Peter nodded.“‘kay.Sorry.”
“Hear me when I talk.I know about colors.”She grabbed her brother and hugged him tight.
And that was it?Just that simple?It was good to be almost four.
“I was telling Tori that maybe we could put all the crayons in a big jar and share.”Ian came to sit next to him.“Thank you for the assist, Dad.”
“I didn’t know giving them their own things would cause World War three,” JP admitted.There was a lot about being a dad he didn’t know about.
“They have to learn how to have things to share.Tori was actually doing the right thing, and once I figured that out, she eased up.”Ian rolled his eyes.“You made it up the stairs.Wow.”
“I did.And I tell you what – let’s get that stair chair thing because I am dreading having to make my way downstairs.The adrenaline that got me up here is gone.”He hadn’t even been thinking when he’d come up, only that he’d needed to get up here because the kids were yelling.
“I have an installer coming.I talked to your manager, and he’s dealing with the team for the money.”Ian kissed his cheek.“You can come in the bedroom, use the en suite bathroom.”
“You organized all that?Thank you, Chou.”His manager was supposed to be getting him a settlement now that they’d gotten the news about his prognosis.But at the moment there was nothing coming in, just lots of promises.Sure, they had savings, but money needed to stretch for a long time now, so…
“Someone needs to get things done on that front, and they’re not being proactive.”Look at that frown.It was hot as hell, especially since it was working for him.
“You gonna make sure I’m taken care of, Chou?”
“Yes.”There was no doubt there.“Even if you and I never…got ourselves right again?I made promises to you.I have your back.”
He reached out and took Ian’s hand, squeezed it.“Thank you, Chou.”
“I love you.”Simple as that.
I love you.
God, he’d been needing to hear those words.He met Ian’s eyes.“Me, too, Chou.”
“Do you want to go stretch out in our bed?You haven’t seen the bedroom…”
It probably wasn’t a good idea but the thought of going down those stairs right now made him want to throw up, “I could just lie here, keep an eye on the kids.”He didn’t want to, though.He wanted to lie in their bed.He bet it smelled like Ian.
“There is no room for you in a toddler bed, love.Let me go grab your walker, and we’ll get you settled.It’s going to be better.”
“Yeah it is.”It already was, as long as he didn’t go clomping up the stairs at Mach ten, that was.“Thanks, Chou.”
“No problem.I’ll be right back.”
“Daddy!Bring a color can, please.”
“Sure, Tori.I’ve got it.You two watch your dad for me.”
Watch your Dad for me.Like he was going anywhere before Ian got back.
Petey stood near and stared at him.
“What’s the matter?”JP asked him when it persisted.
“Me’s watching you, Dad.Like Daddy said.”
Tori came over and sat next to her brother.“You don’t come upstairs.You are in Petey’s room.”
“I know I’m in Petey’s room.And I’m here because I could hear you guys arguing, and it was getting loud, so I wanted to help Daddy.”
“Helping issonice.”Tori nodded to him.“Good job on you.”
