The next morning, When I walked out of my room and into Hope's, I found her doubled over by the toilet, eyes closed and lips pursed, looking fucking stunning even though her skin had that sick pasty just vomited sheen to it.

I was by her side In an instant, holding her hair up and soothing her back with gentle strokes.

She lurched forward, her chest heaving frantically like she waited for another wave. When it didn't come, she got up, ignoring my presence as she flushed the toilet and walked over to the sink to wash up.

I just stood there and watched her clean up, but when it got really awkward for me, I spoke up. "Hope?"

Our eyes locked in the mirror. She stared at me for a couple more seconds and then looked away. "You shouldn't be in here, leave."

"I know you're still mad at me—"

"I'm not mad at you." She corrected.

"Yes I know, you're disappointed but I was a dick last night—"

"Glad you know." She cut me again and I tried hard not to let my frustration show because If there was any woman who had gotten on my nerves more than anyone else, it was Hope.

"I'll babysit the kids." Her eyes met mine full on. Fuck, the words were out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"You don't have to. I already called Lesley and—"

"No, I insist." Well shit. I needed to staple my mouth shut. "Cancel the plan with Lesley."

"There's no need, I'll—"

"I insist." I cut her again.

"You'd really do that?" She asked me, tilting her head to one side and crossing her arms just under her breasts.

It bunched up in the process. I didn't know if she had done that on purpose but my eyes lowered to it. For those tits, I'd do anything.

"Yeah," I shrugged. "I mean, how hard could it be?" I'll get a couple sleeping pills from the store and drug them if I have to.

She gave me an assessing look and then let out a long sigh. "I'll call Lesley right away." She circled around me to open the door but before she could walk out and into the bedroom, I held her hand, not sure what the hell I was supposed to say next.

She craned her neck to look at me, her eyes meeting mine.

"Does that mean you're not mad-disappointed anymore?"

She gave a forced nod and tried to break free but my hold was pretty strong. "If you really are, you'll let me shower with you."

She flustered. That was a good sign. I edged on. "And then after, I can show you just how sorry I am by taking you the way you like it."

"I'm not going to fall back into your arms this time Killian."

"Not if I tell you we can use those little toys you keep hidden in your drawer?"

Her eyes widened and her cheeks burned red. I couldn't tell if it was from the embarrassment or rage. Shit. Probably shouldn't have said that knowing she wasn't aware I had been in her room last night.

"I knew you were an asshole but I guess I should add stalking and snooping to your list of endless negative traits. Pervert."

That kind of stung. Total dick move Killian. Total dick move.

"Now if you would excuse me," she added, pulling away from me harshly.

"Hope, wait." I hustled after her, following back into the bedroom.

"Let's just forget about this okay. Scott and Maria will be here soon with the kids and I need to prepare before I leave. Or don't you want to babysit anymore?"

"I do." God, this woman had me at her mercy and I fucking hated it. "I just don't want us to be on bad terms."

"We'll talk about it when I get back."

I was about to let out a protest when the doorbell rang. Trust Scott to ruin the most important moments for me.

"They're here," she stated, walking past me and I heaved out a haggard sigh before joining her in the walk down the stairs.

I Should've probably tossed on a shirt or something but whatever.

Hope opened the door and revealed the family of four standing behind it.

"Killian," Scott drawled, taking off his sunglasses to look me up and down. "You're home."

"Where else would I be?"

"You could've at least had some decency and put a shirt on. These are kids."

"It's fine Scott, let the man be," Maria spoke, smiling as she offered her hand. "Thank you so much for agreeing to watch the kids for us."

I nodded, taking her hands in mine for a brief moment.

She turned to Hope soon after and hugged her. "Thank you so much for this."

"It's nothing." She said, taking the mini suitcase from her and handing it to me. What the hell was in there?

Hope pulled the two kids to her side. "It's fine. You both should get going now."

"Alright."

"Bye mum! Bye, dad!"

"You two be good okay?" Scott instructed, glaring at me before walking out of my yard and through the gate.

The kids kept waving until they disappeared.

When we all stepped inside, Hope cleared her throat and turned to me with the kids. "Killian, this is Oliver. And the little one here is Lilith."

"I'm not little." She charged, staring at me like I was her crush and Hope had embarrassed her in front of me. "I'm five." She stuck out her five fingers to me and counted them. "One, two, three, four, five!" Her face grew red with frustration.

Dramatic, just like your aunt.

Hope chuckled. "Kids, meet your uncle Killian. He's going to babysit today." Her eyes were on me again. "Please be gentle with them. They have really big mouths."

When I nodded, she placed her hands around both their shoulders and steered them towards the stairs. "Alright kids, I'll show you around."

For the next hour, she ran around, trying to make everything perfect for the kids and I found it a little bit extreme that she cared so much about kids that weren't hers.

I was drowning my cup of coffee—since I couldn't have whiskey with the kids around—when she came down, all dressed up.

Like they'd sensed her presence, the kids ran out of God knows where.

"Alright, I'm leaving now, you can take them out for lunch later but not Mc Donald's. There are some juice boxes and snacks in the fridge. The animal-shaped ones belong to Oliver. Please don't let Lilith have them, she gets nauseous. If there's any problem, don't hesitate to call me."

I didn't remember a word she'd just said but I nodded either way. "Alright."

"Bye kids, have fun, okay?"

"We will." They both hugged her and when she broke away, she turned towards the door.

"Aren't you going to kiss him?"

Hope stilled herself immediately and looked over at—what was his name? Yes, Oliver. "What did you say?"

"Mummy always kisses dad before she leaves. She says it means she loves him because they are together."

Smart kid.

"Aren't you two together?"

Her eyes met mine. "Of course, we are," I said, stepping toward her with a smile and I could tell she wanted me to back off. The "fuck you" eyes she was throwing at me while her body language remained relaxed in front of the kids was enough evidence. But that didn't stop me from drawing her into a hug and kissing her right on the lips.

When I pulled away, l had expected her to kick me in the balls or something but she just smiled down at Oliver and Lilith who were watching us curiously. "See you guys tonight,"

Without a word to me, she walked towards the door and once I heard it shut, I smiled to myself.

Maybe kids aren't as bad as I thought. they did help me get a goodbye kiss.

FAST FORWARD TWO HOURS later, I was already taking back my words and planning how to get away with the human trafficking of two kids.

Children were exhausting and these two reminded me of the reasons why I never wanted to have them.

The yelling back and forth was getting ridiculous and I couldn't even recognize my own living room. Crayon marked up the walls, books were flung everywhere, and stuffing poked out from a pink teddy bear that had been ripped apart. Fucking shit. They never stopped talking or moving or spilling or asking for something and it was only twelve: thirty.

I groaned for the millionth time as I stepped out of the shower for the second time today. Long story short, allowing Lilith to have the animal-shaped snack hadn't been the best idea and I had paid for my negligence by having her vomit all over my chest.

At that moment, I felt like digging a hole in the ground and burying her alongside her brother, but then she had started crying like a fucking banshee had beaten her twice on the neck.

I stood in my closet, still dripping water as I stared blankly at my clothes. I needed to get dressed fast, certain that one of them might pop out of nowhere and see my cock.

I was just about to slip into my shorts when a bloodcurdling scream rent the air, followed by a resounding crash.

I wouldn't be surprised if I got out and found one of them laying dead on the floor. Shit.

I tossed on my shirt and walked out of my room. Another scream that erupted from somewhere around the house prompted me to abruptly crane my neck towards the rapid patter of little feet that thundered up the stairs and raced towards me

"Uncle Killian!" Lilith screeched, running down and throwing herself at me without due warning.

I caught her and staggered back. She was wet; her hair, her clothes. "Uncle Killian!" She repeated and staring at those frantic eyes instantly reminded me of Hope. "What's the problem?"

"Oliver is making a mess in the kitchen, he got juice all over me!"

God, I was fed up.

"Come on." I picked her up in my arms and she wrapped her tiny arm around my neck as I navigated my way around the toys in the hallway and padded down the stairs but I skidded to a halt and stared at the once clean kitchen in pure horror.

Juice splattered the counters, refrigerator, and walls in a crazy homicide pattern. "What the!" I swallowed back my words and shot Oliver a scathing glare as I put Lilith down. "Why is there juice all over my kitchen!"

"He did it?!" She attacked, pointing one frantic finger at his face. "He did!"

"Did not!" He shot back, pushing her finger away.

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did no-"

"Silence both of you!" I cut in, turning to glare disapprovingly at him. God, this was driving me crazy.

"I didn't uncle!" He defended, trying to look affronted. Did he think I was a nut job?"

"Are you saying I did it?"

He looked awkwardly at me. "Well, no."

"Then who did? Only three people are in this house, certainly, it wasn't I or Lilith who did it." I interrogated, wondering why I suddenly sounded like a parent.

He pressed his lips together, realizing his not-so-thought-out plan had failed. "What if a ghost did it?"

Boy, one more word from his mouth, and I might just throw him out the fucking window and go to jail. At least it'd be peaceful there.

"Oliver," I warned, regarding him with a slight glare and his mouth pinched shut.

"Fine," he muttered, sagging his shoulders in defeat. "I did it. I'm sorry."

"Good, and now you're going to clean up this mess."

"What?!" He was staring with wide eyes at me. "Why?!"

"Because you made the mess of the place and you need to learn how to clean up after your mistake," I said, averting my gaze, not wanting to look him in the eyes and be sucked in by his feigned guilt and cuteness.

Attempting to walk away, I didn't take into account the wet floor and ended up falling on my ass.

They both tried to stifle their horrified laughs but it sneaked out anyway and if this shit didn't hurt right now, I would've been whooping their asses with a spatula.

With my hands supporting me against the counter, I stood up, limping because my ankle felt twisted from the fall. Nothing serious tho, but I could really use a fucking nap.

Lilith crackled, pointing at my lower half. "Uncle Killian peed himself!"

I looked down and found my pants completely soaked. God, I just fucking had my second bath. "He fell on his ass and peed himself!" She sang.

"Say that again and I will wash your mouth out with soap," I warned, limping towards one of the kitchen stools. "Know what, forget about cleaning this mess up. How about we play a game?"

They both bounced in excitement. "Yes!"

"It's called hide and seek." Except I wasn't going to be seeking. "You both go into hiding and I'll count to a hundred before I come looking. Cool?"

They both nodded, grinning at me. "Alright. Now go and hide while I start counting."

"Me first!" Oliver ran out the kitchen door and Lilith followed with both their giggles resonating around the house. "One!" I got up from the stool and limped out of the kitchen. "Two!" I could still hear their giggles as I crossed the living room and crouched down on the couch. "Three!" Their voices disappeared. Fucking peace and quiet. "Four!" I waited until total silence filled the house. "Five..." I stretched my legs out on the coffee table, propping myself up on a cushion. "Six..." Just a little nap and I would be fine. "Seven... Eight...Nine..."

I closed my eyes just for a moment. One moment, reminding myself never to have kids again.