By the time I finished cleaning the kitchen, Ella had come back down to start digner. She contemplated ordering takeout but there was no way anyone would be able to take it in this weather. The snow continued to come down even harder, and the wind had picked up as well. She ended up settling for frozen pizza instead. 

I mean, you can never go wrong with pizza. 

By the time the pizza was ready, everyone had already made their way into the Kitchen except for Alden. Walking into the living room, I found him lounging around on the couch with Claire snuggled on his chest, snoring softly. His attention was focused on the football game playing on TV, while absentmindedly rubbing smooth circles on Claire’s back. 

What is this boy doing to me. 

“Dinner’s ready,” I whispered trying be as quiet as possible. 

His eyes snapped to mine. “I’ll just put her down.” I nodded and quickly darted out of there before he could see my already reddening cheeks. Why my body decided that this was an appropriate response, I will never know. 

I settled on a seat at the kitchen island in between Mia and William to avoid Aiden, and for once luck was on my side because Aiden settled for sitting next to Ella all the way on the other side of the island. 

“Natty!” Mia tugged at my arm. “Can we pleaseeeeeee watch Frozen. Pleaseeeeeee.” 

“Sweety, I have to head home.” I grabbed a spare napkin to wipe her face which was covered in red tomato sauce. 

“Oh hon, you’re not going anywhere tonight.” Ella interrupted glancing out the kitchen window. 

“Ella, I have to go home.” I scoffed. “I can’t just stay here.” 

“And why not?” Her perfectly threaded eyebrows shot up. “I have a perfectly good guest bedroom you can use.” 

“She’s right,” Jake interjected. “There’s no way it’s safe to drive in this weather.” 

“Exactly.” Ella chimed. “It’s settled then! You and Aiden will share the guest bedroom.” 

Perhaps it wasn’t the smartest idea to take a drink of water before she was finished speaking because that’s how I ended up almost chocking to death that night. A few concerned looks later and some pats on the back, I had finally gotten my coughing under control. 

“You have like three spare bedrooms.” Aiden said from where he was leaning against the sink, having already 

finished his food. 

“Gosh, did I forget to tell you?” She smirks. “I’m getting them painted so they can’t be used at the moment.” 

VOUColl 

61.4% 

Chapter 103 

Now the question is, do I risk my life and try to drive home or share a bed with Aiden. Decisions, decisions. 

Aiden probably picked up on my discomfort because he added, “Relax, I’ll just sleep on the couch.” 

“Whatever you want.” Ella shrugged as she picked up the empty plates and put them in the sink. William and David had miraculously disappeared along with Mia, so it was just us older folks that remained. Ella took this as an opportunity to bring out a bottle of red wine and offer everyone some. Sometige I think she forgets not everyone here is an adult. Nevertheless, she was the only one that ended up drinking anyway, 

Jake asked Aiden if he wanted to play Assassins Creed which Aiden hesitantly agreed to, leaving just Ella and I. Once both the two of them were out of earshot, I turned to Ella and smacked her arm. “Ow!” She yelped. “What was that 

for?” 

“You know what that was for!” I hissed. “How many times do I have to tell you there is nothing going on between me and your brother!” 

“Until you start to believe it yourself.” She chuckled taking a sip of her wine. 

“You’re ridiculous!” I exclaimed. 

“Ridiculously right!” She smirked. “Honestly, how are you two not dating already?” 

After dinner I had finally convinced Ella to go take a bath and relax because she had been on her feet all day, which left me with the little monsters since Jake went into his office to get some work done. Luckily Claire had not woke up since Aiden set her down and Mia was far too engrossed in Anna and Elsa to misbehave, so that just left William . and David to cause trouble. 

Mia was currently snuggled up against me on the chaise lounge while the boys, including Aiden, were in the makeshift fort on the floor. 

When Claire woke up halfway through the movie, she needed a diaper change and Aiden volunteered to do it. Watching him attempt to change her diaper was the funniest thing ever. 

“That’s not how you do it!” I chastised from the doorway. He was clearly holding in his breath trying not to breath in the smell, and his face was scrunched up in disgust. She was kicking so much, that every time he placed the diaper under her, it would just move as soon as he let go of her. 

I finally took pity on poor Claire and shoved him aside to do it myself. “And that, is how you do it.” I said zipping up Claire’s onesie once I was done. 

The remainder of the evening was uneventful. While Jake put the kids to bed, Ella showed me to the guest bedroom. I tried protesting that I should be the one to sleep on the couch since I’m the one intruding, but Ella ushered me up 

the stairs.