Page 56 of In For a Penny
He could handle one more birth of a child, invasive surgery on his wife, and nursing her back to health. Because the second the doctor gave the thumbs-up to sex, Parker was fucking Astrid missionary style through the damn mattress. No holding back anymore. Just the thought made him shiver in anticipation.
“Daddy, where’s Puppup?” Brendan asked. Parker had just sat down by his dad.
“Shoot,” he answered. He had begun trying to curb his language when his son had to stay in the apartment for a week straight while Astrid bribed him to stop using the word fuck. Parker had received more angry looks that week trying not to laugh every time it was used than he had in their entire marriage.
“I think I forgot it in the car.” He was almost positive he left the floppy stuffed dog in the trunk trying to wrestle the stroller out.
“We’ll go get it,” Aubrey said, pulling Ronan to his feet. They had both graduated from their respective colleges two weekends ago. Ronan had wasted no time proposing to her the day after receiving his degree in art. They were planning a wedding in the fall.
“Sorry, guys,” he said. “I think it might be in the trunk.”
“No problem,” Ronan said. “Hey, big guy. You want to go with us to get Puppup?” With a cheer, Brendan jumped from where Parker was holding on to him in the stands into Ronan’s arms. Fortunately, Ro was a good catch.
It amazed Parker what amazing uncles his brothers had turned out to be. They both figured out how to drop everything when Astrid went into labor, not an easy feat for Liam. They had even stuck around helping with baby duties as long as possible.
“Hey, Pop. You doing okay?” Parker asked, catching Finn’s attention. He was sitting next to the stands in a lawn chair that Astrid had gotten permission to bring. They had been told Liam’s graduation would take a while. Neither of them liked the thought of Finn trying to survive the metal bleachers.
Aubrey had spread out a thick rug next to him to save the seat so he still felt like part of the crowd. Actually, she must have brought half a quilt box to save the seats she had.
“Hello, Mr. Donnelly,” Parker heard, pulling his attention away. He held out his hand to shake the newest addition to their growing cheering section. With a quick shake of Parker’s hand, Dean sat down next to Finn to visit. Sam chose a seat next to Astrid.
“What is it about your dad that makes Dean ignore everyone else? You’d think they’re old friends,” Sam said with a laugh.
“Well, they’re probably closer in age than us,” Parker said loud enough for Dean to hear.
“It's that he always has wisdom to impart. Sad it wasn’t inherited,” Dean answered before continuing his conversation with Finn.
“I’ll agree on that point,” Max added, stepping around the corner of the stands. With a hip check to Parker, he slid them down the row so he could sit on the end.
“Hand me that sweet baby,” Sam said as they passed Max’s daughter down the row. Parker swallowed the lump threatening his throat. Max and Karlie had ferried their nine-month-old daughter with them to attend not just Liam’s graduation but Ronan’s as well.
“At least this is closer than Savanna, Georgia,” Max said, watching his wife sit down on the seat in front of Astrid and Sam. “Cooler too.” Parker opened his mouth to answer but was distracted by two tiny feet hitting the seat in front of him.
Ronan and Aubrey each held one of Brendan’s hands as he leaped up the seats. Landing on Parker's lap, he let out a small grunt before wrapping his arms around the little boy. He had just turned three and had more energy than all of them combined. How had his single father done it?
“I can’t believe everyone’s here,” Liam said, walking up. “Thank you for coming.” He doled out soft hugs to the women gushing over how handsome he was in his uniform. The men got manly hugs and backslapping. But the bright grin never left his face.
“Damn, who is this big man?” he said, swinging Brendan to his hip. Parker had to admit his little brother looked all grown up in his gray jacket and white pants.
Liam had graduated valedictorian from his high school, much to the surprise of everyone but his family. He decided to pursue a career in the military during his Sophomore year. They began the insurmountable task of applying to West Point.
He had received an unlikely endorsement from Senator Mercer, out of the blue, which cinched his place at the prestigious academy. Dean had never told Parker what it took to get the letter from his father. It had been the ultimate testament of friendship.
He had managed to survive four years of staunch discipline as he excelled at his coursework. Now, he only had to graduate before being shipped to some base in Oklahoma.
If anyone had told Parker ten years ago that someday he would have a brother graduating from the top military academy in the country, he would have chased them out with his baseball bat. But here they were.
“I’d better head back before someone notices I’m missing,” Liam said, handing Brendan back to Parker.
“Here, let me fix your sash,” Aubrey said, fiddling with his uniform where it had been jostled by tiny hands.
“Thanks, sweetheart. Are you sure this is the twin you want to marry? There is a better version, you know?” Liam asked with a smirk at Ronan.
Shaking her head, Aubrey finished straightening his uniform before giving him a shove back toward the parade ground. Liam had been saying something similar since she and Ronan had begun dating in high school.
They had just moved back to town. Aubrey had accepted her first teaching job and Ronan had managed to secure a graphic design position for a local advertising company.
“I’ll meet you back here after the ceremony,” Liam said with a laugh.
