Page 38 of Tav

“You have so many nose hairs,” Elio whispers, staring up at Rider, his head tipped right back.

Cove tips her head to look at him for a moment. “You look like Shrek. But when he’s a man.”

Jovie also looks up and then nods in agreement. Tipping my head, I can kind of see it. Square jaw, longish hair.

Rider splutters, “The ogre?”

“Yeah! He lives in a swamp!” Cove says, clapping her hands.

Rider gapes at them, their smiling faces looking up at him like he’s the best ogre they’ve ever seen. My snorting has him glaring at me.

“Let me get up and I’ll get you lot some breakfast. Shrek, do you mind walking them out to the common room while I get sorted?”

Rider squints at me before ushering the kids out of the room while I laugh. I wait for the last of them to leave before throwing the covers off, sitting on the side of the bed, scrubbing my hands up and down my face, trying to remove the perma-smile on my face from last night. I’ve waited months for Pixie to get on the same page, and I think we are there. She’s accepted that she’s my Ol Lady and I’m her Ol Man. but that’s just the beginning. I want it all.

I go to my chest of drawers, pull out some jeans and a tee, throw them on, and then add my cut over the top. I’m working from the clubhouse until I know that the threat to Blanche and the kids has been neutralized. I pick up the few things lying around, put them in my hamper, tidy, and make the bed, and then make my way out. Hopefully, the kids are still giving Rider shit.

Walking into the common room I see all three kids are sitting at the table, however, they are leaning so far over it while they talk to Rider sitting on the other side, that they are pretty much on top of the table. Judging by the excitement on their faces, and the scowl on his, I guess they’re still trying to convince him of this Shrekness.

Looking around the room I find Sage sitting with Switch deep in conversation, Niko sitting quietly next to her on the couch.

“You know, a month ago I would never have imagined that we would have one kid here, let alone this many,” Wire says, coming to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me.

The three younger kids have ditched Rider and started a conversation with Fox and Nitro. This continues for a beat before they all turn their heads creepily slow to look in Rider’s direction.

“Um, why are you looking at me?” He points to his chest and then runs his hand through his loose hair.

The kids, Fox and Nitro all look at each other and burst into laughter.

“Hedoeslook like man-Shrek!” Fox laughs, pointing at Rider, who looks none too impressed.

Standing in a huff, he stomps past the kids and their continued laughter until he’s standing toe to toe with me and Wire.

“Sort your kids out. Words hurt you know!” he hisses and then heads down the hall to sulk.

“Come on kids, let’s get you fed, yeah? Your mom will be back once she’s finished doing important stuff with Remy and Chewy.” I swivel to look in Sage and Niko’s direction, tipping my head to the kitchen to indicate breakfast, the big kids both giving me thumbs up. Taking that as a sign that they’ll be up soon, I usher the Littles to the countertop where Mama Debs is serving, Wire following with Jovie in his arms.

That’s their morning routine. Wire has breakfast with his little girl every morning. Watching them gives me a warm feeling in my chest as I join them.

“Hello my littlepepi, what are you all in the mood for this fine morning?” Mama Debs coos as she leans over the bench, looking at Cove and Elio, Wire already carrying Jovie’s pancakes to her place at the table.

“You say funny words, Mama Debs,” Cove giggles.

“Ae, that’s because I’m from very far away and we say different words sometimes.Pepimeans babies,” Debs replies with a soft smile.

The kids coo over her food and all decide to have whatever Jovie is having. Ushering them back to the table, Cove sits next to me with Elio on the other side.

“Little people,” Chewy greets as she and my Pixie walk into the dining room.

Usually she would say “little person,” in greeting to Jovie, but seeing as there’s more of them, she’s adjusted her wording. My sister may be all in with Rhodie, but I don’t think she will ever go down the route with a dog and 2.5 kids. She doesn’t dislike children, she just doesn’t like them enough to be adding to the population anytime soon.

Pixie drops a kiss to the kids’ heads, then mine as she walks down the line before heading to grab breakfast for herself. The older kids are down the other end of the table with the prospects.

“Niko looks better today,” I mention to Pixie as she sits down next to me.

“Hmm, I think he’s feeling a little too good. He’s been grilling Takoda and Jimmy about prospecting,” she grumbles before shoving a bite of pancake in her mouth, closing her eyes and groaning. “Holy shit, these are divine,” she whispers almost to herself.

She takes another bite and I have to adjust myself under the table because those moans are hitting me square in the dick.

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