Page 12 of Omega Dragon Manny
“I know, right?”
“Introducing the kids to the meanest beasts on the planet aside, thanks for today. I’m sorry it got a little weird when people thought we were family, but I didn’t know how to…you know, talk around it without making them feel bad for the comment.”
“No need for sorrys. It wasn’t weird.”
Maybe not, but it was something.
He set the phone back on the charger. “It was… I don’t know. I suppose we kind ofarefamily, even though we’re not related.” His eyes dropped to the floor.
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I can see that.”
But I wanted us to be more than kind of a family. And that was a lot to want and far too much to express. So instead, I switched topics.
“There’s something I need to tell you. Let’s go sit down.”
He walked straight to the table and took a seat, not saying a single word until I, too, was seated. “I kind of thought something was up when you came home.”
“Really?” I thought I’d hid it better than that. Guess not.
“Yeah.”
“I got a text today from the pediatrician. I completely missed one of the triplets’ appointments. It was a wake-up call.” I sighed. “What’s the point of me being their guardian if I’m gone all the time? There isn’t one. I’m no better than a foster family.”
My voice cracked, and I hated the way my emotions were getting the best of me.
Beau reached across the table and put his hand on mine, grounding me. “You’re doing amazing. You’ve given them a safe, loving environment. When you’re here, you’re hands-on. And yes, you have to work, but work is what’s providing for them.”
“Yeah, well, work doesn’t have to be all-encompassing. I told my boss that today. I told them I was going to do half days at the office, half days at home. But then, on the way home, I realized that wasn’t enough. I’m not even going into the office next week. Half days at home, and that’s it. I need to make the triplets my priority.”
I looked down at our joined hands.
“I don’t know why my cousin put them in my care, but he trusted me with something so precious, and I’m going to make him proud. But that’s only part of the reason why we’re having this conversation.”
I looked up at Beau, waiting until he met my eyes. This was important.
“I’m expecting too much of you. As much as I work, you work, and you need some downtime, too.”
“I’m fine,” he said too quickly. “I can just sleep in tomorrow.”
I scoffed. “You wouldn’t. If you are here when those babies wake up, you’re up.”
He smiled faintly. “Yeah, I suppose that’s right.” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand.
“You can go home. See your family and friends. When was the last time you did that?”
“It’s been…it’s been a minute.”
“Then do that. Please. Alleviate my guilt. I feel awful that I’m putting you through this.”
“This?” He laughed softly. “This is nothing. Ask me about the Crayon Breakfast one day.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” I stood up, needing to get away from him before I leaned in for a kiss. “I’ll put on a cup of tea.”
Beau went to his room while I waited for the kettle. When I told him to take the week off, I hadn’t expected him to leave right away, but he did, coming down with a suitcase ten minutes later.
“I’m gonna go now,” he said quietly. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “Okay.”
