Finding Nymphaea's Haven

Chapter Seven: Helpful Facts

POV

Nymphaea(Delilah)

After I finally got the girls off my case about last night, I cleaned around the house and finally bathed our dog Todo. He is a German Shepherd and Siberian Wolf mix. Todo is not your average size dog, really. He is a little over my waist, and I'm six inches over five feet. His fur is all black, but the bridge of his nose is white. His face, where his eyes and nose meet, is white, too. He even has white freckles on the tip of his black tail. He is just absolutely the most gorgeous creature I've ever seen.

We found him as a pup four years ago. The twins were barely two, and immediately, he fell in love with them. Being a male role protector, the best way he could be in his own way. Having him in our family has always been a blessing.

As I was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, I heard Myla talking to someone. I figured she was just using her imagination while playing and thought nothing of it. Myles was playing on his XBox when I came in here with Todo.

"Mommy! Mommy! Silly friend Atti is on the phone!" Myla came running into the bathroom. Holding my phone up into the air. Turns out it was Atticus she was talking to.

My mouth dropped open while staring at her. I can't believe she answered my phone. The twins usually never answer my phone calls. I haven't even told this man that I have kids. Now he's been chatting with my snoopy, curious daughter. Doesn't take long before the snoopy, protective son starts putting in his two cents.

"Who's Atti? Why haven't we heard of him before?" He yells from his bedroom. I could hear the suspicion in his voice from here. This child is a reason I didn't date. He is always looking for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for the worse. He is like me in a way that I wish he didn't have to be. He's too young to be the protector of me. He shouldn't have to worry about his mother like this.

"Myles, not now, please. Grab me a towel for Todo. He's really feisty right now." I said loud enough for him to hear me. Todo kept prancing in place. Ready to get out of the bath and roll around on the floor.

Myles stuck the towel over Todo's back and walked beside him to the living room to dry him off. I looked at Myla and held my hand out for the phone. She gave me a big smile before she brought the phone back to her face to talk to Atticus.

"Here's, mommy. Bye, silly Atti!" She said while giggling. Once she handed the phone over, she ran out of the bathroom.

I waited for a second before putting the phone to my face to talk to Atticus myself. Taking in a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. I'm not sure what to think now since he knows I have kids. Most men don't date women who have kids. Not even moms that have one kid. Those types of men are rare gems to find nowadays.

"Hello?" I finally said into the phone. "Hello, Delilah. I hope I didn't call at a bad time." I heard his deep voice say through the phone. It made me wet to my inner core. The sparks from last night flickering back up again. All just from the sound of his voice. This man has his hooks in me for sure.

I laughed softly at his remark. To me, I'm always busy with something, so it's never a bad time. "No, not at all. I'm just taking care of some things. What's going on?" I asked him when I stopped laughing.

I noticed the hesitation he was having about asking me whatever it was. It made him look sweet and vulnerable to me. This man could be mistaken for a human being than a God of mythology.

"Well, I was wanting to know what you had planned for this weekend?" He finally asked me. I knew then he wanted to see me again and soon.

"I'll be working at the bar this weekend. I don't get off until ten." I said to him. There was another pause. This time, it wasn't cause he was hesitating. He was clearly bummed at my answer. Not knowing what to say next to me now. I never said I didn't want to see him. I definitely want to see him again soon as well.

"If you wanted to keep me company up there, I wouldn't object." I said to him. Feeling my cheeks blush from asking him that.

"Yeah, I can manage that. I can come by Saturday night." He said to me. The tone in his voice was nonchalant about it. I could tell he was hiding the excitement from me, asking him to see me.

I let out a laugh. "Just Saturday, huh?" My voice teasing him seductively. I'm not entirely sure where that came from. Something about him makes me react without thinking it out first.

"If you want me there all weekend, you're gonna have to beg." He said seductively back to me. Making his voice sound deeper than usual.

I noticed that this man really wants me to beg him for anything. I couldn't help but wonder if I even wanted to beg this man. I haven't begged a man for anything in a very long time. That last time taught me it wasn't worth begging a man.

"I can see you're the type of man that likes to make a woman beg for you. You're not used to being told no, are you?" I asked him curiously. I wanted to know more about him. I wanted to see exactly who he is and for him to be more open about himself with me.

"No, I haven't, but I can stop if it upsets you?" His voice was soft and sincere when he asked me that. I could tell he was trying to be a gentleman. I'm sure his intentions were good and never meant to hurt or insult me. It made me feel more secure about getting to know him better.

"No, it doesn't upset me. You can keep doing it if you like. Just know, I don't beg." I said while letting out a small laugh. I made sure my voice was full of confidence at the suggestion.

"Really? You've never begged before for nothing?" He asked me, sounding suspicious of my comment. Truly sounding like an egotistical male. I let out a sigh, trying to think my words carefully. I wasn't ready to tell him everything still.

"I've learned begging gets me nowhere so I don't beg for anything or anyone." I said to him. I knew he needed to know that. It was one of the standards I have and expect for my standards to be heard. I couldn't let things slide and not stand up for myself like I used to do. I couldn't ever go back to that weak, helpless part of me.

"Mom! Myla needs help, and she won't let me help!" I heard Myles yell to me. It sounded like they were in the kitchen. She's probably trying to get a snack. That girl has a higher metabolism than her brother. She could eat a whole cow if you'd let her. But man, she burned that energy off like it was nothing.

"I'm sorry, I have to go. I'll see you Saturday, though?" I said into the phone to Atticus. I wish I could talk longer to him, but reality needed me back.

"Yes, I'll see you Saturday. Bye, Delilah." His voice sounded like velvet. It was making it hard to hang up the phone. I knew he wasn't going to hang up first, and I didn't want him to.

"Bye, Atticus." I said softly to him before I hung up the phone. I let out a disappointed sigh. I really wanted to conversate with him more. I had been secretly waiting for him to call all morning. Now he finally had, and it had to be cut short.

After I helped Myla cut up an apple, I went back to cleaning the house. Finishing up what was left in the living room and kitchen. I decided to start dinner after I was done. I am starting to cook chicken parmesan with asparagus and corn on the cob. This is the twins' favorite meal. They absolutely love it when I make this for dinner. We decided to make it a family tradition to have this every Friday night for a family dinner.

The night was full of good food, and everyone was laughing. The twins had gotten ready for bed while I got lunches ready for tomorrow since they were going to spend the day with Daisy. I received a message from one of the lawyers I helped assist.

She told me that the new owner wouldn't be there until Friday and that there are new cases that will need to be filed and ready to start by then. I told her I understood and I'd see her in the morning before we both hung up. She did the same in a friendly voice. She actually helped me get this job and still helps me. She's really good at what she does and always has the best advice for me.

Once I was done and so were the twins, I went into each of their rooms. I did the bedtime ritual I created for them since they were born. I got both of them tucked in and asleep a little after nine.

I had gotten everything done around nine forty-five. Finally, I get to rinse off and change into something clean. I felt so relaxed in the shower. The hot water ran down my aching muscles from all the lifting I did around the house today.

I got into bed after I changed into my lilac floral panties and my Of Mice and Men t-shirt that was two sizes too big on me. I like wearing just underwear and baggy shirts to bed. Since I have kids that like to run in here every morning, I couldn't really sleep naked like I wanted. So I was comfortable and okay with this. It wasn't long after I crawled into bed, my eyes closed shut for the night.

••

The twins and I woke up seven the next morning. I got up and made them yogurt granola bowls. Once they were sitting down eating, I went ahead and got a shower. I couldn't bring myself to eat this morning. I'm feeling a little giddy about today. I try to shake the feeling off. I couldn't get this excited about someone I barely even knew.

Once I was done getting ready for my shift at the bar and getting the twins ready, we drove to Daisy's place. She had the day off and agreed to watch the kids while I went in. We pull up to her duplex a little after eight fifteen. I got out and began to unload the twins from the car. I worked on the straps to Myla's seat before I did Myles. I head the front door open and close. I didn't bother to stop and look up since I already knew it was Daisy's. Besides, Myla kept insisting on making a dying animal noise until she was out of her seat. Today is a day that she wasn't in the mood for anything she didn't want.

"Sounds like someone is not having it." Justin says as he's walking up to the car. I stop to look up in his direction. He stood five feet away from me looking nonchalant as usual. He's always been a laid-back kind of guy since I met him. He's really easy to talk to and has always been friendly with the twins. I already consider him family in a way like I do with the girls and Mr. Anderson.

I gave him a smirk and shook my head. Letting out a sigh from exhaustion. "She didn't want to leave the house. She insisted we didn't have anything to do today." I told him as I stepped out of the way for Myla to hop out. As soon as she got out, her frown immediately changed. Just from seeing Justin's presence. Her smile grew wider to each cheek. It was as if she had forgotten why she was even upset in the first place.

"Uncle Justin! You're here too!" She starts to squeal as she runs into his arms. He met her impact with wide arms. He scooped her up and held her on his hip.

"Yes, I'm here to hang out with you guys today. Maybe even go on an adventure later." He said to Myla. His voice had a contagious optimistic tone to it when he said it to her. He then held up his index finger and had a serious expression on his face. "But you have to have a happy brain today. No more being grouchy to yourself or others. Can you do that for me, Mymy?" He then asked her. Keeping her attention on him contentedly.

That's one thing I love about this sweet little girl of mine. She always listens and takes someone's advice into consideration. Especially in situations like this one. She looks at him with a small smile on her face.

"Yes, I can try not to be grouchy anymore. I promise Uncle Justin." She said to him as she wrapped her little arms around his neck for a hug. I couldn't help but smile at these two hugging each other after their agreement.

It didn't take long to get Myles out of his seat. It never really does since he likes to do it on his own. I usually just stand there and wait for him to get it done. He never let's,me help him unless he asks for help. They both ran to the front door and went inside. Leaving me and Justin walking up to the duplex.

"How are you liking the job at the firm?" He asks me as we're walking. He looked over at me for a second before looking forward again.

"It's great! The people there are friendly. I haven't met the new boss yet but I'm told the boss will be here at the end of the week." I said to him as we kept walking.

"I heard you made a new friend over the weekend." He curiously states while still walking but slowing down a little. It's probably because he didn't want anyone to hear what we were talking about. I start to nod my head at his statement. "You must be talking about your cousin Atticus. Yes, He seems like a decent man so far." I said back to him. For a second, I thought about how Atticus smiles at me tenderly when I give my opinion on something. I quickly look down at my feet, so Justin can't see me blushing.

"You're just seeing what he wants you to see." I heard Justin mumble. Clearly, I wasn't supposed to hear that cause the look on his face had regret written all over it. I then stop in my tracks after that. Not wanting to move any further until he says what he meant by that. He then turns around to look at me and lets out a sigh.

"Look, we're friends, and I'm dating your best friend. I owe it to you, Daisy, and the twins to make sure you don't get hurt if I can prevent it. Atticus is family, and we were always close. But he changed, and he's not the kind of man that will settle down for one woman."

I gave myself a few seconds to process what he said. There have been plenty of times where something didn't seem right. I knew Atticus had some things he didn't speak about, but I knew they were things he was still struggling with. But now hearing someone comment on your suspicions has me needing to know more. I need to know what I'm about to step into.

"What do you mean by changed?" I ask him while still standing there. Investigating his body language as he tells me what I need to know.

"He sleeps around with plenty of women. He used to anyway before he moved back. I do know he has slept with about five different women, but that number may have gone up by now." He looks away at the end. Not wanting to suggest that I just added myself to his roster of women.

"Anything else I should be worried about. Besides, I never said this was anything serious, Justin." I gave him a light smile. I'm trying to reassure him so he doesn't worry so much for me. I appreciate the gesture and thought behind it, but I had to learn how to take care of myself, and I've been doing good so far.

"There is a lot of family drama with him and his family. You may never meet any of them. He doesn't know how a functional loving family looks like for quite some time. He’s used to being alone, honestly. I'm the only one he has anything to do with. Just make sure you know not to get your hopes up for anything serious. He will never change, and I can't blame him. But I don't approve of how he behaves."

I nod at him while still keeping the same expression on my face. I didn't want Justin to figure out where my thoughts were taking me. He gives me a half smile back and starts walking to the door. I followed a few feet behind him, trying to process my thoughts before I walked into that house.

I honestly didn't realize that Atticus is more complicated than I thought. I haven't been with a man in years. Let alone a complicated one that is still clearly taming his demons. Maybe it's a good thing he doesn't want anything serious. But I've never been the kind of woman who sleeps with a man with no strings attached. I'm not sure exactly what Atticus is searching for in his life, but I know what my standards are. I just have to confront Atticus and find out myself.