After kissing her forehead then taking Rhett and setting him on his feet, I squat down so I’m on his level and lift my hands.
“Little Bear, these are my brothers. They’re very silly, but they’re really nice and will protect you like I do. They’re not scary, and you’re safe with any of them. Okay?”Rhett looks over at all of them before answering.
“Can I just stay with you and Mommy?”
“Of course you can, but if you want to go off with one of them that’s okay too.”
He nods and tilts his head,“What are their names?”
This time a huge smile takes over my face,“Why don’t you ask them and let them tell you?”
Now his face is full of confusion as I look up to see the same confusion on Clara’s face, but when I glance to see my brothers watching us they’re all practically vibrating with excitement. Rhett looks at Kieran first,“What’s your name?”Kieran softens his posture and his expression as much as he can as he bends down to Rhett’s level while I stand up and hold Clara’s hand. She watches Kieran intently as he lifts his hands.
“My name’s Kieran. I’m one of Rowan’s little brothers.”
Tears fall freely down Clara’s eyes as all of my brothers introduce themselves to Rhett one by one. Once introductions are finished, Rhett turns to us,“Can I go swim? Please?”
Clara looks to me, “I didn’t bring a bathing suit or a life jacket for him?”
I smirk, “There’s a few in the pool house for him to pick from. There’s also a life jacket. I can get in with him or ifyou’re okay with it the twins practically live in the pool.”
“Okay, let’s go get you changed. Do you want Rowan or Flynn and Sully to swim with you?”
A huge smile takes over his face,“Flynn and Sully please?”
“Of course Little Bear, go with Mommy and get changed.”
They walk off to the pool house together. Turning I see all my brothers watching me with raised brows. They’ve never seen me with a girl before, not to mention a kid that wasn’t one of them. I know they have shit to say so might as well get this over with.
“Get it out now, then leave it alone.” Like a pack of wolves they all start talking at once. Holding up my hand then pointing to Dec, “Let’s go oldest to youngest. Declan?”
“I was just going to say being a Dad looks good on you. And not in a sarcastic way, I’m being serious. This is the happiest I’ve seen you since we were kids.” I reach out and grab him by the back of the neck pulling him into a hug.
“Thanks, that means a lot.”
Kieran pops up next, “If you ever put me in a position where I have to choose you or that little boy. I’m choosing him. Just so we’re clear.”
Smirking I nod in contentment, “Good, just so we’re clear if any of you pick me over Rhett or Clara, I’ll murder you. And not in a ‘oh I’m pissed’ way, but I will truly take you to the warehouse and make every last moment as painful as possible until your last breath. Understood?” They all nod in unison then Mac pipes up.
“She’s skittish. Why?” Looking down trying to think of the best way to answer, finally I just go with honesty.
“I don’t know. I’m assuming she was hurt but she hasn’t told me anything. She has scars but I haven’t asked.”
“You should ask.” Mac replies while looking everywhere but at me.
I’m about to ask him why he’s acting so weird when the twins speak up. Flynn starts, “I like them. Can we keep them?”
Sully laughs and picks up where Flynn left off, “Please Roe, Can we? Can we?”
I chuckle as my eyes roll, “Stop being idiots, and pull it together they’re coming back.”
Sul and Flynn are already in their bathing suits, so when Rhett appears in bright green trunks with blue sharks all over them and a blue and green life jacket they make their way to him. Flynn puts his hand out to Rhett and waits patiently for him to take it. He signs something to him, and Rhett looks to me. I lift a single brow as Rhett lifts his hands,“Safe?”
I smile and answer,“Promise.”He nods and takes Flynn’s hand heading to the pool.
I look to Clara and find her smiling while walking over to me. She wraps her arms around my waist and tucks her head under my chin, “Thank you for being you, Rowan Byrne.”
I wrap her up in my arms and kiss the top of her head, “Thank you for giving me a chance, Clara Sanders.”
