Chapter 21

"How did it go?" Damian asked.

"Good." I sincerely grinned at him.

"I'm glad, Princess," He smiled at me before he started the engine." Let's get you home. Your mom is making lasagne for dinner."

"That's good because I'm starving." I sighed as I buckled up my seat belt and leaned against the headrest.

What a day.

*****

Nolan's POV

The sound of the door opening had me smiling as I turned toward it to see a very much healthy and happy Zane walking in.

"How did it go?" I asked as I stopped stirring the soup in the small pot.

"Very good," He sighed as he made his way over to the island and plopped down on one of the barstools. "Better than I expected really."

"I told you," I smiled before turning around to turn off the stove. "You smell like her." I chuckled as I took note of the lingering caramel scent infused with Zane's mint like scent.

"Yeah, I was surprised, but she hugged me. It was the best hug I've ever had. Thanks for knocking me back to my senses, Man," He said with such gratitude that I knew it was every bit genuine. "Wait, tell me you're not making soup."

"Maybe. " I grinned at him.

His features immediately contorted to that of disgust as he visibly shivered.

"I'm not eating that. No." He shook his head.

"I made it for your sick butt, so you're definitely eating it while Grace and I have tuna salad." I snickered.

His face contorted to one of horror as she vigorously shook his head.

"Never again!" He panicked as he got up and ran upstairs.

Considering that I've been feeding him soup this whole week, and him alone, it's understandable, but his reaction was worth the waste. I knew that it was going to go well, but an innocent prank was the least I could do as a payment for all my struggles, right?

"Papa!" A confused Grace walked in with her favourite stuffed bear. "What's wrong with Daddy?"

"Oh nothing, Sweetheart. He's just playing," I smiled at the little angel. "How does a milk tart for dessert sound?"

"Great!" She enthusiastically agreed.

"But only after you finish your dinner." I negotiated.

Her eyes landed on the bowl full of salad on the table and immediately filled with horror. She slowly started taking steps backwards until she bumped into her father who was walking back into the kitchen.

"I think your Papa does not like us that much tonight, Baby Girl." He cooed at his daughter as he picked her up.

I merely shook my head at the duo as I grabbed two olive green ceramic bowls and one plastic bowl.

"If you two don't eat, I'm canceling movie night with Melissa," I threatened, knowing that the one older sucker and the young mini me will cave if I mention my mate. "And neither of you are getting dessert which is milk tart just so you both know. "I know how both of them like it, so I prepared it earlier before I prepared the salad because I knew how they'd both prefer meat, in fact, they both dislike vegetables. I'm not quite a fan either, but I'm better than the duo.

"You play dirty, Brother. I'll give you that." Zane sighed in defeat as he made his way toward me with a pouting Grace.

"Okay Papa, I will eat." She sighed in defeat.

"Good." I reprimanded as I grabbed some utensils and dished up for everyone. Of course Zane got some salad too today.

We sat behind the counter and ate in silence with the two sulking throughout dinner, but obediently finishing what was acceptable which was most of the food. Grace then left to watch her show which she claimed she couldn't miss while Zane stayed to 'keep me company'. I'm assuming he was there to make sure I rewarded his 'eating' with a generous amount of his favourite dessert. This man is really a child in disguise.

*****

Melissa's POV

I gently knocked with my one unoccupied hand due to my other holding the plastic bag with candy and cookies. I didn't feel comfortable in letting Nolan buy everything and luckily, Mom and I had done some grocery shopping during the weekend and bought enough candy to last us for the month. I'll just have to replace these soon.

The door opened to reveal a pouting Zane. I lightly giggled at the unexpected greeting and tilted my head.

"Nolan tried to kill us." He simply said as he pulled the door open and let me in.

"Ignore him, Baby. He's just being dramatic because I had them eat tuna salad for dinner and told them I'd ask you not to come over and that they would not get dessert if they didn't eat." Nolan protested from where he was washing dishes in the sink.

My insides almost turned into a goo while my knees went shaky at the endearment. I will admit it feels so nice to be referred to with an endearment.

"Tuna salad is so nice, though, "I quickly responded while the sheer shock of the endearment numbed my brain. Nolan raised an eyebrow at me that said, 'Really?' "You don't like it either?" I laughed.

"I only tolerate it because I'm trying to keep a somewhat healthy diet in this household," He scoffed as he wiped his hands on the dishcloth. "What's that?" He pointed to the plastic in my hand.

"Candies and cookies." Zane winked at me with a spark of mischief in his eyes." Thanks for the save, Mate." He planted a quick, but sweet kiss on my cheek as he happily took the plastic off my hands and placed it on the counter. I'm dying tonight. Two endearments, a kiss on the cheek and the murder of Nolan's diet. What's next?

"There goes that diet," Nolan sighed while smiling at me," Thank you, but you really didn't have to bring those, Mel."

"No buts," I sassily chastised as I placed my hands on my hips. "I couldn't let you deal with everything for tonight alone. Now let's go watch some Moana with some candy and chocolates. I also brought popcorn."

He sighed in defeat, but the smile remained as he took my one hand and brought it to his lips. His soft lips gingerly brushed against the palm of my hand in a featherlight kiss that made me shiver from the tenderness."You're amazing." He smiled at me.

"So are you." I said in a voice that sounded awfully breathy to be mine.

The sudden sound of popcorn popping had us snapping our attention to the stove and microwave and there leaned the culprit. A glass of wine was nestled in his hand as he looked at us with an overly innocent smile.

"Oops?" He shrugged.

"You. Are. Incorrigible." Nolan slowly said as he faced his brother who simply shrugged before downing the drink like it was water.

"It takes one to know one." Zane winked at me before he washed the wine glass in the sink and let it drip dry.

"I'll dish up the dessert?" Nolan offered as he gently pulled me towards the island.

"Okay, I'll grab-" I stopped as a loud, excited voice called out to me from the kitchen entrance.

"Meli!" Grace excitedly called as she ran towards me. The gentle sound of her shoes hitting the floor at a rapid pace following filling the kitchen until her small figure reached me. Her short arms hugged against my legs as she looked up at me with happiness shining in her brown orbs. "I missed you!"

I leaned down and picked her up, placing her on my hip. "I missed you too, Sweetie." I cooed before placing a sweet kiss on her plush cheek.

"Meli, Papa made me and Daddy eat salad today." She grimaced before digging her head into my neck.

"Daddy told me, but Papa only did it so you could be healthy. He wants you to grow so you can be tall, Baby Girl." I tried to convince her while clearing poor Nolan's name.

She looked at me with a pout marring her small, but full lips," But I don't like salad, Meli. It's not too yummy."

"Papa doesn't like it too, but he makes it so you can be healthy." I coaxed as I gently tickled her small tummy. Soft, but somehow sharp giggles filled the kitchen as she reacted to the ticklish sensations while vigorously wiggling in my hold.

"Okay," She sighed in relief as I removed my fingers," Are you going to watch movies with us?"

"Of course, Papa said we could watch Moana." I happily squealed.

A passing by Zane grimaced at the mention of the animation movie as he stopped in front of us and planted a kiss on my adorable Grace's forehead."Why?" He muttered before walking past us with the bowls of popcorn in hand.

"You two can go get comfortable in the living room. I'll bring the rest of the snacks and dessert in a sec." Nolan urged.

"Pumpkin, your daddy should be that side, please ask him to put in Moana for us. Papa and I should be there in a minute with the rest of the snacks." I asked as I put her down on the floor.

"Okay!" She nodded before frolicking towards the living room while I went to help Nolan.

"Thanks Baby," He paused to thank me as he offered me a teaspoon with the sweet, milky treat. I obediently opened my mouth, letting him slip the spoon past my lips and into my mouth. The second the teaspoon caressed my tongue as it emptied its contents, a quiet moan left my lips as he slipped the spoon out. The sweetness and smoothness was mind-numbing. The cinnamon only increased the sweetness, but surprising, it wasn't overly sweet. The base itself was not too hard, making it even more enjoyable. A small half-hearted groan left Nolan's throat before he whined. "Baby, you're killing me here."

I didn't quite understand what he meant, so I chose to go for something I did understand, " It tastes like heaven."

"I'm glad you like it." He said in a thick and tight tone before turning around with the dessert to put the remaining in the fridge.

I raised my eyebrow at him in confusion of his sudden chance of voice. Maybe he had some phlegm in his throat or something.

"Are you catching a cold?" I asked.

He raised his eyebrow at me and cleared his throat. Yep, definitely a phlegm situation. "Why do you ask that? And no, Werewolves don't get sick easily if at all." He responded.

"Oh, I assumed you were sick or were getting sick when your voice got deeper and thicker all of a sudden." I explained.

His cheeks and neck were immediately coated with a red hue as he blushed.

"I-it wasn't that," He stuttered, shaking his head. "How about we go join the others? I'm sure they've been waiting long enough." He speedily said before almost running out of the kitchen kitchen with the tray of desserts.

"How strange." I sighed as I grabbed the packets of sweets, cookies and some crisps.

"What's wrong with him?" Zane raised an eyebrow as he walked into the kitchen and made his way towards the pantry.

I shrugged, before waiting for him to come out with two bottle of soda which he placed on the island. He then turned around and grabbed three glasses and a sippy cup.

"I have no idea," I shrugged." His voice suddenly got thick and deep, so I asked if he was sick and he said no and asked why I was asking. I told him why and he immediately blushed and practically dashed out of the kitchen." I explained.

A look of realisation took over Zane's features before amusement flashed over his face. "Oh." He smirked.

He seems to know too, maybe it's a male thing.

We grabbed all the things we'd need and made our way to the living room. Nolan's face was more or less back to normal as he sat on the couch, but at the sight of me, it went back to square one.

O-Kay?