Page 101 of Until the Day You're Mine

“Rian, honey, wake up,”Ty murmurs into his hair kissing, the soft locks. He can hear baby Bran crying out quietly from the next room. It sounds like he’s having a bad dream.

Rian is dead to the world. He's freaking exhausted, and no wonder. God knows how this whole experience is affecting him.

Ty feels the complete opposite – like he's rested and slept more than enough. All those years stuck in jail doing fuck all but plan for the day he would finally be reunited with Ri.

He glances at the open door. The little one's whimpers are getting louder. He ghosts one last kiss over Rian's soft strands and rolls him gently onto his side. Ty pulls his shorts on and hurries to Bran's bedroom across the hall.

Tayida stills by the door, suddenly worried he might mess this up. He wonders if he’s overstepping. He has no experience with children, and even if he has been holding Bran and engaging with him for the past few days, he hasn’t really done anything without Rian being right there.

Bran cries out again and that settles his inner debate – the little one needs him, so he better get it right.

As soon as his eyes land on Bran’s sweet little face, his heart is in a vice, completely captivated by Rian’s son. His brows are furrowed in his sleep. He looks like he is fighting some scary dreams all on his own.His fingers are twitching and folding into fists.

This kid.

Whatever he's dreaming of is torturing his innocent mind, but Ty can tell, this sweetheart has the heart of a champion and a hero. His tiny fist shoots up in the air to fight the dangers that lurk behind his eyelids. It is so endearing and hilarious, Ty has to cover his mouth to suppress a chuckle.

I'll fight all your battles by your side, sweetheart.

He picks Bran up and the little one settles in his arms with a happy sigh. His plump lips smack and Ty doesn't need to be a genius to know what that means.

He checks Bran's nappy, still dry, then goes to the tiny kitchen and prepares him a bottle of formula. Rian has everything lined up on the counter, anticipating a late-night feed but Ty won't wake him up for this. He knows how to mix a goddamn bottle, thank you very much.

He is smugly grinning, thinking about the nice lady in the baby aisle, who had given him a fifteen-minute lecture on how more men should be like him, shopping for their babies while the mother rested at home.

He had been quick to correct her that it was hishusbandresting at home, expecting her to perhaps become a lot less attentive, but the woman had simply grinned, then continued with her detailed instructions and suggestions on what else he might need. She had asked him all about Brandon and Ty had given her whatever accurate information about his age and feeding he could remember.

The sales attendant had suggested a few more items to help with his teething and some vegan bath stuff, than had sent him off on his way with like twenty more items than Rian had asked for. He had left the giant baby warehouse with his chest puffed up, full of confidence – he's got this.

Bran makes everything easy though. This child is amazing. Even if Ty wants to pat himself on the back, he can’t deny that the little one is freaking delightful and hilarious to be around. Brandon is so small yet full of spark and mischief. Even now it is clear, little will hold him back in life.

Once he has the formula heated to the right temperature, they settle on the small couch and Bran sleep feeds, drawing hungry pulls from the bottle.

Ty can't do much but beam at him in awe. He completely understands, why Rian wouldn't have been able to walk away from Bran, after hearing him cry out that very first time. Truth be told, neither could Ty. Not anymore.

This kid.

He's done with his bottle soon and Ty gives him a gentle pat over his back until the burp comes. Ty smiles proudly. He’s done it right, first time too.

Hells yeah. Like a boss.Nailing this baby business.

He takes Bran back to his room. Should he be embarrassed that he wants to hold him a little bit longer? Bran is so sweet and snuggly in his arms. He probably can spend the night cuddling this little bundle of joy and marvel at his sweet face and gorgeous sleepy smile.

Bran needs his sleep and his space. He’s one growing boy, and Ty feels it in his gut they will have the rest of their lives to share moments of love and tenderness.Thus, with a sigh he leans forward and lays the little one in his crib. As he is tucking him in with the thin linen blanket, he can’t help but search for Sebastian in Bran’s facial features.

Bran's father must have been Black, and that makes it hard to find the similarities between them at first glance, but they are definitely there.

Same sarcastic arch of the brow, the same restlessness, and determination in the eyes. The freaking dimples too, the devilish playful smile. Yes, so much of who Sebastian was is in this child.

Ty tears up and sighs.

Jesus.

He wants to thank the universe for this wonderful little boy.

Ty doesn't believe in miracles, but it is hard to deny that Bran's birth and his more-than-peculiar timing to enter Rian's life, can be a coincidence.

His birthday, November first, the day he shares with both Ty and Cyril, is nothing less than an omen. How can this detail alone be anything less than serendipitous?!

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