Her scream shatters through the room as she comes and I grunt my pleasure when my release hits.
And as we fall asleep in each other’s arms a little while later, I know that Callie holds my heart in her hands.
I wake, not sure what day or time it is. My brain can’t move fast enough to put it all together. I reach for Callie, but she’s not here. I blink my eyes open fully and find the bed empty.
Pushing off the bed, I reach for a pair of jeans in my drawers and dress after using the bathroom. I then go in search of my family.
I find them in the kitchen. All of them. Including my mother and Tyler.
Frowning, I ask, “What time is it?”
Callie moves to my side and places her arms around my waist. After she presses a kiss to my bare chest, she says, “It’s just after twelve.”
I rake my fingers through my hair. “You should have woken me.” I can’t recall the last time I slept this long. I usually average no more than five hours a night.
“You were exhausted, Luke,” she says.
“Daddy!” Sean’s arms loop around my legs and Callie lets me go so I can scoop him up.
“Hey, little man. Thanks for letting me sleep in.”
“Callie said you were really tired.”
Paris walks past me to take plates to the table. “Callie said you were thoroughly screwed,” she murmurs softly enough so Sean doesn’t hear.
Callie grins when I look at her. I smirk as I shake my head at her.
Tyler grabs cutlery and follows Paris to the table. “Morning, stud,” he says as he passes me.
Sean wriggles in my hold and I let him down to run to Mum, who has her arms out for him. Turning to Callie, I raise my brows. “What have you been telling everyone?”
“Nothing. They’re guessing, so just ignore them. I have been.” She sways as her eyes drop to my chest. “You should go and finish getting dressed. Brunch is almost ready.”
I grin. “Who cooked?”
She smacks me playfully on the chest. “Smartass. It was Paris and Tyler. I promise I had nothing to do with it.”
I kiss her before saying, “I’ll be back.”
As I turn, her hand grabs mine and she pulls me back to her. “I thought we didn’t do quick kisses. Ever.”
My gut tightens with need and I give her what she wants.
“Jesus, you two want us to look after Sean while you go take care of business?” Tyler mutters.
Callie shakes her head. “Nope, Luke just took care of business, so we’re all good.”
I head back into the bedroom, throw a shirt on and then brush my teeth. Laughter and conversation fills my house when I return to the table. It’s a sound I haven’t heard much over the last two years, except since Callie has come into my life. Even then, it hasn’t been as often as I’d like.
A realisation hits me square in the gut.
I want my family close.
Although they’ve always been a constant in my life, I’ve closed my heart to them since all the shit went down. I stopped opening up to them. I held a part of myself back.
I didn’t want to allow hope in because what was the point when it only ever ended up being crushed?
“Luke.” Callie beckons me to the seat next to her.