Page 16 of Night of the Living Manny
“Well, she was grounded for a month, but there was no way she’d make that kind of money, you know?”
“Yeah. I hear you.” He nodded, pleased. Nannying could be a minefield if the nanny and parents disagreed on discipline and stuff. Liam seemed pretty in line with what Brenden hoped for.
“It’s tough, because I was terrified. I wanted to scream at her, but I managed not to.”
“You’re a good dad.” Brenden believed it. He really did.
“Lord, I want to be. I love them more than anything on earth.”
“I can see it.” Brenden rolled his head on his neck. “I love this couch.”
“Isn’t it great? I picked it out by myself, which was a first, really.”
“It is. You sink in, but it supports. God, I sound silly.” Yeah, Brenden supposed it was hard for someone who’d been part of a couple to think about doing things alone.
“You sound like you appreciate a good man-couch.”
“I am a champion napper.” Brenden winked. “So is Moose.”
“I can imagine that.” Liam gave Moose a pointed look. “See it, in fact.”
Moose snored, sending his lips flapping. Both of them cracked up.
Oh, he did like Liam’s laugh. It was hearty, and it rang out like a bell, clear and oddly sweet. He thought Liam didn’t get to laugh much.
“Daddy?” Susanna came out, wearing a T-shirt and ratty SpongeBob pajama pants. “Daddy, I can’t sleep. I keep having nightmares.”
“Oh, no.” Liam held out an arm, and Brenden moved to the far end of the couch to create space.
He didn’t want to make it weird.
She came to Liam and curled in, and her father wrapped her in a blanket and held her. “I got you, kiddo. I’m right here.”
Her eyes closed, and she was asleep again in seconds, just like a little girl.
Liam smiled at him, and Brenden nodded. Time for the movie now. The talking was over.
By the time the movie was halfway over, Liam was asleep, Brittany was sleeping next to Moose, and Peter was sitting between them, eating a peanut butter sandwich.
He grinned. They wanted to be with their dad. That warmed Brenden’s heart. These were babies that needed love and attention and were used to getting it, which made this separation they were having all the harder to go through, but it did warm Brenden’s heart.
Honestly, he was getting attached to this family, and he hated the idea of this assignment ending early, but he really hoped things eased off at work for Liam.
Peter looked at him. “You like it here?”
“I do. You’re an amazing family.”
“We’re okay. Did you know my dad likes boys?”
Brenden’s cheeks heated. “I did. He likes boys and girls, right?”
“Uh-huh. Does that creep you out?” Peter was watching him very closely.
“Nope.” He raised his eyebrows. “Does it make you feel weird?”
“A little. Mom was a girl.”
“She was, but we love who we love.” That seemed important to note. Liam had it down, he thought, so his kids shouldn’t fret.
