Three round tables sat in the middle of Troy’s classroom, and ten kids lounged around them on cushions and colored. He smiled as he circled them and checked out their drawings. A year and a half had passed since he’d stepped into a classroom. Troy had missed his job, and he’d realized how much in the month he’d been back. The best part of his schedule though was that he could drop Bella off in the mornings and pick her up from daycare in the afternoons.

He complimented the children’s efforts. The sound of the door opening drew his attention, and he smiled at Gina, the school secretary.

“Hey, come to color with the kids?” he asked, smiling at her eyes rolling.

“No, you got a call from Bright Beginnings. They couldn’t reach your cell.”

“Is Bella okay?” His stomach fell as he asked. “She seemed fine this morning.”

“I don’t know. They didn’t say. You want me to stay with your class while you call them back?”

“Yes, please, I’d appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

Before she even finished talking he’d quickly strode to his desk and dug his phone out of his backpack. He turned it on and stepped out into the hallway, hitting the speed dial for Bella’s daycare. A cheerful voice answered.

“Yes, this is Troy Canter, someone called about Bella Sanchez.”

“Yes, thank you, we couldn’t reach your cell number, so we called the school. Bella is running a bit of a fever and wouldn’t eat lunch.”

“Did you try her father?”

“Yes, we did, but his phone went straight to voicemail. We know you teach just down the block. She’s lying down in the director’s office and seems to be resting comfortably.”

“Let me get someone to take over my class, and I’ll be there shortly.”

“Of course, as I said she’s napping right now. We’ll gather her things up so she’s all ready when you get here.”

“Thank you.” He disconnected the call and stepped back into the classroom. “Gina, is there anyone who could take over my class for the last few hours. Bella’s running a fever.”

“I think Fredrick is free. He just finished his last music class. Give me a minute, and I’ll go ask him. If not, I’ll stay. You manned the phone for me a few times, so I’ll return the favor.”

“Thank you so much, Gina.”

He knew kids became sick all the time, but it was different when it was his kid. So he made it to the daycare in record time after he'd made sure they were ready to call in a substitute if he needed to take off the next day. It would be easier the next year when she started kindergarten.

He was led to the director's office to find Bella curled up with her favorite blanket.

“Daddy.”

His little girl sounded so miserable.

“Aw, honey, you want to go home?”

All she did was nod as he picked her up and cradled her to his chest. He kissed her forehead and was relieved her fever didn't seem too high. He'd give her medicine and see about getting her to eat some soup. He signed her out and collected her backpack.

A half hour later, he had her under a pile of blankets, medicated and her favorite travel mug filled with juice. He turned on cartoons and told her he was going to call her dad, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth, the front door flew open. He didn't want to laugh and barely suppressed it at the pale, panicked Win charging into the living room.

“Why isn't she in the ER?”

“Win, she's fine, I promise. It's just a cold. I gave her some medicine and juice. I was just about to call you and say we were going to have soup for dinner.”

“But you had to pick—”

He took Win's face in his hands and made the man look at him.

“If there was anything wrong I'd take her to urgent care, but right now I'm going to make her a doctor's appointment for tomorrow. So, breathe.”

“What if—”

“Call Dad and tell him you're taking the day off tomorrow. We'll both take her to her appointment. Go, cuddle with your daughter and I'll make some dinner. You want a grilled cheese?”

He didn't know if Win even knew what he asked, but the big man nodded. Win strode off in a bit of a daze, and he left Win to spend time with Bella. He shook his head as he again worried about Win's blood pressure. He was going to have to fight the man to keep him from wrapping precious Bella in bubble wrap.

He was just placing several sandwiches on a platter when Win came up behind him.

“I'm sorry.”

“You're fine. It's the first sniffles you've dealt with.”

“We're going to homeschool her.”

He laughed so hard he almost dropped a sandwich. Not because it was all that funny but because Win was completely serious. He could already anticipate the rebellious years where Bella fought her overprotective dad, and with all the angst, he realized that he couldn't wait. Win and him had known each other for years, but the relationship was new. Things didn't last forever no matter how much he hoped it would.

“Win, keeping her locked up in the house isn't going to keep her from getting a cold. Now, take Bella her soup.”

He poured some soup into a mug and gave it to Win, then pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

“I'll bring the rest.”

Win walked away grumbling, and he gathered everything else onto a tray. By the time he made it back to the living room, Win was helping Bella drink her soup. He set the food on the coffee table, and he sat on the floor. Win hovered and tried to get Bella to drink more soup or have a sandwich, but Bella just wanted to sleep.

So they spoke quietly about their day as they had dinner. At the end of the night, Bella was sprawled across her dad's chest, and deciding to let them sleep, he covered them with a blanket. He fell into a chair opposite the couch. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Miller: How's our Bella?

Troy: Good. Can't say the same for Win.

Miller: Hahaha! Total panic attack?

Troy: He wants to homeschool her.

Miller: Brent didn't want to call and disturb. I'm not so nice.

Troy: Tell Dad his precious granddaughter is just fine.

They exchanged a few more messages, and he got up to put his phone on to charge. He carried Bella to bed, then got a grumbling Win up and settled in their bed. He stripped, and as Win always did, the big man turned over and tugged him down. His back to Win's chest.

Win held him tight as they talked. That became their routine every night, and he was spending more time at Win's place than at home. His dad was getting better, stronger every day and didn't need him hovering. Brent liked his own space and was enjoying having the house to himself. Win and him hadn't had the moving in together talk. Most nights he decided to stay home or hang out with Miller, goodnight calls with Win always had him coming to Win's bed.

He wasn't going to complain because being here was exactly what he wanted, but his normally stoic man wasn't much of a talker. Win was more about actions than words. Yet Win didn't hesitate to tell him he loved him.

He'd never expected to hear those words from anyone, especially Win. As he closed his eyes, he smiled to himself and wiggled deeper under the covers and closer to Win, drifting slowly off to sleep.