“You’re right,” I agree, running my fingers through his damp hair. “It’s been hard, and as much as I don’t want to bring someone in to help with them, I know it’s the right call. We need to find someone who can support and care for our children when we’re unable to.”
His eyes soften, relief flooding them as he pulls me in for a tender kiss. “I’m so glad you understand,” he murmurs against my lips. “We’ll do this together. We’ll find someone who will be the perfect fit for our family.”
“She can’t be too young or too pretty.”
He chuckles at my scrunched nose.
“You’re all I’ll ever want. Theonlyone I’ll ever want.”
“And if it’s a male nanny?”
His eyes harden. “Then he better not be younger or better looking than me.”
I smirk. “I like you possessive.”
“Back at you.”
Five more days on this ship and then we’re back home to find a new nanny. And I have no idea how that’s going to go.
21
SEBASTIAN
The gentle dip and sway of the yacht brings a smile to my lips as I find Rowan leaning against the railing, his eyes lost on the horizon. His tall and muscular frame makes him an imposing figure, but beneath that exterior is a man who has a heart of gold and has turned into my rock over the last few months.
“Care for one?” Rowan asks as I approach, holding out a small wooden box filled with cigars.
“Absolutely,” I reply, selecting one with care. Cigars are Rowan’s thing, but I won’t lie and say I don’t enjoy them, especially with a drink. Rowan hands me a lighter, and together, we light our cigars, standing side by side, sharing a comfortable silence as we puff away, watching the waves out at sea.
“Sebastian, this vacation has done wonders for you,” Rowan remarks, breaking the silence. “I haven’t seen you this relaxed in years.”
“That’s because you weren’t on my honeymoon with me,” I quip, and he tosses me a raised eyebrow. “You’re right,” I concede. “It’s been a long time coming.” I exhale a cloud of smoke, allowing myself to dwell on the events of the past fewmonths—hell, the last few years, and the years even before that. “Things have been…difficult, but I’ll be honest and say I never thought we’d get here.”
“No. Nor I. Speaking of which”—he grins, nodding toward the ocean below—“your kids are having the time of their lives.”
I follow his gaze and chuckle at the sight before me. Phaedra, Sabrina, and Zayer are splashing around in the water, their laughter echoing through the air. The joy on their faces warms my heart, and I know I need to join them.
“Mind if I steal away from your musings?” I ask Rowan.
He gives me a look. “You’re wasting a good cigar.”
I hand it to him, and he scowls at the thing. “I’ll buy you another.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
“I see you down there!” I call to them, already making my way toward the edge of the deck.
“Come on, Papa!” Phaedra beckons, her blonde locks sticking to her face as she waves me over.
“Last one in is a rotten egg!” Sabrina teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief, especially since they’re already in the water, which automatically makes me the rotten egg.
“All right, you asked for it!” With a grin, I dive headfirst into the sea, feeling the salt water envelop me and my muscles tighten at the shock of cold as I swim toward my children. Christ, how do children do this and not be bothered by it?
“Got you!” Zayer exclaims, wrapping his arms around my neck as I surface, his floaty vest smacking me in the face. “You’re it!”
“Am I now?” I laugh, playfully wrestling him off my back. “Let’s see how fast you can swim away!”
The three of them squeal and scatter, their laughter music to my ears. I didn’t do this with them enough. Play. Laugh. Just be with them like this, where they’re free to be kids. As I chase after them, splashing and ducking beneath the waves, I realizemy wife changed all of that for me. She’s helped me become the man, father, and king I’ve always wanted to be.
