Page 59 of Shattered Dreams

Okay. Maybe not like crazy people, maybe it’s more like how little kids act.

Richard

I found a parking space close to the back door and then I used my back to shelter Emma as I got her from her seat and jogged to the door. Once inside, I shook off, making her giggle. We went down the hall to the elevator and I let her press the buttons.

When it opened up, we stepped off and I could already hear the boys. Chuckling, I made my way to the room and went inside. The room my keycard opened had one king-size bed.

I set Emma down to explore and opened the door that connected to the adjacent room, knocking.

“Boys!” Jo’s voice came through the door and then, after a pop of a lock, it opened.

“Hey. gorgeous.” I winked. “You busy tonight?”

The boys jumped off the beds and ran over.

“We got two beds!”

“I see that.”

I stepped back and let them all into the room. Briar ran over and wrapped herself around my leg. I acted like it was hard to walk as I looked at Jo. “How do you want to do sleeping arrangements?”

“Is it bedtime?” Tyler deflated.

“Well, not yet, bud, but I like to know what plans are.”

Jo’s eyes surveyed the room, and she looked back at the other room, then brought her head back to look at me. “I think maybe I should take this one. I can share the big bed with the girls?”

“That works. Who am I bunkin’ with?”

“You have Grady. Him kicks.” Tyler nodded and looked at Harrison, who nodded back and gave a thumbs up.

Grady ran over and launched himself at me. Thank god for good reflexes. I caught him and swung him up to miss Briar.

“Easy little man.” I hugged him. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m hungry.”

Jo shrugged. “Let me change some butts and then we can get some food?”

“Can we have pizza?”

“We sure can.” I put Grady down. “C’mon boys, let’s go use the other bathroom to do our business and clean up for the ladies.”

“Okay, Dad.” Tyler walked into the other room, with Harrison and Grady following him.

When Jo turned to face me, I saw tears making their way down her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes.”

“Oh, Richie. You didn’t.” She walked over and threw her arms around me.

I held her close, rubbing her back. Briar shoved her way between us, screaming.

“Alright, little miss.” Jo pulled away and lifted her up. “You go get ready with the boys. Us girls will do our thing.”

I took two steps before I turned around and pulled them both to me. Jo looked up at me with a smile on her face, and I leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips. When I pulled away, she’s still got her eyes closed and Briar is clapping.

“Now I’ll go get ready.”

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