Page 44 of Daniil
However, I don’t want to think about that—even though I should.I need a plan, maybe some tweaks to the bill, so that it will pass, but the only thing on my mind is my son.Courtney.Making them both feel welcome in our massive inner circle.
Xander, Elen, and their daughter Priscilla, whom they call Silla.
Sandor, Lennox and the twins, Harrison and Hayden.
Erik, Casey, and their brood—Lucas, Levi, twins Jessica and Jocelyn, and Erik’s adopted daughter Leni, who lives with his ex-wife in Monte Carlo full-time but is here for the summer.
Then there’s our extended family.
Jesper, Joe, Charlie, and Briony.
Cooper and Natalia.
Ace and Shannon.
Lennox’s sister, Harlow, who lives and works here.
Their other sister Vivian and her boyfriend Gunnar, who just recently separated from the military, are living here, and trying to decide if they want to stay.
It’s a big, busy, fun-loving group, for the most part.We all have separate lives, but we come together regularly.We live and work together, play together, and enjoy each other’s company.The pressure that comes with the territory is separate.We don’t dwell on it, and when we’re just hanging out, we’re not royalty or Royal Protectors or anything else—we’re just family.
That’s what I want her to see.More than that, I want her to feel it.Because while my job drives me crazy, and I’m often lonely for companionship, I usually love my life and always love my family.
Given half a chance, I think I could fall deeply in love with Courtney too.
“Everyone is waiting,” Erik says as we pull into the underground garage, staring at his phone.“Casey says Micah is fussy and Courtney is considering putting him to bed.”
“Shit.”That isn’t what I want to hear.
We hurry down to Erik and Casey’s private back yard area.They have a pool, patio, and yard area that’s sectioned off just for family.There are picnic tables, lounge chairs, an outdoor kitchen with a grill, two bathrooms, a pool house, swing sets, and even a couple of hammocks.We spend a lot of time out here in the summer when it’s warm and sunny.
I can hear Micah crying the moment we round the corner, and I make a beeline in that direction.Courtney looks tired and stressed, rocking him back and forth to no avail.
“I think the trip was too much for him,” she says when she sees me.“I need to put him to bed.”
“Can I try?”I ask, holding out my arms.
She nods, and I take the baby from her.He instantly calms down, nestling against my chest and hiccupping softly.
“It’s okay, baby.Daddy’s here.”I run one hand up and down his back soothingly, and he settles down even more.
“Oh, good.”Casey smiles, joining us.“He just needed a little daddy time.”
I don’t think that’s what Courtney wanted to hear but she looks relieved, even though she doesn’t say anything.
“Let’s get something to eat,” I suggest.“I’ll hold him while you relax.”
She frowns.“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”We make our way over to one of the large picnic tables where Sandor, Lenox, Xander and Elen are sitting.There are two places for us, and I sink down on the end, rocking Micah back and forth.
“The time difference is annoying,” Xander says.“But he’ll adjust.”
“I hope so.”Courtney seems unsure what to do, so I scoot in and pat the spot beside me.
“Sit down.Relax.I’ve got him.”
She hesitates but then does as I ask.
