Page 23 of The Russos
Opening the door, I followed the sound of voices until I got to the kitchen.
Gus, Sam, Drake, and Miah were sitting at the table drinking coffee, and Luca’s leaning up against the counter with Cassie next to him.
Anton’s at the stove with a tall, beautiful dark-haired, very pregnant female who is talking nine to the dozen, hands waving around. Watching them, amusement clear on his face is a handsome blond-haired man with a short beard and hair pulled back in a tail.
Anton turns from the stove as I clear the doorway and say good morning to everyone. Holding his hand out to me, he pulls me towards him as soon as I take it. “Morning, baby girl. Come and meet some old friends of ours. I know you met them while you were at Julie and Joel’s, but I’m not sure if you remember them.”
He's not wrong, I remember Lottie’s eyes, but that’s about it. Those weeks are a little blurry.
Turning towards the female, motioning a hand at her, saying, “This is Lottie, she’s a pain in the arse but a good friend.”
“Hey,” Lottie flicks a kitchen towel at him. “I’m not a pain just ask Kyle. What’s your mate going to think of me?” she grumbles as she turns to me with a bright smile. It’s a smile that you can’t help returning. She’s totally adorable with how happy she is, and she’s a hugger. I squeak a little in surprise as she wraps me in her arms, swaying us from side to side. “It’s so good to finally meet you properly. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to see you sooner.”
Letting me go and stepping back, she pulls her mate forward, “This is Kyle.”
Kyle acknowledges me with a tip of his head and a smile. Lottie beams at him. It’s easy to see the love flowing between them and hard to believe how much hardship they’ve had to go through to get where they are now. Kyle nudges Lottie out of the way, “Go sit down, Angel, Anton and I’ll finish the rest,” he tells her, taking the spatula she’d been holding out of her hands and pulling a chair away from the table.
“Sit, baby girl, breakfast won’t be long,” Anton lets me know.
Luca nudges Cassie towards an empty chair that Gus pulls out for her, “Join them, baby, and Lottie can fill you in on all the gossip about everything that’s been happening since we left. I’m sure you’d like to find out how Jaq is doing.”
Picking up the teapot and mug that were beside her on the counter, Cassie does as he suggests. “Morning, Han, I’ve made the tea. No coffee for the next week or so, I’m afraid. The tea doesn’t taste great, but I’ve sweetened it with some honey. You’ll need to drink a mug in the morning and one at night and only water throughout the day.”
The kitchen had gone silent as Cassie gave me her orders.
“I don’t care what I have to do as long as I get stronger,” I assure Cassie.
“Okay, well, here you go,” she says, handing me a mug of tea. I take a sniff and wrinkle my nose at the smell. They all laugh out loud at my expression.
“It smells like ass, I know,” Cassie agrees. “It seems the worse things smell, the better they work, though.”
Sticking my tongue out, I test the temperature, grimacing slightly at the taste. Slanting my gaze at Cassie, “I’ll take your word for it.”
Pinching my nose closed, I drink the tea all the way down like a child would medicine, making the whole kitchen laugh in amusement, especially as I shudder at the end and stick my tongue out. “Oh, my god. That is foul. How long do I have to take this for?”
Cassie shrugs, “That depends on your tiger, but we’ll know if it’s starting to work within two to three days. Annie sent me enough for three weeks, and by then we’ll be at Luca and Anton’s place.”
“Fascinating,” Lottie murmurs. Turning to look at her, I smile. She’s leaning forward, her chin on her hands, watching Cassie as if she’s an alien species.
“Annie can’t wait to meet you, Cassie, and Jett is over the moon that not only are you a medic but also know herbology. Oh, that reminds me,” she turns towards me, waving at her belly, “Can you do your thing and make sure they’re okay?”
Knowing her history, I have no problem doing this for her. Pushing my chair back, I wave her towards me, “Of course, come here.”
Lottie jumps up from her chair and bounces around the table. Literally bounces.
“Angel, how about you slow to a walk and keep those babies in there a little longer,” Kyle admonishes his mate gently as he puts a platter of steak, bacon, and sausage on the table.
“I’m sorry,” Lottie looks at me wide-eyed, “I’m just really excited at what you can do. Luca and Cassie were telling me all about it earlier.”
Laughing, I place my hands on her belly, closing my eyes, “It’s fine,” I assure her. “I love babies.”
Smiling as I feel the happy energy of her two little ones. It would seem they take after their mother. Opening my eyes, I’m suddenly aware that we’ve become the centre of attention. Ignoring them all, I look up at Lottie, who’s watching me with wide-green eyes, and while she’s been happy all morning, I can see that she’s holding onto an underlying anxiety.
Resting my cheek against her belly and closing my eyes, when I again get the happy energy and a little foot pressed against my cheek as if to say,‘We’re all good in here.’
Lifting my eyes to hers, I smile, “They’re perfect. Very happy. They are definitely your daughters.”
“Thank you,” Lottie whispers, giving me a hug.