Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

41. Chapter Fourty-One

Chapter Fourty-One

Jade

I pace around my kitchen, phone glued to my ear, heart racing like I’m about to step onto a stage. “Millie, I’m freaking out. What if Sadie decides to hate me?” I run a hand through my hair, trying to calm the anxiety swirling inside.

“Jade, chill,” Millie replies, her voice steady and comforting. “I was in the same boat with Declan’s daughter when we started dating. Kids are more understanding than we give them credit for.”

I lean against the counter, taking a deep breath. “But what if she thinks I’m just replacing her mom? I don’t want her to feel that way.”

“Just be honest with her,” Millie says, and I can hear the confidence in her tone. “Open up about everything. That way, she won’t feel like you’re lying to her or sneaking around.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Yeah, you’re right. I just want her to know she’s loved.”

“Exactly! Kids get it more than we realize. Just give her time and space to process it.”

“Thanks, Millie. I really needed this chat.”

“Any time, babe. Just remember, you’ve got this.”

As I hang up, I hear the front door open, followed by Sadie’s and Nate’s voices. I take a moment to collect myself, not wanting to show them how anxious I am.

Sadie walks in, and she looks stiff, like she’s holding something heavy inside her. My heart aches for her. “Hey, baby girl,” I say, stepping forward. I open my arms for a hug, and she hesitates for a second before stepping into my embrace.

It’s a quick hug—no warmth, no softness. Just a stiff acknowledgment. “Hey,” she mumbles, pulling away too fast.

“Um, how about some pizza? I ordered your favorite kind,” I suggest, trying to lighten the mood.

Sadie shrugs, and Nate comes in behind her, his presence grounding me. “Pizza sounds great,” he says, offering a reassuring smile.

“You’re sure about this?” I ask him. “We could have just gone to the restaurant like we had planned.”

“Paparazzi,” he says simply. “This is better. More private. We get to talk freely.”

“You do have a point,” I reply.

We settle at the table, and I grab the pizza boxes. The smell hits me, comforting and familiar. “All right, let’s dig in,” I say, trying to keep the mood casual.

As we eat, I glance over at Sadie, who’s poking at her slice like it’s a bomb about to go off. “You okay?” I ask, keeping my tone light.

“Yeah,” she mumbles, her eyes glued to her plate.

Nate leans in, resting his elbows on the table. “Hey, Sadie, I want you to know that we’re here for you. No matter what.”

Sadie looks up, her gaze darting between us. “I know.”

“No, really,” I say, my voice a little firmer. “You’re loved, kiddo. This isn’t about replacing anyone. It’s about us being a family.”

She opens her mouth, but the words don’t come. I can see the struggle behind her eyes.

“I get that this is a lot,” Nate adds, his tone gentle. “But we’re all in this together. You’re not losing anyone.”

Sadie nods slowly, but she still seems distant.

“Sadie, if you want to talk about it, we’re here,” I offer, pushing the pizza box aside. “No judgment, just love.”

Suddenly, she bolts up from the table and rushes to the bathroom. I blink in surprise, the sound of the door slamming echoing in the quiet kitchen.

“Shit,” I whisper, looking at Nate.

He reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re doing good, Jade. It’s a process.”

I nod, but anxiety churns in my stomach. “What if she never comes back? What if I screw this up?”

“She just needs a minute,” Nate assures me. “When she’s ready, she’ll talk.”

A moment later, Sadie walks back in, her eyes red. She glances at us, then looks away. “Sorry,” she mutters, her voice shaky.

“Don’t apologize, kiddo,” Nate says, his voice calm. “It’s okay to be upset. We all get that way sometimes.”

“Yeah,” I add, my heart breaking for her. “We just want you to know that we care about you, and we’re here to help.”

Sadie sits back down, and I take a breath, trying to navigate this delicate situation. “Look, Sadie, I know this is confusing. I want you to understand that it’s not just about me and Nate. We’re all in this together.”

Her eyes dart between us, confusion still written on her face.

Nate leans in, his expression serious. “What Jade means is that it’s not just about her dating me. We’re in this as a family. It’s more than that.”

Sadie’s brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

I swallow hard, searching for the right words. “What I mean is…it’s not just me and Nate. It’s also Axel and Carter. We all care about you, and we want to be a family together. All of us.”

“All of us?” Sadie blinks, her expression shifting to disbelief.

“Yeah,” Nate says. “You know how much Carter and Axel care about you, right?”

She nods slowly, still processing.

“Think about it like this,” I continue. “You’ve got more people who love you. More people who want to be there for you. That’s a good thing.”

Sadie bites her lip, her eyes narrowing. “But what if I don’t want that?”

Nate sits back, giving her space to voice her feelings. “That’s okay too. We’ll figure it out together. Just know you don’t have to choose anyone over anyone else.”

“I don’t want you to think you’re replacing Mom,” Sadie whispers, her voice barely above a murmur.

My heart sinks, but I push through. “I’m not replacing her. No one can ever take her place. We just want you to know that we’re here for you. You can talk to us about anything.”

Sadie’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, and I can see her walls crumbling a little. “It’s just…it’s a lot. And I don’t know how to handle it.”

“That’s okay,” I say gently. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Just take your time.”

She nods, and the tension in the air starts to lighten.

“And hey,” Nate adds with a grin. “At least we’ve got pizza to fuel us through this talk.”

Sadie chuckles softly, her smile breaking through the clouds. “Yeah, I guess.”

“How about we finish this pizza and watch a movie?” I suggest, desperate to keep the mood upbeat.

“Sure,” she says, her voice steadier.

We finish the pizza, and I can see Sadie relaxing a little more. There’s still a long way to go, but I believe we’ll get there.

When we’re done, I stand up to grab the remote, but Sadie stops me. “Can we watch something funny?”

“Absolutely! I know just the thing.” As I flip through the channels, Nate nudges me, whispering, “You’re handling this like a pro.”

“Just trying to keep the peace,” I reply, trying to maintain my composure.

“Where is Shadow anyway?” Sadie asks.

“He’s sleeping in the bedroom,” I tell her.

“Okay. I missed him and now that you’re dad’s girlfriend, I get to have Shadow, too,” she says softly.

“That is absolutely true. We get to raise him together,” I reply.

Finally, we settle on a comedy, and I glance at Sadie, who’s finally cracking a smile. It’s a small victory, but it feels like a step in the right direction.