by Faye Byrd
I shake my head once and walk to Easton’s door, opening it and offering her a hand. “Brandon Long, I’d like you to meet Easton Wilder. She’s the mother of my children.” I look to Easton. “Brandon is … was my restaurant manager.”
His eyes flicker between us, and he gives me a questioning expression as he steps forward to take her hand. “Hello, Easton. I didn’t realize you’d be joining us today.”
“Hi, Brandon,” she says, withdrawing her hand and connecting it to my waiting one without thought. “It’s lovely to meet you, and I’d never miss the opportunity to learn a little more about Trystan.”
Brandon wags a finger between Easton and me. “Am I missing something here?”
I tug Easton’s hand as I step forward, tossing an arm across Brandon’s shoulder as we pass him. “Probably too much.” I chuckle. “But just know that it all worked out.”
“Does that mean you’re coming back?” he asks, giving me the side-eye.
When we get to the back door, he pulls out the keys to unlock it. “I’m not,” I say. My voice holds regret, but it’s not because I regret not coming back. I do regret that I’ve left him hanging, and I do regret we had a vision neither of will never see to fruition. “I’m sorry.”
“What about our plans?” he asks, the disappointment evident. “I totally get why you left, but it’s all settled now, right?” He moves his hand around, frustrated. “I mean, look at the two of ya. Things seem good.”
“Things are good between us,” Easton says, stepping closer to my side. “But our son is still very sick. And he’s the most important thing right now.”
“Have you discussed coming here? Chicago Harmony is one of the best children’s hospitals in the world,” he says, a spark of optimism lighting his eyes.
“I’m not coming back to Chicago.” When his face falls, I fucking sigh. “At least not anytime soon. We still have a long way to go.”
He nods and unlocks the door, swinging it open and stepping back. “Got it,” he says, and I can tell he’s upset, but I don’t know how to make it better.
Easton, sensing the tension, tucks herself under my shoulder. “Just because this isn’t happening now doesn’t mean it’s never happening, Brandon. Maybe when it does, you’ll be available for the managing position.”
He gives her a one-shoulder shrug. “Maybe I will. Thanks, Easton.”
“That’s more like it,” I say, motioning him in before us. “Now give us the royal treatment tour.”
He snorts and enters, turning on the lights and waving toward the kitchen. “Here we have …”
Brandon was a champ as he gave us the tour. He played the part of eager tour guide rather well, but all too soon, it was time to say goodbye to a dream that wasn’t meant to be. I ended up giving him permission to put it on the market and offered him a position in my future restaurant. Easton was right, it may not be happening now, but it will happen, only in a different state.
Afterwards, I take Easton to my home. I’ve never felt as proud of it as I do while she pokes around, especially the kitchen. I mean, hers is nice, but it pales in comparison to mine. I have custom finishes, professional appliances and any trinket worth having as a chef. It’s comfortable and stylish while being well-equipped.
After a quick freshening up, we’re in the car again. This time, we’re stopping by Bleu to pick up dinner. I’m anxious about the conversation ahead, but I know my brother and Kari will do anything in their power to help Cam. It’s just a matter of the amniocentesis and if they’re willing to do it.
By the time we arrive at Cooper and Kari’s, Easton is as tense as ever. I shut off the ignition and reach over, working my fingers into her neck muscles. “It’s going to be okay, Easton,” I soothe and feel her muscles uncoil beneath my touch. “The only possible outcome here tonight is in Cam’s favor. Trust that. Trust me.”
She nods but doesn’t meet my eyes. “I trust you. With everything.”
As I go to respond, the porch light comes on and Cooper is standing there waving us in. I take a deep breath. “We’re being summoned.”
After opening Easton’s door, I grab the food from the back seat. She takes my elbow, and I lead us into the proverbial lion’s den. There are warm greetings and hard hugs before we spread out at the dining table and fill our plates. The first few minutes are silent as we eat, but it isn’t long before the time is upon us.
“So,” Coop says, pausing to wipe his fingers on his napkin, “whatever has you stretched tighter than a rubber band, spill it.”
I lay my fork on my plate and grab Easton’s hand, placing them on the table between us. “Okay, we want you to consider what we’re asking after you’ve listened to the options.”
Coop nods and glances to Kari, whose brows have drawn together. “Is there something wrong?”
I give her a reassuring smile. “No, Kari, nothing is wrong, but what I’m about to ask is big, and I don’t want you to feel obligated because I’m asking.” Then I shake my head. “No, fuck that, I do want you to say yes, but I also want what’s best for you.” I reach over and squeeze her left hand. “Just hear us out, and you’ll see.”
She nods. “Go ahead then.” She glances at our clasped hands. “You’re making me anxious.”
I blow out a deep breath and start talking. I explain it all. Everything Easton and I questioned with Kabir, and everything David told me during Cam’s visit a little over two weeks ago. Kari has eight weeks until her due date, so we have six weeks before the procedure can be done. I can tell a couple of times that one of them has a question, but I continue, wanting them to have as much information as I can give.
By the time I’m at the end of my speech, Easton has my hand in a death-grip, and both of our knuckles are turning white. I pull my hand from hers and wrap my arm around her shoulder. I can feel the nerves running through her body, and it makes me want to pull her into my lap. I had no fucking idea she was this anxious about this conversation.
Coop clears his throat, drawing my attention to him. “David truly believes that Violet is a possible match?” He places his hand over Kari’s considerable bump. “And an amniocentesis at thirty-eight weeks will tell us before she’s born?”
I nod slowly. “Yeah, and while I know you won’t have objections about donating her cord blood, we weren’t sure about the procedure.”
Coop looks to Kari. “How much do you know about this type of test?”
“Some,” she says, her eyes going to Easton. “I’ve never had one, but I also know it’s a widely used procedure.”
Easton’s head moves, but she remains silent, tucked beneath my chin. “We understand if you’d rather wait the two weeks. Her cord blood will need to be banked if you do, and it’ll also need to be banked if we find out she’s a match beforehand.”
“It’s honestly not my area of expertise,” Coop says, looking to Kari for guidance. “This is up to you, babe, but I want you and Violet safe.”
Kari’s eyes are filled with moisture. “I have no problem consenting to the procedure if it means knowing whether Cam has a match two weeks sooner. That’s what’s really at stake here, isn’t it?”
Swallowing thickly, I nod. “It is. Even after the cord blood is collected, there are other tests to be performed. Two weeks in the grand scheme isn’t a big deal, but for our peace of mind, it is.”
“If Kari thinks it’s okay for her, then I’m okay, too,” Coop says, giving us his own blessing. “I’d like to hear her doctor’s thoughts, as well.”
“Absolutely,” I agree. “We’d never want Violet or Kari to be at risk.”
“Did you think I’d say no?” Kari asks, pushing her plate to the side.
I squeeze Easton a little closer before answering her. “Not at all. But it is a huge request, and some anxiety over your response was warranted.”
“Some?” Coop snorts. “I’m sorry, bro, but Easy looks like she might pass out any minute.”
I pull back and really look at her. She’s de
athly pale, and sweat has broken out on her brow. My palm immediately goes to her cheek. “Easton, why didn’t you tell me this was worrying you so much?”
She purses her lips and shakes her head.
“No, stop it.” I push a curl behind her ear. “You should’ve talked to me about it. That’s what I’m here for. I’m yours,” I whisper softly, wanting to reassure her but also feeling like I failed her.
Tears start leaking from her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she croaks. “I … I was afraid to believe.” Her eyes glance to where Coop and Kari are sitting. “I’m a mess. I’m sorry.”
Kari rises and comes around the table, placing her hand on Easton’s shoulder. “We’d never deny our help. Ever,” she stresses. “I understand perfectly why this is so important to you.”
Easy starts nodding and crying harder, burying her face in her hands. Kari glances at me, looking so sad that my heart breaks for them both. She goes over to the sink to wet a hand towel and returns, offering it to me.
I pry Easton’s hands from her face and tilt it up so I can soothingly rub the cloth over her tear-soaked cheeks. “Shhh, Easton. It’s all right.”
I clean her face and pull her to me, where she buries her face in my neck and cries and cries and cries. All we can do is let her get it out. The hidden emotions have taken their toll, and she can’t hold it in any longer.
As her tears come to an end, and she’s left only sniffling, Coop gets up from his seat and comes to stand by Kari. She’s standing there, helpless, with her own tears streaming down her cheeks.
My eyes send him a warning as I know him too well.
“Pfft,” he blows me off. He reaches out and runs his hand down Easton’s hair before leaning down to speak to her. “Easy, honey. Come on, the least you could do is thank us.”
It’s a joke, and I can feel her laughter in my neck. I roll my eyes. Leave it to Coop to clear the air with one stupid sentence.
She finally raises her head and her red, teary eyes land on my brother. “Thank you, both of you.”
Kari steps closer and rubs down Easton’s back. “I told you, sweetie. No need. Cam is our family too.”
Easton stands and hugs Coop first, then wraps her arms around Kari, and they hug. Both of them have silent tears rolling down their cheeks as they whisper between themselves.
Coop rolls his eyes in their direction. “Women.”
I chuckle at his dumbass, knowing he’s trying to lighten the atmosphere. “Whatever, man.”
“What?” he questions, with a shrug. “Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.”
When the women are done with their cryfest, I hand Easton her towel and get up to wet another one for Kari, passing it over.
“Thanks.” She smiles a teary smile.
“All right,” Coop speaks up. “Enough of the sappy. Let’s finish our dinner and discuss the timeline.”
After returning to my house, we undress quickly and crawl under the covers, where I soothe Easton with my body. She falls asleep in my arms, naked, limbs tangled as close as she can get.
This was a day of anxiety, and it took its toll on her emotionally.
As I run my fingers through her silky hair, her chest rising and falling with even breaths, I think of her. I think of her smile when we sat in my car. I think of her curiosity as we toured my restaurant. I think of the compassion she showed Brandon. I think of the tension she’s been carrying on her shoulders.
And then I think of the tears.
Easton’s tears as she worried about our son.
It’s then I realize …
I do love her.
12 Dip
Easy
I’m surrounded by a warm, fuzzy feeling as my mind lifts into consciousness. A soothing, feather-light touch caresses my face and along my hair almost lulling me back into the depths of sleep. When it registers what that feeling is, my eyes snap open to meet the brilliant morning green of Trystan’s eyes.
We’re lying cocooned together, our legs tangled. The softness of his expression causes a deep sigh to escape my lips before they lift in a timid smile. Waking in his embrace with his eyes burning into me so intensely sends a flutter rippling through my chest.
“Morning,” he says in a gruff, sleep-roughened voice. His hand never stops its circuit along my cheek and hair.
“Good morning.” I push closer and place a chaste kiss on his lips, but he doesn’t allow it to stop there.
He licks my lips before plunging his tongue inside as his hands wander my body. Goosebumps spread across my skin, and my fingers automatically grip his hair. A satisfied hum escapes his lips, and I match it with a low moan of my own. His tender ministrations send shivers down my spine and cause an ache low in my abdomen.
He pulls back, breathing heavily. “Although I’d love nothing more than to continue this, the boys will be up any minute, and I need to get breakfast started.”
My nails scratch against his scalp, eliciting an almost purr. “And that’s one of your most special qualities.”
He chuckles. “That I cook?”
I shake my head at his obtuseness. “No. That you love our boys more than you want to have sex.” I punctuate it with a not so soft kiss.
He falls into it, deepening it further, before pulling back and allowing a smirk to rise on his lip. “It’s true, but fuck, Easton, a man can only take so much.” He kisses me again, softer this time. “You can’t be tempting me so blatantly right now.” He presses into me, all of him hard and ready.
My leg wraps around his thigh, holding him close. We writhe against each other, our bodies so in tune that they need no guidance. “Goddammit, Easy. Please, we have to stop,” he begs, his voice gravelly. “You don’t want the boys catching us like this, do you?”
“No, they can’t,” I moan, unable to stop, desperately seeking more friction.
“Fuuuckkk,” he grunts and thrusts against me harder. “See what you do to me? You drive all reason from my mind. You make me want to forget that the rest of the world exists.” His lips close over mine, and his body presses me deeper into the bed.
The sound of a door closing ends all our movement. We both freeze in our spots, deer-in-the-headlight looks adorn our faces. Then laughter bubbles up and bursts forth from Trystan. It’s carefree and boisterous.
“I knew you’d get me in trouble this morning,” he says, pecking my lips before rolling to his back and draping his arm across his eyes.
“Me,” I say affronted, thumping his bare chest.
He grabs my hand, holding it to him. “Yes, you. You’re way too tempting for your own good.”
Just then, Trystan’s bedroom door slowly creeps open. “Mama, Daddy, you awake,” Blake whisper-yells.
Trystan chuckles again and sits up a little. “Yeah, dude, we’re awake.”
“Come on, Cam. Theys awake,” he says as he starts pitter-pattering his way across the room, Cam hot on his heels.
They waste no time crawling right up the bed to land on top of us both. “Dude, easy on Daddy,” Trystan says to Blake, cringing and catching a wayward foot in his hand.
I laugh and pull Cam close for his morning hugs. “Morning, baby. Did you sleep well?”
“I did, but my nightlight ain’t workin’ no more,” he says as he sits up and looks at me very seriously.
“We’ll get you a new one, dude,” Trystan says, leaning over to give Cam his morning head ruffle.
Cam dives his way, and again, Trystan has to twitch away from probing limbs. “Geesh, guys. You’re out to get me this morning, huh?” he asks Cam, who just stares at him, having no idea what he means.
I laugh louder this time. “Come on, boys. Let’s go find you something to wear today while Daddy gets up and starts breakfast.”
I’m already rising from the bed when a hand clasps over mine, pulling me back down. “Oh, no you don’t. Get her boys. Let’s cover Mama in morning kisses.” Trystan laughs and eggs on the boys until all three of them are kissing me all over my f
ace. I can do nothing but squirm and giggle.
Finally, they release me from their clutches, and my sides burn from laughing so much. The look Trystan gives me is pure joy. I almost feel melancholy for all the missed moments I could’ve had if I wasn’t so stubborn. But now that I do have them, I’ll latch on to every single one and hold them close.
“Come on, dudes. Let’s go to the kitchen and let your Mama recover,” Trystan tells the boys with a wink in my direction. He takes them by their hands and leads them from the room.
In the three days since we’ve been back from Chicago, Trystan seems … different, happier. I know my state of mind has improved drastically, as I was a mess by the time the actual conversation took place, but Trystan was always surer of his family than I was. So, I’m not certain exactly what’s changed with him, but something has.
After breakfast, the boys and I go out back to play with Blue while Trystan cleans the kitchen. Kari has a doctor’s appointment at nine thirty this morning, and we expect to hear from them once they’ve spoken with her OB about the procedure and cord blood banking.
I should probably be anxiously awaiting the call, but Trystan’s optimism is apparently enough for the both of us. I’m not even the slightest bit worried that things won’t work out for the best. It’s rather refreshing.
Even when lunch passes and still no word, I push it from my mind and enjoy my off day with my family. Well, I lean against the wall and listen to Trystan read to our children as they prepare for their nap.
When his words taper off, I don’t move, allowing him to almost stumble over me when he exits their room. “Shit!” he whisper-exclaims, grabbing the wall to keep from falling. “Well, well, what do we have here?”
I smirk and hold out my hand for him to help me up. “Nothing new. Just a secret fetish I may or may not admit to having.”
“Ahhh,” he says, as we walk toward the stairs. “So this isn’t a first.”
“Not in the least.” I give him a cheeky wink.
“You’re in an especially good mood today,” he notes, guiding me to sit on the sofa. “I like it. No, I love it. Definitely, love it.”