I might not have had guidance raising Hunter, but I’d never blame someone else’s kid for my own child’s actions. I trusted Hunter while knowing kids made mistakes.
Despite reassurances from Dylan, Hunter, and Eric, I couldn’t relax. I wouldn’t trust my child was fine until I could see him myself. Until I could hug the little troublemaker hard enough for him to complain about broken ribs.
The worry wasn’t only about Hunter’s arrival, though.
I was nervous because Eric was here.
He’d insisted on bringing me home from the hospital. When I suggested he stay with Caleb, he’d refused outright. Called Marc to stay overnight with Caleb, then attached himself to me.
He didn’t want me alone.
I was grateful for his presence, even though he was currently asleep in my bedroom—his big, beautiful body consuming the entire double mattress. But what would Hunter think?
I’d never had a man stay overnight. Even Dylan used hotels when visiting us in Toronto. Introducing my son to a new man this way seemed intense, especially when I had no idea what the future held for us.
How could I explain it to Hunter when I couldn’t explain it to myself?
But the moment I opened the door and saw my wonderful boy, anxiety evaporated.
Dylan struggled carrying a semiconscious Hunter from the car. At nine, he was too big for me to lift, but half-asleep in his father’s arms, he looked like my baby.
“How is he?” I grabbed the bags from Dylan.
“Heavy as hell.” Dylan grunted up the front steps. “He’s fine. Talked my ear off for an hour, then slept the rest.”
“Was he upset?”
“A little. More worried about Jackson than himself. But he was too busy explaining Minecraft to obsess over much else. Well…there was one other thing. He worked pretty hard winning me over to his cause.”
Dread settled in my stomach. “What cause?”
“I’m sorry.” He cringed. “I agreed to pay for it.”
“What did you do?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
“It’ll be good for him. He’s such a good kid, Jamie. He deserves a dog, don’t you think?”
At the magic word, Hunter perked up. “I’m getting a dog?” His smile was sweet and sleepy. My wonderful, troublemaking angel.
Dylan set Hunter on his feet, gazing down with love in his eyes. “Is that really the first thing you want to say to your mom after a whole week apart?”
“No.” Hunter launched into me, wrapping his arms around my neck and burrowing into my shoulder. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you back, you little hoodlum.”
Holding my child, I watched Dylan’s tired smile. He’d made real effort tonight. Hell, he’d used my actual name instead of calling me princess. That progress alone made me optimistic about his promises to be there for his son.
“I hope you know…if I agree to this dog, it goes wherever Hunter goes. Including visits with you.”
“So I really can get a dog?” Hunter squealed.
“We’ll talk in the morning. You need sleep—you’re falling over. Come on, I made you a place.”
When Dylan said goodnight, Hunter surprised us both with a giant hug, thanking him for the rescue. For two people who barely knew each other, they seemed to be building something meaningful.
I only hoped it would last.
Tucking Hunter into bed reminded me of when he was small, before he’d declared himself too old for tuck-ins. Now he closed his eyes and accepted my goodnight kiss with a huge smile.
