Page 45 of Painting Together a Family
“I think you should give your dad a careful hug before you give him his plate. I bet hugging you does way more for him than anything they did at the hospital.” Bryan knew she badly needed a hug from her father, but he was pretty sure Dev could use the love from his daughter as well. As long as she didn’t disturb his casted arm.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s casted. It’s solid as a rock.” Dev opened his arms to her.
She flew into them, making him wince just a bit, but he hid it quickly and held her close.
“I was so worried, Daddy. That man is evil!”
“Yes, but he’s in jail, and I’m going to have a camera put in the hallway too.”
“That’s a great idea. That way, you can check before you open the door so even if they’ve made it past security, you know who you’re letting in.” Bryan gave him an encouraging smile before grabbing a taco and munching on it. This place was already pretty well guarded, but by the time Dev was finished, it was going to be Fort Knox. Bryan approved.
“I showed Mr. Bryan the connected guest rooms.” Marley curled up in Dev’s lap, clearly needing the cuddle time.
“Good deal. We’ll get everyone really settled tomorrow. There’s a good office space off the playroom, too. I used to use it when Juni was little.”
“Oh, that would be amazing. Thank you. At this rate, we’re never going to want to leave.”
“We’ll have to discuss your options tomorrow, when we’re both less exhausted, but you don’t have to worry, okay? You are safe here.”
Bryan nodded, giving Dev a warm smile. “Hey, let me help you get some food.” Bryan nodded at Marley, who was fast asleep, curled in his lap.
Grabbing Dev’s plate from the coffee table, Bryan set it carefully on the arm of his chair so he could reach the tacos.
“Thank you. I hope you feel comfortable here. I’m so glad to be home.” Dev looked exhausted, but the tightness that had been in his frame and the worry lines around his eyes had eased.
“I’m good. And I’ll carry the kids to bed in a minute. I just need to sit a moment in the knowledge that we’re all okay.” He couldn’t sit too long. He had a feeling he’d sleep hard once he closed his eyes, and he had stuff to do before that happened.
“Yes. We’re all okay, and together.”
“And you only have to stay awake another forty-five minutes before you can take your pain pills and go to sleep,” Bryan noted.
“I’m glad the boys are safe. I was so worried.”
“We’re all fine, Dev. Every single one of us.” Bryan sighed and finished his last couple bites of taco. “Man, I have a hunch that the second I lie down, it’ll all really hit me.” Not just the relief, but what had happened, what could have happened. Oh, he was cognizant of all that now, but he had a feeling he’d have to work through it some before long.
“Yeah. I hear you. I might just sleep here, both sides of the sofas recline.”
“Yeah? I might have to join you, then.” Bryan gave him a wry grin. “That way, I’m close by if you need help in the night.”
“Let’s just all hang out, then. That way, if the boys wake up, they see you.”
“Okay, sure.” Bryan felt a touch freaked at not putting the boys to bed, and then he chuckled wryly at himself and shook hishead. “Sorry. We have such a routine going that it seems really strange to just let it go and throw it to the wind.”
“I bet it does. I’m happy to have you close, though. This is a safe place, and it’s going to be safer now.” Dev was determined as hell.
Bryan nodded. “Never again, right? And it says something evil about Grant that he’s the source of so many never-agains.”
“He is, but—we can face this one together.”
He liked how that sounded. Together. Dev had said that a lot tonight, and Bryan was beginning to believe it was real and to recognize how good that made him feel.
Bryan smiled, and really, it was the first natural smile he’d managed since before everything had gone off. “I like the sound of that. I think that’s been the hardest thing—is doing it all alone. Even knowing you’re in my corner is more than enough to make me feel so much more capable.”
Dev lifted Bryan’s hand, kissed his fingers. Dev’s lips were super hot against them. “Always. I mean it.”
“Thank you. Are you okay? Your lips are like fire. You think you have a fever? Can I get you anything?”
Dev smiled at him. “I just want to be here with all of us together, you know?”
