While Ezzie was busy, Ten pulled out his toiletry case and set it in the bathroom. Next would come Ezra’s bathing suit and matching Spider-man swim shirt. Behind that was several dresses Everly had packed in Ezra’s suitcase.
“My Moo!”
Ten looked up in time to see Ezra place the cow on the bed to the left. He hoped Wolf wouldn’t mind taking the other one.
“Hey, there you guys are!” Ronan poked his head into the room. “I’ll take your suitcase to our room.”
“Great. I’ll get Ezra changed.” Ten dug back through the suitcase and sorted through several of Everly’s dresses before he found Ezra’s swim trunks. “Here, Ezzie.”
Ezra plonked himself down in Ten’s lap. “Why you sad?”
“You think I’m sad?” Ten asked. He was, but it surprised him that his three-year-old had noticed too. He hadn’t been moping around the house or crying when the kids could see or hear him. Maybe Ezra was picking up on something else.
“Me do!” Ezra shook his head.
“I’m still healing from-” nearly dying at the hands of a madwoman. “From when the bad lady tried to hurt me.”
“Me hep you.” Ezra wrapped his arms around Ten and hugged him tight. “Me no let anyone hurt you.”
Ten pressed a kiss to his son’s head. He remembered saying those exact words to Ezra the day he was born. Ten knew his son was going to inherit some of his own powers, but none had seemingly manifested, until now. “I’m thinking of a number in my head. Can you tell me what it is?” Ten opened his gift wide open and pushed out the number four.
“Owie. You loud, Dada!” Ezra set his hands over his ears.
“Did you hear the number?” Ten asked.
Ezzie nodded and held up four little fingers. “Four, Dada! We go beach!” He grabbed his bathing suit and ran into the bathroom. Seconds later, his little t-shirt flew into the room, followed by Ezra’s shorts and underwear.
“I’m gonna go change too. Wait for me, okay?” Ten said.
“Yup!”
Ten walked into the hallway just as Everly and Aurora discovered their room.
“It’s gorgeous,” both girls squealed.
Gathering up Everly’s dresses, he popped into the aqua room. “Daddy was right when he called you a pirate. Seems like you hid your booty just about everywhere.”
“Booty!” Aurora yelled and started to dance. Everly joined in.
Ten, feeling his load lighten slightly, joined in.
Everything felt different from the moment they’d crossed out of Massachusetts and into New Hampshire. It was as if Ten were coming back to life after a long hibernation. It was time to get his head out of his ass and enjoy his life and family again. Over the last several weeks he’d lived in fear. A fear so complete that he’d been practically paralyzed with it.
Ten was determined to stop living in fear. He was going to start living for himself and his family again.
3
Ronan
Being ten yards from the ocean had its advantages. Unfortunately, grocery shopping wasn’t one of them. Jude, Fitz, and Ronan had gone out for a grocery store run after everyone was settled in. It took forty-five minutes just to get to the main road. Cars were everywhere looking for beach parking spaces. He’d seen license plates from all six New England states, plus some from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. It was the latter two who’d been constantly honking their horns when traffic was at a standstill.
Nearly two hours later, Ronan stood on the back deck grilling burgers. Thankfully, Ten had packed enough snacks to keep the kids from cannibalizing each other. Cope and Jace were on the beach with the kids, while Fitz and Jude worked on a salad in the kitchen.
“Man, that smells good,” Ten said, taking a seat at the large glass table near Ronan.
“Sorry it took so long. I should have known the traffic would be insane. You were right, we should have shopped this morning before we left Salem.”
“Hold everything!” Ten held his arms up like he was riding a roller coaster. “After eight years together you’re finally admitting I’m right about something? Mark this day and time.”
