Page 54 of Smitten with the Single Dad

Until Griffon said, “Ewww,” very loudly.

Wyatt released her neck and stepped back, still smiling. He took her hand again. “You okay?”

Swallowing, she blinked and nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

“Now what?” Griffon asked.

“Now, we sign the papers so it’s official,” Wyatt said, following the judge over to the table where they would sign the marriage certificate. He still hadn’t released Vica’s hand, and she was grateful for it. Her head was a little spinny after that kiss.

They signed the papers and thanked the judge. Then, with each of them holding one of the boys’ hands, they left the courthouse.

“Do you mind if we make a quick stop?” Wyatt asked as they climbed back into his truck.

“Not at all.”

“Are we getting pizza?” Griffon asked as he heaved himself into his booster seat.

“Not yet,” Wyatt said. He’d promised the boys pizza after the ceremony and Griffon wasn’t about to let him forget it. “I actually want to pop to the nursing home and check on Grandpa.”

“That’s a good idea,” Jake said. “It’s been a while.”

Wyatt’s face grew tight as he slid behind the steering wheel. “I’m not sure it’s such a good idea for you guys to come in though. You know how confused Grandpa can get.”

“Won’t he be confused if we’renotthere?” Griffon protested.

Wyatt double-checked that everyone was buckled in, then pulled out of the parking garage stall. “How about I check to see how he is today. Then, if he’s in good spirits and his memory isn’t too bad, I come get you guys? Does that sound fair?”

“I feel like if we see Grandpa more, he’ll remember us more,” Griffon said.

“Alzheimer’s doesn’t work that way, bud.”

Vica’s mouth dipped into a frown. “How long has your father been in the home?”

Wyatt turned left onto the road. “Seven years now, I think. It’s hard because he doesn’t know that Mom has passed, or any of our wives. So he still talks about them like they’re here. Or, he goes even further back in time and thinks we’re his old army buddies, or a brother, or something. It’s best to just run with whatever narrative he has for the day than try to convince him otherwise. That just upsets him.”

Vica nodded. “Okay. If he’s not well, I’m happy to sit with the boys or takethem somewhere for an hour so you can visit your dad.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand, which simply caused those butterflies to throw rice in the air and for the wedding march to play in her head. “Thank you.”

They reached the nursing home after about fifteen minutes and Wyatt managed to find a parking space in the shade.

“You guys stay here, and I’ll text Vica if I think it’s a good idea for you to come in.” Wyatt climbed out of the cab of the truck, flashing Vica one more of those smiles that made her pulse race.

“I wish we could just go see grandpa without Dad having to check if his brain is working right,” Griffon said with a huff as he crossed his arms and pouted.

Vica spun around better in her seat. “Your dad is just looking out for your hearts. People with Alzheimer’s can get irritated very easily and he does not want you guys to get scared or upset. I think he is being a very good dad protecting you this way.”

Griffon met her gaze. “Are you glad you married our dad?”

“I am grateful for the friendship and kindness your father—your whole family—has shown me. I do not know where I would be right now without it.”

“Jail, probably,” Griffon said.

Jake shoved his brother in the shoulder. “Don’t say that stuff.”

Griffon’s reaction was one of surprise. “Well, it’s true. Isn’t it? The police came for Vica. And she did kill that guy.” His eyes went serious. “Youdidactually kill him, right?”

How much could she say to these little boys? Wyatt seemed to have a very open and honest way of parenting them, but still, she didn’t want to overstep.

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