The hotdogs were all gone and once again the kids were running around all over the yard with Lenny. The adults weren't as energetic. Sunset came on fast so now they were hanging out in the cool evening air under the glow of several porch lights.
As Rob and Julian sat together on the porch steps, they saw Mrs. Del Rio and her big, blond hairdo making their way over to them. She was carrying a big Tupperware container and Rico demanded, "What kind of half baked, monstrosity did you bring us?"
"It's all baked," his grandmother told him as he kissed her on the cheek. "It's pineapple upside down cake. Something sweet for the sweet babies."
"Cake from a box. Pineapples from a can," Rico guessed as Mrs. Del Rio handed the cake to Mitch.
"Then I suppose you won't be having a slice," his grandmother told him archly then she opened her arms as Sammy came over to her for a hug.
When Mrs. Del Rio told her what kind of cake she brought, Sammy asked eagerly, "With the cherries in the middle?"
"Of course, my sweetheart," Mrs. Del Rio told Sammy and made her happy.
"Maraschino cherries are nothing to brag about," Rico told his grandmother.
"This child loves them," Mrs. Del Rio told him and she and Sammy shared another hug.
"Wanna see Lenny?" Sammy asked her then took her away so all the kids could show her what an amazing creature Lenny was.
Cake was handed out and Mrs. Del Rio was back so Julian thanked her for vouching for him with the animal shelter. "You made Danny very happy."
"Happy to do it. These two little cuties belong together," she said as she smiled down at Danny, who was eating his slice of cake and Lenny, who was alert for any crumbs that might come his way.
"Mrs. Del Rio helped us get Lenny, do you want to thank her?" Julian asked Danny.
Danny looked up at her and said, "Thank you. Do you wanna to kiss Lenny?"
Everyone laughed, but Mrs. Del Rio picked up Lenny and gave him a kiss on the nose. Mrs. Del Rio sighed as the kids finished their dessert and took Lenny away to play with them.
"You got yourself a winner," she said to Julian and then looked over at Rob and winked at him.
Rico noticed. "You still talking about Lenny? And about that name. That dog has a purple scrunchie holding up his hair. Does he look like a Lenny?"
"Devina from the shelter told me about that," Mrs. Del Rio said. "He belonged to an old lady who named him after her favorite, late husband."
Hearing that, Rico sighed. "I guess he can keep the name."
"Thanks for the permission, but that was never up to you," Julian informed him.
"It's all good as long as you're happy with it, Jules," Rico said and hooked an arm over his shoulders.
It was not all good. Rob was ready to drag him off Julian, but one look from Mitch had Rico flying at him for a kiss. "You're gorgeous when you're jealous," Rico growled at his fiancé.
"Kids are present," Sam told them. And for good reason. In two seconds flat, those two had generated some serious heat. Not to be outdone, Wyatt grabbed Sam around the waist and gave him a kiss.
"Getting hot out here," Lara said while Mrs. Del Rio fanned herself.
And what was Rob doing? Glaring at everyone because he couldn't grab Julian and set the whole place on fire.
While Rob was busy being jealous of everyone in sight, Julian had sneaked off to do something on his phone or to run away maybe. When it looked like he was done, Rob went to join him.
"I needed to approve some changes before tomorrow morning," Julian said.
"And I was worried Rico was making you uncomfortable," Rob told him.
"You worry too much about him," Julian said with a smile and Rob grumbled.
He hoped Julian didn't realize why he felt that way. "My friends are already planning their Halloween parties," Rob said as he watched the kids turning on the lights inside the Halloween pumpkins.
