Page 31 of Cold as (N)ice

Good luck with that!Stephen fired back, laughing, and to her shock, Barrett ruffled his disheveled hair, smirking, and walked off, leaving her there with her son. Stephen immediately turned to her, looking utterly thrilled.

Mommy, we spent the night here? Are we going to sleep here from now on? Can I bring my stuff over?

One thing at a time,she replied tenderly, trying not to crush his enthusiasm.I should talk to Barrett first, and I need to work some today. I’m glad you two are friends, but we don’t want to take advantage of that friendship.

But you got married,he asked, obviously confused.And he said we are a family.

We are,she quickly answered.We are a family, but when you mix in different people – we have to find out how we fit in together, too.

Like where my room is in this big house – or do I need to wait until we move? Will I have friends there? Can they sign? Mommy, can I have a green bedroom? What if we…

Irene swallowed nervously as her son continued excitedly with the questions. Yeah, she needed to talk to Barrett quickly and figure out a few things that they hadn’t talked about yesterday.

Hang on. We should have this conversation as a family,she signed.Let’s go get breakfast and talk.

As Stephen nodded and bolted out the door to find Barrett, she jumped out of the bed and lurched for her bra, trying to make her appearance somewhat decent. She might have slept in the same bed, remained fully clothed, and was positive nothinghappened – but there was no way she was walking out there without a bra.

In the dark, he couldn’t see her, but in daylight?

Uh,no.

Things changed after breastfeeding, and that was not happening. She darted into the bathroom and quickly locked the door, adjusting her garments before brushing her teeth. Yeah, there wasn’t a lot of help to be had – she had a cowlick from her pillow that was not endearing in the slightest.

Opening the bathroom door, she nearly ran into Barrett who was leaning against the frame with one arm, smirking.

“You ready to join the conversation since you sicced Stephen on me?” he taunted. “Or are you hiding? I’m not sure I’m ready for the ‘Dad of the Year’ award, nor do I think you want me answering some of his questions.”

“That’s why I said we’d talk as a group.”

“As a family,” he corrected.

“Yes.”

“So, before we get out there and have this wonderful familial conversation – are there any lines in the sand that I shouldn’t cross?”

“Not that I can think of – other than ‘no spanking’ my child.”

“I would never strike a kid, or you for that matter.”

“Then we’re good.”

“Perfect,” he said bluntly and walked off, with Irene trailing behind him. When they reached the kitchen, Stephen had a massive bowl of cereal in front of him using what looked like a scoop to eat.

What are you doing?

Eating my breakfast.

Where did you get that spoon?She asked, turning to Barrett and giving him a wide-eyed pointed look. “Why is he using a serving spoon for his cereal?”

“Because he’s got a small mouth?” Barrett shot back with an even expression and grabbed his own bowl, rolling his eyes in a dramatic look before brandishing a ladle. He literally scooped up a bite of his cereal with a ladle and made a mock-salute toward Stephen, who did the same before taking another shovelful of food in his mouth.

“Have you no table manners? We have spoons, you know! Why are you using a ladle?” she practically screeched as he gave her that steady look – and shrugged.

“I’m hungry.”

Before she could comment, Barrett took another massive bite and chewed thoughtfully, turning to Stephen in front of her like he was ending their conversation and starting one with him instead.

What did you want to talk about?

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