“Glad to hear it. Where’s Beck?” He glanced at the empty bed.
“His turn to work out. Once he’s done and cleaned up, we’ll be heading to the hospital. He’s got rounds and patients. I’m going to get in some volunteer hours. You heading to the office today?”
“Long enough to catch up with River. Then I’ve got to get Hudson enrolled in school somewhere.”
Heavenly squeezed his hand. “You’ll make the right decision. I think he really needs you.”
Despite how sudden incorporating Hudson into their life felt, Seth was of the same mind.
He dressed and trekked downstairs to make coffee. Heavenly followed a few minutes later, looking absolutely fresh in pale pink scrubs with her long hair in a fat braid that brushed her spine. She’d made a breakfast casserole that filled the kitchen with the savory scents of eggs, cheese, and bacon.
“You’re an angel.” Seth sidled up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle as she poured herself a cup of java.
“Just taking care of my boys.” She leaned back against him. “All three of you now.”
After heavy footsteps, Hudson appeared at the top of the stairs, hair damp, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “Smells good.”
“Help yourself,” Heavenly said, gesturing to the casserole. “There’s plenty.”
Seth laughed. “That’s the wrong thing to say to a teenage boy. They’re like human garbage disposals.”
“Hey, still growing here!” Hudson objected.
“So you don’t eat everything in sight?” Seth raised a brow.
That made Hudson laugh. “Okay, maybe I do.”
As they shared a chuckle, a sweaty Beck thundered up the stairs from his own workout, grabbed coffee, and kissed Heavenly breathless.
“Morning, little girl,” he said against her lips. “Seth. Hudson.” He nodded to them both. “I need a shower and a few bites, then we’re out of here.”
“Morning, doctor.” She gave him a saucy wink. “Ready when you are.”
He gave her ass a playful smack before he headed up for a shower.
Hudson’s stare followed all the action. “Him touching her doesn’t bother you at all?”
Seth shook his head. “It used to. But now…this works for us. For a lot of reasons. We know our relationship isn’t typical and that some people will never get it, but that’s on them.”
“Sure.” But Hudson’s voice said he didn’t understand, either.
Like a lot of things, it would take time.
Fifteen minutes later, Beck and Heavenly headed to the garage with a wave, leaving Seth and Hudson to tackle the dishes. The kid pitched in without being asked. Seth approved.
After they finished, he pulled out his phone. “Ready to call your Grandma Grace?”
Hudson dried his hands on a dish towel, his nervousness evident. “I guess. What should I call her? Hopefully not grammy. That was my mom’s mom.”
Good question. Danny was waiting for Anna to get verbal and see what she called his mom, but with Hudson here the question wasn’t going to wait. “We’ll ask her.”
Seth’s palms were sweating when he hit the FaceTime button. He wished he could tell his mother that she had a teenage grandson in person, but he couldn’t wait to break the news until his next trip back East. Mom deserved to know now. He hoped she took it well. No question she’d accept Hudson. But Seth wasn’t holding his breath that she’d be all smiles once she did the math.
His mother’s face filled the screen, her smile bright and immediate. “Seth! This is a nice surprise. How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay, Mom. You good?”
“I am. It’s quiet here now. Carl’s at work, and I was just cleaning up the kitchen and making a grocery list.” She frowned. “You look serious. What’s going on? Please tell me you’re not calling to say you can’t come to the wedding.”
