Chapter One #3
“I won’t.” Royce pulled back from the embrace and smiled at his dad. “I won’t forget to tell Jace and Dru that you said it either.”
“Shithead,” Eddie snarled as he playfully reached for him.
Royce danced out of the way, bobbing and weaving until he bumped into the bed frame they’d been building.
Eddie had him cornered, but Royce wasn’t afraid of his dad like he’d been as a kid.
Laughter and orneriness sparkled in Eddie’s gray eyes instead of rage and misery.
Royce held his hands up in mock surrender anyway.
It was getting late, and he was eager to get his husband home.
“We have our marching orders, and we best get to them.”
Eddie snorted and changed direction to the other side of the bed, where he hoisted that side of the headboard into the slot. “Bring me the drill?”
Royce grabbed it from the nightstand and carried it to Eddie, who screwed the headboard to the frame. Eddie gave the bed a good shake. “Nice and sturdy. Good.” He shot a wink at Royce, probably hoping to make him uncomfortable.
“I’ll do you one better,” Royce said. He withdrew a twelve-inch level from Eddie’s toolbox and placed it in the center of the headboard. The bubble landed dead center, and Royce stood back with a nod. “Good to go.”
They unrolled the wooden slats, positioned them in the bottom of the bed frame, and screwed them to the rail. Then came the bulky mattress. They wrestled the heavy son of a bitch into place and sat down to catch their breath.
“Whew!” Eddie exclaimed. “I talked a big game earlier, but I’m not getting any younger.”
“But thankfully, you are getting older,” Royce countered.
Eddie pointed at him and winked. “Good thinking.” He grabbed the linens from a box and set them on the bed. “Jo and I can handle this part.”
“Why wait?” Royce picked up the fitted sheet and shook it out. “Let’s do this.”
Eddie got quiet again as they worked, and Royce could tell he wanted to ask more questions.
“Just ask, Eddie. I won’t get mad.”
“Does it worry you that Kelsey might change her mind?” Eddie held up his hands before Royce could reply.
“I didn’t mean it to sound like that, but it must be difficult for her.
I’d think it would be next to impossible for Kelsey not to form a bond with a baby growing inside her, even if the child wasn’t her biological daughter. ”
“Sometimes it is hard for her,” Royce said. “She’s been very honest about it. And we’re grateful for the bond she feels for Darla because we’ve chosen Kelsey and Andrew as her godparents. Darla will always know that Kelsey’s act of love brought her into the world.”
“She’s an amazing woman to give you this gift,” Eddie said.
“One of the fiercest, most loving women I know.”
“Does she get compensated?” Eddie asked.
“Kelsey won’t let us pay for anything except her medical care, so we established a college fund for Ella with the surrogate fee she waived,” Royce replied.
“Our agreement also covers paying for any emotional support she’ll need after Darla’s delivery and filling any salary gaps not covered by her maternity leave and supplemental insurance. ”
Eddie ran a hand over his scruffy jaw. “Sounds expensive.”
“But worth every dime.” Royce placed the last decorative pillow on the bed and stepped back to survey their handiwork. “Not bad.” He leaned forward and gave them a chop in the center. “Better.” Royce turned to his dad. “Is there anything else you want to ask? Nothing’s off-limits.”
Eddie raked his teeth over his bottom lip. “Why’d you choose the name Darla? I figured you’d name your little girl after your mama.”
“Jace called dibs on Mom’s name when Holly was pregnant with Harper. They plan to have more kids, so the dibs are still in effect in case they have a girl.”
Eddie chuckled. “Is that a written rule or something you guys made up?”
“Honor among brothers,” Royce replied. “And naming our little girl Darla just feels right to me.”
“You always shared a special bond with your Aunt Tipsy. She was a hell of a woman who always did the right thing.”
Royce cocked his head to the side. “I thought the two of you hated one another.”
“Hate’s a strong word.” Eddie placed both hands on his lower back and stretched his spine.
“It’s true she hated the things I did, but I don’t think Darla ever fully gave up on me.
And I respected the hell out of her when she stepped up for you kids after I went to prison.
Did you know she wrote me letters while I was locked up? ”
Royce’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “No. She never told us that.”
Eddie nodded. “She didn’t write every week, but close to it.”
“Why?”
“She kept me updated on what was going on with you kids, and sometimes she included photographs. Watching you guys grow up without me was hard as hell.” Eddie swallowed hard and averted his eyes for a few moments before meeting Royce’s gaze again.
“It was especially hard when you refused to live with me after my release.” He held up his hand before Royce could respond.
“I understood why, but I still hated it. You made the correct choice then, and you’ve continued to make the best decisions for yourself ever since.
” Eddie’s eyes misted over, and he rubbed the moisture away with a knuckle.
“Anyway, I found the stash of letters from Tipsy when I packed up my place to move. Do you want them?”
Royce was incredibly moved that Eddie had kept them. “Of course. Thank you.”
“I’ll bring them over after I figure out which one of the boxes they’re in.”
“Appreciate it.”
Eddie’s eyes got suspiciously moist again when he hooked an arm around Royce’s neck and pulled him in. “I’m turning into a big, old softy.”
“Bet your lady likes it.”
“Sure does,” Eddie said. “I’m a very lucky man.”
“That you are. You have a beautiful new home to share with a wonderful woman.”
“I can’t wait to show you the backyard. It’s too dark to get the full effect, but it’s the perfect spot for family barbecues or an intimate wedding.”
Royce cocked a brow. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
Eddie worried his bottom lip between his teeth and looked behind him to make sure no one was standing outside the bedroom. “I’m going to ask Jo to marry me,” he whispered.
Royce grinned like an idiot at his father. “That’s the best news. When?”
“I haven’t worked out the details yet,” Eddie replied. “But soon.”
“Don’t wait too long, or you’ll talk yourself out of it.” Sawyer’s and Jo’s combined laughter carried down the hallway and made Royce smile. “That woman is crazy about you, and you deserve this happiness.”
“Thank you, son. That means so much coming from you.” Eddie wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and cleared his throat. “Now, let’s hang these televisions up so you fellas can be on your way. I’m sure you have things you’d rather do.”
Royce chuckled. “Sounds to me like you’re trying to get rid of us so you can have Jo all to yourself.”
Winking, Eddie said, “You’re not wrong.”
Royce picked up the drill, flexed his bicep, and pulled the trigger a few times to make it whir. “Get out your gun show, Eddie, and let’s make our favorite people swoon.”