I cradle his face in my hands and look into those shining, sparkling moss-green eyes. He leans into my touch with a soft sound. “I don’t know what’s happening to me. I feel... happy. Like, actually happy.”
My heart’s close to bursting. Those three words that circle my mind nonstop when I look at him are on the tip of my tongue. I want to see this look on his face every chance I get. I want us to grow together and support each other. Be each other’s person. Maybe even one day... have kids. I’ve always thought I’d like to be a father someday, but the idea was always abstract; I can see it so clearly in my mind’s eye now. I can see him with a child in his arms, our child, laughter in his eyes.
“It’s scary,” he whispers, breaking through my thoughts. There’s a tremor in his voice as more tears fall. “Feeling like this. I know it won’t be every day, but I didn’t think I’d ever get to feel like this again.” When his eyes meet mine, I hate that the joy he held a moment ago is dimming. “I’m afraid to be this happy.”
There’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, knowing he’s struggling to accept good things happening. I wrap my arms around him and press my lips to his neck.
“You deserve to be happy,” I tell him, adoration pouring from me in waves. He rests his head against mine, and we stay like that for a while.
As I make us tea, Gabe sits at the kitchen table with his laptop and officially activates the Evergreen Books online store. I catch him holding his breath as he hits the publish button.
“Done. I can’t wait to tell the guys at breakfast,” he says softly.
I lean down to kiss his temple. “Proud of you.”
“Thank you. Run before we meet the others at Kindle’s?” he asks.
“Of course.”
“Okay, spill,” Ciarán demands, it’s a blanket request, apparently. Not even looking up from the muffin he’s cutting into four pieces, he hands one to Rose with a sweet curve of his lips, and I see the warm smile on Aiden’s face. Maybe that’s all those two need to get along, a toddler buffer.
Abbie perks up. “Well, I had a date.”
Ciarán mutters something about someone named Greg. Then narrows his eyes. “Alright, gimme the goods. Did you get laid,Abigail?” He covers his mouth as he whispers laid, making sure Rose doesn’t hear it, which makes me laugh.
She winks. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Ciarán groans dramatically. “Sweet baby Lucifer. What’s a guy gotta do for some details? You won’t give them, Gabe won’t give them. I still don’t know how big Noah is, and I keep askingand asking. Am I just meant to use my imagination?”
I choke on my tea, eyes going wide. Gabe pats my back while laughing. Holy shit, what do they talk about?
“Maybe you should stop being so nosy,” Aiden grunts as he glares at Ciarán.
“Nobody asked you,” Ciarán replies flatly. It’s a dismissal if ever I’ve heard one. He turns back to Rose, giving her smile. She’s currently making grabby hands for Gabe.
Gabe chuckles and leans down, letting her pat his cheek with chubby fingers.
“Gentle, sweetheart,” Gabe says softly.
Rose giggles and babbles at him, grabbing a lock of his hair. Gabe’s eyes glitter with affection, turning me into a puddle.
Theo leans toward Aiden. “I have that rose sketch done for you. Still thinking about a thigh piece, too?”
“Yeah, man,” Aiden replies, eyes shifting between Ciarán and Theo. “Balance out the sleeve. Different florals, maybe in the same style.”
“You sticking to black, or gonna get some color this time?” I ask.
He shakes his head, but before he can answer, Ciarán perks up. “I love a slutty little thigh tattoo. Oh! What if you got my name on your inner thigh while you’re at it.”
Aiden blows a weighted breath from his lungs. He looks like he’s had enough. “Excuse me?” he responds blankly.
Ciarán bites his lip, eyes dancing. “You heard me.”
Theo raises a brow at them, his face going red, holding back a laugh. “Well, isn’t that an idea.”
Aiden clears his throat and looks away, shaking his head.
Gabe murmurs to Rose, “What do you think? Should Papa get a tattoo of Ciarán’s name?”
