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“I love you, too, bro.”

“Was he really my dad, Mom?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“He was weird like he was on something. Why did you like him?” Gotta love an honest question from a kid.

“In the beginning he made me laugh and was quite handsome, believe it or not. Then things turned dark, and he took off when I got pregnant with you.”

“I hate him.”

“As do I, my love, though there’s a part of me that’s unable to hate him.”

“Why?”

“Because he gave me you and I love you.”

Gabe jumped up and ran over to the stove and hugged her. “I love you, too, Mom.”

“Mr. Fizzbo, my family can’t thank you enough for bringing Gabe back. Will you join us for dinner?”

“Thank you for the offer, Dana, I appreciate the invite, but I have a husband to get home to and an anniversary to celebrate.”

“Well, make sure and tell that man how lucky he is to have you.” Mom hugged him.

“I’m the lucky man. Kensey is my everything.”

The entire family hugged and thanked Fizzbo before he left. We owed him everything and we made sure he knew that. The second that man needed anything we could give him, it was his. Nothing could replace a brother, mother, sister, lover—anyone who held a piece of your heart.

Chapter Twenty

Sikes

We’d taken a week off to be home with Dana and the kids, and I was glad we had. Not only had we all been emotionally overstimulated, but Gabe was having nightmares. The school allowed Gabe, Nicole, and Nolan to finish out their last couple of weeks remotely. Dana wasn’t about to let them out of her sight. She also hadn’t decided if she was enrolling them in the new school by the house or homeschooling them.

Easton hired Dana and she was officially on the payroll today as a Masterson employee. She’d be assisting River with social media marketing and Jeremiah with admin duties. Easton had his own team and with the new bands Masterson was gearing up to sign, Jeremiah had to build his own. River was downstairs now setting up the laptop she’d be using.

I, on the other hand, was having a tea party with my princess.

“No, Wyatt,” Nicole shook her head, exasperated with my lack of couth. “You have to hold your pinky out like this.” She had already done my hair and make-up after deeming it unacceptable for the party so why shouldn’t she guide me in how to eat and drink?

Oh, and I mustn’t forget about the bow clips in my hair nor the fluffy pink feather boa leaking tufts of itself that were currently floating through the room, either.

Should I be wearing a mask? Were they toxic?

Note to self, read the labels before I bought anymore toys for the kids.

I just hoped like hell nobody…

“Where’s Sikes?” I heard Jason’s voice but before I could react the door flew open and there he was…with Snipe.

“Oh. My. God.” Jason and Snipe whipped their phones out. “Are you wearing make-up?”

“And glittery lip gloss?” Snipe nearly pissed himself laughing.

“You’re both just jelly cause you don’t look as beautiful as me.” I batted my lashes at them.

“Jelly is it now?” Snipe managed to say between fits of laughter. “This is so going to be our Christmas cards this year.”

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