Page 80 of The Ties That Bind
“An-ta-nee,” Hope said solemnly.
“Your brother is named Anthony?”
She nodded, reaching out to touch his cheek. Hope squealed with laughter when Anthony grabbed her finger.
Tono looked up at Brie, his eyes twinkling. “She has your laugh.”
“Does she? I never noticed.”
Brie stood back to look at them. She could not describe the intense feeling of joy she felt seeing Tono on the floor with her children. It was so touching, she found herself choking up.
“Are you okay?” Sir asked quietly.
She smiled. “I’m just too happy to contain it…”
Brie felt the ache of their impending goodbye when Lea finally arrived with Autumn to take them to the airport.
“I wish you could cancel your tour and stay with us,” Brie joked.
Lea gave her a hip bump. “You guys are brimming with babies. Autumn and Tono should totally stay with me.”
Autumn surprised Brie when she confessed, “After traveling for so long, I have to admit it’s going to be hard to settle down. I actually like the constant travel. Every week is someplace new with a bunch of new people to meet.”
Lea grabbed her arm. “Well, I’m not letting you go!”
Autumn looked at Lea longingly. “I wish you could come with us…”
“I think Hunter might have something to say about that,” Lea laughed.
When Tono stood up to leave, Brie felt her heart break a little. The Kinbaku Master was like fresh air to her soul.
When she went to hug him, he whispered, “I know you are keeping something from me.”
She giggled self-consciously as she pulled away.
Brie hugged Autumn next. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I’ve got something for you, actually.” With an impish grin, Autumn told her, “Okay, fair warning, this one is a little raunchy, so forgive me. Do you know why you can never trust a baby with a dirty diaper?”
Brie shook her head in amusement.
Autumn’s face turned beet red as she delivered the punch line. “Because they’re full of shit.”
Lea burst out laughing. “I’m adding that to my apocalypse stockpile!”
Brie giggled as she kissed Anthony’s forehead. “Don’t you pay them any heed, little man.”
After they left, Shadow stood at the front door. Brie bent down to pet him. “I know, Shadow. It’s hard, but I promise they’ll be back.”
Brie turned to Sir, beaming. “What an amazing day this has been.”
“Truly.” He wrapped both arms around her. “But now you must be a good sub and go to sleep.”
“I’m not tired,” she pouted.
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re about to crash.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, a huge yawn escaped her lips, proving he was right. Sir turned her toward the bedroom and swatted her ass. “You need to listen to your Master.”
