Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
“Come on, Peter.” Ian shook his head and gritted his teeth.
Tori was tugging at his arm to go in, Peter was tugging to go out, and he was carrying all their gear.
“I’ve got him,” JP told him, taking Peter’s other hand.
“Thank you.”
“Daddy, come on!”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m coming. You are a turkey-bird.”
“Gotta hit the ices!” She was jumping and bouncing and just wired.
“Yes, JP Jr., we’re going to skate. I need make sure your dad gets in.”
“He catches up.” She kept pulling.
He stopped her short. “No. We’ll make sure he gets in.”
She huffed and rolled her eyes, but she did stop pulling.
JP was rocking the walker one-handed, holding onto Peter with his free hand.
“Thank you, ladybug.”
“Welcome, Daddy.”
He loved her, so much.
JP and Peter caught up with him. “We got this.”
“I don’t wanna skate, Dad. I hate it.”
“You don’t want to show me what you can do?”
Peter didn’t seem to have an answer for that one.
Tori was so focused. She didn’t tease. She didn’t fuss. She got her helmet and skates on as soon as they went inside, before moving to the edge of the ice. “Susie! Tori is here!”
The class teacher, Susie, laughed and waved before skating up to them. “Hey, Tori. Hi Ian. Peter not joining us today?”
“Peter is letting his dad get him ready. Go ahead, and I’ll let him catch up with Miss Ready and Raring.”
“His dad?” Susie looked oh-so-curious, but she shook herself and smiled. “Okay, Tori, let’s get out there.”
“That’s my dad!” Tori exclaimed. “He’s a hockey pucker! He’s marri-ed to my daddy. Let’s go!”
Ian smiled and waved. “Go skate, ladybug.”
Susie’s eyebrows rose up high, but she turned her attention to Tori, skating after her. He turned his attention back to JP and Peter.
JP was sitting on the player’s bench, talking intently to Peter.
Ian wandered over, but not too close. He didn’t want to interfere, but he just wanted his son to have his skating lesson without drama.
To his surprise, Peter sat and started taking off his sneakers. JP looked around and waved him over once he found Ian.
Ian came over with a smile. “Hey, there. How goes it?”
“Peter has agreed to show me what he can do on the ice. Can you help him get his skates on, please? I don’t think I can do it with the leg yet.”
“Of course.” Ian knelt down and helped Peter get all set up, so grateful for the lack of stress.
“I’ll come to the edge of the ice and watch you, Peter. I’m very excited to see you skate.” JP was clearly trying to keep it upbeat and happy.
“‘kay, Dad. I will show you.” Peter smiled at JP, nodded. “I can show you how.”
“Thank you, Peter. I appreciate that.” JP smiled up at Ian. “So far so good. Let’s see what happens when he hits the ice.”
“Yeah. Susie’s coming over with the skate walker for him.” Tori had moved beyond that and was determinedly moving around the rink.
“Look at Tori go. She’s got damned good form for a four-year-old.”
“Doesn’t she?” Ian beamed at his baby girl, and then at his son. “Go Peter! You’re doing so good.”
“He’s doing great. He just needs confidence. And to not worry about falling. The ice is cold, and it’s hard, but they’re not falling far at this age.” JP raised his voice, calling out, “That’s it, Peter! You’re doing so good!”
Peter smiled for JP, and Tori just motored around the rink, little face pure concentration.
“She does it like it’s her job.” JP gave him a wry grin. “Remind you of anyone?”
“She does. She’s determined. Fierce. Amazing.”
“You’ve done a great job with her. With Peter too. You’re a good father, Ian.”
Ian blinked over at JP, surprised. “You think so? Really?”
“Do you not? Look at them. They’re bright and happy and good. I had nothing to do with that. Nothing at all.”
“They’re amazing. I’m glad you got to know them.”
JP slipped his hand in Ian’s, smiled at him for a long moment before turning to the rink to watch the kids some more.
Peter was slow and careful, while Tori was a machine, taking chances, but not crying when she fell, either.
“Huh.” JP shook his head. “To be honest, given all the fuss he was kicking up, I was expecting that he wouldn’t be able to skate at all, but he’s not doing a bad job at all.”
“No, he’s fine. He’s just scared. He’s learning; he’s getting better.” Ian was proud of him.
“I can’t wait to be well enough to be out there with them.” There was real longing in JP’s voice.
“I can’t either.” He meant it too. He wanted JP to be happy, fulfilled. Whole.
JP squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Chou. How about you? You ever skate with them?”
“Sometimes, yes. Especially if there’s a bigger class. Susie needs help.”
“Cool. Maybe I’ll get to see that next time we have to bring the kids.” JP looked him up and down, and he swore the man was about to lick his lips.
“Listen to you, you horndog.” Ian loved that, though.
JP simply laughed, the sound booming and sexy.
Ian reached out and took his husband’s hand, twining their fingers together. JP squeezed his hand and didn’t make any move to let go, seeming content to hold hands and watch their kids skate.
It was…incredibly boring and normal and Ian had never been happier.