Liane wandered to him, and the minute she got close, she wasin his arms.
Hellen was holding Haley.
Archie sniffled into his chest.
“Welcome to the family, Jagger,” Andy remarkedsarcastically.
Before Jag could say something to try to defuse thesituation, Archie’s phone rang in his hand.
Andy looked to it and declined the call.
That hurt to witness, and it probably killed Andy to do it.
But Elijah would have to be fucked right the hell up if hedidn’t feel the worst of that.
Not there, by his choice.Blocked out, by his actions.
Knowing he caused pain and unable to do anything about it.
Also on him.
Which would be gutting.
At least it would be to Jagger.
Jag decided not to reply to Andy’s remark.He just heldArchie with one arm and caught her around the back of the neck with his otherhand, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
“One thing I know right now, I need a flipping cupcake,”Hellen declared.
Haley cry-laughed, so did Liane, and Archie turned her head,pressing her cheek to Jagger’s chest, but she didn’t let him go as she said, “Ido too.”
“I’m eating three of those babies,” Andy announced.
“I’m so, so glad I doubled the recipe,” Haley stated.
“I’m so, so glad youalwaysdouble the recipe,Mom,” Liane said.
“Well, I have to send my girls home with cupcakes.”Her gazefell on Archie and she concluded tentatively.“Allmy girls.”
Archie lurched in his arms and shoved her face in his chestagain.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t—” Haley began quickly.
“You should.”Archie’s voice came muffled, but no one missedit.
He knew this when Haley whimpered.
So did Liane.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Hellen said, holding tight to hermother even as she shuffled her mom in the direction of a box of tissue.“It’sgood Jagger and me are badass or this would be totally pathetic rather thanjust mostly pathetic.And just to note, I’m epically disappointed that Archie’sturned to the dark side and become a crier.This is completely messing with myplans to have a girls’ night viewing ofThe Fault in Our Stars.”
He felt Archie’s body start shaking with laughter in hisarms and he could have kissed Hellen for it.
“What?I’m not badass?”Andy asked.
“It’s impossible for Dad Units to be badass,” Hellenreturned.
“She better not say that around Hound,” Jag whispered inArchie’s ear, and her shaking got worse.
