Coming in from work Monday morning, I go about my usual routine. Dropping my keys on the table by the door. Untucking my shirt and working on the buttons as I head to the bedroom. As soon as I reach the threshold, I stop in my tracks.
I lean my body against the door frame and take it all in.
Kelsey is curled up on my side of the bed with one of my pillows cuddled tightly in her arms. Reid is asleep in his playpen right next to the bed. They both look peaceful and 100% comfortable in my space. If I could, I’d commit this scene to memory forever. I never want to forget it or the feeling of absolute joy and peace it gives me.
I linger for a little longer before I go back to my usual routine. By the time I’m down to my boxers and ready to hit the shower, Reid’s smiling face is looking up at mine when I step out of the walk-in closet.
There’s no fighting the smile on my own face, “Good Morning, little dude,” I whisper, trying not to wake Kelsey. I lift him up and head out to the living room, pulling the door shut partially behind me.
He eats a container of baby cereal with fruit and drinks a bottle while I drink a protein shake and sip on a cup of coffee. When Kelsey joins us, I’m sitting on the couch with him, playing with his cars.
“Hi,” she pulls her hair back and ties it up with a ponytail holder. “I would have gotten up with him.”
“All good. I made a pot of coffee, drink yours and then I’ll go get my shower.”
She moves around the kitchen like she owns the place. After she’s taken her first drink of coffee, she turns and leans across the counter, so she’s looking at me. “Breakfast, I can make something.”
“I’m good, I had a protein shake. I fed this dude too. But help yourself.”
She pulls open a drawer and grabs a spoon then a container of yogurt from the fridge. With that in one hand, she picks up her coffee and joins us on the sofa.
“How long has he been up?” She yawns.
I check the time, “A half hour, maybe. I’m not sure if I woke him up while I was shuffling around or not.” I shouldn’t watch her eat her yogurt. When she licks the spoon, I have to fight back a moan. Clearing my throat, I ask how her night went and if she slept well.
“I did actually. Your bed is surprisingly comfortable. How was work?”
“The usual.”
“This feels all domesticated and shit,” she laughs. “You can go shower, I’ve got this guy. Don’t let us mess up your routine.”
Standing up, I move so that I’m hovering over her and lean in, “You two couldn’t possibly mess up anything,” I give her a kiss and take my ass to the shower.
Feeling refreshed, I pull on a clean pair of shorts and debate sleep versus watching Reid and Kelsey hanging out on my turf. That might sound creepy as shit, but it’s a big damn deal to finally have them here with me.
* * *
My next two shifts end the same way. I come home to Kelsey curled up in my bed, Reid asleep until I start moving around. Then he’s up and ready to hang out with me, and every time Kelsey wakes up, she gives me shit for not waking her.
This shift’s already ran over by a half hour, but I think I might finally be able to get out of here now.
“Rhys!” Smitty yells before I walk out to the parking lot.
“Smitty.”
He jogs to catch up with me. “I’m coming over later. After I nap and shit. I wanna meet this kid of yours.”
“Fucking Zoey,” I shake my head. “How is it that when I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on, she was all tight-lipped, but she has no problem telling you my business?”
Smitty laughs, “Behold the power of persuasion my friend.”
“I don’t want to know. Call first man. And good Lord, give me enough time to get some rest.”
“God forbid you don’t get your beauty sleep.”
“I didn’t get this pretty without it,” I flash him a smile and bat my eyes like a girl.
“Weirdo. I’ll call you.”
We part ways, and I drive home to my two favorite people.
This morning, I walk into Kelsey trying to pacify Reid who is pissed off about something. Naturally, when I walk in the door, he spots me and starts to calm down.
“Da da!”
My feet freeze in place, I think…that just happened. My kid said ‘dada.’
“Ugh. He’s such a punk,” Kelsey laughs. “Of course, he wants you. I carry him for nine months, he looks just like you and his first word is ‘dada.’ It’s cool. Mama is going to open that bottle of wine we bought at the grocery store.
I let out a hearty laugh and swoop in to pick up Reid who squeals at me. “It’s not my fault that he loves me,” I tease. “You might want to save the wine though. Smitty’s coming over later. Mostly to be a pain in my ass, no doubt. But he wants to meet Reid too,” I call over my shoulder as I head to the bedroom with Reid in my arms.
I sit him down in the playpen for a second and the kid looks like he’s going to lose his shit and start wailing.
“Hey, hey hey, I’m changing out of my uniform, and then I’m all yours. Give me five minutes.”
I talk to him the whole time I’m undressing, locking up my Glock, and putting my service belt up. Thankfully that’s enough to keep him calm until I’m done. He’s giggling and blowing bubbles, bouncing away in the middle of the playpen by the time I’m done, but the minute he spots me again, his arms are up in the air, and he’s ready for me.
Smitty shows up later in the afternoon, and I’ve got to admit, I’m shocked that he’s bearing gifts. Something tells me he had some help from a saucy little blonde woman.
He gives Kelsey a welcoming hug then makes a beeline for my kid like they’re best friends. I fully expect Reid to freak out at the strange man encroaching his space, but shockingly, he doesn’t. Instead, he holds up the toy he was just chewing on and hands it right to Smitty like it’s a peace offering.
“Thanks, kid, I’ve always wanted a slobber covered thingamajig.” Kelsey and I both laugh at him as he gives it back to Reid. “I think you should keep it though. Seems to me like you’ve already claimed it.”
While we’re all hanging out and waiting for the pizzas I ordered to be delivered, Kelsey’s phone rings. She moves into the kitchen to answer it but Smitty and I can still hear Zoey’s loud voice on the other end, maybe not enough to know what she’s saying – but we certainly know it’s her on the other end.
“Yes, he’s here… Yes, he brought presents… I don’t know, I guess he does, hold on, I’ll ask Rhys…” Kelsey looks up and me and smiles deliciously.
“Kels,” I warn her, not trusting what she’s about to say or do.
“What? Zoey wants to know if Smitty looks sexy as fuck playing with our kid.”
Smitty and I bust out laughing when Zoey starts yelling through the phone. He stands up and moves in Kelsey’s direction, taking her phone right out of her hand.
“Yes, gorgeous, I look sexy as fuck playing with my little nephew...No, he’s mine, I claimed him…well yeah, I might share that, but I’m not sharing him.”
“I guess I’m done talking to her now,” Kelsey rolls her eyes. “Did he really think he needed to buy all these toys for him? It was super sweet though.” She sits next to me on the couch and leans into my shoulder.
“I’m sure you’re meddling best friend had a lot to do with it. Smitty would have handed you an envelope with gift cards or cash. He’s not really much of a shopper. I would have paid to see him shopping for baby stuff though.”
“I’m surprised he’s not hating on me.”
I tilt her chin up so that she can see my face. “He’s always been Team KJ, even after he found out about Reid.”
“You’ve got good family and friends. I’m not sure I’d have that much grace.”
“Well, I’d kick their asses if they didn’t like you. I can be very intimidating when I need to be,” I give her a wink.
“Dude, no one is intimidated by you,” Smitty rejoins us and hands Kelsey her phone back. “Your girl said call her later and feel free to send her some pictures of me swooning over the boy. I’ll give you a hundred bucks not to send her a single picture.”
“What’s the deal with you and Zoey anyway?” Kelsey asks.
“She likes me,” he shrugs.
“Even I knew that much,” I interject.
“We’re just having fun. She’s not ready to settle down, I don’t think I am either. I enjoy her company when she’s got time for me. That’s all it is to it.”
“That might be what she’s telling you, but I’ve known Zoey for a long time. There’s more to it than that.”
Smitty shrugs. “I’m okay with our little arrangement at the moment.”