Just then, Rai walks over to me and puts her hand in mine pulling me down to her eye level. “I really like them, daddy. I think they are going to be nice to us. Is it ok if I like them a lot?” Looking into my baby girl's eyes, I can see the concern she has for liking someone who is not her mom. I don’t believe she remembers Karinna, but she knows she had one and as with all the little kids, she is hoping hers comes back. Liking someone else might stop that in her mind. It pisses me off to see my kids hurt by someone who was supposed to love them. I want to wrap them in my arms and tell them they never have to worry about any of this, but that is not how the real-world works. So, instead, I look my little Princess in her eyes and tell her, “Baby, it is more than ok if you like them. Even a lot. I hope you love them actually. Them moving in here makes them a part of this family. So, caring for someone in this family is perfect.” she wraps her arms around my neck, and I lift her, squeezing her so tight. There is nothing in this world more important than my children.
I barely put her down to finish their dinner when my front door opens. Shit! I forgot my brother is coming to get the kids for the night. They love to stay on his farm a couple times a week and help him take care of the animals. If I am being honest, he is a great uncle. Patient, kind and affectionate. Surprising considering, he is a surly son of a bitch to everyone else.
“Well hello!” I look up and see him pulling his hat off bowing to Delta and River. What the fuck? He reaches his hand out to take Delta’s hand and my body lights up. Charging over to them, I grab her hand in mine, before he reaches it.
“MINE!” I growl at him, not caring at the moment that my kids and her sister are watching.
“Calm down.” He laughs holding his hands up. “I was simply being a gentleman and saying hello to these beautiful ladies I have never seen before. Perhaps if you were more polite, you’d introduce them.” Asshole. Delta giggles into her hand. I smirk at her letting her know I heard that. Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, “we will see how hard it is for you to stifle the noise you will make later tonight.” I lick her neck watching her quiver, before turning back to my brother who is busy talking to Jasper. Not letting go of Delta’s hand, I mumble out an introduction.
“This is Delta. The kids’ new nanny.” Is all I get out right now not wanting to go into details with my kids so close by. “This is her little sister River. They just moved in today.” There. That’s all he gets.
“That’s right I forgot about Lucy. I am Brock’s little brother Jesse. It’s a pleasure. Well, if my two little farmhands are ready, I need to get back. I am meeting with a new housekeeper today and need to make sure everything is ready to test her out.” The kids run upstairs to change into their ‘farm clothes’ and come back down. They hug Delta, River, and me before leaving. Once the house is once again quiet, I turn to the girls.
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes if you don’t mind setting the table.”
“I have a study group today, remember,” River says to her sister.
“Oh right! Ok….”
“Armando will be your driver now. He will take you where you want to go and bring you home safely.” I should probably feel something, like guilt for interrupting Delta as she tries to handle the situation, but I figure now was a good a time as any to show them how it is going to be.
“Brock, I don’t think that is necessary. She has been taking the bus and train so….”
“Well, that is over. He is outside waiting for you.” I don’t bother saying anything else. Some fire, rains into Delta’s face as she shoots daggers at me.
“Well, I am going to go. Thank you for everything Brock.” She jets out the door like her legs are on fire. The moment the door is shut, I walk back into the kitchen, just needing a moment. Food is the last thing on my mind. The moment I realized we were going to be alone my whole trajectory changed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m hungry. Food is no longer on the menu. My hands on the counter as I catch my breath and breath in through my nose. I can feel the vein in my neck jumping as the tension in my body begins to build.