Smokey stared at the president for a couple of seconds, then nodded and turned back to Tania.“Nothing with the legal system is instant, but we’re on it, Shell.Come on, Mom is going to be so happy.”He held out his arms.“Can I take him now?”
Tania looked at Raven for a moment and then at Smokey before turning back to their son.“Want to let Daddy carry you?”
Smokey felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.Sure, he knew Carter was his, but that was the first time someone had called him Daddy, or well, in relation to a child.There were a couple of mamas who liked to call whoever they were with Daddy.It made it easier for them not to call out the wrong name, but Smokey had always thought it was a little weird.
Still, he was Carter’s daddy.He liked the idea and as soon as he could breathe normally again he grinned, reaching for his son.
“Come see Daddy, little man.”He lifted Carter out of Tania’s arms and settled him against his chest, marveling that he was responsible for this tiny human.That it was his job to keep him safe, to be there for him, to teach him how to be a good man.One that knew who to protect and when.And when to let them make their own decisions, even when he wanted to scream at them not to do it.Carter wiggled, as if impatient with his father’s standing still.He wanted to get moving, not contemplate a life he’d barely begun.
“Come on, Shell.The guys are waiting on us.”He followed her out to the common room, then to the door.She took Carter’s coat from the hook first and managed to get him into it with little fuss, while Smokey still held the boy.He wanted to help but was afraid a third hand would just get in the way and that the best thing he could do was just hold the baby for her.
When Carter had his jacket on, she reached for her own, which only took a few seconds to don.She snagged her scarf and wound it around her neck as Smokey opened the door.The SUV sat right outside the door, rear door open.Smokey reached inside and set the baby in his seat then backed out and went around so Tania could get in.
It took him a few moments to get Carter buckled in, and finally Tania had taken mercy on him, showing him how once again, then they were on the road.Twenty minutes after stepping into Raven’s office, Tiny pulled the SUV into the driveway at his parents' house.
Smokey stared at the house for a moment, wishing he knew how this would go.By the time Tania had Carter out of his seat and ready to go, he’d pulled himself together.
“You want to carry him or you want me to?”Smokey asked.
“I’ll take him, but I’d appreciate it if you’d bring his bag.”She waved at the bag he’d tucked into the floorboard in front of the baby’s seat.
“No problem.”
She opened the door and started to slide out.He met Chain’s gaze in the rearview.“I’d like to say you can stay in the truck, but it’s too cold for that shit.Come on in.Mom won’t mind, then you’re close enough to stop something, should something happen.”He didn’t wait for the others but got out, taking the bag with him and meeting Tania at the base of the stairs.Looking up at the traditional two-story house he’d grown up in and took a deep breath.When his exhaled breath fogged he was reminded yet again that this was too cold to keep the baby out and headed up the stairs.
Chapter Fourteen
Tania plastered herbest smile on her face and followed Smokey to the door.He knocked then, without waiting, pushed the door open and stepped in.She stood for a moment, shocked as he called out asking if anyone was home.When she realized he was holding the door open for her, she hurried inside, not wanting to let any more of the warm air out than she already had.
“We’re in the family room!”came Smokey’s mom’s voice from another room.
Smokey plucked Carter from her arms, unzipped his jacket and started tugging at one of the sleeves.Knowing firsthand how difficult it was to do alone, Tania took mercy on him, and helped tug the coat off their son.She hung the tiny coat on the rack next to the door, then shed her own coat and hung it up.With that done, she noticed Smokey had taken off his boots, so she did the same.
“Ready?”he asked her softly.
Tania took a deep breath and braced herself.She loved Smokey’s parents but this would be a lot and she didn’t know how they’d look at her once they found out she’d kept their grandson from them.
