Page 68 of Painting Together a Family
“Absolutely. I’m honored.”
Dylan watched Micah with Dev for a minute, before moving to stand by Dev. “Me too?”
“Of course?” He drew Dylan into the hug as well, snuggling the little boys close.
“Daddy? Can I come up too? I’m bored.” Juni was staring from the door at the top of the stairway, pouting just a little bit.
“Sure. Come on.”
“Come swinging,” Dylan said, pulling out of his arms and running over to grab her hand. “We’re sisters now.”
“We are? Cool. I always wanted to be somebody’s big sister.” Her pout was completely gone, her mood improving drastically.
Micah slid out of his hold and went running over to join them on the play structure. “Me too! Me too! I a sister, too!”
Bryan laughed. “That is the most adorable thing ever. You think we should tell him he’s not actually a sister?”
“Nah. He’ll figure it out or Marley will explain it. She’s good at that.” As far as Dev was concerned, they should all just swing and be kids.
“Yeah, she’s so grown up sometimes. So, a big recital, huh?” Bryan shifted a little closer, leaning against him.
“It is. Her last one before high school. Crazy, huh?”
“Very crazy. I’m not old enough to be dating a guy with a kid in high school. Hell, you’re not old enough to have a kid in high school.” Bryan grinned up at him.
“I know. I’m an old man, but I’m cute.” He hoped he was still cute…
“You’re not cute. Puppies are cute. You’re good-looking and hot and sexy. And you’re not old, either. I was teasing.”
“I’m old enough to have a teenager.” He winked and stole a kiss.
Humming, Bryan kept the kiss going a moment longer. “Yeah, but I think you’re just the right age for a sexy, hot, handsome lover.” Bryan’s cheeks went red as he said the words, but he didn’t drop Dev’s gaze.
“Well, that’s what matters, right?” He leaned in, rubbed their noses together. “You, me, and the kiddos.”
“Uh-huh. We make a good family, don’t we?”
Marley came up, looking calmer. She came to sit with them.
“How was the practice?” Bryan asked.
“Good. Good. It’s fine.” She smiled at them, relaxing back against the bench. “Thank you all for letting me have practice time. I hate being embarrassed.”
“I’ll talk to the boys about being quiet, or noisy in their room whenever you’re at the piano so they don’t bother you in the future,” Bryan promised.
“It’s not always a big deal, but it’s kind of a deal now.” Marley winced and shrugged. “You know?”
“You’ll do fine, honey,” Dev told her. “I promise.” He hated that she stressed over tests and recitals, but he figured that was part of why she did so well; she was motivated to study and practice.
“Is this a recital we can all come to and watch?” Bryan asked.
“If you want to. Daddy and Juni always come.”
“She’ll be the last one to play this year, since she is graduating.”
“Wow. That’s impressive, and the boys and I would love to come.” Bryan looked over to where the kids were playing. “You wanna go play with them?”
“I—” She went a bright pink. “I sorta do.”
