by Apryl Baker
“No. I was just wondering if you wanted to go catch a movie and start our review segment we talked about.”
“I wish, but I’m on nanny duty this weekend.”
“Is that some kind of weird new frat thing?” Jo scrunched her nose, imagining all kinds of insanity. Rush week would soon be approaching. Lord only knew what kind of stupidity they had planned for the new pledges.
“No, but that is an awesome idea.” Laughter rang out over the line. “I’m watching Delia and the twins so my brother and his wife can get some sleep. The boys seem to think it’s funny to keep them awake all night.”
“You’re babysitting?” Dear God, those poor kids.
He laughed. “Don’t sound so shocked. I am perfectly capable of handling nanny duty.”
“If you say so.”
He huffed into the phone. “Ray working tonight? Is that why you wanted to go to the movies?”
“No. He’s gone fishing with his dad this weekend.”
Mason got so quiet, she thought for a moment he’d hung up. “He left you alone your first weekend in New York?”
Jo winced when Mason said it. The anger vibrating in his voice made her glad she’d kept that from Keith. Her brother’s temper would have skyrocketed.
“It’s no big deal. He and his dad go fishing all the time.”
Mason muttered something she couldn’t quite make out.
“Well, I guess I’ll let you go since you’re busy. I’ll find something on Netflix to binge.”
“Do you wanna come help me babysit? It’s just going to be me, a seven-year-old, and twin boys who are just a couple months old.”
“Just you?” Did he even realize what he was getting himself into? She’d babysat all through junior high and high school. Three kids were a lot for even her to handle, especially if two of them were infants.
“Again, there is disbelief in your voice. Haven’t you realized how awesome I am by now, Josephine?”
She laughed. He was so full of himself, but not in a bad way.
“Awesome or not, taking care of twins the whole weekend is going to kick your ass.”
“Pfft, ye of little faith. So, you wanna come keep me company or not?”
She started to say no but then changed her mind. Mason was her friend, and Ray had abandoned her this weekend. There was no reason she shouldn’t go help him babysit. It beat sitting around an empty house.
“Sure. I’ll come keep you from suffering a nervous breakdown.”
“Uh-huh. You’ll see. I have awesome uncle skills.”
She laughed at his knowing tone.
“I’ll swing by in a few minutes and pick you up. You need to pack a bag. We’re gonna be there until Sunday when Viktor and Sara get back. Don’t forget your toothbrush. I’m not sharing.”
“So, if I forget mine, you’d deal with my stinky breath all weekend?”
“Hmmm, maybe by Sunday I’d break. Get your shit together, Josephine, and I’ll see you soon.”
Jo hung up the phone and ran to the bedroom, stumbling twice thanks to her own klutziness, found an overnight bag, and started packing. She couldn’t stop smiling.
It was going to be an interesting weekend.
Chapter Six
Mason hummed as he pulled into Viktor’s driveway and parked beside one of the Kincaid Security & Investigations SUVs. It was Viktor’s personal vehicle, but it was decked out in security features, as were all the other SUVs at the firm. He wanted one, but until he fully committed to working for his brother, he was denied. Mason didn’t know if he wanted to work for the security agency or not. It did let him use his hacking skills, but he got bored so easily. Maybe he’d figure it out by the time he graduated.
Jo bounced in the seat next to him, her eyes wide at the sight of the house. He’d gotten used to it, but he guessed someone else might be a little starstruck by the very expensive home.
“You sure they know I’m coming?” she asked for the fifth time.
“Like I told you before, I called Viktor to let him know. He and Sara are cool with it. I want to tell you about Delia before we go in.”
“Okay?”
“Viktor adopted her. Her sperm donor was a real piece of shit who hit her. Her and her mother both. She’s skittish around new people. So, if she hides or is really shy, that’s why. It might take her a bit to warm up to you.”
“That poor baby.”
“We’re all protective of her.” Mason shut off the engine. “You ready to meet the fam?” He sounded nervous, even to himself. He typically didn’t bring girls home. Hell, he didn’t have one friend who was a girl. Jo was his first female friend. His sisters-in-law didn’t count. They were family.
“Lead the way, Mr. Nanny.”
He rolled his eyes, and she only grinned, getting out of the truck. Damn, but her smile was beautiful. It always made something tighten in his chest, something unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.
He got out, locked the truck, and reached in the back, grabbing their bags. He led the way and used his keys to open the front door. He walked in, setting the bags down to the side.
“Princess Peach! Uncle Mason’s home!”
Jo barely closed the door before feet pounded down the stairs, and a blonde fluffball came flying at Mason. He braced for the impact then picked up the little girl and swung her around and around. The child’s laughter was musical and full of so much joy. He hugged her to him.
“Miss me, Peach?”
“Yes.” Her smile was wide, but then it fell when she spotted Jo. It was like her entire face closed off and she held on tighter to Mason. Jo’s heart broke. That poor, poor baby.
Mason, seeing the change come over Delia, turned them to face Jo.
“Delia this is my friend, Jo. She’s gonna help me take care of you and the boys this weekend. She’s really, really nice.”
“Hi, Delia.” Jo made no move to get closer to the child. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She buried her head in Mason’s shoulder, and he smiled ruefully. He had warned her it might take some time for Delia to warm up to her.
“Mason, is that you?”
They all turned to see Sara coming down the stairs. She looked worn out and haggard. Twins would definitely do that to a person. Jo had babysat one set from the time they were born until she’d moved to New York. They could be a handful.
“You look like shit, Sara.”
“Mason!” Jo gasped. “You don’t tell a woman that.”
Sara laughed. “It’s okay. I probably do.” She reached over and pinched his earlobe. Hard.
“Owww! What the hell was that for?”
She did it again. “Language, Mason. Language.”
He reached up and rubbed his ear. “There is no cause for pinching.”
“She’s been pinching Papa’s ear too,” Delia whispered with a giggle.
“Vicious.” Mason shook his head.
Sara ignored him and moved to Jo. “Hello. You must be Josephine. I’m Sara Kincaid.”
“Just Jo.” Jo took her offered hand and shook it. “I told him I’d come and keep him from having a nervous breakdown. Twins can be hard to manage.”
“You’ve been around twins before?” Sara asked, her gray eyes a perfect match for her daughter’s.
“You are looking at the most requested babysitter five years running back home. I’ve worked with lots of kids, including twins.”
“Thank God,” Sara breathed. “I was terrified about leaving him here alone with all three of them, but I need sleep.”
“Hey!” Mason tried his best to look upset. “I got mad uncle nanny skills.”
Jo and Sara both stared at him.
“No faith from either of you. I’m hurt.” He put a hand to his chest like they’d wounded him. “You believe me, don’t you, Peach?”
The little girl nodded, still not looking at Jo.
“See, at least one woman in my life has faith in me.”
“I don’t think she counts since she’s
seven,” Sara replied dryly. “Come on in, Jo. I’m going to go find my husband and get him moving.”
Mason led them into the living room where he put Delia down. She ran behind his legs and peeped at Jo. He hoped she’d get over her shyness soon. She’d love Jo if she gave her a chance.
Sara came back and told him Viktor wanted to talk to him. The serious expression on her face caused him a little bit of alarm. He handed Delia off to her and went to find his brother, throwing an apologetic glance to Jo, who waved him off.
Viktor stood staring out the window in his office, his face drawn. Something was wrong.
“Brat?”
Viktor turned to face Mason. He was shaking. “Mason, take a seat.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s Papa.”
His stomach bottomed out. His papa had been sick for a while, a cough that wouldn’t go away. “What about Papa?”
“Sit down, Mason.” Viktor went to his desk and pulled out a bottle of bourbon. He poured two glasses, sloshing some over the side because of how badly his fingers shook. He picked them up and handed one to Mason, leading him to the small couch.
“Just tell me.”
Viktor nodded, holding his drink so tightly his knuckles were white. “Mama called a few minutes ago. They got Papa’s test results back. He has stage two lung cancer.”
“No,” Mason whispered, fear taking hold of every part of his body. “No.”
“They’re going in tomorrow to sit down with the oncologists in Russia to work out his medical regimen.”
“He can’t be sick. He’s Papa. He can’t…Viktor. No.”
“I don’t want to believe it either, brat, but he is sick.” Viktor tossed back his drink and set the empty glass on the table. “I called Conner as soon as I got off the phone with Mama. He’s flying out tonight and bringing them home, whether Mama likes it or not. We have better doctors here in the States.”
Mason nodded. “He needs to be home, but he’s still on active duty. He can’t just leave his post.”
“Conner will take care of it. He’ll drag them back kicking and screaming if he has to.” Viktor ran a hand through his hair. “We kept trying to get him to go to the doctor. He was supposed to go last year, but then that mess happened in Afghanistan, and he was shipped over there to help out. Mama made him go to the doctor last week when he came home coughing worse than when he left.”
“He should have already retired.” Mason jumped up, unable to sit, and started to pace. “Why the fuck would he go and not check his health? Why wouldn’t the Marines give him a physical before they sent him anywhere?”
“You know Papa, Mason. He does what he wants.”
Mason clenched his hands, fear and anger warring inside. He needed to scream, to hit something, to do something.
“I’ll take the semester off, get on the first flight, and help Conner pack them up and bring them home.”
“No, you won’t.” This time there was some bite to his brother’s tone. “It would hurt them to see you sacrificing your education. You know how Papa feels about that. Conner will bring them home, and then we’ll all pitch in and help. Make sure he does what he’s supposed to. He’ll be here soon enough.”
“Fuck!” Mason put his head in his hands. He didn’t know how to deal with this. His papa, the strongest man he’d ever met, had cancer. Eating away at his lungs. His papa, sick. No.
Strong arms wrapped around him, and the tears burst through. His shoulders shook as he sobbed. “Shh, brat, it’s going to be okay.” Viktor’s voice was low and rough with his own tears. “He’ll be okay.”
But they couldn’t know that. Cancer was a beast of a disease, and there really was no cure. If it had spread from his lungs, chances were they wouldn’t be able to do anything.
“He can’t die, Vik, he can’t.” Mason sounded more like the little kid who’d just lost his puppy when he was six than a grown-ass man, but he didn’t care. His whole world had just crashed down around him.
“He’s not going to die.” Viktor’s voice shook. He didn’t believe it either.
Mason finally pulled away from his brother, brushing the tears from his eyes. “What are we going to do, Vik?”
“We’re going to get him the best doctors money can buy.” Viktor walked over to his desk and poured himself another drink. “Then we’re going to pray and hope for the best. It’s all we can do.”
Mason nodded, feeling numb. He didn’t know how to process or deal. He just stood there in the middle of the floor feeling helpless.
“Why don’t you stay the night? There’s no way I’m going to get any sleep, and you’re in no condition to babysit.”
“No.” Mason finally turned to face his brother. “You and Sara look about ready to drop. You need some sleep. I have Jo with me too. She’s apparently an expert babysitter.”
“I was surprised when you called and said you were bringing her.” Viktor took another long drink from his glass. “You never bring girls home. Not even when you were in high school.”
“Her boyfriend went fishing with his father and left her alone. She doesn’t know anyone but me, so I brought her along.”
Viktor gave him an assessing look that Mason ignored.
“Is she the girl you were talking about the other night? Keith’s sister?”
“Yeah.” Mason finally went and sat down. “Her boyfriend is the one I asked you to check on. How long before Conner brings them here?”
“It depends on how fast he can get either a leave of absence or Papa’s retirement pushed through.”
“If Papa will retire, you mean.”
A ghost of a smile crossed Viktor’s face. “If is right. The old man lives for the military.”
“Mama never wanted to come to the U.S.”
“She’ll change her mind once she meets all her grandchildren.”
That, she might. She always complained that they never came to visit, but it was hard to travel with infants. Mason hoped she loved it here, because if something happened to his papa, they were not letting her go back to Russia. She would need her sons as much as they would need her.
“When are you and Sara leaving?”
“We’re not leaving, Mason. I already told Sara. There is no way I’ll be able to sleep tonight, and like I said earlier, you’re in no shape to babysit. You and Jo stay the night, though. Maybe help out with the kids a little?”
“We can do that.”
“We decided to not tell Delia anything right now, at least not until we have to. Think you can pull it together for her?”
“Peach doesn’t need to know her dzyedooshka is sick,” Mason agreed. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure she doesn’t know anything is wrong.” Mason picked up his abandoned liquor and downed it in one shot. The liquid fire chased some of the numbness away. He had to hold it together for Delia, he reminded himself.
“Come on. Sara’s ordering pizza for dinner.” Viktor hauled him up and gave him another tight hug. “We’re gonna get through this.”
“I know.” Mason hugged his brother so hard he might have cut off Viktor’s oxygen supply, but he never complained.
When they walked back into the living room, his eyes sought out Jo. She was on the floor, feeding one of the twins. A small smile tilted his lips. She looked so peaceful and happy making silly faces at the baby.
Little fingers slipped into his, and he looked down to see Delia smiling shyly up at him. The kid was pretty as a peach, hence her nickname. “How you doing, Peach?”
She tugged his hand, and he let her lead him to the end of the coffee table where she had her makeup and other shit already set out. He laughed, and it eased some of the pain in his chest.
“Please, Uncle Mason?”
“Do your worst, kid.” He plopped down, and she squealed in happiness.
“First, the curlers.” She picked up some kind of sponge roller things he eyeballed suspiciously.
“What are those?”
“They
make your hair curly, duh.” She rolled her eyes like he should have already known this. “Mommy says they give you Shirley Temple curls.”
“Who the hell is Shirley Temple?”
“Do you want me to wring your ear again?” Sara asked, exasperated.
“Keep those evil fingers to yourself.” Mason winked at Delia and winced when she tugged a little too hard on his hair.
Jo watched him closely. Something was off. He might be smiling and joking, but he seemed subdued. His eyes caught hers, and he shook his head slightly, a clear sign he didn’t want to talk about it. At least not in front of his niece.
“So, Jo, Mason says you’re Keith’s sister?”
Viktor’s question pulled her attention from Mason. He and Mason looked enough alike it was obvious they were brothers, but not twin-ish. Her older sisters looked so much alike it was hard to tell them apart sometimes.
“Yeah. I’m the youngest of us all.” The baby smacked at the bottle in her hand, and she smiled down at Riley. He was such a sweetheart.
“How many siblings do you have?” Sara asked, her eyes going round.
Curious, Jo turned her head to see Delia struggling to twist the curlers in Mason’s hair. She was chuckling to herself, and Mason couldn’t stop cringing with every pull of his hair.
It was the most adorable thing she’d ever seen. Here was a grown man sitting down and letting his niece doll him up. Even her brother wouldn’t let his nieces do this to him. Mason was an incredibly sweet man.
“Jo?”
“Huh?” She dragged her eyes away from them at Sara’s prompting.
“How many brothers and sisters do you have?”
“Oh…uh, three older sisters and Keith.”
Sara grinned, a knowing expression in her eyes when Jo kept glancing back at Mason and Delia.
“So, a big family, then?” Viktor asked, taking Ronin from Sara. He cuddled the baby close, kissing him softly on the forehead.
“Yeah, it was always noisy in our house growing up because of all the friends who came over. I actually miss all the noise.”
“And your boyfriend, does he have a big family?” Sara started picking up toys and putting them in a small toy chest tucked in a corner beside the fireplace.