because the kids were out of school & they could travel with the band or visit them on tour. Nick had done another movie & it was due to be released around Christmas. When Nick & I got home, he & Reid went to play for a bit, while I worked on my book, then we'd switch off & Nick would go in the studio while I watched Reid. Well, I should say, while I chased Reid around to try to get him to lay down for a nap. This kid never sat still. And he was a good talker, already, so he never shut up. You wouldn't even know he wasn't quite two yet, by the way he talked. He was way too smart, sometimes. I think, Nick & I were in trouble as this kid got older. He was definitely smarter than we were sometimes.

I finally got Reid to crash after lunch. I was closing his door, when Nick came into the hall. "He finally pass out?" He asked, walking toward me.

I nodded, smiling. "You done working on the album?"

Nick shook his head. "No, Joe & John are coming over in a bit. I'm just taking a break." He took my hand & pulled me down the hall.

"Nicholas. Really? Are you trying to have a little afternoon delight? Jesus, when will you stop wanting to have sex all the time?"