As much as he loved his mama, it was nice to have the house back to just the three of them. Sin was stripping the bed in the room their mama used, and he was cleaning the kitchen from lunch. Camden hadn’t been around a lot. Whatever was going on was serious, and since they’d have to deal with a partner in law enforcement, they’d have to get used to the hours. They’d gotten a taste of it. They hadn’t slept without Camden, but it also gave him and Sin time to themselves.

Camden left a few hours before, but he’d called to say he was on his way home.

“Are we going to talk to him?”

He almost asked Sin what he was talking about but knew it wouldn’t work. They’d whispered about it a few nights waiting for Camden to come home from work.

“Maybe he doesn’t want to do it, Sin?”

He didn’t want to pressure Camden into anything. He turned away from the sink and grabbed a towel to dry his hands.

“We’ll never know if we don’t ask.”

“Just because I’ve always wanted kids doesn’t mean—”

“You’re letting your doubts take over and what’s our Daddy’s rule?”

He grinned at the Daddy’s rule question. That wasn’t used much outside sex but— “I can’t believe—”

“You like calling him Daddy, so I don’t even want to hear it. So, are we going to ask?”

“Yes, but if it makes him sad, I’m blaming you.” He couldn’t get over how Camden seemed to withdraw when the subjects of kids came up. It seemed to be a touchy subject. He and Sin agreed that Camden was too selfless. He thought about the impact it would have on others just like when he hadn’t wanted to date or fall in love when he worked undercover. But that wasn’t Camden’s life any longer. He wouldn’t say Camden’s job was safer just different.

“Deal and Lou said she’d do one more surrogacy if we asked her.”

“But I want Camden to donate. Can you imagine our daughter?”

He’d started to secretly imagine a daughter with Camden’s green eyes, but knew their daughter would probably come out with blue eyes like Lou.

“Why a daughter, why not a son?”

“I’d be happy with whatever, but I’d kinda like a little girl. Ricky is so beautiful, and since they’ll biologically be half-siblings, I kinda imagine, ya know?”

“But Peace is cute too.”

He couldn’t deny the little ginger-haired boy was adorable.

“Yeah, but if he doesn’t say yes, then it’s kinda pointless to hope right.”

“Then just ask him.”

“Ask me what?” Camden strolled into the kitchen removing his belt and holster. “Did Layla get going okay?” Camden embraced them both and held them close to his sides.

“She left about an hour ago. We were just straightening up.” Sin laced their fingers behind Camden’s back.

He silently took his brother’s offer of support. They’d agreed to share a partner and that one day he’d want kids. Sin even said he’d love being a dad, but they’d have to find their man first. That’s what they’d done, and it was time to ask if Camden would be open to one day doing it.

“So, what did you want to ask?”

“Um, well, I was just, you know—”

“Ellison, there’s no need to be nervous. I can’t take care of what’s bothering you if you don’t tell me.”

He couldn’t resist when Camden got that soft look in his eyes. The one focused on him or Sin when they were unsure. Camden always wanted them to be honest with him about everything so that he could make it better. “It’s about what Mama asked the first night she was here. Did you ever want kids?”

“Let’s put it like this. Do you want kids, Ellison?”

“I always thought one day, but if you don’t want them, then that’s fine.”

“How would we have said kids?”

“It would only be one. Lou only agreed to act as surrogate one more time, but only for me.”

“So, this is something you’ve already discussed with Lou?”

“Not recently, it was on one of our Saturday night sleepovers.”

“Have a seat at the table.”

He felt his shoulders slump as he released Sin’s hand and took his usual seat. He laced his fingers together as he avoided glancing at Camden. He didn’t want to see the sadness or that stiff posture he’d noticed the other night.

“What did you discuss with Lou? And when you talk to me you look at me.”

He obeyed. “Just that if we ever met someone…that she’d act as a surrogate. She’s done it for Lucky and Priest, Ghost and Harper.”

“Who would donate, you?”

“Well, I wanted you to.”

“Do you think we’re ready for kids?”

“We don’t have to do it yet. I just thought if we ever got to that point, you’d like to have a daughter with us.”

“He’s obsessed with the daughter thing.”

“Sin, I said I’d be happy with whatever, but our daughter would be gorgeous and strong. Capable. I could teach her to fly, and you could take her skydiving or base-jumping the first time. We could take her mountain climbing and teach her how to rappel at a run down the side of a cliff face.”

“A boy can learn those things too.”

“I know, Camden.” He’d just been dreaming of a little girl with black hair and deeply tanned skin. One that looked a lot like Camden. She’d be tall and strong. They’d raise her to be confident and independent. She’d never want for anything and Camden would always make sure she was safe.

“First, you two would have to marry me and then we’d decide on the kid thing when we were all ready.”

His heart picked up inside his chest. Painfully beating against his ribs at Camden saying they’d have to marry him first. So what it had only been a matter of months they’d been dating, but they’d known each other for two years. He knew what kind of man Camden was, and if he took care of them so well before they married, he knew it would be stronger afterward.

“We’re ready, Saint’s been ready forever, so it would just be when you’re ready to put that donation in a little cup and get our baby mama pregnant.”

“So is that a possible yes?”

“It’s not a possible yes, it is a yes, but not until we’ve had some more us time. I’ve been around long enough to know the crew kids are a top priority, and I’d like to make you two that for a while. Okay?”

“Okay.” It was a yes, and he could live with that. He’d text Lou to reserve womb space for one at a later date. Lucky’s sister never wanted kids of her own, but she’d talked about how happy seeing Lucky and Priest with Matty made her. Lou dealt with her own demons and kept a lot of secrets. But as much as Lou wanted everyone to think she was cold, she was loving and kind. Lou just didn’t know how to express it.

“Don’t you two have a gig at Brawlers this weekend?”

“Yes, it’s been a while. Since Melanie graduated, King and Linc decided to take their honeymoon. Mama set them up with a month-long cruise. She called in a few favors she’d held on to. Melanie’s looking forward to having Mal to herself for a whole month.”

“It’ll be good for King and Linc to have some time alone.”

“So one more gig before they leave. You coming to watch us?”

“I wouldn’t miss it and this time around I can dance with my boys like I wanted to.”

He relaxed muscles he hadn’t known were tensed. Camden did so much for them without asking for anything in return. Camden still made sure he gave them each equal attention. The sex was amazing, and sometimes it was nothing more than Camden getting them off and him not taking for himself.

“Ellison, I know you’re nervous about talking with me sometimes, but I really want you to understand that nothing you ask will ever make me mad. You and Eric being happy is all I care about.”

“What about you being happy?”

“Making you two happy makes me happy. If you two feel safe and content, then I’ve done my job. Not everything is going to be perfect. We’re going to argue and disagree, but as long as we’re open and honest about what’s bothering us, then it can be fixed. I love you both and part of loving you is making sure you’re okay. You need to trust me that I can take care of y’all.”

“We do.” He and Sin got up and found their way onto Camden’s lap. They wrapped themselves around him. “We love you too.”

“Good. Now, how about we go to bed. You two don’t have to be quiet now. I miss you two screaming my name.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

They jumped up, and a smack landed on his ass as they took off for the steps. “I expect you two naked and ready for me, hands and knees.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How bad do we have to be to get a spanking?” he asked Sin.

“What did we do last time?”

“I think we weren’t naked and ready.”

“How slow do you think we can walk?”

They giggled as they slowed down and took their time getting to the bedroom. He knew Camden liked to see them naked when he came to their bed. Camden also loved to see the marks he left. The bruised impressions of his teeth. The fingertip bruises on their hips and the handprints on their asses. That’s why he always wanted them waiting on their hands and knees. Camden gave them so much and asked for so little, so when he asked, they gave. It was the least they could do for the man they loved and who loved them back.