Page 42 of His Wild Storm
Haven’s head falls back as laughter bubbles out of her. It’s not just laughter, it’s so much more. It’s joy. It’s pure and unfettered fucking joy.
The purity of the sound has me staring at her in wonder. She’s gorgeous all the time, but when she laughs? Fuck. I thought I was a goner before. Now I’m sure there’s no way I’ll ever get my heart or soul back.
Not that I want them. They’re Haven’s now.
To stop myself from launching over the island and claiming her body, I focus on getting everything ready for dinner. It won’t take long to cook and I’m competent in the kitchen but doing it in front of her is a little nerve racking. If I screw up, will she count it against me? Would it be enough to give up on us?
Anything could have her running scared at this point.
“I’ve already heard a lot about baby poop,” I tell her honestly. “Tenley and Wyatt are not shy when it comes to Kessler’s poop,” I warn her.
She giggles, “They’re desensitized. Or in shock. Probably a little of both.” Her voice softens slightly, “How old did you say Kessler is now?”
“Both Wyatt and Tenley talk about him in terms of weeks,” I scrunch up my face, “which I think is very weird. Still, he’s six months now.”
“Six months,” she breathes out, and her face goes all soft.
When she looks away from me, I can tell she’s not really seeing anything in front of her. No, she’s remembering something.
“Six months is such a great time with a new baby,” her voice is wistful. “Every day you can see more of the toddler and person they’re about to become. But they’re not quite there yet, either. But the peeks inside become longer visions.”
“Kess is a cute baby,” I tell her honestly. “I hadn’t spent a lot of time around babies because no one had any. Then one of the guys who used to work with us at Vibrant Ink before he went out and opened his own shop, Beckett,” I explain, “met the woman he ended up marrying. They started the whole kid thing, and his shop is filled to the gills with them. Amelia’s an awesome person and a great mom. You two would get along.”
Haven blushes softly, but her eyes are intent. She’s curious. Having her eyes on me makes me want to tell her everything and anything. It’s the best, or worst, kind of torture.
“They grew the people in their family, but we were more acquaintances in the same business and town.” I explain, “Like we’d grab a beer somewhere but wouldn’t go to their house for a kid’s birthday.”
“It sounds like that changed?”
I snort, “You could say that.” Haven rests her elbows on the island and cradles her chin with her hands, settling in for the story. “It all started two and a half years ago,” I start, “when Wyatt’s son, Ian, was dropped off on his doorstep.”
Haven’s eyes go wide with horror, and she gasps, “What?”
As I nod, I remember that day and how it changed all of our lives, Wyatt’s most of all. “He didn’t know he was a father andIan was ten already.” I swallow hard and shake my head. “Wyatt was not prepared to become a father like that, but he stepped up. Not like he really had another option.”
“Some people would consider putting him in the system as an option,” Haven murmurs softly.
“That wasn’t something Wyatt was ever going to do,” I tell her, my voice firm. “He just needed a little help from his family and the ability to process everything. We would have helped him as much as we could,” I admit, “but it’s not like we really knew what to do with a kid, considering none of us have one. Wyatt went to Beckett and Amelia for help, and he got it.” I chuckle and go about getting the water on the stove to boil for the noodles.
“Just like that?” There’s something like hope in Haven’s eyes and I know she needs more than just me at her back. I’ll be almost enough, but she also needs women who understand and friends who won’t think twice about showing up.
“Just like that,” I assure her. “I’m pretty sure Amelia had ordered everything Wyatt would need before he even got home.”
The smile that takes over Haven’s face is pure fucking magic. “At least he didn’t have to deal with the diaper stage,” she points out.
“Not with Ian,” I concede, “but he’s been making up for it with Kessler. I don’t think Tenley has changed a diaper unless Wyatt is at work.”
“Holy shit,” Haven breathes, and I almost choke on air because hearing her curse feels wrong…and right at the same time. “He’s a unicorn.”
“Although I will be telling him you said that,” I tease which earns me the privilege of watching her blush deepen, “he’s not a unicorn. He’s just a man who loves his woman and kids.”
Haven gets a thoughtful look on her face before she nods once as if she’s accepting my explanation. It’s a damn good feeling.
“Anyway,” I move the story along, “somewhere along the way it became obvious that Wyatt needed a nanny for the summer. He couldn’t reschedule all of his appointments, and a tattoo shop isn’t where Ian should have been spending all his time. Needing a nanny brought Tenley into his life. She’s the younger sister of Troy who works for Beckett and is part of their gigantic ass family.” She giggles at my description, and I can’t help but tell her, “You should know their family, our family, consists of the security firm guys who help out at Safe Home and the rock band Suburban Outcasts.”
She sits up as her mouth falls open. “You’re joking.”
“Nope,” I assure her, popping the p, “but that’s a story for another day.”
