“Jayson, wake up, honey. You’re safe at home. Come back to me. Please.”
CHAPTER
EIGHT
It took several minutes for him to gather his thoughts and focus before he could wake up. When he opened his eyes, his first sight was of a scared Lana, with tears streaming down her face.
His second sight was both the kids and Lana’s dark-haired friend with her arms around them. Both kids had fear in their eyes.
Those looks gutted him. He was no good to them, broken like he was.
“Sorry. I’m okay. I’ll, um, call Peter to come get me and take me home.”
“No. Come here you two,” Lana softly told the kids.
Jayson watched as both kids slowly came their way. When Lana moved to sit on the bed, he didn’t move at all.
The feeling of her touching him warmed him. He hadn’t realized how cold he truly was.
“He’s okay. Remember how I told you your dad was out there taking care of the bad guys so you two were safe?”
“Yeah.”
Jayson inhaled deeply, his eyes closed at their soft response. Where was she going with this?
“Sometimes that leaves boo boos inside which can cause nightmares.”
“Like you have now and then, Mommy?”
Jayson’s eyes immediately went to Lana, who didn’t even attempt to look his way. Their kids were smarter than he’d ever realized.
“Yeah. Like Mommy’s sometimes. You know what makes Mommy feel better?”
“Yeah! Our hugs and kisses!” both kids yelled at the same time.
“Yeah, your hugs and kisses. Are you okay sharing those hugs and kisses with your dad?”
“He’s our daddy? He looks different than the picture in our room.”
Jayson was literally flabbergasted at his son’s admission. She actually gave the kids a picture of him.
“Because that’s an old picture of him. But, yes, this is your dad.”
“Can we give you a hug and kiss, Daddy?”
Jayson fought the tears that were fighting for freedom. He couldn’t let them see him cry.
“Y-yes. I’d like that very much,” Jayson answered his daughter.
Both kids scrambled onto the bed and enveloped him into a hug and gave him a kiss on each cheek. All he could do was hug them back and hold them tightly.
When they started giggling, he couldn’t help the smile that broke out on his lips. He reluctantly let them go to get his first good look at them.
“Thank you. I feel a lot better now.”
“Okay. Auntie Rocky is going to tuck you two in. Mommy needs to talk to Daddy for a moment.”
Jayson watched as they followed Lana’s friend out of the room. Leaning his back against the headboard, he closed his eyes to relieve the pressure he felt with the tears. When he felt Lana touch his arm, he was afraid to move.
