~~~
Ronan fell asleep on the sofa, but an hour later was up and on his feet before he fully knew what had awakened him. His Wolf focused their attention on the front door as it eased open.
“Ronan?” Valerie said softly, peering into the semi-dark living room.
“Hey, Momma. Come on in,” Ronan said, sitting back down and running his hands through his hair and down his face.
Valerie stepped inside with Maverik on her heels. “Everybody resting?” she asked.
“Yeah. They really need it,” Ronan said.
“You need it,” Maverik said.
“I’m sure I do. I told the boys I’d be in here if they need me, so I’m just going to doze on the sofa so they’ll know where to find me when they wake up.”
“Sorry it took us so long to make it back. I made Dad drive me to the shelter so I could go through her place and find a few things for the kids and for Giada.”
Ronan’s brows came down over his eyes, his usual expression for being puzzled. “Like what?”
“Like clothes, like shoes and socks, underwear for all three of them, and anything that looked personal. I also brought a robe, and some slippers for Giada.”
“Thank you, Mom. I just gave her those for Valentine’s Day,” Ronan said, smiling as he looked at the top of the robe sticking out of the bag his mother carried.
“Aren’t you a sweetheart,” she said, smiling lovingly at her youngest child. “Where do you want these things?”
Ronan stood up. “Think I’ll put them in the bedroom so she can find them when she wakes up.” He took the bag from his mother and spent a few minutes separating and folding the clothing in each, leaving the shoes in the bottom of the bag before he went down the hall to his bedroom and laying out Giada’s robe and slippers on a cushioned bench along one bedroom wall. He placed her other few changes of clothes in one of the drawers in his dresser, and a pair of loafers beside his own shoes, then he went into one of the other bedrooms and laid the boys’ clothes on the foot of the bed. He set the kid’s sneakers on the floor beside the bed, then went back into the living room. He flopped down on one end of the sectional before grabbing the channel selector and flipping through a few channels before deciding on something mindless and lighthearted. He tossed the channel selector to the coffee table and reached for a throw pillow, rolling it around his forearm before resting his head on it.
“Baby, the sun’s coming up. Why don’t you try to nap a little at least. We’re here and if the kids get up we’ll make sure they’re fed and occupied until you and/or Giada wakes up.”
“They’re probably gonna sleep in. They went through some traumatizing shit last night,” Maverik said.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Ronan said. “I’m just going to doze a little. Help yourself to whatever you want.”
“We got it. This ain’t our first rodeo. It’s just our first one with you and yours,” Maverik said.
Ronan nodded and yawned as he let his eyes slowly drift closed, safe in the knowledge that those he loved were safe under his roof, and his parents were here to offer support.
Chapter 24
Ronan reached up and wiped away whatever was tickling his face.
He turned over, intent on going right back to sleep, but a few high-pitched giggles had him waking enough to realize he wasn’t alone. He glanced over his shoulder at two suspiciously pleased with themselves little boys. “What are you two up to?” he asked.
“Something was tickling your face. I know because I saw you trying to make it stop,” Matteo said with a wide grin, unable to hold back his giggles.
“Oh, is that what happened?” Ronan asked.
“Yep. It wasn’t us!” Leo said, wearing his own huge smile.
Ronan pretended to be stretching as he slowly turned over, but when he was facing them, he grabbed them both and pulled them in to his body as he sat up, tickling both as they shrieked and kicked their legs, laughing delightedly. When he finally let them go, they rolled onto the floor, still laughing and trying to catch their breath. “I’m pretty sure it was the two of you,” Ronan said, reaching out toward them.
Leo and Matteo squealed and rolled out of reach.
Ronan swung his legs over the side of the sofa and sat up, taking a few moments to get his bearing, scratching at his head and yawning a time or two as he looked around.
“Morning,” Maverik said from his spot stretched out on the opposite side of the sectional.
“Hey, Daddy.”
