“I know you are not supposed to do many stairs, but do you think you are up for the trip?” Renee asks Sutton.
“Yeah, Mom. I think I want to go up and see it. Then I can just stay upstairs, if that’s okay?” She looks to Renee for permission.
“Sweetheart, you can do whatever you want. I’m here, not going anywhere. I can bring you up anything you need from down here. Let’s go see the nursery, then you can set up yourself in bed and get comfortable. Rest.”
Nodding, Sutton hands Kinsley off to Remington’s strong arms and I swear I feel my ovaries pulse. Seeing him hold her in the hospital room for the first time nearly had drool coming out of my mouth. I don’t think I will ever get used to seeing how at ease he is with babies and children. It is so sexy. He confidently walks toward the stairs, and I follow as if tugged by an invisible string tied to him.
Charles helps Sutton stand from the couch. “Easy, bug,” he says gently.
“Don’t you think I am too old for that nickname, Dad?” Sutton sighs, making her way gingerly up the steps.
“Never. You will always be my little bug. Doesn’t matter how old you are, I am still just as old as I was when we had you and I held you for the first time. Snuggled right into me. Little snuggle bug. I don’t get the snuggles so much anymore, but I’m keeping the name, bug.” He smirks at her as they stop at the nursery door.
She is about to argue more, her stubborn streak mixed with the hormones rolling through her body ready for a fight, but it dies on her lips when Remington swings the door open. Sutton gasps, a hand covering her mouth, and her body does a little sway steadied by her father’s strong arm around her shoulders.
Stepping into the room she whispers, “Oh my God, Rem, it’s so beautiful.” She looks at him, her soft brown eyes swimming in depths of emotion, tears slipping down her cheek. The mural wall is exactly what we had hoped for. A soft green meadow with gentle rolling hills is splattered with the most stunning wildflowers. The blue of the sky is dotted with soft, sweeping clouds, just being kissed with the start of a sunset. Most importantly, throughout the meadow are a few adorable, friendly looking, fluffy sheep that match the blanket that lays across the back of the cream rocking chair in the corner of the room. One of the sheep is positioned perfectly so it looks like it’s peeking right over the rail of the crib that’s pushed up to the wall.
Remington uncomfortably clears his throat and gives Sutton a funny look for some reason. A silent sibling conversation passing between them in a heartbeat of time, and she shakes her head.
“The guy did a nice job, I think,” Remington finally says. “When he was done, Eli and I came back and finished setting the rest of the stuff up. If you want me to move or change anything around, please let me know.”
“It’s perfect.” Sutton walks over to Remington, kisses his cheek, and takes her daughter over to the rocking chair. They settle in, and we all watch as she takes her first deep breath in her special space, her sanctuary.
42
Remington
Lainey is working at our dining table–turned office when I walked in from the grocery store. We talked about moving her into the actual home office, but she said she likes to be more out in the open, especially when I am on my days off. One of the hard things about days when I am not at the fire station and she is working is me needing to leave her alone. Watching her sit there, focused and so sexy, is too much temptation. So most of the time I try and make myself scarce, do errands, work out with Eli, go visit my parents, take Ash on walks, check in on Sutton and Kinsley. Anything to keep me from grabbing Lainey, hauling her over my shoulder and tossing her down on our bed—devouring her the way my body demands.
Ash is curled up on one of the many dog beds we now have scattered about the house, this one planted next to her feet. Having Ash here makes me feel better. He’s still just a puppy, but once he is older he will serve as a good guard dog for the woman I love. Obviously he needs some major training since he stays flopped at her feet, snoozing away when I came in the door.
Thank fuck her workday is almost done, because me and my impatient dick have plans ... big plans. I smile to myself imagining what I am going to do to Lainey until I notice her face.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?” I quickly put down the bags on the counter and move over to her. Ash finally wakes up, wiggling over to me for attention.
Lainey looks up at me, and she is full of a despondent irritation that I haven’t really seen on her face, ever. “My brother,” she simply states.
“Calvin?” I rub Ash’s head but keep my eyes fixed on Lainey.
“Yup. He just texted me and said he’s in town and wants to see me. He said he stopped by my apartment building, but obviously I wasn’t there. He’sdemandingto know where I am and why I didn’t tell him I moved.” Her eye roll is so hard I worry it might damage her perfect blue orbs that I love getting lost in.
“When was the last time you even spoke to him?” I ask. I have never heard her speak to her dad or brother on the phone, nor has she mentioned any plans to see them.
“I have not talked to my dad in ...” She pauses to think, like she really can’t figure it out. “Geez, I guess it’s been over a year. Probably longer. I can’t even tell you an exact date. I have not seen Cal, either. He will text every so often trying to make some demands on behalf of our dad. Or tell me that I am disappointing Mom in some way if he has spoken to her. Basically doing their dirty work as usual, not actually caring about me.”
“Why would he show up now? It’s been so long.”
“He said he was here to see Mom and wants to see me, too.” A frown of doubt tugs at her full lips.
“You don’t believe him.” I sit in the chair next to her and pull her over onto my lap.
“Everything with those people is smoke and mirrors. Double-edged swords. Dealing with them on my own issoexhausting. But I know if I don’t see him, he will keep harping on me until he gets his way, says whatever it is he wants to say.” She pinches the bridge of her nose.
Pulling her hand down, I cup her cheek and rub my thumb along her jaw. She relaxes into my palm, and I smile at her. I love that she feels so comfortable with me now, and I know how to quiet the anxiety spiraling in her system. “Beautiful, you do not have to deal with your dad, mom, or Calvin aloneever again. You have me, I am not going anywhere. Tell him to come over, can’t wait to meet him.” I wink at her.
She barks out a laugh and leans in to kiss me, emotion filling the space around us. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly against my body, nipping her bottom lip.
“Thank you.” She pulls back, giving me her full attention and genuine gratitude.
