CHAPTER 284: HEART AND BLOOD (2)

Georgia’s POV

But life has such a cruel way of changing things.

I could still see the day my sister-in-law, Katie’s mother, died. The house had been so still that day, so quiet it felt wrong. Katie was too young to understand why everyone was crying. I had held her in my arms as she reached out for her mom, saying "Mama" over and over, not knowing she would never answer again.

And then, as if that pain wasn’t enough, my brother...

The day they found him dead on the shore, I thought my heart would break completely. Both of them were gone, and all that was left were Katie and me.

I used to worry so much about her. How she’d grow up. How she’d carry that kind of loss, that kind of silence, in her tiny heart. Every time she smiled, I’d feel this ache, like she deserved more than what life had given her.

And now, here she was, laughing, calling me "Mommy."

It wasn’t pity anymore that I felt. It was something warmer, deeper, like a new beginning not just for her, but for me too.

I pulled her close again, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You’re going to grow up so loved, my darling," I whispered softly. "You’ll never have to feel alone again. Not while I’m here. Not while we’re here."

Katie smiled and nodded, resting her cheek against my shoulder, and for the first time since my brother’s passing, I felt my brother’s soul at peace.

Because his little girl finally had a home again.

I was sitting on the edge of the bed, towel in hand, carefully drying Katie’s hair when the door suddenly creaked open. Prudence peeked inside first, followed by Vicky, both of them smiling from ear to ear.

"Well, look at this little angel," Prudence said warmly as she stepped in. "Her hair’s almost dry, and she smells like sunshine and baby shampoo."

Vicky grinned and walked over to Katie, ruffling her damp curls. "Aunt Georgia, why don’t you go take a shower? We’ll handle this one. I’ll pick her outfit, and Grandma Pru will do her hair. You need some time to freshen up, too."

I started to protest, but Prudence was already holding Katie’s hand. "No excuses, dear. We’ve got her."

Katie giggled, clearly thrilled by all the attention. "She’s my Mommy now, she’s no longer my aunt," she proudly uttered.

That word—Mommy—hit me again like a soft punch to the heart. I smiled through the sting in my eyes, cupping her cheek. "Alright, sweetheart. Be good, okay? I’ll be quick."

"Promise!" she said with a toothy grin.

Prudence and Vicky exchanged a look—curious, maybe a little emotional—but didn’t ask. Instead, they swept Katie off the bed and into their arms, chattering about dresses, ribbons, and braids as they left the room.

The door closed behind them, and for a brief, quiet moment, it was just me. Then I heard footsteps.

Nick appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with that familiar calm smile. "They kicked you out of your own morning routine too, huh?"

I laughed softly, brushing my hair away from my face. "Apparently, yes. I’ve been replaced by the glam squad."

He chuckled, stepping closer. But before I could say anything more, I suddenly felt a lump rise in my throat.

Without thinking, I stood and walked straight into his arms, wrapping my hands around his waist and pressing my face against his chest.

He froze for a second, surprised. "Hey... what’s wrong?"

I shook my head, my voice trembling even as I smiled. "Nothing’s wrong, Nick. Everything’s right."

He tilted my chin up gently, concern soft in his eyes. "Talk to me."

"I talked to Katie," I whispered, my words catching between breaths. "I asked her if it was okay if we became her new mommy and daddy."

Nick’s brows lifted slightly, but before he could speak, I continued, tears finally spilling down my cheeks. "She called me Mommy."

My voice broke on the word, and all at once the emotions I’d been holding back poured out. "I just... I’m so happy. She’s been through so much, and now she finally has us. She finally has a family again. Not just an aunt, but has parents now, us."

He didn’t say anything right away; he just held me, his hand running slowly down my back, comforting me in that moment.

When he finally spoke, his voice was full of warmth. "She couldn’t have asked for a better mother, Georgia."

That did it. I buried my face in his chest, laughing and crying all at once. "You’re going to make me cry even more."

He smiled against my hair. "Then cry. You’ve earned it."

And so I did—wrapped in his arms, heart full, knowing that from this day on, Katie would never be alone.

She has a family and parents she can show at her school, to the world, and that’s us.

After I’d finally stopped crying, Nick brushed his thumb along my cheek and smiled softly.

"Come on, let’s get ready for the day. If you keep crying, I’ll start crying too," he teased.

That made me laugh, the sound breaking through the heaviness in my chest. "I can’t imagine you crying," I said, then added without thinking, "but... shall we shower together?"

I realized what I’d said the moment his grin spread wider—mischief lighting up his face.

"Oh no," I gasped, already laughing, "You pervert!"

Before I could escape, he scooped me up and slung me over his shoulder with an exaggerated groan.

"Nick!" I shrieked between laughs, pounding his back.

He only chuckled, landing a playful slap on my ass that made me yelp in surprise. "You’re impossible!" I protested, but my laughter drowned out the words as he carried me toward the en suite.

Nick set me down gently, his hands still resting on my waist as he looked into my eyes with that teasing glint.

"It’s still early," he murmured, voice low, "we have time."

I instinctively took a step back, pretending to flee, but his arm shot out and hooked around me before I could reach the door.

"Where do you think you’re going?" he whispered against my ear, his breath warm on my skin.

I swallowed hard, my pulse racing, laughter fading into quiet tension.

"You really think you can escape me now?"

I am in trouble, I’m so done!