Page 65 of My Demon Manny

Lux had also spent much of the evening toy shopping, and judging by the bags, he'd bought everything Gunner had remotely shown interest in.

I'd worry about Lux spoiling the little guy, but I knew he wouldn't do that. Out of the two of us, I suspected he'd read far more books about raising kids, and I was sure he knew what he was doing, even if he got carried away sometimes.

After we'd finished eating and the movie ended, the two of us put Gunner to bed together, making up voices as we read him a story. His sweet giggles were like music to my ears, especially when he started shouting "Dada!" every time either of us paused. I had a feeling he knew exactly how powerful that word was, and he wasn't afraid of using his newfound powers.

He fell asleep halfway through the second reading of the story, and I leaned forward to press a kiss to his forehead before putting the book away while Lux did the same. He turned on the baby monitor, then walked over to me, linking my fingers with his, his claw tips pressing against the back of my hand, as we both watched Gunner sleep for a moment. He looked peaceful, his little hands curled partway, his lips still working slowly on the pacifier in his mouth.

"Come on, let's go to bed, or we'll be standing here till the sun rises," I said, and Lux snorted.

"Yeah, you're right."

In our room, we undressed quickly before sliding into bed, Lux's huge arms wrapping around me the moment we were both horizontal. Since our conversation a few weeks ago, he'd started staying in his true form whenever it was safe, and I loved it. We'd had to make some adjustments to the house, including adding tinted glass to the windows, but that was easy to do when all you needed was an all-powerful demon.

I didn't think either of us were in the mood for sex tonight, because all I could think about was Gunner, and I suspected it was the same for Lux. So we just held each other, and that was more than enough. We didn't need to have sex to show each other our love, and that had been true since the moment we got together.

"Archer, there was something I wanted to talk to you about," Lux said, his chest rumbling under my cheek as he spoke. I pulled back a little so I could meet his eyes, and waited for him to continue. "You and Gunner make me so happy, and I feel like I should be sharing some of that happiness, and I found this place that accepts volunteers. It's a community center where people can come for help with everything from job interviews to daycare to getting a hot meal and a lot of other things."

"Lux, you don't need my permission if you want to volunteer. You know that, right?"

Smiling, Lux reached up and ran the backs of his claws down my cheek. "I know. But Gunner would be with me too. I'm not asking for permission for myself. And I'll keep him safe."

"I know you will. If doing this will make you happy, you should go for it. And we can figure out a system so on the days I don't have any meetings outside the office, I can keep Gunner with me, while you can take him with you on the other days."

Lux's eyes lit up, and he squeezed me so tightly I was afraid he was going to break something. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Laughing, I pressed a kiss to his chin, hugging him back and then patting it when he kept squeezing me.

"Lux, need to...breathe!"

"Shit, sorry!" Lux jerked back, giving me a guilty look as he put some distance between us. In moments like this, he seemed to always revert to believing I'd finally start disliking his true form, and I crawled on top of him before those thoughts could take hold in his mind.

"I'm okay, my sweet demon. You can squeeze the life out of me anytime you want," I teased, placing a palm on his chest, right over his beating heart. "I love being wrapped up in your big arms."

Lux squinted up at me, as if he didn't believe me, and I leaned down to kiss the tip of his nose, chuckling when he got all cross-eyed trying to look at me. Fuck, I loved him so much.

I was excited for the rest of our lives, excited to wake up each day wrapped up in his big, pale arms, excited to reach every new milestone of Gunner's growth with him by my side.

"I love you, Lux," I murmured as I rested my head on his chest, sighing happily when he wrapped his arms around me once more.

"I love you too, my mate." Lux's rumbling voice traveled straight from his chest to mine, as if he'd spoken the words right into my heart, and I smiled into his skin as I closed my eyes, sleep tugging at me from the way beyond.

I dreamed of happy days, of cheerful giggles and warm hugs, and when I woke up the next morning, Lux's arms were still around me, and my lips were curved up in a sleepy smile.

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