Haunting Me (A Completed Steamy, Romance)EDITING

Part 24

Joey

Her name is Hannah. It was easier when she was just some other woman, but hearing her name makes her real. It's like twisting a knife, after I've been stabbed through the heart.

"I can ask the kids, but don't you think they'll suspect something?"  I asked.

"I swear Mason already does, so we need to talk to him."  He said.

"Mason doesn't talk much. He's quiet, but observant." She said.

"Where does he get that from?" He chuckled.

"My mother, she was always like that, but he looks like your dad."  She said.

"He really does, but Serenity looks like you." He said.

"She is faithful like you, and she does that thing where you run your hands through your hair when you're nervous," I said.

"Jake does that too."  He said, with a smile. 

"He looks so much like Mason at his age," I said.

"Really? What was it like having twins?"  He asked.

"Emotional, because I missed you so bad, and they were a part of you. Sleep wasn't something I did very often. Jackson wanted a nanny, but I didn't want to let them go. I barely let him hold them. I hated it when he touched them, and I didn't let anyone else. It helped that I breastfed, so I literally had them attached to me."  I said.

"Who was born first?" He asked.

"Serenity, she came into this word with a roar, then Mason came three minutes later. He barely cried, hell Serenity cried enough for both of them." I smiled at the memory.

"I wish so bad I was with you,"  he said.

"You have no idea. I was alone at the hospital. No husband, parents, or friend. A driver dropped me off at the hospital and took me home. Jackson didn't even come to the hospital, not that I wanted him there, but I was alone, and very scared."  I said.

"Maybe we should head downstairs before the kids start looking for us."  He said, and looked upset.

"You're right," I said. What I said may have upset him.  This is why it is so hard to look at his little boy.  Some other woman had him at her side, when she gave birth to his child.  I was alone.

"I'll take you guys home tonight." He said.

"I think the twins are going with Riley tonight."  I said.

He paused.

"I don't like that kid." He led me out the door, and I almost laughed. I forgot Riley acted like he did when he saw our daughter today.

"One more question, how did you pick their names?" He asked, as we walked down the hall?

I smiled. "My mother's name was Serenity Josephine Mason."

"That's actually pretty damn cool." He said.

We joined the others, and of course, my former best friend gave me the cold shoulder again.

I sat down by Hudson, and we got all kinds of crazy stares. Shit, I'm married, and just came from a bedroom with the love of my life.

He handed me a beer, and it almost felt like old times, except I'm not on Hudsons lap or smiling like I used to. Many years ago, I saw so much good in people and was generally happy, if not perky.

"Tiffany said she might stop by," Amber announced.

"Oh, you mean Timmy?" Hudson said, and everyone busted out laughing.

"I'll never live that down, will I?"  I asked.

"No," they all said with laughter.

Joel finished with the grill, and we all got ready to eat, and for the first time in my adult time, I almost feel like my old self.

"Jake, it's time to eat, so come help make your plate," Hudson yelled for his son.

I heard my daughter giggle, then saw Hudson's head spin. She was flirting pretty hard with Riley, and Hudson looked conflicted.

We got our plates, and when I finished eating, I got the baby from Amber. "I remember trying to eat when the twins were babies. Imagine holding two babies and trying to eat."

"I can't even imagine," Amber said.

"Wouldn't it have been nice, if your friends would have been around?" Julie said.

"Julie, can you help me in the kitchen real quick?" Amber said, and Julie didn't look too happy.

I tried to brush it off, because I have more important things on my mind.

Mason sat across from us at the picnic table, while Serenity sat with Riley.

"Mason, Hudson said he would take us home, but did you make plans with Riley?" I asked.

"Yeah, he said something about a diner." We all looked at each other and smiled.

"I guess traditions never really end," Joel said.

I held the baby and she wanted to look around, so I held her on my lap backward so she could see.

I noticed Hudson playing with her, and it broke my heart. He missed out on our kid's lives, and they're nearly grown. It's difficult not to feel guilty.