Seeking Happily Ever After (Ever After #8) - Elena Aitken Page 0,56

or illegal.

He was out of the car before it had come to a complete stop and at the front door. He sucked in a breath as he opened the door, not sure what he was going to see. “I got here as soon as I…”

His words trailed off as he took in the scene inside.

Katie had the baby in her arms. Charlotte stood with her back to them both, her arms crossed over her chest as she stood guard between the baby and Jessica, who had tears in her eyes as she clearly was trying to get to Amelia.

Nick’s chest constricted at what he was witnessing. He had no feelings toward Jessica, none that were caring or loving, at any rate. Their relationship hadn’t been more than partying and hooking up. There’d been no emotional connection at all. In fact, he hadn’t even known her last name until recently. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of…something…as he set eyes on her again after so long. She was, after all, Amelia’s mother, and he loved that little girl more than anything in the world. The only thing he’d ever felt toward Jessica was anger that she could leave her baby, but now… No. He needed to remember the anger. This woman left her child. She was an addict. She was unfit.

Katie half turned to Nick. Her eyes were wide with worry and relief to see him, as if he could fix the situation.

Maybe he could. Or at any rate, maybe he could deescalate it so that it worked out for Amelia. He nodded a thank-you to Katie and took Amelia, who had her arms outstretched to him, from his friend.

“I’m going to get Damon,” Katie whispered as she slipped from the guest house.

But Nick didn’t respond. He was focused on the other two women in the room.

“Tell this woman that she will not be taking our baby today.” Char didn’t even glance in his direction as she spoke to him through gritted teeth.

“Char.” He spoke her name gently as he came to stand next to her. He took his free hand and reached for hers. He gave it a squeeze until she looked at him.

“Tell her, Nick.” Charlotte’s voice shook a little.

He knew she’d hate that. But she was going to hate it even more that he couldn’t tell her what she wanted to hear. He inhaled the sweet scent of Amelia’s shampoo and kissed her on her head. An action that almost brought him to tears. How was he supposed to let Jessica take her?

“She’s Amelia’s mother,” he said, simply. “Why don’t we all sit down and discuss a few things.”

Charlotte’s eyes opened in disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe he’d even suggest anything besides kicking Jessica out on her ass—which, admittedly, was exactly what he wanted to do. It was taking all of his self-control to do the right thing. Even if it felt anything but right.

“Nick?”

Slowly, Nick met Jessica’s eyes that were so much like her daughter’s that it was startling. He held the baby a little tighter.

“Can I hold her, Nick?”

She twisted her hands together and leaned forward a little as she spoke, as if she was being drawn to the baby in a physical way.

Nick swallowed hard. “Why don’t we sit down for a minute and…” He looked at Char. “Can you please take Amelia for a quick diaper change?”

Thankfully, Char nodded and took the baby. She held her tight and glared at Jessica as she disappeared into the bedroom.

They didn’t speak at all while Charlotte was gone, and as soon as she returned with a freshened-up Amelia, Nick once more took the baby. He tried to give Charlotte a reassuring smile, but her mouth was set in a fixed line.

“Why don’t we all sit down for a minute?” he suggested.

As soon as everyone was seated, somewhat awkwardly on the sofa, Nick was out of excuses.

“Please, Nick?” Jessica asked again. “Can I hold my daughter?”

Next to him, Charlotte made a snorting noise, and if he wasn’t mistaken, a low growl rumbled from her. He squeezed her thigh briefly in an effort to settle her, but it wasn’t going to be that easy.

“There’s no way you’re going to let her hold her, Nick.” She didn’t even bother trying to lower her voice. “She doesn’t deserve it, Nick. You can’t—”

“She’s Amelia’s mother, Char. I have to—”

“You’re her father, Nick. That counts, too.”

She looked at him imploring him to make it all better. But he couldn’t. And