“You called him Dad,” Thena says in a choked voice.
My heart is presently trying to burst its way out of my chest. I’m drowning in the sweetest emotion. The urge to grab my son and hug the shit out of him is riding me hard, but he’s not one for overindulgent PDAs, and I can already tell he slipped that out there on purpose.
Arlo’s cheeks pink a little. He shrugs. “It’s who he is. No need to overreact.”
I can tell he doesn’t want to big deal this, even if it is a big deal, and I want to shout it from the rooftops. “Do we need to have the sex talk again?” I ask, deliberately switching the subject.
He shoots me a look of relief before it transforms to horror. “Hell, no. I’m still recovering from that last awkward convo, and for the record, I’m cool with whatever you two do in that secret room in your closet, but I nevereverwant to hear about it, and I have zero interest in seeing your kinky sex den.”
“Well, I want a tour,” Abby says, and Demi is bobbing her head. My twin straightens up. “Like right now.” She moves around the island unit. “You don’t mind if I take pics, right?” she asks Thena. “I’ve been trying to convince Kai we need a sex room.”
I’m grateful when the three women leave, and I don’t have to listen to any more of that.
“You should see your face.” Arlo chuckles.
“I want to know about my sister’s sex life as much as you want to know about mine.”
“Valid,” he says. He looks over my shoulder to ensure they’re really gone. “When are you going to ask her?” he whispers.
“I’m trying to find the perfect weekend getaway so it can be romantic and something she can tell her girlfriends.”
“At this rate, I’ll be old and gray before you propose.” He leans back against the counter. “Forget about all that shit. Thena won’t care. Just make her that lobster pasta she loves with those mini chocolate lava cakes. Get champagne and flowers. I’ll help you cook, and you could do it in the sunroom one evening.” His eyes light up. “We can get candles and those twinkly sparkly lights and string them up over the roof.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“Dad.” He enunciates the word as he rolls his eyes, and I wonder if it will always feel like fireworks are exploding in my chest every time he calls me that. “We’ve been over this. I’m happy you’re both happy, and that’s all that matters to me.”
“You might get shit at school.” His sister will be his stepmother, and I know full well how assholery teenage boys can get.
“I couldn’t care less if I do. I’ll level anyone who says anything about Thena.” His eyes blaze with protectiveness, and my love for him is this massive bubble of emotion and pride.
“You make me proud to be your father, Arlo. So fucking proud.”
“Shit.” He rubs at his eyes. “I thought all the emotion left the room when the women did.”
I walk over and pull him into my arms. “Nothing wrong with showing emotion, son.” He hugs me, and then we clap one another on the back and break apart.
“And your suggestion is a solid one. If you’re free to help me this weekend, I’ll ask her then.”
A wide smile spreads over his mouth. “I’ll keep Saturday free, and I’ll stop by the store Friday night and grab the groceries we need.” I love that Arlo has embraced my love of cooking. Athena loves it too because she dines like a queen.
“There was something I wanted to ask.” He rubs the back of his neck in an obvious tell.
“Shoot.”
“I want to be a Manning too.”
My heart swells to bursting point. “If you mean that, I can make it happen in a few days.”
“I’m sure, Dad. Thena will be a Manning when she marries you, and I want to take your name too.” He doesn’t need to state the obvious.
“I would love that.” I’m overwhelmed, and I cling to him when he pulls me into a hug this time, not hiding the happy tears coursing down my face.
* * *
Athena
“Oh my god, Drew,” I gasp when he leads me into the sunroom. Now, I understand why he booked a spa day for me, Abby, Demi, and Nessa, and why Arlo is having a sleepover at Olivia’s.
