Or maybe she'd be upset I'd been gone for so long.
I spent the car ride home twisting my new ring around on my finger. It was an unusual sensation, but it also felt right. Maybe that alone could soften my tardy return.
I sent a text to Kinsley, letting her know we'd be home within the hour. I alerted Parker so Kinsley wouldn't have to worry with our dinner plans, but she and the chef seemed to be on friendly terms. Parker was that type of man, anyway; someone easy to talk to. While I was gone, I'd kept in touch with Kinsley a few times a week, and she sent me pictures of Finn sporadically. According to Billy, she hadn't left the house except for the pediatrician's visit she'd mentioned.
There was a sensation building in the pit of my stomach as we drove through the streets of Boston. For the first time, I anticipated going back home, the one filled with my family. They were people worth dying for; worth killing for. I would do anything to protect them, which wasn't a surprise, just a comforting idea settling in my chest.
Even better to pull into the circular driveway and see Kinsley on the front steps with our son in her arms. My heart swelled at the sight of them, a feeling I couldn't remember having before.
"Stop here," I ordered Oliver, opening the door before the car came to a full stop and rushing to get out.
The air was frigid enough to bite at my cheeks, but I didn't care. Kinsley wore her coat, and she'd wrapped Finn in a blanket and put a cap on his head. They were the most heartwarming sight I'd seen in ages. Possession still reared up, but it was accompanied by more tender feelings too.
"Welcome home."
I grinned all the way up the steps, reaching for Finn and cradling him in my arms. "He's holding his head up," I said in awe.
With a smile, Kinsley nodded. "Just be careful, he's still wobbly yet."
All I could do was breathe in my son, kissing his face and trying not to squeeze him too tight. "Let's go in; it's cold."
While Kinsley removed her coat and hung it in the closet, I waited in the foyer. It didn't feel appropriate to take her into my arms, but I wanted to. I also wanted to drag her upstairs and show her all the naughty things we could other than intercourse while she was still postpartum. Instead, I said, "I apologize for being gone so long."
"It's fine."
Well, I might be a man, but I had a sister and a mother. Fine was never fine. "No, it's unacceptable, and I'll do my best to make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Okay."
I couldn't tell if she really was agreeable with my apology, or if she was just trying to be nice and not start a fight the second I walked in the door. "Thank you."
"What for?" she asked with a frown.
"Not yelling at me even though I deserve it."
"I'm sure you're sorry, and I don't want to fight."
There was an edge to her voice, but I didn't want to fight, either. For the time being, I would let it go.
"Dinner should be ready soon if you want to head to the dining room."
"I'll be right there. First, I want to change and wash my hands." I kissed Finn, nuzzling his cheek before handing him to Kinsley.
When she walked away, I went back outside. The car I'd arrived in was still there, but the others had gone to the garage. Oliver had opened the trunk and stood waiting for instruction.
"I'll take the rings, and the baby stuff can go to the nursery. Thanks, Oliver."
I took the bags upstairs to my room, setting them on the bed while I changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt. I'd hidden beneath suits for a long time, and I didn't think I'd spent more than a middle of the night feeding in casual clothes. It felt good to relax in my home for a change. I washed my hands and tried to tame my windblown hair before grabbing the two bags and heading for the dining room.
"Kinsley."
She was fastening the safety belt on the baby swing when I walked in, and she looked up at the sound of her name. "Hm?"
"I brought you something." Setting the bags on the table, I continued. "Now, before you remind me you don't need baubles, I want you to look at what it is."
Without saying a word, she peered into the first bag. Pulling out a red velvet box and giving me the stink eye, she opened it and immediately dropped it on the table with a thud. "What in the world is that?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "I thought it was obvious."
