“A night off for Momma! He’s a keeper. If he really doesn’t mind hauling ours around tonight, we’ll happily take yours tomorrow night. Send bathing suits.”
“Oh, absolutely. Mike got some pool toys to donate to the “exhausting our sons” camp.” Lauren winked at him. “Early has been a lifesaver, and the twins are over the moon to have friends.”
Connor glanced at Early affectionately. “He is a lifesaver. And I’m sure our boys feel the same way about friends, being new around here.”
“Oh, they’re both a hoot. They’re going to be favorites once school starts, no doubt.” Lauren chuckled. “Such cuties.”
“Thank you. We’ll see. They can be a handful, especially Jax. I guess you have our number? When should we bring the boys by?”
“I’ll just keep them, rather than make you two drive out to the ranch and back into town. I know I have at least three outfits apiece of theirs at the house.”
When had his boys who needed their special blankets and pillows become boys that had changes of clothes at other people’s homes? “Yeah? Great, okay.” He leaned closer to Lauren. “I have to say, I’m looking forward to a night to ourselves.”
“After a whole week together alone? What were you two doing?”
“Packing. Boxes. Packing so many boxes. It was stressful, you know? I need some time in the hot tub.” He grinned and stood up again, giving Early another quick look. “It’s just good to be home.”
“Oh, I bet. We’ll have to have a cookout soon and invite you all. We’d love to introduce you around.”
“That sounds nice. Early loves a cookout, don’t you, honey?” They’d been babbling all this time, and Early had just been standing there with this sweet smile on his face, listening.
“I do. Man burn meat.” Early winked at her, then waggled his eyebrows. “Just tell us when and where.”
“And what we can bring.”
Lauren nodded. “We’ll plan it. It was great meeting you, Connor. We’ll see you both tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Lauren. Go get off your feet.” Connor gave her a wave as she waddled off. “Sounds like we have bonus twins.”
“We do. The boys love them to death. They’re good, solid kiddos.”
“So…who else do I need to meet before we escape?”
“I think we just need to go tell the boys we’ll see them tomorrow. That ought to fill you up on meeting new folks.” Early’s wink was playful as hell.
“I do better one on one.” Early was so proud to introduce him to people, he loved that about his man. It was probably nice to finally have another half here like nearly everyone else. He bumped hips with Early and looked around for their boys.
“Mike is six-six, bald, hard to miss. Our boys will be there.”
Sure enough, there was a man whose bald head moved through the crowd, and the four boys followed along behind.
“Little ducklings.” He chuckled and made his way over, working his way through people. Mike looked taller and taller the closer they got. “Hey, there. You’re Mike?”
“I am! You’re Connor. Pleased.” Mike shook hands with him. “Lauren says we’re having our little shared custody weekend again.”
“Seems so. Your boys are adorable. They look just like you, just…a lot shorter.”
“Less bald for sure.” Mike gave him a big grin.
“They say baldness is a sign of virility,” Early shot over, and Mike laughed, the sound loud and long.
“I mean, by the looks of your wife…” Connor winked at Mike.
“She’s going to have baby, Dad.”
Connor schooled his features and smiled at Jaxson, but it wasn’t easy. “I know. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Yeah, I guess. Are you going to adopt more kids, Dad? I mean, the house is big.”