The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

I plod to the door and go to walk in without hesitation. Jake, close on my heels, tugs me back by my ponytail, so he can jump in front of me with a chuckle, and meets another rain of light slaps on his arm as I try to muscle him out of the way. We have carried on this way ever since I got used to the force that is Jacob Carrero, and months away have changed nothing. He is still a massive annoying douchebag that reminds me of every one of my four adopted big brothers, only more irritating and less mature than any one of them at any given time.

“Bambinos, I’m home.” Jake yells out and muscles me under his arm to squeeze my face into his armpit and ribcage so that I am almost suffocating on whatever body spray he uses and fight him with little effect. He drags me through the marble hallway as the small squeals of young children flood this way; small feet and excited faces race out from a nearby room, and he relinquishes his hold on me, thankfully. I straighten up to right my clothes and tighten my ponytail, which he has messed up, in irritation. Face burning from my near-death experience of Carrero aftershave, I shove his large shoulder hard and meet another uncaring grin.

Mia is first, faster than her baby brother at six years old, all blonde curls and soft blue eyes as she runs full speed with open arms, straight to her daddy’s legs amid excited squeals. Jake catches her and swings her up for a full-on hug and kiss. Smiles all around and delighted squeals of a child who idolizes her daddy. Little Lucah, slower but trying his hardest at just three, comes bouncing through on adorable chubby little legs, all dark-haired and green-eyed like his father, and has those irresistible Carrero dimples on show from that shy smile. Jake walks forward to bridge the gap and scoops him up with his free hand, nestling a child in each arm on either side of his face, to be smothered in kisses and adoration. He looks like the cat who got the cream and completely at home with his two babies held close.

“Dadda, Dadda, Dadda”’ the repetitive gurgling of over-excited kids trying to fight for his attention. I watch them with so much love, waiting for my turn to shower my gorgeous babies with cuddles of my own; completely torn at how much they have grown in such a short time and how much I must have missed. It hits me in the stomach like a hard blow, that while I have been out there drowning my sorrows, I’ve been missing two of my babies growing up, and I can never get that back.

“Look who’s here, Mimmos.” Jake turns my way and shoogles his children to get their attention. Mia seems to see me for the first time and squeals in giddy delight that only breaks all my defenses down and I instantly grin. Warmth flowing through every nerve ending, and every mood I have been harboring, just fizzles away.

“So-feeeeee.” She leans out at an alarming angle, throwing trusting arms towards me that could have ended in disaster if both Jake and I didn’t react quickly. He deposits her in my waiting arms with a look of relief at the near miss of his kid face planking a marble floor from a five-foot height. Mia treats me to the same hugs and slobbering kisses Jake has just endured. Lucah, however, curled up against his dad’s throat shyly, regards me suspiciously. I guess in the eyes of a three-year-old a few months are a long time, and he is no longer willing to just throw himself at me like his sister has. That internal pang of guilt eats away more as I watch the wary looks and serious expression of Jake’s mini-me with sadness.

parent’s personality. Mia is Emma to look at but Jake in a nutshell. All bold, flamboyant, and fearless and loves people like crazy. She is always the belle of the ball and center of the limelight so effortlessly and

little baby. He likes his space and sometimes has Arrick’s cool and distant mannerisms. Not that it’s surprising, as he idolizes his Uncle and Arrick has spent as much time with these two kids as he has his

his pristine front living room with white couches and expensive furniture when they bought this house, but soon after Mia learned to crawl, Jake had to relinquish it

gently but doesn’t need the response as

a kiss on her mouth that is more than just a chaste peck. Eyes only for her, like

more comfortable with it. Jake has never been shy about openly canoodling with her; something I’m glad to

around my neck possessively. Emma takes her daughter and hands her back to Jake instantly, with a funny smile. “I meant from you.” She adds more pointedly, raising eyebrows at me and opening her arms towards me. I

manage a sort of snuggle. It feels better than good. The soft vanilla smell of Emma and the familiar hug of someone I love to death, someone who’s always understood me without trying; because deep down we’re alike in so many ways. Emma rose from a childhood

blurt out through strained emotion, heart bursting a little bit at being back here. Tears stinging my