Page 179 of His Boys to Protect

Somehow, Skylar heard a thousand words in that tiny sound. Love. Happiness. Home. But, more than anything, he heard the three little words that really mattered.

Skylar closed his eyes and had the best night's sleep of his life.

Chapter 62

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WARD

WARD WOKE to the feeling of a small, warm body against his. He grinned and opened his eyes. Somehow, Skylar was in the middle of the bed now, with Charlie on the outside. Charlie lay quietly, spooned up behind Skylar, one arm reaching across to touch Ward.

“Hey, little mouse,” Ward whispered.

Charlie scrunched up his face in a grin.

“You been up already?”

Charlie rolled his eyes as though it should be obvious. Ward chuckled quietly and glanced at the clock. Sure enough, it was long after Charlie's wake-up time. Charlie sat up, sticking close to Skylar, and signed,Coffee. Breakfast. Come back. Wait. You need more sleep. Here late!

“I'm sorry, buddy,” Ward whispered, reaching across Skylar to brush his fingers down Charlie's cheek.

No sorry! No sorry!Charlie signed, grinning at him.Our Sky home! You home! Happy! Happy!

Ward grinned back. “I'm glad you're happy, sweet boy.”

You happy?

“Very,” Ward murmured. He stretched up and leaned across Skylar to give Charlie a kiss. “So very happy.”

Charlie grinned, then pulled back and looked down.Our Sky! Our Sky!He paused, tilting his head as he watched Skylar sleep.Beard?

“Yeah,” Ward whispered, then paused studying Charlie's face. “What do you think of it?”

Charlie rolled his head and frowned, looking deep in thought. Finally, he signed,You like?

Ward nodded. “But more importantly, he likes it,” he explained. “He said it helps him feel more like a man.”

Charlie perked up.I like! Our Sky happy? I like!

Ward couldn't help grinning at that.

“Oh fuck,” Skylar gasped. “If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up.”

Ward looked down. Skylar had his eyes squeezed shut, his hands tightly clutching the edge of the pillow. Ward and Charlie both moved in closer, surrounding him. “You're not dreaming, sweetheart. We're home. Well, close enough, anyway.”

Skylar opened his eyes just as Charlie began to sign,New house! We choose. Together always!Charlie had barely gotten halfway through that when tears began to show on Skylar's eyelashes.

“Always?” Skylar asked in a whisper.

“Always,” Ward promised. He gave the boys each a kiss in turn. “I can't wait to marry you.”

Charlie bounced with excitement, and Skylar grinned while more tears fell from his eyes.Breakfast first!Charlie signed.

Skylar laughed. “You're right. Breakfast first.”

And coffee!Charlie added.I make!He got up, pulled on his shoes, and flew out the door.

Skylar's laughter slowly faded. “Are you sure you're up for this? I mean, a lifetime of this?”

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