The Billionaire's Nanny

Chapter 22

The day went a whole lot better than just fine, it was perfect, and I could not be happier to have shared it with such a beautiful family as Lucas's. Everyone was amazing, and they made me feel very welcome despite their initial reaction to my arrival. Martha was the sweetest, it was like she lived just for the sole purpose of adoring her three grandchildren.

The kids and I had barely spoken since we arrived, and I could not blame them because they only had today to spend with their dear grandparents. Lucas was busy with his dad too, but still made time to check if I was doing well every once in a while. One time, when Matha was not looking, he snuck some cookies for me, which was both funny and sweet. Though I had to slurp it down my throat, because and I quote him, "Mom would have both our heads if she sees you eating her special grandbabies cookies."

I spent most of the day next to Lillian with Mia calling every hour for pictures and videos, and both their companies were just the best. It was impossible to have a boring moment with either, especially Lillian. I liked her already, and hopefully, I would make a new friend in her. This trip was so worthwhile.

Finally, after a very blissful day, it was time for dinner. It was an outdoor dinner at the diner in a large courtyard downstairs, and the light from the sun setting only made it look like something out of a fairytale book. The twins made a fuss when I told them it was time to wash their hands for dinner, and as usual, Zoey followed too. She was the cutest little thing, and probably the highlight of everyone's day, with her imitations and mimicks.

Lucas walked into the kitchen while I was trying to get the kids to wash their hands. He laughed and said, "I'll let this one pass they've been good all day," he helped me lift Aiden so he could reach the handbasin while I held on to Zoey, who seemed to be ready to put everything she laid hands on into her mouth, and no it was not food.

He did the same for Abby, and the two kids ran back to the table while I tried to loosen Zoey's grip on my hair. Lucas chuckled and said, "Here let me help you with that." He cooed and tickled her, and she giggled so hard, her hand forgot to continue pulling my hair.

"Thank you," I smiled, and washed her little hands.

"No, thank you,"

"Me? why?" I asked sharply.

"For being here today, I know you did not have to," he gave a half-smile.

I took Zoey's hands and sprinkled some water on him, "You'll get that again if you thank me keep thanking me unnecessarily."

"Okay, okay," he laughed, "let's go have dinner."

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be sitting here amid a real family having dinner over laughs and jokes. The children were very comfortable, and Martha made sure to shoot Lucas a warning glare every time he scolded the kids about playing at the table. Well, I guess it's their day.

I could not bring myself to find any fault with this perfect family. Everyone was just so comfortable with each other, no one was trying to show off or act like they were better like others, even Lucas that was usually the grumpy one was laughing his heart out about a joke his father said. It was hard to believe that this family owned one of the biggest Biotech companies in California. They were the perfect family in my eyes, and it would take a lot of convincing to change my mind on that.

After dinner, Zoey finally started to drift asleep, and her mom carried her, rocking her gently to sleep. She fell asleep almost immediately. Aiden and Abby lowered their voices so they would not wake her up, and I smiled proudly to see how smart they were.

when Lillian went to put Zoey in her bed, I took the chance to check my phone if Celine had replied to my message. As I expected, she was rolling with laughter, and she replied:

The f**k? What did you do with my best friend? Call me when you return that body to its owner.

I clamped my mouth shut to hold back from laughing and quickly excused myself to give her a call. Thanks to the directions from a few of the staff on duty, I found another garden beside the house, and it had a small bench in the corner to sit.

I sat on the bench, suddenly aware of how breezy it had become then called Celine. She picked up on the first ring.

"Okay, what the f**k," she yelled as she picked up. "You are in a freaking dress, how many time have I tried to get you to wear one,"

"Hello to you too, I'm great thanks for asking," I said drily.

"That's not the point. What charm did that dude use to get you to wear that, also you look simply sexy," she said dramatically.

"Actually it's not supposed to be sexy, because I'm here at his parent's country home." I laughed.

"And that brings us to our second topic," she said excitedly, "How did it go? I hope no one was an asshole to you. You know I'll be right there if they did."

I let out a long laugh because I knew just how true that was. "Nope, I think I have fallen in love with them already,"

"I thought you were supposed to be in love with the man before his family, times have truly changed," she said feigning seriousness.

"I am not letting you take this conversation south," I laughed, "the family is everything you can dream of having in a family. Plus there's a cute little toddler, she's Lucas's niece, and she is just the sweetest."

"Are you sure you don't have baby fever?"

"I just might," I chuckled, "tell me about you, what's up with you."

"Oh s**t, girl I am not even meant to tell you this over the phone but f**k it," I could hear the excitement in her voice, and I knew this was going to be good.

"Tell me," I said in a matching tone.

"I'm going on a trip with Alex," she screamed.

"Omg, when, how, where, also I thought you hated trips?"

"Would you calm down," she said in amusement, "I'm glad I have that off my chest, but I cannit tell you anything else until we meet up again."

"You know I'm going to die of the wait, please tell me," I groaned.

"That's what you get for your actions the last time I visited." there was a shuffling sound on her end of the phone, and I could hear the muffled sound of someone talking, or kissing, it was followed by a giggling sound from Celine and I realized which it was.

"Gross girl, I'm right here," I cried in mock annoyance.

"Be thankful you cannot see us right now. Do you want to get back to your party now, or you want to have the party right here—wink."

"Disgusting," I said laughing before ending the call.

I was still smiling about how crazy my best friend was when a warm palm crawled up my neck. I jerked up in surprise and dropped my phone as I turned around to see who it was.

"f**k you scared me," I breathed in relief as I saw the handsome and familiar face.

Lucas chuckled and turned around to pick my phone, before joining me on the bench. He sat so close, making sure to only leave a little space between us. "I looked everywhere for you," he held out a mug of coffee for me.

"Oh...um thanks," I took it from him, "I was talking to Celine."

"Hmm," he nodded. "So did you have a good day?"

"I had much better than good," I lsmiled, "your family is just amazing,"

"I think everyone was on their best behavior because there's a guest today." he half-smiled.

"Well I don't mind, everyone has been so nice," I held out the coffee for him but he turned waved it off. "That's odd, you can't do without coffee," I teased.

"I'm not in the mood for some right now, besides I brought it for you,"

"You have been awfully nice today," I quirked my brows and looked at him, "you aren't by any chance getting me ready for some bad news, are you."

A low laugh came from him, "It's far from that, I just want you to be comfortable here."

I gave him an earnest smile, "I am comfortable Lucas,"

Dammit, how was I supposed to live with these feelings if he was also going to start being nice too? Hot as hell, loves his twins more than anything, has a family I wish would take me as their second daughter. I could not take any more from him.

Thankfully, the wind picked up, and I got a good excuse to escape. "It's getting colder," I forced a shiver, "I'll head in now," I pushed myself off the bench and turned to leave, but his large hand caught mine before I could escape.

"Chris," he said, eyes pleading, "stay a little more please,"

The softness in his tone was the only thing that held me back. I had a choice, he was not forcing me to stay, and in my rational mind, I would have turned down his offer, and walked away, but since when did I become rational around, Lucas Maxwell?

Like a magnet, I dropped back into the seat next to him. "Thank you," he said with a smile, and before I could stop him, he was taking off his suit jacket and wrapping it around me.

"Lucas you don't have to," I protested, as he put it around me.

"Let me," he growled.

I swallowed hard, feeling a twinge of guilt for making him take off his jacket when I was not so cold. But I could not bring myself to take it off or tell him that I was no longer cold, I was too comfortable, reveling his scent from the jacket that made me feel like I was floating inside it. Maybe I would give it back later, but I knew tonight, I would be sleeping with this scent all over me. Can my night get any better?

"Thank you," I said with a sheepish smile.

He just smiled, and shifted his weight loser, trapping me between the arm of the bench and his large body, not like I want to escape anymore. And as if this was not already close enough, he put an arm behind my head on the bench, soaking me in his warmth.

"Is this okay?" he asked carefully.

Fuck Yesss...I screamed—inwardly. "Hmm-hmm," I nodded slowly.

Remember when I said Can my night get any better? Well, scratch that because my night just got a thousand times better.

I tilted my head back, sipping the coffee slowly and savoring his warmth, his scent, his touch, him. "So you grew up here?" I asked.

"Yeah, I was born within these very walls," he chuckled.

"Oh wow, that's beautiful, your siblings too?"

"Hmm-hmm. But it's been all about me and my family all day, tell me something about you,"

"Um..." I thought for a while. "You already know I grew up at the foster care, and you know my only family and best friend. My full name, and probably my age too, that's basically everything you need to know about me," I raised my head and whispered, "I'm that boring sorry,"

"I don't think you are boring," he said in a reassuring tone. "What's your favorite color?"

"Black," I said quickly.

"Favorite food?"

"Are we playing twenty questions?" I asked, chuckling.

"Maybe, I just like to know you more, so I was hoping to start from the bottom, though I could think of a few other bottoms to know you from," he flashed me a charming smile.

I chuckled, and leaned closer, drawing in a deep breath, mixed with his cologne. "God you smell so damn good," the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

I half expected him to laugh, but instead, he gave an earnest smile, and said, "Abby does not seem to feel the same way, but thank you."

It felt like only a few seconds later when his phone chimed with a text from Robin asking us to get back for dessert, and I was almost upset at Robin for interrupting such an intimate moment with Lucas, but the sound of ice cream cake made me a little less upset.

I reluctantly pulled myself away from Lucas, feeling more relaxed than I had felt in days. He also had the widest grin on his face, and I knew he enjoyed our little getaway as much as I did.

"How long have we been gone?" I asked as we walked into the house.

"You don't want to know," he laughed.

"Thirty minutes?'

"Tripple," he said without checking his watch, "and 10 minutes."

"Oh my God, that long? I didn't even realize we were out so long."

"Me neither, but I cannot say it's nearly enough time spent with you," He pushed the door open before I had the chance to reply him, and I was thankful for that because I really did not know what to say to that.

*** *** *** ***

We had some really good wine and the best ice cream cake I had ever had. Turns out Lillian was not only a good mom and sister in law, but she was also a really good cook, because dang.

It was already dark when we had to go, and Zoey who had only slept for a few minutes made a fuss about having her cousins leave before her. The twins were also sad that we had to leave, so it was all grumpy faces and teary eyes.

"Lucas can the kids not just stay one night here?" Martha pleaded seeing how sad they were to leave, "Zoey is staying the night over,"

"Because Lilian is staying with her, You know I can't stay the night over Mom," Lucas said as we got ready.

"I'm pretty sure I can take care of two extra kids for one night," Lilian chipped in.

The kids escaped as we spoke and were in the corner playing Zombies with Zoey on the patio. She was having way too much fun being chased around by both of them. I sucked in a breath and turned to Lucas who was sitting next to me, but not too close to attract weird stares.

"Hey, I don't mind staying here with the kids,"

"No," he said so sharply, Martha and Lilian turned to look at us. He gave a weird smile and continued speaking in a low tone, "I want you around tonight, so please no."

"Oh, Okay." I said, wondering what he meant by that, "but the kids don't look like they're ready to leave tonight, please can they just stay the night?"

"Lucas," his mother said in a chastising tone, "do you really want me to beg you to let them stay tonight?"

"You know you do not want that," Robin who had been on his phone all along said.

"Shut up Rob," he took a deep breath, "alright mom, I'll let them stay over if you promise to bring them home early on Sunday."

"I promise," Martha said with a grin.

"Before noon," he added.

"of course," she said, but from the way she said it, I knew better than to expect the kids anytime before dinner.

"Alright then, they can stay."

"You are just the best," she blew a kiss to Lucas.

"I'm sitting right here," Robin whined.

"He's my best first son, and you are my best second son," Martha said with a coy smile.

"What does that even mean?" The brothers asked at the same time.

"It means it's time to get your asses home," she got to her feet, "you know how much I disapprove of driving late. In fact," she looked at her watch, "maybe you should both stay the night,"

Lucas and Robin were on their feet in a second. "We'll be on our way now," Lucas took my hand, while Robin, went over to say goodbye to Zoey, who did not seem to bother that her dad was going away for the night.

The twins were no different. They did not look the least sad when we told them we would be leaving, while they stayed. "Bye daddy," Abby said quickly and placed a small kiss on his cheek. "Bye Chris, see you tomorrow," and just like that, she was off, back to the patio.

Aiden did the same, and Lucas turned to me from where he was crouched down. "I feel like I'm making a mistake, they don't even look like they'll miss us."

"Because they won't," I laughed. "let's go,"