A Bundle of Mannies

by Lorelei M. Hart

  “And what if I don’t get a job locally?” When I first set out to go back to work after Penny was born, I had headhunters at my door looking for big companies nowhere near where we’d agreed to settle down. The offers locally were a grand total of one, and, while the position itself morphed over time, it was still the same company. “I could be blackballed for bailing.” I would be. The question on the table was how we would handle it.

  “Then I look for a job where they are smart enough to hire you. This will all work out, love.”

  “Let’s go away next weekend. As a family.” I climbed off his lap and walked over to grab my laptop. “Maybe the waterpark.”

  “I’m on call Sunday. We could do a local weekend away. Maybe the hotel with the kiddy pool and splash pad? They love the splash pad.” And had asked to go to the bus water park, which was what they called the hotel based on their advertising on the public buses.

  “If you get called away, I’d be nervous about the water.” Terribly. An omega I’d gone to high school with had lost his son to drowning the year I had Penny, and the thought of that happening to us was too much to bear, so overprotective near all water it was. “I prefer one-on-one for swimming. Maybe the kids’ museum will be exciting enough?”

  “Or…” He took the proffered laptop from me.

  “Or?” I couldn’t think of anything else local that could be more fun than those two options.

  “Or we ask Pace to come with us.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lincoln

  I had to admit, the conversation with Pace about vacation and who would stay in what room seemed to have a dual personality—at least in my mind. My baser caveman of an alpha side of me wanted to tell him we’d get a huge suite—with only one master bedroom and another one for the kids.

  During the conversation, I must’ve chanted the phrase, He’s the manny, over and over in my head about three thousand times—maybe more.

  The more down-to-earth part of me was not winning the battle.

  We’d decided on adjoining suites at the hotel. They happened to have a set of them online, and I booked them immediately after Pace agreed to come with us.

  Come with us. Fuuuuck.

  He’s the manny. He’s the manny. He’s the manny.

  Pace sat across from us at the kitchen table while I booked all the things. “Should I look for activities close to the hotel?” he asked.

  “No.” I took the liberty of answering for us both. “We’d love you around just to have fun. We will take care of everything. We want this to be a time for the five of us to enjoy ourselves and this new dynamic. A bonding time, so to speak.”

  Bonding kind of sounded like knotting in the way that it didn’t sound like it at all, and suddenly I was hard again.

  Fuck. I had to get hold of myself.

  I glanced into the kids’ adjoining bedrooms the night before we left to see Pace methodically packing a duffel bag for each kid and, after placing each article of clothing into a bag, checking off a list he’d painfully hovered over for days, making sure the kids had everything they needed.

  The guy was precious.

  “Stop drooling over the manny,” Adam whispered in my ear, scaring the ever-loving crap out of me. I yelped and nearly jumped over the banister.

  “I’m not. I was looking at the kids.”

  Adam snorted and loosened his tie. “Um, they are downstairs watching the movie about the Hawaiian girl. Good try, though, my love.”

  “Shit. Sorry.” I drew him in for a long embrace and a lingering kiss. My back was to the kids’ room now, and I eyed our bedroom door, ready to make a break for it.

  “No sorries. You can look but don’t touch, at least without me.” His words forced a shiver down my spine, and the sensation carried to every part of me. “And one more thing. You aren’t the only one getting an eyeful.”

  Adam pulled back, and I turned to see what he meant. Pace stood, tiny swimming suits in his hands, mouth open.

  He had been watching us.

  “See something you like, Pace?” I said, and chuckled, trying to play it off as a joke. Shit. My mouth just did a bad thing.

  “Very much,” Pace answered, and I gasped but tried to cover it with a cough. “It’s been a while since I saw you two so happy. It’s good for the kids—you know—to see their parents in love.”

  Oh, that’s what he meant. Always thinking of the kids. We had the best manny in the world.

  “Almost done packing?” I reached for a subject to continue the conversation.

  “Yes. How about you two? Finished packing?”

  I laughed as Adam pinched my butt out of sight of Pace. “We are more what you would call last-minute packers—as in, I haven’t even started or gotten the bags out. I should probably get that done.”

  I turned with Adam holding my hand, and decided packing was best, but first, I intended to do something about my raging hard-on.

  “I look forward to spending time with you…both of you. I mean, all of you, with the family.” Pace was cute when he was nervous.

  The three of us were tripping over what we really wanted.

  Because we were his employers.

  And he was the manny.

  And because our kids needed stability, not more confusion.

  And…I couldn’t think of other reasons, but I should.

  I really, really should make a mental list of why to stay away from Pace.

  “I saw him loading the dishwasher early this morning, and I swear I pictured myself going over there and just taking him right there as he was bent over the bottom rack. I’ve got to stop this,” Adam admitted as the door closed behind us.

  I blew out a breath. At least I wasn’t alone in all the fantasizing. “I know what you mean.”

  Adam laughed, relieving me of my T-shirt. “Let’s pretend he’s sitting over there watching us. Should make for an interesting time.”

  The thing was, I’d been fantasizing about him watching us for weeks.

  “Perfect plan, omega mine. Now take off those pants.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Pace

  After the master bedroom door closed behind my employers, I went back to packing for the children. This was the first family trip since I started working for them, and I didn’t want anything to go wrong—at least not anything I could control. And what a relief it was a local vacation. Dad’s condition had been worsening lately, and while part of my job was traveling with the family when asked, the local water park/hotel was only fifteen minutes from his home in an emergency—twenty from the hospital.

  COPD, emphysema, heart disease, and complications thereof were not a fast way to die, but his doctors held out little hope he’d have much quality of life going forward. Every time I saw him, he was a little thinner, and his skin held a grayish cast I didn’t like. The health care assistants who stopped by daily gave me regular reports, and I attended all his doctor visits, but though I listened for a spark of hope, it never seemed to come.

  Was that why I was so hooked on this family? Because I felt like Dad was slipping away by the minute? I zipped Penny’s case closed and laid the list on top of it, each item checked off before turning my attention to finishing Beau’s. The layout of this house was ideal for a family with children. Between the two bedrooms lay a short hallway lined with closet space and also the bathroom that served both rooms.

  Pulling out a handful of little socks Beau probably wouldn’t wear many of since he’d be swimming almost the whole weekend, I pictured what might be going on in the room across the hallway. Their bed was big enough for three.

  Shut. Up.

  Adam and Lincoln were kind to me, and professional. And they took their private conversations out of earshot of both the kids and me, most of the time—a refreshing change. My former employers, and those of some of my classmates, felt children and servants had no eyes or ears—at least they acted that way. We’d been witness to loud arguments and very personal discussions. Once my forme
r dorm mate even walked into the kitchen to find the couple defiling the kitchen counter, and, when they noticed him, they just paused, telling him to get whatever he needed, without seeming the slightest bit disturbed. And since they also employed a cook, maid, and yard man who were all in and out of the kitchen constantly, they had to know someone would catch them.

  Ah well. In many ways, this was the best job I’d ever had, but despite their attempts to keep their conversations private, I’d overheard enough to know Adam was considering quitting his job and they were worried about being able to afford me. If I didn’t need to help Dad, I’d have offered to work for free.

  No, I wouldn’t. Because that would be unprofessional in the extreme. I’d be kicked out of the manny’s union. Well, there wasn’t a union, exactly, but I’d be blackballed from the Facebook group if word got out. The admins were stick up the butts who had a whole set of rules, some of which only they knew.

  Anyway, that wasn’t an issue. My bosses would never let me work for free. I knew them well enough to feel confident about that. But I also felt like I knew them well enough to recognize they were watching me for more than good child care. For example, right before they disappeared into their room, I almost said, “Take a picture; it’ll last longer.” Except, this wasn’t seventh grade.

  I wrapped up the packing for the children and left their bags in the hallway because if I’d left them in their rooms, I was just asking for them to play packing, which would involve unpacking and stuffing the suitcases with things they “needed.” None of which would be clothing or toiletries, although Beau might add shoes. Maybe all shoes. He loved his cowboy boots, rain boots, and a whole selection of kicks. I had commented once that he outgrew them fast and maybe only a couple of pairs was practical, but got the look that said don’t don’t try to tell me how to raise my kid from Adam and shut up.

  And I guessed, compared to some of the possessions of really wealthy kids I’d encountered, a selection of inexpensive shoes was little enough.

  As I stacked the last of the bags, the one with toys and activities just in case they miraculously managed to get bored, a noise caught my attention. A groan. I went on alert before realizing it hadn’t come from the children who were downstairs. I leaned over the railing to be sure they were still occupied, finding them sprawled on the couch, one head at each end, focused on their movie.

  No. I stepped back to the door across from the nurseries and did the impossible. I did not lean my ear on it to listen better—and I did not open it and walk in, begging to be part of things. Holy shit, my mind! If Adam did quit his job and they let me go, it might be for the best. Preferably before I did something outrageous that was reported both to Manny and to the Royal. I’d laughed with the best of them, during my school days, at stories of mannies who overstepped and got involved with their employers. These cautionary tales always ended up with the manny losing his position and taking a job at a government-funded preschool for a paltry wage.

  Not a fate I wanted.

  Still…I stayed here, listening to vague sounds and low voices, laughter. They were so happy. Even when they were stressed out, they found joy in one another. They had a solid foundation. One I wouldn’t attempt to break even if I could. I worked here. And if I couldn’t accept my position, then I’d have to quit. But not now. We were going to have a great weekend, all of us.

  With no gaffes on my part to make people uncomfortable.

  I had training. The best.

  And my good right hand. Would they be appalled if they knew what I fantasized about—or whom—while I used it?

  Just as I lifted my foot to head for my room, not to jack off because, while they were occupied, I had charge of the children, the master door opened ,and I faced a shirtless and barefoot Adam.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Adam

  “So, I must’ve accidentally picked up your phone when we were in the kitchen because I have two in my pocket and yours is going off.” I held it out, my head imagining all the reasons why Pace might still be standing there. Was he listening? Was he needing us and afraid to knock? Was he wanting to join us?

  “Oh. Y-yeah. Thanks.” His stammering weirdness was not at all the proper manny I usually saw, and my dick decided that meant he was there because of door number three, wanting to join us. “I hadn’t even noticed.” He snatched it from me and held it close to his chest, not looking at it.

  “So we’re going to finish packing and…”

  “Adam.” Linc came behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “My stupid phone just went off, too. I need to go.”

  “Okay.” Because what else was there to say? “I’ll make sure we’re packed and ready to go, and if you’re still there when it’s time to leave, you can meet us at the resort?” I was used to this. I didn’t particularly love it, but knowing he was called out to save a life made it something I didn’t detest either.

  He kissed the side of my head and wandered back into the room to get the rest of his clothing on.

  “I’ll go finish getting ready. Sorry about the phone.” I gave a nod and, as if it clicked for the first time, he looked at it.

  “I got a message.” He walked in the other direction, pressing buttons.

  So much for things being normal after our earlier encounter, and pretty much that was 1000 percent because of me.

  I headed to the closet to get our bags. We weren’t going on a long vacation, so a small rolling would be enough for both of us. Linc came out of the bathroom as I plopped the suitcase on the bed and opened it.

  “I was a babbling idiot out there,” I confessed. “How Pace is still here is a freaking wonder. He knows. There is no way he doesn’t know.” I sat beside the suitcase as Linc crouched down in front of me, all dressed for work except for his shoes.

  “What does he know? He’s attractive and we noticed? Spoiler alert: he’s known for a while.” He wiped a stray hair from my brow. “And neither of us have ever been inappropriate.”

  “Still. It’s starting to feel…I don’t know…like it’s unfair not to talk to him about it or something.” Sure, Linc was spot on about him having to notice. His job was to notice things, there was no way he didn’t. At the same time, it felt dishonest not to talk to him about it.

  “And if he leaves?” And as if on cue, his darn phone went off again. “Table this for later?”

  “Absolutely. Your patients need to come first, especially if they are calling you back this quickly.” Either he had two emergencies or things were going downhill fast. “Love you.”

  “Love you, too, Adam. And don’t worry. This will all work out.” He leaned in and gave me a chaste kiss. “All of it.”

  Goddess I wanted it to be true.

  I watched Lincoln leave because how could I not, his ass was meant for ogling, and then got back to work with the packing. I basically threw two of everything for each of us in the suitcase and called it good. I was halfway to the bathroom to pack up a toiletry bag when there was a knock on my door. As much as we had tried to teach the kids knocking was the way to go, they never did, which meant the only other person it might be was Pace.

  Sure enough, when I opened the door, I came face to face with Pace. But it wasn’t the put-together Pace I had grown to know over his time with us. No. This Pace had bright-red puffy eyes, his hair was tousled, and his shoulders slouched. Not knowing what else to do, I went with instinct and pulled him into a hug, and he sagged into me.

  “I’ve got you,” I murmured as he let a sob escape. “I’ve got you.”

  We stood there in my threshold like that for a solid three minutes before he pulled himself back and began to speak. “Sorry. The hospital called. My dad is there being prepped for surgery. They suspect internal bleeding, and it was just too much.”

  Pace had shared a bit about his father, always keeping it professional—as in never giving us enough details to know how bad things were. He just said things like sick and bad day. I had no idea it was close to as bad as it appa
rently was. Shit. He didn’t need me. He needed Linc. Linc could talk him through all of the medical stuff and give him more reassurances than I’ve got you.

  “Let me call someone to watch the kids, and I can take you to the hospital.” We didn’t have a ton of options, but, in an emergency like this, I had a feeling Mrs. Bindle down the road would come over. She just didn’t want to be here all the time and had told us that point blank when we asked her to watch the kids twice in one week before Pace.

  So much of my life was now before Pace. I just had to cross all things that my unprofessional weirdo babbling awkwardness wasn’t going to expedite the after Pace time in my life.

  He shook his head, not accepting my offer. Didn’t he see that he wasn’t alone? That he was part of this family even if in a non-traditional way?

  “Pace.” I reached for and squeezed his shoulder. “I can drive you. I will drive you.”

  He looked down, as if his feet were the most interesting thing around.

  “I just needed to let it out first. I need to be strong for Dad, and the nurse said I wouldn’t be able to see him until he was in recovery, so better take the time now to rant and rave and whine than in the waiting room.” No one should have to be strong for the sake of other people.

  “Let me do this.” I tipped his head up with a finger under his chin. “You take care of us every day. Let me take care of you for a little.”

  He inhaled deeply and then, so quietly I almost thought I was imagining it, answered, “Thank you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lincoln

  After receiving a call from Adam, there was no choice. Pace needed us. I called in a favor from one of the doctors I’d almost gone into practice with a few years ago but was stopped by the clause.