I turn back, my throat tightening as I take in my son. His eyes—so much like my own—search mine. All my life I never thought I’d be called that. And with Noah being a grown man, I thought I’d be Caleb forever.
“Please don’t give up on her,” he says.
“I’m not.”
Bailey runs at me, flinging her arms around my waist, and I stroke her hair.
“Hey, I’m not going to give up on your mother. She said she needs some space, and I’m giving her that, but I’m not going anywhere.”
She looks up at me with those blue eyes that don’t miss a thing.
“Can you be our dad too?”
My heart cracks.
“That’ll be up to your mother, but I’d love to be.”
Her arms tighten around my waist and I close my eyes, swallowing hard.
For so many years I’ve run away from commitment, but now it seems it’s all I want. I love Emma, and no matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for her to be ready.
A hand lands on my shoulder, and I meet my son’s gaze once again.
“We all voted, Dad. You’re it.”
I chuckle. “I’m honoured.”
“Our dad was so mean to Mum, but you’re not,” Kiera says.
“He was a piece of shit.”
We all turn to face Jason. His hands are fisted by his sides, and the defiant look in his eyes make my throat tighten. This kid, he’s keeping so much bottled inside.
“He was. But he’s gone now, and you’re here with me. That’s all that matters,” I croak. I hold an arm open to him and before I know it, he’s joining his sister with his arms around my waist. Kiera huffs before following suit, and I meet Noah’s eyes.
I’ve already been planning how to get through this with Emma, but her kids—they bring a whole new dimension to this.
I always envied Chloe. She and Scott made family look easy, and now she’s done it all over again with Hunter. Not long ago, if anyone had asked me if I ever intended to have one of my own, I would’ve said no.
But these guys need me. And I need them just as much.
Now to prove it to Emma.
Twenty-Two
Caleb
It’s a little after four on Saturday afternoon that my mobile rings.
Noah.
“Hey,” I say, answering his call.
“Grandad’s here. Mum doesn’t know I’m calling. He’s not at the door yet, but he’s in the driveway sitting in his car.”
I’m already picking up my keys before I answer. “I’ll be there in five.”
“Thank you.”
