Page 20 of A Little Christmas Wish

“They’re family,” Royal stated. “That’s what you do for family.”

Ink was getting a headache. “You guys do remember what I do for a living, right?”

“You mean how you sit around in an office and order people around?” Baron asked.

Ink glared at him.

“Don’t get us wrong,” Royal added. “We admire that.”

Baron nodded. “Royal has plans to be a dictator too. But on a bigger scale.”

“What every father needs to hear.”

They froze and stared at him.

“What?” Ink asked. “What is it?”

“It’s just the first time you’ve ever referred to yourself as our father,” Baron told him.

Ink cleared his throat. “Sorry if you don’t like that.”

They glanced at each other, then him.

“We don’t object,” Royal said as they heard the garage door open.

“Just so long as we don’t have to call you ‘Daddy,’” Baron said cheekily.

Dear Lord.

“Do not let Betsy know that you two know about that.” He’d suspected that they knew about his and Betsy’s relationship. They were smart, observant kids and he’d often noticed the way they shielded and protected Betsy.

He wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up being Doms.

Or dictators.

Dear. Lord.

“You aren’t staying home from college. Not happening. I have this under control. I’ll protect Zippy and Betsy,” he said urgently as he heard the girls’ voices. “Understand? Things have to be as normal as possible for Zippy.”

And for Betsy too.

“Plus, we don’t need you getting kicked out of college.”

“Hmm . . . about that . . .” Baron said.

“What did you do?” Ink asked with a groan.

“It was just a small fire,” Baron said hastily.

“What was a small fire?” Betsy asked as they both walked in, laden down with bags.

Ink instantly jumped to his feet and rushed over to relieve her of everything, while Baron and Royal grabbed Zippy’s bags. Bandit eagerly greeted the two of them, dancing around and barking happily.

“Baby, why didn’t you leave everything in the car for me to get?” he gently scolded.

“We could manage,” Zippy said. “We’ve got big guns, aye, Betsy?” The little girl held up her arms, curling the elbows.

“Oh, those are impressive,” Ink agreed. “However, just because you can doesn’t mean you have to when I’m here to do those things for you.”

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