Forever Strong (Book 7 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 11

Nick

Mercy came storming into our bedroom the next morning, waking Demi & I both up. Luckily, the blankets were covering us, since someone forgot to lock our bedroom door. Demi had on a tank top, but no pants & I was naked, since I hardly ever slept with clothes on.

"Daddy! Get up! We gotta pick Karleigh up!" Mercy came around to my side, shouting.

"Mercy, it's not even time..." I was interrupted by my alarm. "Okay, now it's time to get up." I sat up on my elbow & looked to see Mercy was already dressed & wearing an excited smile on her face. I smiled at her as Demi sat up beside me. "You look very nice, baby girl." I said, glancing at Demi.

"Thank you, Daddy. I wanted to look special for our day."

Demi leaned on my shoulder & I could see her smile out of the corner of my eye. "We picked out a great dress, sweetie."

Jerry came into the room, now, still wearing his pajamas. "Me & Daddy are gonna have a day tomorrow." He said to Mercy.

"Yea, we are, buddy. We're gonna go golfing & see a movie."

"I can't wait." Jerry smiled, smugly at his sister.

Mercy pouted. "Well, I get to have brefist with Daddy."

"Okay, both of you go, so me & Daddy can get dressed." Demi said in a firm voice. We watched the twins leave & waited until they closed the door before we got out of bed. I grabbed Demi's wrist & pulled her back on the bed to kiss her. She giggled when I started kissing her neck. "Come on, Daddy. You don't want to be late."

I looked in Demi's eyes & smiled. "I love it when you call me, Daddy." I kissed her neck again & she let out a squeal of laughter.

Mercy was practically bouncing with excitement all morning & all the way to Karleigh's house. I rang the doorbell & smiled when Mrs. Chapman opened the door. I saw Karleigh standing behind her, looking shy. "You must be Mr. Jonas." Mrs. Chapman said, holding her hand out.

"Please. Call me Nick." I shook her hand.

"Call me, Ellie." She smiled. "Thank you so much for doing this."

"Oh it's my pleasure." I looked down at Karleigh. "Are you ready to walk with us, Karleigh?"

She stepped forward & nodded, shyly. "Yes." Her voice was so tiny, almost the complete opposite of Mercy's.

"You look very pretty, Karleigh." I said & she responded by looking down at the ground. "Do you remember me?" She nodded. "Good. You want to hold my hand? You don't have to." I was surprised when she readily took my hand. I glanced at Ellie, who looked like she might cry. "I guess we're off. And I'll see you tomorrow, Ellie. Enjoy your day."

We walked down the driveway, Karleigh holding one hand, Mercy holding the other. I looked down at Mercy who was beaming as she watched Karleigh. "What do you think they're having for breakfast for us?" I asked, hoping Karleigh would answer.

Mercy answered first. "I think coffee & donuts."

"Coffee?" I laughed. "Karleigh, do you drink coffee?"

Karleigh smiled, looking up at me, finally & shook her head. She was an adorable little girl & looked different from that first day of school. Now she was clean & looked cared for. "Do you like coffee, Mr. Jonas?" Karleigh asked in such a small voice, I could hardly hear her. I was happy she was speaking.

I smiled down at her. "I do like coffee & please call me Nick, okay?"

Karleigh nodded. "My grandpa likes it. He drinks it all the time."