“Yeah, I do,” Brenden said as he turned into the driveway. The door opened, and Nicholas came running out with Poppin beside him. This was his life now—a man who loved him, a kid and one on the way, with a dog even. There wasn’t a white picket fence, but it was perfect for him, and that was all that mattered.
** ** ** ** **
A few weeks later they were sitting in the living room watching another one of those kung fu movies that Stephen couldn’t get enough of. Brenden certainly loved the domesticated feeling, but the movies he could do without. It was something he’d never felt with Kathie. Nicholas was already in bed or at least pretending to be asleep. Poppin was curled up at the bottom of the couch, and he had the man he loved in his arms. They’d spent the day with Nicholas; taking him to the park or wherever else he wanted to go. Brenden had felt guilty for not being able to spend a lot of time with both Stephen and Nicholas since he had to travel to Virginia to follow a lead on his new case.
After speaking with Stephen, they decided not to send Nicholas to school, and they all played hooky for the day. He pulled Stephen closer and kissed him on the crown of his head. He hated the movies but anytime he got to spend with Stephen in his arms was bliss on earth. Other than making love to Stephen, being a father was becoming his new favorite thing. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Except for the part where Paige showed up out of the blue. They were at the park, and he was watching Stephen and Nicholas feed the ducks. He was chuckling at watching Nicholas chase one of the baby ducks when someone sat down beside him.
The last time he saw her was the night she showed up to his house the night he found out that Stephen was pregnant. He’d put her out of his mind and focused on his new family and trying to make things work between him and Stephen. He pulled out his phone and was snapping pictures of his son and lover. Capturing their smiles and laughter.
“Do you know them?”
Brenden looked to his right, for a second he didn’t notice her. She looked different. Her eyes bloodshot red and puffy, as if she was crying or lack of sleep. Her blond hair looked as if she hadn’t washed it in days.
“Paige, are you okay?” he asked her in concern.
She smiled and brushed a stray hair from her face. “Yeah, just haven’t slept in a while, that’s all.”
That answered his questions. He studied her for a few seconds and wondered if something else was up with her. They weren’t together anymore, but that still didn’t mean he couldn’t be concerned for her.
“You didn’t answer my question, Brenden.”
He’d forgotten the question as he looked away from her and back to Stephen and Nicholas, who were walking down to the garden. Nicholas was picking a few of the flowers.
“What was the question again?” he asked looking back at her.
“Do you know them?”
“Them who?” He wasn’t trying to evade the question. The park was filled with other people, and kids whose parents were watching them play.
“The silver-haired guy and the kid,” she said, pointing in Stephen and Nicholas’ direction.
He wouldn’t deny his family and saw no reason in not answering her question. “Yeah,” he told her with a dreamy smile on his face. He was happy and in love. He hadn’t felt that way before.
“The boy looks like you, and I guess the guy is the reason you couldn’t…”
She didn’t finish her statement, and Brenden looked back at her. There was something seriously off with her. That same feeling he had in his gut whenever he worked a case and he was close to finding the unsub, was nagging him something fierce. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again.
She didn’t answer him right away, just continued staring at him. Paige closed her eyes before getting up. “I will be,” she answered and walked away. He hoped that Paige would find her happiness with someone who loved her as much as he loved Stephen.
“Hey,” Stephen said getting his attention. He looked at his lover. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I am,” he answered with a smile. “Are you ready for bed?”
“No,” Stephen answered. “I want to finish this first,” he said looking back at the television screen.
“Okay,” Brenden whispered and slouched down in the sofa.”
“Are you ready for bed? Or do you have other things on your mind?” he asked with a smile.
“I always have that on my mind.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Specifically, when you’re around.”
Stephen reached over picking up the remote and paused his movie. “All you had to do was ask.” He sat up and straddled Brenden’s legs.
Brenden put his hand on Stephen’s hips and chuckled when he felt the sharp kick on his stomach from their child. He missed the first time his daughter kicked. But when he’d finally felt it, he couldn’t describe the emotions he felt. He felt it again and placed a gentle hand on Stephen’s belly. “Hey, Daddy’s little princess.”
Stephen sighed. “She’s not even born yet, and she has you wrapped around her little finger.”
“That’s right,” Brenden said unashamedly.
