“We love you!”
“Can you come to family day?”
“Can you tuck me in tonight?”
“No, me!”
“No! Me!”
“Hey, hey. The answer is yes to all of it, but calm down, guys. One thing at a time.”
He gave Jayden a wink, and Jayden nodded and took a big, deep breath. Jaxson watched his brother and then did the same. He loved how excited they were though; he knew how much that would mean to Connor.
“Oh, very good, Jayden. Thank you.” Connor ruffled Jayden’s hair. “So. I am coming to family day, and I will tuck you each in tonight. I promise.”
“Dad is home—like home-home, for good. The moving truck is coming tomorrow.” He leaned back, soaking in the sight of his family right here where they belonged.
“Mamaw is making breakfast. You have to come sit next to me.” Jayden slid off the bed.
“And me. Come on, Dad.”
Connor scootched toward the edge of the bed and scooped Jaxson up. “Okay. I can do that. I will be downstairs in two minutes.”
“Cool. Mamaw says there’s coffee and French toast and bacon, so yay.”
“Rock on. I’ll go down and help.” He kissed Connor’s cheek. “Good morning, darlin’.”
“Don’t you go anywhere yet.” Connor caught him and gave him a real kiss, one that had the boys making disgusted noises as they left the room. “Good morning.”
“Mmm…good morning.” Connor was home. Really home. “I slept so good last night.”
“Like a rock. Although, we got in so late that I’m going to need coffee to keep up with the boys today. Stat.” Connor’s smile wasn’t tired though; it was keeping up just fine.
“I have no doubt there’s coffee waiting for us. None at all.” In fact, he could smell it, the bitter richness floating up the stairs.
“Just going to brush my teeth.” Connor got to his feet. “I still love our bed. Ooh…and I still love, love, love this bathroom.”
“And we have a secret room. A dressing room. A swimming pool.”
“We are so spoiled.” They freshened up at their side-by-side sinks, grinning and being goofy with each other in the bathroom mirror. Connor took his hand as they went downstairs, holding on a little tighter than usual. “Mm. I smell the coffee.”
“You do. And French toast and bacon.” Momma smiled at them. “The boys are out in the pool already. They ate.”
“So much for wanting to sit next to me.” Connor rolled his eyes, but kissed Momma on the cheek before pulling mugs down. “Thanks for cooking. And for coffee. What time does this family day thing start?”
“One p.m. at the park. Bring sunscreen. You’re in charge of juice boxes and cut up fruit for fifty.”
Connor’s eyes went wide, and he looked between him and Momma. “Wait. Did you say forfifty?”
“Yep.” She dished up their breakfast. “I’m heading home, boys. I’ll be there later!”
Connor just gave a half-hearted wave as Momma practically ran out the door, then sat with his French toast. “Well shit. We better go shopping. Did you know about this?”
“I figured we’d have to buy something. We’ll stop at City Market. No big.”
“Cut-up fruit for fifty is kind of abig, honey.” He got a grin. “Juice boxes are heavy too. I can’t wait to watch you carry them.”
“We’ll take the truck and the big wagon. It’ll be perfect. I will call the grocery store though and warn them.” Ten of the big packs ought to work, right? Right.