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“Yep,” Hawk answered getting into bed and pulling the covers up over us. Turning on his side, he laid an arm across Kaleb and cupped my hip. Kaleb had already fallen asleep, knowing he was safe between us.
God, I loved this man.
“Love you, Hawk. I’m proud to have you as my man,” I whispered in the darkness.
His breath hitched, and the hand that had been under his head reached across the pillows for mine. He twined his fingers through mine. His eyes gleamed in the darkness as they sought mine.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here, Sweets.”
“No apology needed, Hawk. I knew you’d get here, you just needed time. He’ll have a good life with us,” I promised.
“Yeah, he will,” Hawk said softly, pressing a kiss to Kaleb’s hair.
It didn’t take long for us to fall asleep listening to the storm that ran wild outside.
I woke just after seven to Kaleb’s foot in my face, pushing up against my nose, making it hard to breathe. Gently, I moved it back to the bed. Sitting up, I smiled and reached for my phone to take a picture of my two sleeping boys. Kaleb had moved awayfrom me during the night and was sprawled across Hawk's chest. Hawk had his hand under his little butt, holding Kaleb to his chest. It was the perfect photo, so I took it and promptly shared it with the rest of the family. Knowing they’d understand what it meant for us.
Getting up, I got ready for the day, knowing that I wasn’t going to enjoy what I had to do today. I’d be finalising Kaleb’s registration at the nursery that Mila went to. I’d taken time off when Kaleb came into our lives to settle him with us. I needed to get back to work, so he’d be starting this week at the same nursery where Mila went and I wasn’t looking forward to not spending all day, every day with him.
Hawk and I had decided that we’d only put him in three half days for now and if it all went okay, we’d up his days to five half days.
Now that Kaleb had come into our lives, Mum had decided to semi-retire so she could spend more time with him and Ellie. As had Aunt Maggie between the two of them, they said they’d cover the children in the afternoons. We’d see how it all went. I didn’t want them to be tired out.
Leaving the Hawk and Kaleb to sleep, I got dressed and headed out to the nursery and then on to the pub for a bit to check in with everyone.
I’d asked Hawk to drop Kaleb off at the pub on his way to work today but left him a note anyway.
Good morning,
You both looked comfortable, so I didn’t want to wake you up. I’ll be at the pub at about tenish. Drop Kaleb off with me there.
Love you both.
Xoxoxo
CHAPTER 15
HAWK
It had been a few weeks since the night of the storm and Avy, Kaleb, and I’d settled into a routine.
I looked up from where I was sitting on the couch in the reception when the bell over the door in the tattoo shop dinged. I’d been sitting here drawing while I waited for my next client. Smiling when Avy and Kaleb walked in. He squirmed in her arms as soon as he saw me, and she laughed, putting him down.
He ran over and climbed up on the couch, plonking himself down next to me and looking at what I’d been drawing.
“Hi, Sweets, what are you two doing here?” I asked as I tilted my head to receive the kiss that I knew she’d give me.
Avy smiled happily at me, doing exactly what I expected. Pressing her lips to mine, I threaded my hand into her hair at the back of head and held her to me as I deepened the kiss.
“Mmh,” Avy murmured when I let her up for air, “I missed you and knew you’d be working late, so I thought Kaleb and I’d join you for an early supper.” Avy explained, holding up the bag she held in her right hand.
“You must have read my mind; I was just about to go to the café for something but got sidetracked by this design.”
Looking down at the top of Kaleb’s head as he studied my designs, I wondered what he was thinking. It was a nautical scene and would be going on Navy; it had an octopus pulling an old-style ship into the depths of the sea with a nautical compass imprinted in the head of the octopus. It was a beautiful piece, and I was looking forward to adding it to him. I already knew he wanted it on his shoulder.
Nudging Kaleb’s shoulder, he looked up at me, “Do you like it?” I asked gesturing to the page.
He nodded his head but didn’t say anything else. We’d got used to his quietness. He spoke when needed, but otherwise, he was still a quiet child.
