Page 143 of Delicate Storm

“Then I like her even more.”

I do too, but I don’t admit that out loud. I’ve already given Mom enough tonight. Though she didn’t give me shit about it like I thought she would.

“You should go and be with them. I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s the precise reason I want to stay—to keep you company.”

“I’m fine. They’re sending me home tomorrow. If I’m home early enough, I can watch Isaac.”

“Not a chance, Mom.” I laugh incredulously. “You need to rest. But I’ll bring him over for a visit on Monday. I just didn’t want to bring him here and worry him.”

Mom reaches out and squeezes my hand. “I wouldn’t have let you if you tried.”

“Okay.” I nod a few times. “Good to hear.”

“Go home.”

“Jeez, okay. I can take a hint. I’ll call you tomorrow. Is Keeley picking you up?”

“Nope. Phil’s coming.”

My face contorts but I smile through it. “That’s great, Mom.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you about my sex life. But you need to get used to him being around. One day he’ll be your new dad.”

“What?”

Mom bursts out laughing, and while she’s being annoying, I love that she’s happy. “Oh, Easton. You’re too easy. Now go. Say hi to my beautiful grandson.”

“I will. And I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Good.”

I turn to walk away, but she calls out when I’m halfway through the doorway. “Oh, and Easton. Don’t mess it up with Paige. You and Isaac deserve someone good in your life.”

And there it is. I knew she’d have something to say. “Bye, Mom.”

Paige and Isaac are playing when I get home, and I’m greeted with a bout of laughter making my heart full. This is how I always thought my life would be after Isaac was born…coming home to a house full of warmth. True that I get it with Mom and Isaac, but this feels different. And I like it.

Making my way quietly down the hall, I find them playing with action figures and bite back a laugh.

“Come with me,” Paige says in her best superhero voice. “I’m here to protect you.”

My smile widens until I note what she’s wearing and pause, my chest tightening. It shouldn’t be a big deal to see her in myhoodie, but it is and it makes me want to replace her entire wardrobe with mine, claiming her.

Despite the fact that my clothes swim on her, I like seeing her comfortable in my world. In my home. In my clothes. With my son.

I take a step back, leaving them alone to gather my thoughts, but Isaac sees me and immediately jumps up, running over to throw himself into my arms.

“I’ve had the best day, Dad. Did you know that Paige knows about Spiderman?”

“No, I didn’t know that.”

“Well, she does and we playedallday.”

He runs off to his room for God knows what and I grimace at Paige. “Sounds like you had a busy one.”

“It was great. I don’t mind playing superheroes. I’ve seen a few of the movies so I can pretend to know what I’m talking about.”

---