Too close for comfort!

Aubrianne Ivanov

Aubrianne was now eager to get into the jacuzzi. She walked closer, removed her heels, and dipped her toe in when her father called,

"There are bathing suits of all sizes and styles in the poolhouse, baby girl."

"Thank you, Dad," Aubrianne, already on her way, called over her shoulders. She quickly changed and joined the group as they had fun playing games and chasing each other in the water, then soaking in the Jacuzzi, nibbling on meat, and drinking.

Grilled steak, Ivan had grilled steak and lamb.

Aubrianne was utterly relaxed. She eyed Jada with a sly smile, then groaned, "Uh, only one thing missing now."

"Only say the word," Jada, knowing precisely what Aubrianne wanted in their eye communication, responded, then lifted both eyebrows waiting for her reaction.

Aubrianne squealed, "Seriously?" At this point, all eyes were on the two, even Timothy. Eyeing them curiously.

Jada shook her head positively with a smirk as she walked through the water, wanting to climb out. But before she did, reaching where she would jump up. She eyed Aubrianne for final confirmation.

Aubrianne smiled and gave a quick nod of approval. She was letting loose and at least choosing to be open about this.

Jada quickly returned with her small clutch and fished out five small joints, already cleaned and neatly wrapped.

The group collectively had different facial reactions to the pair. Daniel, Ivan, Daniela, Brody, Timothy, and Kirrah were all shocked, mixed in with surprise.

Theo was not even fazed. His man, who was looking in on her back in Clifton Hill, saw some extracurricular activities, and he would wait for her to tell him about it, so he knew she dabbled in marijuana, but it was from time to time.

Not a regular thing. Certainly not as much as Timothy, he had said. Hell, nobody smokes as much as Timothy. Theo was happy about what Aubrianne had just done there.

It meant she was opening up to him, letting him in on things.

Aubrianne could have continued to hide this, but she did not. And Theo could respect that she was like him, doing this for recreation and not depending on it for survival.

Those are two different stages of indulgence.

All Theo said, "Well, in that case, Ivan, bring out the cigars," he paused for dramatics, eyes twinkling with mischief before adding, "The illegal ones."

Ivan's smile reached his ear. He was in for a treat with those cigars Theo brought home from his trips.

Most were gifts from satisfied clients, but Theo had a taste for the illegal ones, especially.

Ivan quickly proceeded to retrieve a box of the good stuff. Soon enough, Theo and Ivan were relaxing off to the side, smoking their cigars and sipping on cognac while the kids were in the pool.

And as usual, Theo and Ivan enjoy taking a trip down memory lane in such moments. Thinking about it, they have not had such a moment in a long time when they just relaxed together as a family.

Ivan realized he had not done this with his kids in ages. He truly appreciated their time earlier when it was him, Daniel, and Daniela.

Ivan purposed to resume their family trips. They have not traveled as a family since his wife died, and they used to travel a lot, visiting different gorgeous tropical islands and basking in the beautiful tropical weather.

"You should have seen her, Ivan. You should have heard the determination in her voice. Goddess, I did not want to disrupt her life and derail her from her studies. Who knows how she would have handled everything."

Theo was explaining again to Ivan because, deep down, he was still questioning if he had made the right decision, given the year he had suffered through waiting for his daughter.

"I wanted her free from my world and its distractions. To give her a fighting chance because she so desperately wanted to make her mother proud and to prove to herself that she could do it despite of."

"And to me, that meant no distractions. Now Aubrianne is here with me, and she has excelled..."

"You would have taken her even if she did not, we both know that, so you did it for her, so she can feel like she accomplished it," Ivan paused in thought, then said, "And I think I know Aubrianne by now to know that would not have sat right with her."

"Yes, you are right, I would have taken her without a doubt even if she didn't, but she did, and I am so proud of her." Theo laughs, "And you are also right again. She would not have taken that lightly. She may not have accepted it, at least not until she succeeded."

Ivan had only asked because he knew it weighed on his Alpha's mind about that decision, so he had only asked how he was handling things.

Ivan was happy that he asked because it seemed as if Theo was waiting for the opportunity to talk about it, as he definitely would not speak to his wife, Christen, about that.

"Hey, and you are right, too. Aubrianne is here, and now you can make it up to her if it will make you feel any better, but look at her," Ivan says, tipping his head towards Aubrianne having fun times in the water.

Theo looked, and a smile graced his lips. Then he took a drag and blew out the smoke.

"Look, you were worried about her reaction to leaving her. But look at her. She seems happy, and I know your mind has already thought of all the possible outcomes and how you would have dealt with them."

"Seems things will only go upward from here on out, though I did sense you may get pushback from Timothy and Christen, but other than that. You would be fine."

Theo had jumped right in, gushing about how Aubrianne wanted to handle the situation, and Ivan was impressed, thinking he might have an ally in Aubrianne when it came to talking her father off a cliff.

Sometimes, he struggles with some of Theo's decision-making and how he spends his money on unnecessary things.

The kids were all huddled together as they puff puff pass. Even Timothy had joined in chatting and indulging. Then he began seeing Aubrianne in a different light.

By the night's end, everyone was in the water, including Timothy, deciding maybe Aubrianne was not as much of a killjoy as he thought.

Though he was still a bit upset about his situation and still held a grudge and chose to stay up in his feelings, Theo decided that tonight he could dip his toe and see what happened.

They continued to tease and joke around in the water while Theo and Ivan still relaxed on lounge chairs on the other side of the pool as they chatted and watched the activities.

"So, Jada, huh?" Theo held a knowing grin, and his eyes, full of mischief, slid to Ivan beside him to take in Ivan's shocked expression.

Yes, enough about him. Theo wanted to hear what his pal had to say about his situation.

Ivan had choked on his cognac and the smoke from the cigar when he took a drag while Theo said what he said.

His eyes widened, and a smile spread across his face. Theo nodded as if the smile explained everything.

"She is..." Ivan exhaled, then took another drag as he tried to find words.

Crickets...

"I know, buddy, I know," Theo answered, and Ivan had not said anything.

Theo assumed it was a witch thing, though he only had his experience to go off of. And with his experience, he knew precisely what Ivan was going through.

The need to be close to her every minute of the day, the torture of being away from her, then when he was with her, he could never get enough, and Athalia was the same.

She used to demand the D and take it when she wanted it.

He recalled waking up to her many times, with his d!ck in her mouth, or she attempting to ride him. This woman was too much, and he wanted it all.

He was always amazed at how he would be solid as a rock in his sleep for her.

Oh, how he loved his feisty witch, and though she was gone, Athalia would forever be etched in his heart and engraved in his mind. As it is right now, he doesn't even think he can ever fully be happy with another.

"Goddess, Theo, I am screwed." Ivan finally spoke, eyes boring holes into Brody and Daniel. Kodak nor Ivan did not like Brody or Daniel too close to Jada, and right now, they were hovering too close for comfort...