Correcting him, I waved a finger at him. “I was too shy to eat around you.” Running my hand through her curls, “You must be starving?”
“I’m not eating anymore,” she said as a matter of fact.
Two could play at this game. “You know, if you’re not going to eat, then you can’t go for a swim in the pool. That’s going to be boring watching all of us swimming and having fun.”
And finally, with a soft mumble, she gave in. “I might be a little bit hungry then.”
“Restaurant or order in?” Brody asked, “We could walk down there in the snow.”
“Well, I think that would be fun. Let’s go out,” I smiled, staring to stand again. “Lila, you want to come get ready with me?” I suggested.
I hoped she was going to say yes, and she did but just not to me. “I want daddy.”
Brody noticed my smile slightly fading. “Sweetie, go with mama and help her pick out something pretty to wear.”
Unfortunately, she shook her head and wouldn’t look at me. It really almost broke my heart that she hated me so much. Not letting her see the hurt, I stood up and put on a smile. “It’s okay. I won’t be long, you just…” I couldn’t even finish talking to her. With a sigh, I looked towards her and Noah. “I love you both.”
Closing the bedroom door, I leant back against it and could hear their conversation quite easily.
“Kids, we’re on a family holiday, and I know we’re confusing you a lot lately, but we’re trying to have a good time. We want you to see how much we love you both, and that I love your mother dearly. Please don’t be rude to her.” Brody was trying to hide the desperation in his voice, but he wasn’t hiding it as well as I knew he wanted it to be.
“Mama’s grumpy.”
“Dad yells louder, and you don’t hate him.”
“Shut up, Noah. You’re stupid!”
“Dad, she said a bad word!”
It was never ending.
“Mama is upset that you told your teacher lies about us, Lila. She loves you just like I do, but you need to tell her sorry for what you said in the car and apologise to your brother for calling him stupid. We don’t tease or bully each other.” Brody made it clear. His voice held authority over them. I could scream, and they wouldn’t listen. But when his dominance came, though, they listened.
Lila listened, being his little girl. She was always his little girl. “Sorry, Noah.” I didn’t miss the next, clear as day, question that had me almost snorting with a laugh. “Dad, if mama is having a baby, will the baby love her? And how did it get into her tummy?”
“Yes, of course, the baby will love her, Lila,” Brody replied with exasperation. “And I put the baby in there.”
After my shower, I walked out of the bedroom feeling awake and refreshed. Doing my top up, I smiled as Noah sat on the carpet playing with his cars. “I love the baby already. Can it be a boy? I want a brother to play cars with.”
“I want a baby too! Can I have one daddy?” Lila piped up.
“Glad you love the baby, Noah,” Brody yawned, noticing me in the room. He looked relieved. “No, I’m sorry, Lila. That’s not how it works, and when you’re married, then you can think about babies; not a moment before then.”
Hopefully, it would be once they’re well into the thirties, so I didn’t have anything to worry about; not that that’s how things worked for us. If only my parents knew our truth, I would have been shunned for sure. It was only relief that we could pass it off as a honeymoon baby, and I went into labour early.
Sitting on the couch with the kid’s fresh change of clothes, I smiled, “Go shower. I’ll dress these two.”
Brody went to shower, and I sat back after dressing the kids. I pulled out my phone and noticed a missed called from my Mama. I hesitated in calling her back. I had missed four weeks of phone calls from her. My sisters wanted to know why, and I could only text them back. If I had heard their voices, I would have broken down, and my heart couldn’t take the verbal lashings if they knew about the divorce. She never left a voicemail, and with a sigh, I went over to the kitchen and called her back.
On the fourth ring, my Papa answered, “Buona sera.”
“You’re meant to say good evening in English on the phone, Papa,” I lightly scolded, a smile on my face. “It could have been someone else.”
He chuckled. “Ah, Gabriella, Ciao.”
“Papa, ciao.”
“Your mama is very worried about you, not calling her back,” he said.
I almost rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve been very busy.”
He went back to speaking with Italian. “Hai tua madre preoccupata. Quello che ti ha tenuto occupato?”
“The kids; and mama knew Brody and I went on a holiday, papa. It would have been rude spending hours on the phone,” I pointed out. “And if I remember, she made it clear she was very angry about us doing so.”
“Tua madre è fuori in questo momento. Io sono lei chiamare. Vi suggerisco di che rispondere, Gabriella,” he threatened.
“I can’t promise I will pick up. My reception is bad here.” It wasn’t my fault she was out. “Oh, umm, so we’re having a baby. I’m pregnant.” I thought I would add that in, so he was forced to tell mama.
“Sei incinta? Capisco.” Quiet a moment, he sighed heavily. “Dove sei?”
“Brody and I have taken the kids to the snow for a long weekend.” It was such a relief he’d rather ask where we were than to congratulate me on the pregnancy.
“Un'altra vacanza che vedo,” he accused. He was growing impatient. “You will answer when I call.”
“Not a holiday, a getaway.” I rolled my eyes as Lila began to pull at my leg, whining to leave. “Good night, Papa.”
“Ciao.” He hung up.
Looking down at Lila, my patience was lowering for her antics today. “Stop that. You're being silly.”
She dropped her lip. “I want to go.”
“We’re waiting for Noah and Dad, then we can leave.” I sighed, sitting on the bench. I’d love a glass of red about now. She was pulling at my shirt still, ignoring me. “Stop it. I’ll ground you.”
“You already grounded me.” She rolled her eyes with a glare back. This little girl had my temper and desire to not back down in a fight. The feisty Italian side of her was coming out.
It was getting out of hand, and maybe, food would help. “Babe, I’m hungry, and it’s getting dark.”
Brody walked out of the room, freshly shaven. I smiled. My mood instantly picked up. He grabbed the cabin key and his wallet. “Let’s go.”
The kids ended up running in front of us and picking up the snow, throwing it at each other and squealing as the coldness went down their shirts. Snuggling against Brody’s side, I sucked in the cold air. “It’s freezing.”
Smiling down at me, he chuckled. “We could snuggle, naked?”
“You wish,” I nudged him with my head against his shoulder. “I called my papa. I even told him I’m pregnant. He reacted the same.”
“Ah, so he ignored it.” He sighed. “The call didn’t go too well I take it.”
I groaned with frustration. “No, they’re not happy the least. My mama is very pissed. Lila is also pissed. She’s being very bratty and ignoring me.”
“I was tempted to order in. Her attitude is killing me.” He placed a kiss against the side of my head. “Let’s try ignoring her next time she carries on. She’s doing it for attention.”
Lucky for us, there weren’t many people dining out. We got a table near the glass windows so we could watch the snow falling. I told them we could go out and build a snowman tomorrow, which had Noah’s eyes lighting up. The snowman talk turned into a plan to have a snowball fight, boys against girls, which would be something fun to do together.
This trip was about bonding together as a family. It wasn’t just about Brody and I getting back on track, but it was about the kids seeing how much we loved them and wanted us all to be happy. I wanted them to know that things were goi
ng to be different for the better.
No more fighting or midnight screaming matches, it was all about being a happy family and getting through it if times ever became tough again.
Dinner had been going so well. The food was incredible. Noah was drinking hot chocolate and had marshmallows stuck to his lips which he was trying to lick off. Brody laughed, pulling his phone out and taking photos of us, something that he hadn’t done in forever. Normally, I took the family pics.
“Can we get in the big spa?” Noah asked. Brody had booked the spa cabin for us.
I smiled, “You, three, can, but I can’t. The baby would overcook.” Noah just looked confused. I didn’t bother elaborating. “Lila, would you like to get in the spa tomorrow?”
“Fuck off!”
It was clear as day. Others glanced over uncomfortably, giving us judgemental looks. My cheeks were burning and not from the fireplace. Noah looked at her big wide eyes, knowing she was in major trouble. Brody and I both stared at each other in horror. Had she really just said that?
Reacting the only way, I knew how. I stood up grabbed her by the arm and wrapped my fingers around her. “I’m sorry. You and Noah stay and finish your drinks,” I said with a hushed hiss. “I’m taking her to the cabin.”
“Do you want me to take her?” Brody asked, standing. “We can all head back now.”
“No, don’t.” Glancing towards Noah, “He doesn’t need to leave because she’s being a brat.”
Lila had her feet firmly on the carpet, and I realised she was about to throw one at me. Without another word, I bent down and picked her up. She kicked and screamed, but I didn’t say a word as I carried her naughty ass out of the restaurant and made the walk back to the cabin in the snow.
I was so embarrassed and completely mortified.
Dropping her to the bed, I was so angry at her. “You have really upset me!” I began ranting at her. “You embarrassed your father and brother! You know that’s wrong, and you know better than this Lila!” I yelled. “You won’t come out of this bedroom. Go to sleep before I really lose my patience with you!”
I went to tuck her in after undressing her and putting some warm pyjamas on. She let me do that, but once it was time to get her into the actual bed, it was beginning to prove tough. She was fighting me all the way.
“Stop it!” I snapped, trying to get a hold of her. “Lila, I’m warning you!”
“No, go away!” she screamed back, sobbing. “Get away!”
In the midst of flinging her arms into my chest and almost slapping me across the face, her legs drew back then plunged into my stomach. I stumbled backwards with a wince, and without thinking or meaning to, my hand had come down on her thigh with a firm hard slap.
Holding her breath, she rolled onto her stomach and clutched at her leg where I hit her. She began to cry hysterically. She sounded as if I had beaten her. I left her in the room like that, throwing one hell of a tantrum.
Closing the door behind myself, still in shock while sliding to the floor on my bottom, I broke down crying, as I couldn’t believe what I had done.
I had just smacked her.
CHAPTER THIRTY
When Brody and Noah walked back inside the cabin, I was still on the floor by her door sobbing. Lila was thrashing around the room. Her screams hadn’t subsided as I wished they were. She would have to tire out soon. Hopefully, it didn’t take much longer.
“Baby?” Brody came over, dropping to my level. “Are you all right?”
“I hit her,” I admitted through tears. “I didn’t mean to. She just kicked me in the stomach, and I reacted on instinct.”
He looked confused. His eyes lowered to my stomach. “Do you feel okay? You should go and lay down.”
“Didn’t you hear me? I hit her.” I had done the one thing we both agreed to never do. “I feel okay. If there’s any pain, I will tell you, but I’m fine.” I didn’t want to make this a big deal.
Bashing on the door as I still slumped against it, Lila was at it again, screaming and pounding her little hands into the wooden board.
Brody leant forwards and pounded his own fist into the door. “Knock it off now before I come in and give you something to really cry about!” His voice was loud, thunderous as his anger had gotten the best of him.
Her screaming stopped with an instant. I knew he would never lay a hand on her, but she didn’t.
Helping me up and offering to carry me to the couch, I declined since it was only a ten step walk, and that would be lazy of me. Noah walked over, laying by side. “We had ice cream and brought you some back, too.”
“Oh, really? Was it good?” I asked, smiling as he could be sweet at the best of times. “I can’t wait to try some.”
“It was!” he grinned. As I picked up the small tub of strawberry ice cream, he added on. “The girl who gave it to us gave dad love eyes.”
I raised a brow, smirking. “Oh, really?” I smiled at Brody. “Well, your dad is pretty handsome, isn’t he?”
Brody shook his head, laughing. “You’re both crazy. No more sugar for you two.”
“Ah, sure, try to deny it by changing the subject.” I poked my tongue out, licking the spoon.
Noah fell asleep not long later, and we continued to watch the movie he had chosen. I wasn’t paying much attention, just worrying over Lila and what was going through her mind. She must be so confused. They both probably were. Brody carried Noah to bed as the credits rolled and came back to sit with me, bringing my legs up over his.
“You’re quiet. What’s going through your mind?” he asked, massaging gently.
“I feel awful for hitting her. I feel like I’ve just gone to my papa’s level,” I admitted.
Shaking his head at me, he moved and shifted us both around so I was laid on his body as his fingers stroked through my hair. “Gabby, you didn’t beat her or purposely strike her. You hit on reflex. If that had been me and she kicked me in the balls, I probably would have done the same thing. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Then why do I feel so guilty about it?” I asked with a whisper.
Responding instantly, he said without hesitation. “Because you’re such a good mother, that’s why,” he said quieter. “I think you should get checked out still, though? I’ve felt one of her kicks, and while they’re not that hard to me, on you, it may do some damage.”
“No, I’m okay,” I promised. “I just want to lay here.”
Kissing my head, he sighed and gave in. “You tell me, and we’ll go straight to the doctors if something is feeling wrong.”
“We’re on a trip, and I hate this. It was meant to be a happy time for us.” I sighed, placing my hand over my stomach. “I thought maybe this baby could be something exciting for them.”
“Do you think she feels left out?” he suggested. “Possibly the reason for her acting this way. Whatever it is, she’s acting like Tulip.”
Laying there, I thought about it. It could well be the reason, but we had never shown favouritism between the children. They were both loved the same and treated the same. Listening to the sound of his heartbeat, I closed my eyes slowly and spoke softly, “Tomorrow will be a better day.”
I must have fallen asleep. When I woke the next morning, I was nice, warm and snuggled up against Brody as his arms were wrapped around my body, holding me closely against his front.
His eyes remained shut, but he still smiled as he spoke, “You’re staring.”
“You’re too pretty not to stare at,” I said leaning in to give him a kiss. “Extremely gorgeous.”
“Handsome,” he corrected as he finally opened his eyes and kissed me as he rolled me onto my back with a big bear hug. “You’re the pretty one.”
A sleepy smile and I gave him a squeeze back. “I love you.”
Lifting his head, he looked into my eyes and began to lower his mouth with a whisper, “I love you more, baby.”
Getting out of bed while Brody went to the bathroom, I needed food before morning si
ckness kicked into gear and had me throwing up. The kids were still both asleep. I kissed them both then went back into the kitchen. Turning on the plastic kettle in the small kitchen, I yawned and looked into the fridge for something to make. Good thing, we were smart enough to bring our own food as there was nothing except those tiny little pods of milk and a jug of water in the fridge.
Dunking the tea bag into the hot water, I yawned and slid myself onto the couch, tucking my feet up underneath my bottom as I stared out at the beautiful snowing view. Brody had definitely gotten us a great chalet here. The kids, hopefully, woke up in a great mood and were excited to spend the weekend playing in the snow, and then maybe going to the spa and plunge pool. That’s if everything goes well; funny how you have these ideas of how things could play out in your mind and then they turned completely opposite to that, like dinner last night.
Brody walked out with his hair wet and messy and a towel wrapped around his waist, and the thing that distracted me wasn’t the bulge but the way he looked. He was so strong, and it was strange to see how much his appearance has changed from the tall, lanky boy at school to the strong, well-built man he had become now.
“Gabby?” he asked, causing me to look up and meet his sight.
“Yeah?” I asked coyly.
Grinning, he shook his head. “Stop eating me with your eyes. I asked if you packed my boxers. I can’t find them.”
“In the side, right part, I think,” I answered with a blush as I smiled. “Sorry, you’re just really nice to look at. Can’t help it if my man’s sexy.”
Going back into the bedroom to change, he laughed. I yawned and snuggled down on the couch when a creak filled the room. Looking up, Lila’s head was popping out of their bedroom. She noticed me, and within seconds her eyes went wide, and she disappeared with a quick shut of the door.
This wasn’t how I wanted her to feel, scared.
Brody also noticed as he gave me a confused look and went to walk into the bedroom, but I shook my head, getting up from the couch and motioning him that I would speak with her. I wanted to get down and find out what was going on with our daughter. How she had been acting, it wasn’t her. She was more mature than this version which had been greeting us this past couple of days.
Forgotten Sweethearts: A Romance Novel Page 27
