Page 43 of From the Flames
“Okay. If that’s what you think best.”
Willy shrugged. “I don’t know crap about what’s best. Hell, I don’t think I know about anything right now. My life is about as twisted as it gets, but there are some things I’m coming to understand, and one of them is that I can count on you. But I don’t want to be a burden or someone that you think you need to protect because it’s in your DNA or something.”
Kevin pulled him into his arms. “I would never do that. Helping people is part of who I am, but that doesn’t extend to taking them to bed or watching out for them or their kids. Those things I do because of you, so stop worrying. I love April and Grant. They’re special.”
“That they are. But, well… you just wait until my mother and father come to visit. I suspect you’ll reevaluate your feelings then.”
Kevin tugged him nearer. “Okay. First thing, we are in your bedroom with the door closed. I have my arms around you, and I’m thinking of all the delicious ways to get you out of your clothes… and you’re talking about your mother.”
Willy couldn’t help groaning. “She sent me an email. Apparently she’s worried about the kids and the fire, so she’s coming out for a visit to make sure that her grandchildren are living in a proper environment.”
“What?”
“She has very definite ideas on parenting, especially mine. She loved Mark, and everything was fine until he passed away. Then she got it into her head that the kids shouldn’t be raised by a single parent. Let’s just say that I do my best to keep her visits short at the moment.”
“Did she try to take the kids?” He could feel his anger rising.
“No. But she can be a little overbearing, like she knows best. She was quiet right after the fire, but I think she’s making up for lost time.”
“Then let her come. You’re a great father, and you put those kids above everything else. As it should be.” Kevin slipped his hands under Willy’s shirt, found a nipple, and gave it a light tweak. Willy hissed softly. “That’s a father’s job. My job is to make sure you remember that you are a man and sexy as hell, in addition to being a father.”
“But my mother can—”
“Stay in her box for now. Along with threats, stupid messages, and everything else. Right now it’s you and me, and the rest of the world can go to hell for a few hours. Okay?”
Willy moaned softly as Kevin tugged off his shirt and sucked on his smooth, soft skin. “Are you trying to make me crazy?”
“If you can still talk, then I’m not doing a very good job.” He captured Willy’s lips and kissed him until he was breathless and shaking in his arms. At least that should keep him quiet for a while. Kevin had already learned that the best way to stop Willy from worrying was to blow his mind in the best way possible, and it looked like he had just succeeded.
“Daddy!” The cry broke through everything. Willy tumbled to the floor in his haste to get to his son, and Kevin helped him up as Grant cried out again. Willy grabbed his shirt off the floor and raced out of the room like the hounds of hell were after him.
“What’s wrong?” Willy asked as soon as he got into the room, picking up Grant. Kevin was right behind him.
“Fire, lots of fire,” Grant said through tears. “Right there.” He pointed toward the bedroom window.
Kevin left the room and hurried out the front door to the side of the building between them and the neighbors. The street was quiet, and he covered his mouth as he coughed before looking over the area under Grant’s window. He didn’t see anything, and he doubted he would. Nothing had been burned, and there were no signs of footprints as far as he could tell. Itwas likely just a nightmare. Out of caution, he checked the rest of the outside before returning inside and locking the door.
“I didn’t see anything outside,” he told Willy, who was still holding Grant, rocking him slowly. “What about April?”
Willy sighed. “She will sleep through a tornado, thank God,” he said as Grant quieted.
“Daddy, I wanna sleep wiff you,” Grant whispered.
Willy looked at Kevin, who nodded, because what else was he supposed to do? His plans for making sounds of a very different variety were going up in smoke, or more accurately with the fear of a four-year-old.
“Okay, but you gotta stop crying. I’m here, and nothing is going to hurt you.” Willy carried Grant to the master bedroom and got him under the covers. Then he took off his shirt and pants, slipped into bed, and turned out the light. Kevin got out of his shirt and pants and got under the covers next to Willy.
“I love you, Daddy,” Grant said softly into the darkness.
“I love you too. Now go to sleep. You have to go to school in the morning.” Thankfully Grant hushed, but Elsa and Thumper took places at the foot of the bed. Jesus, this bed was as full as it was going to get. Kevin could only hope that April and Benjamin didn’t end up in here with them. The poor bed frame would probably collapse, and they’d all end up sleeping on the floor.
“If fire comes, will Uncle Kevin save us?” Grant asked a few minutes later.
“There isn’t going to be any more fire. And yes, Uncle Kevin will save us. Now go to sleep or you’ll have to go back to your own bed. It’s late, and we all need to get some rest.” Willy was so patient, and thankfully that was the last they heard from Grant that night, but the dogs were another matter. Every time Kevin moved his legs, he got a growl from either Elsa or Thumper until he finally found a comfortable spot and settled to sleep.
KEVIN WAITEDfor Carter to pick up the note before getting his things together. Moving home was about as exciting as a toothache. The dogs went inside and checked their bowls, wandered through the house to make sure everything was still in place, and then sat watching him, like they were wondering where the kids were. Their toys were left unplayed with, and even the things hidden under the sofa were ignored.
“I know, guys, it seems strange.” He went upstairs to his bedroom and put away his things and took the dirty clothes to the washer in the basement. Once all those chores were done, he ended up watching television to pass the time.
