Page 35 of My Demon Manny

I ran over everything I'd read in my mind, then picked Gunner up and took him to the bathroom. Filling the large sink with warm water, I tested the temperature, then removed Gunner's clothes and laid him into the sink. We'd long since turned this sink into Gunner's private bathtub due to its perfect size, and I grinned when Gunner started splashing around.

I let him soak for a while, using my magic to keep the water temperature regulated, and played with him, loving the way he giggled when I splashed him. I had to admit, the affection I'd felt for Gunner when I first started taking care of him had grown by leaps and bounds in the short weeks since.

Before he'd been a precious little job, but now he was a huge part of my world. I couldn't imagine my life without Archer or Gunner. They were both now essential to my happiness.

I wasn't sure if Archer had been serious when he'd called me Gunner's parent, but I knew that I would like to be. I wanted to be by Archer's side and take care of Gunner until he didn't need me to anymore. I wanted to help raise him into a strong, independent person, someone kind and not afraid to follow their heart.

Before Gunner started pruning, I pulled him out of the water, wrapping him in a thick towel and carrying him to the nursery after cleaning up the bathroom with a snap of my fingers.

Dressing him in a fresh diaper and clean clothes, I carried him to the living room, then settled on the couch with one of his favorite books. It was one of those interactive things that played different music and had LED lights in it, and Gunner loved it when I flipped through it slowly, giving him time to enjoy all the lights and music.

When Gunner fell asleep halfway through the flip through, I held him to me, humming softly as I rocked him in my arms, half my focus on his temperature. I knew it wouldn't go down instantly, but I wanted to know if it started going up too.

Archer

Lux hadn't called me again, so I'd assumed Gunner was doing better.

As I drove home, I wondered at how much my faith in Lux had grown since I discovered what he was. I called in to check on Gunner less often these days—though Lux always made sure to video call at lunchtime so we could all have lunch together—and I was never worried about Gunner's safety. I knew how strong Lux was, and I knew he'd keep Gunner safe.

There was also the fact that my feelings for Lux had grown a lot stronger in the last couple of weeks. We'd had a few more dates—one for which Jerry and Kat babysat again—and I knew Lux much better now, in every possible way.

Lux was this beautiful mix of strong and shy, competent and utterly flustered, sweet and ridiculously dirty, and I adored it. I adoredhim.

If it was anyone else, I'd be worried about going too fast, especially when I had Gunner to think about. But it was different with Lux. Our connection was something bigger than us, something magical.

I didn't believe in God, but I'd be crazy if I didn't believe in the bond we shared, not after all the proof I'd seen.

It wasn't just about how quickly my feelings for Lux had grown. No, it was the instinctual trust that had been there between us from the get-go, and the way Gunner had acceptedLux so completely. It was like Lux was designed to fit perfectly in our lives, and if that wasn't Fate, then what was?

A smile tugged at my lips the moment I drove through the gates and then into the garage. I couldn't wait to see Lux and Gunner, to give them both a hug and make sure Gunner was okay.

Parking the car, I got out, then made my way through the garage door, smiling when I found them both in the living room.

Lux was spread out on the couch in his human form, and Gunner lay on top of him on his front. They were both asleep, and I paused, pulling out my phone and taking a quick picture.

The sound alerted Lux, and his eyes fluttered open, then latched onto mine as his hand came up to cradle Gunner to his chest.

He sat up, and I realized he'd used magic to bind Gunner to his chest so he wouldn't slip and fall while sleeping. Why wasn't I surprised?

"Hey. How's he doing?" I joined him on the couch, and reaching over, I placed my palm on Gunner's forehead, smiling when it wasn't warm to the touch. "Looks like his fever's gone."

"Yeah. I gave him a bath, then he took a nap, then I gave him a bottle, and then we had another nap."

"Gunner's lucky to have you. We both are." Leaning over, I pressed a kiss on Lux's cheek, making him smile.

Biting his lower lip, he glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. "Before, what you said..."

I knew exactly what he was referring to. It'd just slipped out, but after the call ended, I'd given it some serious thought, and I'd realized something.

"I meant it."

Lux sucked in a breath, his eyes snapping to mine. "You did? Really?"

"Lux, before you, I never believed in a higher power of any kind. I still don't think there's a God out there, but I know magic exists, and I know you and I belong together. If Gunner was a bit older, I might be more cautious about our pace, but he's a baby, and I think by the time he's old enough, the two of us will be solid enough for him to call us both dads. Or is that too much?" I added when I saw the stunned look on his face.

Lux shook his head quickly, and my eyes widened when I realized there were tears in his. He quickly wiped them off with his free hand, then pressed a kiss to the top of Gunner's head.

"I didn't think I'd ever get to have this." His voice was thick when he finally spoke, and I placed my hand on his back, rubbing softly. "A family, I mean."

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