The Alpha King Call Boy
Chapter 264

"I just can't believe it," Fiona said. She had the baby slung lazily but comfortably on her hip. Both of them had their blue eyes focused on Nina while she worked on packing her belongings into a big suitcase splayed out atop her fluffy white bedspread.. "I will be back, Fi. I promise. You know I won't be able to stay away from the two of you for too long."

"We're going to miss you so much here."

"I know. I just got used to having you around. It's been great, Nina, to have you living here with us. I hope you know how much I appreciate it. All the help with the baby, all the times you were there for me through some of the toughest things I've ever had to deal with. I couldn't have gotten through all this without you."

Nina shrugged. "Sure you could've. You're the strongest bitch I know. But it would not have been nearly as much fun without me, that I'll give you."

Fiona laughed. "That is definitely true. Lexi will miss her fun Aunt Nina, too."

A heavy exhale escaped Nina's lips. "I'm gonna miss the lil'b, too. Actually, I got her something..."

Nina disappeared into her walk-in closet for a few seconds, then quickly returned with a little pink gift bag in hand.

"Aw. What is this?" Fiona asked, accepting the bag with her free hand.

"Just a little something for my goddaughter."

Fiona passed the bag to Lexi, who crumpled its edges in her fists for a moment, but then quickly seemed to figure out that she was supposed get at something inside of it. She turned the bag upside down to empty its contents out.

Lexi tried to catch it, but the stuffed toy slipped out of her reach and bounced out of her lap. But Nina caught it before it hit the floor and handed it right back to her. Lexi watched the quick save with pleasure, squealing with impressed and amused delight. "So cute," Fiona said, looking down at the small, peach colored puppy dog plushie in Lexi's hands.

The baby was immediately enamored with it.

Alexis was obsessed with soft things, and the stuffed dog Nina had gotten her was super soft. Its fur was also the exact same color as Nina's current hair. This fact was not lost on the observant child, who smiled broadly while tracking her keen blue eyes back and forth between her beloved aunt and her new favorite toy. Then she pulled the soft toy into a tight embrace and leaned forward to press her cheek against the smooth, fluffy fabric.

Nina smiled as she watched Lexi hug and cherish the little dog. She had actually slept with the plush toy in her bed for a few nights so that it would smell like her. She knew Lexi might miss her, since up till now Nina had spent time with the baby every single day of her life. She hoped the toy would bring the sweet little girl some comfort when the time came that she wondered where her friend had gone.

"Thank you, Nina," Fiona continued. "And I'm sorry for being all sappy. I'll give you some space to finish packing. I'm really happy for you honey, honestly. It's so wonderful you're going to see Michael again, after all these years apart. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Be sure to tell him I say hi."

"I will."Reuniting with her brother was the main reason Nina was taking this trip across the country, yes.

He had invited her to come stay with him for a couple weeks, and she'd taken him up on the offer.

But Nina had already been feeling ready - overdue, really - for a new adventure. Travel would give her some time to herself, too, something she felt might be helpful as she worked on figuring out what was next for her in life. Fiona had hired two nannies over a month ago.

And she and Nina had spent several weeks training and supervising both of them. By now, they were doing great. They were super sweet and-responsible ladies who were very natural with the baby. And Fiona and Alex were doing great, too. It just felt like the right time for Nina to step aside a bit, take some time away for herself and let Fi and Alex focus on each other and their family in the meantime.

After some more pained, nostalgic comments, Fi finally did leave Nina alone to finish packing. They were going to meet up later for dinner together before Nina had to leave for the airport, so they would finish with the gratitude and goodbyes then.

A few minutes after Fiona departed, Nina heard the patter of footsteps on the tower stairs once more. These were heavier footsteps, heading upstairs. She recognized the familiar rhythm of, the footfall. It was Kayden.

"Hey," the tall, dark and handsome soldier said when he reached the open bedroom door.

"Hey. Come on in."

Kayden took a few steps into the room, looked down at Nina's partially packed luggage on the bed, and frowned

"Uh-uh. None of that, please," she said quickly. "Fi was already just in here giving me a hard time.

Friends are supposed to be supportive, babe.

Please. Don't get me started crying already."

Kayden paced over to Nina and swept her into a hug. "Ugh, you're right, honey," he grumbled into her peach-pink hair. "I am happy for you Nina. You are going to have fun traveling. And you deserve to have some fun, to do something for yourself. Especially after everything we've all been through recently."

"Thank you," Nina said, pulling back and looking up at Kayden. "I appreciate that. I don't want to say any more sad goodbyes tonight, okay?"

"Okay." Kayden's mouth slipped into a sad smile, though. "I have only one thing I need to say to you though, sugar. That's only just a little sad."

Nina arched an inquiring eyebrow.

"I'm going to miss you, Nina. A lot."

"Aw. Please don't waste your time missing me, boo." She patted the center of Kayden's chest lightly. "We will see each other again. I'm only going away for a little while. This is not goodbye forever." Then she stood on tiptoe and leaned in close, reaching up to circle his strong neck with her gentle hands, begging for a kiss.

Kayden lowered his face to Nina's and lightly pressed his lips to hers.

He was tempted to linger there, to take a big inhale of her scent, to deepen the kiss... but his heart was starting to ache too much already.

Thinking about his dear friend leaving town was hitting him even harder than he could have expected.

And he had a feeling Nina had just told him a lie, whether she meant to or not.

He had a feeling this was goodbye forever. For the two of them, at least.

He pulled away, took a step back, and let her go.