Chapter 551

"I was suggesting to Nan and Chester that maybe they should adopt Emalyn," I told her, pausing to gauge her reaction.

Her eyes grew wide as she looked at me, and then at Nan, Chester, and finally Emalyn, who was content in Nan's arms, drinking from her bottle.

Breaking the silence, Nan started to ramble nervously.

"I was telling them that it's ridiculous," she said with a nervous laugh. "We've only been mated for like 5 minutes, and so far it's been so rocky between us. Yes, we can babysit, but we don't know the first thing about raising an actual baby. I don't think we are ready for that kind of step and—”

"I think it's a great idea," Irene cut in before Nan could finish her jumbled thoughts.

We all looked at her, surprised.

"You do?" Nan asked her, widening her eyes.

Irene nodded as she took another sip of her wine; her eyes turned thoughtful.

“As much as I love Emalyn, she's not my baby. She's a reminder of the cruel man I fell in love with...she's a reminder of the betrayal I faced. I can't connect with her. She's adorable, but she cries constantly when she's with me. I knew in my heart that she would have to get adopted eventually; I'm way too immature for a baby. I want her to go to a good home and be loved by people I trust. I want to still be able to see her and be Auntie Irene," Irene said with a grin. "There's no better couple than you."

'I couldn't agree more,” I said with my own grin.

Irene looked at me, and then her eyes narrowed.

"How are you so put together after last night?" She asked. "I looked like the human equivalent of a train wreck, and you look hot."

I glanced down at my crop top and high-waisted jeans with a frown. I didn't think I looked hot, but to each their own.

"Thanks," I said with a shrug. "I took a shower this morning. Don't get me wrong, I have a headache too, but I drank water last night to keep me hydrated this morning."

I didn't bother telling her that it was her father who gave me the water and made sure that I was okay this morning.

"I have to go see Elana later," Ireme murmured. "I need to apologize for my behavior last night. I shouldn't have gotten that drunk. I should have listened to you, Judy. I'm sorry for putting you I that position."

I shake my head.

"I'm an adult and made my own choice," I told her. "I'll come with you later. I'd like

to apologize too. I finals until 2 and then we can go together."

She nodded, looking slightly relieved.

"In the meantime, take a shower. Let Chester take care of the baby. Recover yourself. Nan and I ended up getting to school."

"I just made breakfast," Chester said, bringing over some plates. He placed one in front of Nan, kissing her on the head. "You have a little time to eat."

Without another word, he took the baby from her, like a natural father, and it made me smile.

He placed the other plate in front of me; Irene was already chowing away, eating like a starving woman.

I had to admit, the food looked and smelled delicious. I wasted no time eating. By the time we were done, we were stuffed, and the slight hangover I was sporting was almost non-existent.

It was Erik who arrived to take us to the school, which surprised me because fately it's been Taylor taking us to school. Or at least he's been taking me to school; maybe because I was being picked up at the mansion instead of home, and Erik was already here or something?

"Something wrong?" Erik asked as I got into the car beside Nan.

I shake my head.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see you. I was just expecting it to be Taylor this morning," I told him. "Was he busy?"

Erik nodded.

'Yeah, he's at Gavin's office doing some missed paperwork,” he admitted. “Gavin wasn't able to make it into the office this morning, so Taylor got stuck with the slack."

I frowned at that.

“I don't understand... why couldn't

Gavin make it in?" I asked; I saw Gavin literally last night, and he was completely fine... more than fine. My cheeks flushed at the memory, and I hoped that nobody else could see it.

"He's busy this morning with Miss Rachel."