“How do you know that?” I ask under my breath so no one catches our conversation. “You don’t know where he is…neither do I. He’s out there alone,” my voice catches, “he might need help.”
Ramon takes my hands and brings them up to his lips where he kisses my knuckles. “He can take care of himself, you know that. He’ll be in touch with us when he can.”
I interrupt, but Ramon covers my mouth with his hand.
“Let me finish. I don’t like the fact that he just disappeared and, yes, it bothers me. The private investigator I hired is still digging and trying to find him.” He pulls me into a hug and kisses me on the forehead before sitting back on the sofa with me in his arms. “He’ll be fine, Carla,” he murmurs and I sigh into his comfort.
When I meet Sebastian’s eyes, I can see they’re full of questions…and maybe jealousy. This is the most intimate Ramon and I have been in front of his family, so I’m surprised that no one else notices our exchange, but they haven’t apart from Sylvia who appears…upset I guess. I’ve noticed her eyes are always on Ramon when he’s around and I’m pretty sure Ramon’s aware of the fact. What a damn mess.
I try and move slightly away from him, needing some breathing space as Sabrina, Janet and Sylvia take seats around the room with Pippa sitting beside Lily. Ruben and Lucien are propping up one wall while Elias stands in front of them in conversation, and Sebastian is still sitting on the sofa with George while throwing fire with his eyes in my direction. He looks pissed as well.
We did have an intimate moment together in the pantry, which I would have been happy to continue if it wasn’t for Ramon and my promise to him.
Ramon squeezes my hand bringing me back to the present, but not before I notice him look between me and his brother. When he turns back towards me, he has a frown on his face, which he tries to cover up by dropping a kiss to my lips before turning his attention to Lily and Michael.
Not knowing why Ramon suddenly decides to slap a kiss on my lips, especially after glancing at his brother, I choose to ignore them both for now and look towards Lily, who is opening a gift from Janet and George.
When Lily finally opens the present, the first sign that it’s not exactly for the babies is Michael’s flushed cheeks. He really is hot under the collar.
Lily’s whole face lights up as she takes the item by the hanger and holds the transparent negligee up for all to see.
All is quiet for a split second before Michael’s brothers start to whistle, until a stern look from Pippa shuts them up.
“Oh. My. God,” Janet says jumping up from her seat by the window and running over to Lily with another gift in her hands. “Lily, I am so sorry. I was supposed to give you that one when the men left the room. The gift cards fell off in the car so I had to guess and I obviously guessed wrong.”
“I’d say,” Elias, Ramon’s dad mumbles looking at his wife.
“Janet, it’s fine. Please don’t worry…I can’t wait to fit in it…and show Michael.” Lily grins, taking hold of Michael’s hand.
Once the chuckling dies down, Lily continues to open the gifts for the twins, which drags a lot of ‘oos’ and ‘ahs’ from Pippa who I can imagine being a hands on grandma. She really is in her element with all the presents for her first grandbabies. Elias has even teased once or twice that with Pippa around no one else will get a look in with the babies.
If I was pregnant with twins, I think I would completely flip out. Gosh one baby would be enough to freak me out let alone two.
It hasn’t taken Lily long to get through the gifts, but now all the wrapping has been cleared away and the gifts laid out on the table. Janet clears her throat and says, “Well, I think it’s time for the guys to leave.”
I smile as Pippa asks, “Why do they have to leave? We still have all this food to enjoy?”
Janet winks at her, but Sylvia answers, “Well, the other gifts that we have for Lily may make Michael a little embarrassed, not to mention the gift bearer and Lily.”
As a soft blush fills Pippa’s cheeks, I think she finally realizes just how raunchy some of the gifts might be.
“Back in a minute,” Ramon says before standing and following his father and brothers out of the room. Elias turns back to Michael and pinning him with his gaze, says, “You stay where you are.”
Before I have time to contemplate what’s going on the men are back in the room, carrying between them what looks to be two baby bassinettes.
They position them in front of Lily and Michael and then remove the covering. Everyone is stunned silent looking at the craftsmanship that has gone into making these, and if I have to guess, Elias is responsible for them.
“Dad, did you–” Michael’s unable to finish when his father nods his head. He moves to give his father a hug before turning back to Lily and helping her up from the chair.