Chapter 10

Viper's POV...

They look like sleeping angels. Ainsley and the kids seemed to have fallen asleep watching a Disney movie. Shannon let it be known right away that Ainsley needed her rest, and she found a spare room for her and the kids. We also gave Elspeth a room.

The girls all looked dead tired and we decided that Ainsley would sleep in my room upstairs. After deciding on who sleeps where, we decided to put the kids to bed first and then come back to get Ainsley.

Shannon was adamant that since Scarlet-Rose is still an infant and is often prone to getting sick for a while after getting her vaccinations, we shouldn’t wake Ainsley just yet, as she could use all the sleep she can get, so we decided to let her sleep a little while longer before bringing her upstairs.

Just as Shannon, Tank and I each took a child to put in bed, Ainsley woke up with a start and was ready to fight.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re taking my girls!?” She whisper-yelled while instantly wrapping her arms around all the children.

“I really hope to God that you weren’t planning on waiting for me to fall asleep so you can take them away from me.” She says in a serious tone.

For a moment I just stare at her aghast. Of course, that was not our intention at all; we merely wanted to let her rest for a little while. “No, we weren’t planning on taking the children anywhere, but to put them in bed. We also figured that since it has been a very long day and you looked exhausted, we could let you rest a bit before getting you up to bed as well.” I answered her, still feeling taken aback.

“Yeah, well.” She says, while taking her time to look each one of us up and down.

“Not a single one of my girls are going anywhere without me.”

Shannon looks like she’s contemplating something before she finally looks up. “Listen up Hun, Scarlet-Rose has been ill for a bit and you and I both know that you haven’t been sleeping much. Elspeth would like to spend some time with her niece, and I for one was kinda looking forward to spending time with the little birds as well.” She says to Ainsley, and it’s obvious that she’s now resorted to manipulating her best friend, who clearly needs the rest we’re trying to offer her.

Ainsley's POV...

I have no idea what the four of them are planning. But it’s clear to me that they have been scheming behind my back to get me to take some much needed rest, and even though I know they’re right, I just can’t help feeling that if I do make the selfish decision to let someone else look after my girls while I sleep, I’m somehow failing them all.

“I don’t know...” I start to say. “What if Scarlet or one of the girls need me in the middle of the night? I mean, I know that Scar has been bottle fed from the start, but Raven and Robin just got here. What if they wake up having a nightmare and I’m not there for them? Their real mother already let them down in the worst possible way, I can’t let them down like her.” I say to them, sounding a little unsure and a lot tired.

Shannon and my sister both just look at me like I’ve suddenly gone mad, while the men look sympathetic.

“Look, sweetie.” Elspeth decided to speak before anyone else could. “From what I’ve seen, those girls have taken to you. That much is true, and from what Shannon tells me; you haven’t really had much sleep this past week due to Scarlet being ill and we all agree that there isn’t anyone better to take care of Raven and her sister, but if you don’t get some rest and insist on burning yourself out like this, you are in essence failing them by not taking care of yourself.”

I stood there for a moment, just looking at her. “When the hell did you become the smart one?” I ask her, only slightly joking. I have to admit that she does have a point, though, I can’t very well take care of Scarlet or my other girls if I’m not taking care of myself first, can I?

“Do you get it now?” She asks expectantly and I just nod.

“Good. Off to bed with you, let Viper show you to the room you’ll be using while Shannon, Tank and I take the girls upstairs.” She says with finality as she takes a sleeping Raven from my arms.

“Okay, now that the girls are taken care of, let’s get you to bed little sprite.” Viper says to me with a mischievous glint in his eye once we’re alone as he picks me up bridal style.

‘Geez, what am I? Two?’ I think to myself, while unsuccessfully trying to free myself from his grip.

Finally giving up on my fruitless struggle, when we’re about halfway up the stairs, I let out a frustrated huff and told him. “I can walk, you know.”

He simply lets out a humorous chuckle as he answers; “I know, I just wanted to carry your tiny arse to bed.”

’Yeah, that didn’t sound ominous at all.′ I think to myself, trying to hold back the eye roll I can feel starting at the back of my skull. MEN!

“If that statement didn’t have hidden devious intent, I don’t know what would.” I say to him, only this time I don’t even attempt to hide my annoyance with him.

“Babycakes, if you don’t quit your damn struggling, you are going to have to suffer the consequences.” The arrogant shit has the gall to say. He’s obviously trying to get me to calm the fuck down, but fun fact; I hate being carried like a child!

“Listen buddy, the only way you’re going to get me to stop struggling, is to PUT. ME. THE. FUCK. DOWN. NOW!” I seethe, and the twat just laughs at me, while simultaneously tightening his grip. Seriously!? What is wrong with this guy? Sure, he’s drop-dead gorgeous and I just want to hump him like a bitch in heat, but he's acting like a caveman and that isn’t winning him any favours.

“Just calm your tits sweetheart, we’re almost there.” He says to me as he kicks, open some door behind me. ‘I give up. This man is exhausting.’ I think, while once again rolling my eyes at the brute.