Forever Strong (Book 7 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 3

Nick

I was just finishing up in the studio with John & Joe, when the studio door burst open to let Jerry & Mercy come running in. "Daddy! We're home from school!" They shouted in unison.

I laughed as they came up to hug me, looking over them at John, who was wearing a soft smirk. Joe came to stand beside him, putting his arm around his shoulder & I saw them exchange a look, batting their lashes. The expressions were that of, 'awww look how adorable our little brother is with his kids...' I rolled my eyes at them. "I missed you guys. How was your first day? What'd you do? Tell me everything."

Jerry, in true Jonas fashion, clamped his mouth shut to let Mercy talk. I smiled, knowing that at six, he already knew a Jonas secret. Always let the ladies talk first. And don't try to talk over them. It never works. Mercy was out of breath as she started talking. I caught sight of Demi as she came into the room, smiling. "It was the best day ever. I made friends with alllllll the kids in my class." Mercy reached her arms wide to emphasize all of her friends. "We had snack & it was good & my sugar was good. Then Miss Lewis asked me to tell my friends about my pump, so I did. They asked me questions & I didn't brag at all, Daddy. Everyone thought my bag was cute, too." She was smiling so big, beaming with pride.

"That sounds like an awesome day." I looked at Jerry, who patiently waited for his sister to finish. "And how about you, buddy? How was your day?"

"It was awesome. We played instruments & I got to do the drums. The whole class thought I sounded amazing." He was so excited when he spoke, it made all of us laugh.

"That's cuz you're a Jonas." Joe piped in, ruffling Jerry's hair a little.

"How was Joel's first day of school?" Jerry asked.

"I think it went well. I gotta go home & find out, actually." Joe answered. He only lived a few miles from us, but Joel was in another school district. He was in the same district as Wilmer & Olivia, so Gianna was in his class. "I better run home & check in with B. I'll be back after dinner & we'll go buy some camping stuff." Joe said to me.

"Camping stuff? Are we going camping?" Jerry asked, his eyes wide.

"Yea. We're gonna go next weekend. Uncle Kevin's coming & his kids & Uncle John, too." Joe replied, glancing at John.

Mercy made a face. "I don't want to go camping."

I laughed, watching Demi's smug face. "Why not? Your cousins will be there. It's gonna be fun."

"I don't want to sleep on the ground." Mercy stuck her lower lip out.

"We're gonna sleep in a tent with sleeping bags & blankets. Not on the ground, silly." I answered.

"And there are wild aminals that could eat me." She said, looking thoughtful as she bit her lip.

"No, there's not. Besides, even if there were, Daddy would never let a wild animal eat you."

Mercy glanced, quickly at Demi. "And gigantic bugs. That's gross, Daddy. Can I stay home with mommy?"

I looked at Demi, who was now looking down & shifting on her feet. "Who told you there would be wild animals & bugs?" I asked, Mercy, as I watched Demi. She didn't look up, she played with her fingers & I saw her chewing her lip.

Mercy looked at Demi, nervously. "Um... Mommy."

"Demetria!" Joe scoffed.

"What?" Demi looked around, innocently.

"Mercy. Jerry, why don't you two go upstairs & play for a bit. I gotta talk to Mommy for a minute." I said, still watching Demi's guilty expression. John shut the door once the twins left. "Really, Demi? Trying to plant negative thoughts in our innocent daughter's head to get out of a family outing? I am shocked. Appalled." I shook my head, my mouth open in mock surprise.