I ruffle his hair. “I missed you too, bud.”
When I look up, I see Jess walking toward us with River. He’s practically hiding behind her leg, and it damn near guts me.
I know I’m not the friendliest looking guy. In my line of work, I can’t be. But I never wanted my kids to be afraid of me.
“Hey, buddy,” I say gently, setting my plate on the table.
Myles leans in and whispers, “He’s scared.”
I rub his back and reach a hand toward River. He hesitates, glancing up at his mom.
I’d take offense if I didn’t know better. River’s always been like this. If he doesn’t see someone for more than a couple of days, he doesn’t forget them exactly, he just resets. Like he has to relearn you all over again.
He does it with my dad, my mom, and apparently… me.
Eventually, River shuffles forward and leans against my knee.
“Where’d you go?” he asks hesitantly.
“I had to go away for work, buddy.”
Myles buries his face into my chest. “You’re always working.”
I look up at Jess. She’s watching me with a soft, sad expression. I look back at the boys, suddenly unsure of what the right answer is.
Jess crouches down in front of me and rests her hands on their backs. “Your dad protects people, you know.”
“Like Spider Man?” River asks, eyes lighting up.
I laugh. “Well, more like I’m in charge of a team that-”
“Like Iron Man,” River cuts in loudly.
Myles scoffs. “No, silly. Like Captain America. He’s the leader.”
“No way,” River argues, his little face scrunched up. “Iron Man’s the leader.”
Before they can start a full breakdown of the Avengers hierarchy, Jess cuts in.
“There’s a snowstorm coming,” she says. “I was thinking we should head to the store and stock up.”
I nod. “I need to fill the generators anyway.”
She looks at me. “Family shopping trip?”
“YES,” River and Myles shout together.
“And we can get candy,” Myles adds quickly.
I laugh. “We’ll see.”
Together, we head inside while Jess starts locking up. One great thing about winter is that you can throw a jacket on over whatever you’re wearing and call it presentable.
I help the kids into their coats and boots while Bell and Ty sit nearby, watching us with wounded expressions like they already know what’s coming.
I’d love to take them with us, but people have a weird hangup about pit bulls. Besides, it’s way too cold for them anyway.
I crouch down and give them both a good scratch behind the ears. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
