Page 15 of Conveniently Yours

"Mama, is he really here?" I hear my son whisper as I make my way down the hall toward the kitchen.

"He is," Scarlett says, her voice filled with love and affection. "He's so excited to see you, he couldn't wait any longer."

"Do you think he'll like me?" my boy asks.

My heart fucking breaks. God, there's no way in hell that I couldn't. He's my son, and I love him already.

"He's going to love you, just as I do. How could anyone not love you, baby?"

I enter the kitchen just in time to see my boy beam at his mom. "Morning," I say loud enough for them to hear. Brandon's eyes widen, and his head swings my way, whereas Scarlett is watching our son with the biggest smile on her face.

"Hey buddy," I greet him as I crouch down so that I'm at his height. Brandon doesn't hesitate, he rushes over to me and throws himself into my arms. I swallow past the lump in my throat and take a deep breath. Fuck, I'm a dad. It hit me like a truck. God, I'm a dad.

"Daddy," he whispers, his little arms tightening around my neck as he holds onto me. "You came."

"I did. I'm sorry I wasn't here before, but I'm here now, and I promise I'm not leaving."

He pulls back and looks at me with big bright eyes, so much like my own. "Promise?"

I nod. "I promise."

He gives me a bright smile. "We made pancakes. You have to try them." He takes my hand and leads me toward the stool at the island, and I take a seat, watching as he climbs onto the stool beside me and sits down too.

"Now," Scarlett says, her voice thick with emotion. "My two guys need breakfast, right?"

I grin at her. Damn fucking straight, I'm her guy. It's still a little surreal I’m here and this is happening, but fuck, I'm not complaining. She's mine, and I'm going to ensure she stays that way. I'm not leaving either of them. I couldn't. The two most important people are in this house.

Breakfast was the best I'd ever had. Scarlett's pancakes are to die for, and listening to Brandon tell me about himself was amazing. This is what I want every day. This is what I would die to have.

Now I'm sitting in the backyard with Scarlett watching as Brandon plays. He's a ball of energy and doesn't seem to tire.It's been years since I've had a Saturday off, and it's something I intend to do from now on. I never realized the importance of family, until I had one of my own.

"I'm thinking," Scarlett murmurs. "That we should get married in a courthouse. Just those closest to us."

"Other than Noah, I don't really have anyone close—" I'm cut off by the sound of my cell ringing. I pull it from my pocket and grimace as I see the name flashing on the screen. Noah. I turn my cell so Scarlett can see. "Speak of the devil."

I watch her face soften. "How is he?"

I nod. "Better, he misses you. He regrets everything he did, Scar. He's told me a thousand times he’d take it back if he could."

She nods as my cell stops ringing. "What will you tell him?"

I pause, unsure how to even answer. Noah is my best friend, he's my brother, but I put him above Scarlett once already and lost her, I won't do that again. "I don't know," I sigh. "I want to tell him, let him know that I've found you, but at the same time. You've hidden from him and me for so long. It was luck that brought you to my door."

She reaches for my hand. "Tell him. You'll want him at the wedding."

Christ. "He'll probably want to meet with you. See you. See Brandon."

She nods. "I had thought about that. I'm not sure if I'm ready, then again, I'm not sure I ever will be. I'm willing to meet him, but if he's an ass, Axel, I'll walk away and be done with him forever."

I press a kiss to her lips. "Trust me, baby, if he's a douche, I'll kick his ass again."

She laughs. "That's something I'd have loved to have seen. Go, call him, let him know you’ve seen me."

I give her a chaste kiss before walking inside the house. I hit dial on Noah's number, and he answers on the second ring. "Met your dad today," he says darkly.

"Ah, I bet that was a fucking delight," I mutter.

"He told me about that stupid fucking clause. He's a bastard, Ax, always has been."

---