Page 31 of Devious Whims

Devon licks his lips, nodding to himself. “You show her a love that I could have never given because I wouldn’t know where to begin. My dad never set up a nursery. Hell, he wasn’t even at my birth. Our family driver stayed with my mom at the hospital and he forced a nanny on us as soon as she brought him home. My mom was there to be the perfect housewife to his society, not a doting mother.”

I don’t interrupt him, knowing if I do comment or offer comfort he’ll retreat back into himself.

“When she died, my father had all traces of her erased from the house. He gave a blank canvas to his next wife, not caring how it would feel for a seven year old to not have a single photo of his mom. When he found out the nanny showed me more kindness than he felt was appropriate, he replaced her too. That’s what he’s good at, replacing people.”

When he doesn’t continue, I give him a soft smile. “I could never replace you in Cami’s heart. If anything, I think you could kick me out of it if you tried hard enough. Maybe I shouldn’t show you how to be a super dad, it’s the only thing I got going for me.”

Devon smirks, tilting his head to rest his cheek on Eliza’s head and his eyes flutter close for a second. “When Cami was pregnant, I worried I would be like my dad. But I see her, I hold her and it hurts, you know? Realizing how easy it is to love your kid, and knowing he chose not to.”

“Some people should never be parents, but you’re not one of them, Devon. I knew seeing how you loved Cami, you would love our daughter too,” I tell him honestly.

“Thanks,” he mutters, then glares up at me. “But I’m still not participating in your board game night.”

I laugh.

Cami fills the doorframe in the next second, staring between us and landing on where Devon is holding our baby. She smiles. “I didn’t know we were having a party in the nursery at three in the morning.”

Devon snickers. “Dirty diapers and spit up, a full on rager over here.”

She bites her lip and looks back at me. “Thanks for letting me sleep. I didn’t even hear her.”

I raise my eyebrow. “We’re a team, darling. Aren’t we?” I ask, directing the question at Devon.

He rolls his eyes, but I can see the smile and so does Cami as she lets out a giggle. My heart swells with love for our family, including her grumpy stepbrother.

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