Without hesitation, MacKenzie was on her feet. Jake didn’t know if she’d been looking for an excuse to get away from Lux, or if she also wanted some alone-time with their family.
When she reached his side, he had his answer. Turning back to Lux, she gave her a smile and inquired whether she would be okay on her own.
Lux assured them she was fine and that they should go. On the whole he had always liked Lux, although, in his opinion she had a tendency to be slightly petulant. His only other gripe with her was that at times she could be too childish. For his brother’s sake, he hoped the intervening years had changed her.
Inside their room, Jake deposited a clinging Noelle on the floor and turned to MacKenzie ready to further explain his abrupt departure.
“I understand, Jake. I know you had to go, but please don’t ever leave again without telling me where you’re going.”
“There was no time lovely, or you know I would have filled you in.”
MacKenzie frowned at him before she replied. “If this type of thing ever happens again, you better make sure; I don’t have to learn of your whereabouts from anyone but you!”
“Noted and understood,” Jake agreed with a nod.
“Good, now that we’re in agreement, why don’t you go and get cleaned up and I’ll order you something to eat.”
“How about a welcome home kiss first,” Jake suggested.
“Do you deserve one?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you love and adore me and I see the way you keep eyeing up all this manliness. I’ve told you before, if you want all that is me, all you have to do is come and take it.” Jake punctuated his jest with a hand sweep down his body; his dimples showing.
“I don’t know how I’m going to survive being married to, and surrounded by you Kingdoms,” MacKenzie said with a roll of her eyes.
“I would really like to know what the hell–”
“Jake! Language please the b-a-b-y is right here,” MacKenzie warned, looking down at Noelle, who was busy playing with her toys.
“Baby,” Noelle shouted.
“Did you hear that, she can spell already,” Jake laughed puffing out his chest with pride.
“She’s two years old, of course she can’t spell; she’s playing with a baby-doll.”
Seeing she was right, he couldn’t keep his feelings of disappointment from showing.
“You’re so cute, I can’t stand it,” MacKenzie laughed as she slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him close. Rising onto her toes she gave him a kiss on the lips and pointed towards the bathroom. “Wow, you smell ripe; go take a shower and I’ll get you something to eat, after all I have to keep your energy up.”
At his raised brow of inquiry, MacKenzie laughed. “The way I see it, you have some serious making up to do, and you’re going to have to work for it.”
“Really?” Jake shuddered in mock fear as he headed towards the bathroom. “You better order me double portions because it sounds like I’m going to need it!”
When he emerged from the bathroom, mother and child were playing on the floor. A knock sounded at the door. MacKenzie opened it while he was still in the process of towel drying his hair.
Jackson stood in the doorway and for a heartbeat his father’s presence worried him. That he pushed a cart laden with food shifted Jake’s thoughts from concern to curiosity.
“If you can eat all this food, you’re a better man than I,” Jackson joked eyeing his son. “I intercepted the maid so I decided to deliver this myself.”
“Is everything okay?” Jake inquired.
“Actually, yes. I stopped by to collect my granddaughter. It’s a beautiful day so I thought she and I could go for a walk and spend some time together.”
“Yay, walk, papa,” Noelle shouted jumping up and down.
“Are you sure, Jackson? She can be a bit of a handful.”
“I’m sure my dear. It will also give you both a bit of time alone. I’m sure fifteen minutes would suffice, right Jake, but as there is no doubt you are my son, I’ll give you an hour.”
Folding his arms across his chest, Jake stared at his father and ignored MacKenzie, who turned away to hide her laughter.
“Let me just look for her coat.”
“Hurry up, Mommy, hurry up. Where hell Noelle coat?!” She demanded running around in excitement.
“Jake, I warned you about your language!”
“Jacob, this type of language, is entirely you and your brothers doing!”
MacKenzie and Jackson reprimanded him at the same time.
“I told you she understood, only two my as–””
“Jake!”
****
When Jackson finally led Noelle out the door, MacKenzie busied herself by placing the mountain of food on the table.
Marching directly to the door, Jake turned the lock to ensure they wouldn’t be disturbed. By the time, MacKenzie turned from the table he was naked and ready.
“Oh my, and to think all that is mine.”
Jake loved when she spoke her thoughts aloud and didn’t try to stop his smile.
“What are you waiting for?”