Chapter 10 #4
“Yup. But my man is the good-looking one,” Laryn said with a grin.
That had everyone laughing again.
“But I’d like it said that I’d prefer my kids to be teachers, or engineers, or librarians…something way less dangerous.”
“But without people like Nate and Tate and everyone who wears the uniform, people who have special skills, others like us might not be here right now,” Zita said softly.
“I agree. And I’m in a position of knowing that better than most,” Laryn said.
“Right, so…two babies, check. Gender?”
“Boys, definitely,” Laryn said firmly. “What do I know about girls? Nothing.”
“What about one of each?” Mandy asked.
Laryn paused. “Oh, that might be nice too.”
“If you have girls, we’ll all help,” Penny said.
“Of course we will!”
“Spoil them rotten.”
“Manis and pedis all around!”
Laryn rolled her eyes. But then smiled at everyone. “You’re all the best. I think if I didn’t have you guys, I’d be freaking out way more than I am at the idea of having this kid.”
“You’ll be great. And Casper will be a fantastic dad,” Mandy said.
“Yeah. He will.”
“Anyone need a refill?” Zita asked, as she headed back into the kitchen with her empty glass.
The next few hours were filled with more laughter and good-natured ribbing, and Penny couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such fun. Around midnight, Laryn drove Mandy to Buck’s apartment on her way home, and Jen headed to her own apartment in the building.
Penny had gotten a text from Pyro much earlier, saying Bowie had crashed and promising he’d bring her home in the morning. It said a lot about how into the man Penny was, and how much she trusted him with the most important thing in her life, her daughter, that she’d agreed.
After saying good night to Zita and getting ready for bed, Penny lay down and picked up her phone, needing to check in on Bowie one more time.
She sent a text to Pyro, not wanting to wake him if he was sleeping.
Penny: Everyone’s headed home. All okay there?
She got a text in return almost immediately.
Pyro: Hope you had fun. Bowie’s good. Been asleep since around nine-thirty. I put her in one of my shirts, and she said she loved it so much and that she hoped I didn’t want it back because it belonged to her now. lol
Penny chuckled. She could see her daughter claiming Pyro’s shirt. But that wasn’t a very nice thing to do…to simply take someone’s clothes because she liked it. She’d have to have a talk with Bowie when she got home.
Penny: Thanks for looking after her tonight.
Pyro: It wasn’t a chore, Pen. I love her. She’s amazing.
His words made Penny feel all melty inside. And she knew it wasn’t just the vodka making her emotional.
Pyro: I’ll bring her home around eight in the morning. Is that too early? I figured we could grab some food on the way over and all have breakfast together.
Penny: She’ll probably be up earlier.
Pyro: That’s okay. I’m an early riser. You going to be up? Or do you need me to keep her longer? Did you overdo the drinks?
Penny: I’ll be up. And no. I feel comfortably floaty, not drunk, and I had a big glass of water before I got into bed.
Pyro: Good. I bet “comfortably floaty” Penny is adorable. Sleep well, Pen. I’ll take good care of Bowie.
Penny: Thanks. I know she’s in good hands.
Pyro: I’d rather take a spoon to the eyeball than let anyone or anything hurt your daughter. She’ll always be safe with me. I give you my word.
For some reason, his text made Penny’s eyes tear up. She figured it was because this was the first night she’d ever spent away from Bowie…and okay, maybe partly because of the alcohol she’d consumed.
Penny: I know. That’s why I didn’t freak out when you asked if she could stay the night.
Pyro: One of these days I’m going to ask for a repeat, but maybe have her mom join us as well. Good night, Penny. We’ll see you bright and early in the morning. Let me know if you need anything.
Penny: Good night, Kylo.
She ended the connection and lay in bed staring at the ceiling for a very long time.
It didn’t escape her notice that he’d basically said he wanted her to spend the night too.
And even though they were relatively new and had just started dating…
she wanted that. More than she was comfortable admitting.
She’d fallen hard and fast for John, and that had been a huge mistake.
But Pyro was nothing like John. Penny knew that for a fact.
Some people might call her stupid for rushing into a relationship so soon after her life was upended, but Penny had never been happier.
Never felt safer than when she was with Pyro.
He wouldn’t hit her. Wouldn’t yell at her for not having his dinner ready when he came home from work.
And would never, ever put a hand on her daughter.
Time would tell if a relationship between them would work out, but Penny was going to remain optimistic. She wasn’t going to marry the man tomorrow, but wherever things between them went, she was going to go, gladly.
Kylo Mullins was a good man. One of the best.
Penny fell asleep with her phone still in her hand, and she slept deeply, with no dreams or nightmares.
Secure in the knowledge that her daughter was safe, and if Penny needed it, help was only a phone call away.
Pyro would drop everything to get to her side, of that she had no doubt.
It was a comfortable feeling. Like being wrapped in a warm blanket fresh from the dryer on a cold winter’s day.