Chapter Twenty-three
***Autumn***
Thenextmorningat breakfast, I was shocked to find all three men sitting on the balcony in their pajamas. Jones was so excited to find Griff sitting there that he ran over and threw his arms around his dad. Immediately after, he straightened and fixed his pajama shirt before sitting down and acting like nothing had happened.
Caroline crawled into her chair while Grace climbed onto Con’s lap. I stood there, looking at all of them jammed around the too-small table, looking completely cuddly and adorable in their pajamas, and felt a wave of emotion hit me. They looked like a family.
I cleared my throat as I blinked back tears. “I’ll go get breakfast. You all just stay here and hang out.”
Zeke hopped up, his bare chest tan and begging to be touched. “I’ll help. You have more to carry these days.”
Griff secretly punched Zeke’s thigh as he moved by, and Zeke responded by slapping his older brother on the back of the head. Con shook his head at both of them and started talking to Grace about her morning with me.
Zeke rested his hand on my back as we walked downstairs, his smile permanent on his face. “You look beautiful, Autumn. I miss the oversized T-shirt from last night, but this is good, too.”
I looked down at my flannel bottoms and cut-off top. “This is fulfilling all of your fantasies, huh?”
Laughing, he nodded. “You’d be surprised. I’ve had more than one dream about sexy cows since that outfit of yours the other day.”
“Should I be worried?”
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. “Only about how you’re going to let those other two losers down at the end of the summer.”
I shoved him away and went through to the kitchen, rolling my eyes. “You’re an idiot.”
Greta turned and looked at me with raised brows. “Excuse me?”
I stopped short and Zeke ran into me. Stumbling forward a step until he caught me and held me against his chest, I blushed and did my best to push away from him before Greta saw us. “Sorry, Greta. Not you. I was just talking to Zeke here.”
She looked from me to Zeke and then back again. “Okay, no problem.”
Zeke gently tugged at my hair and leaned into me. “You called your boss an idiot in front of Greta. You’re lucky Helen didn’t hear you. I’m her favorite.”
Greta smiled at Zeke and shook her head. “Only because you don’t have kids or, now, dogs for her to clean up after.”
He looked at the food all set out for breakfast and started rearranging things so we could have a buffet upstairs. “Oh, I’m sure she’s thrilled about the dogs.”
“Hey, I clean up after them. The kids do, too.” I snagged a piece of fruit and popped it into my mouth. “Although, Sir Fluffy Butt does shed a lot. Should I apologize to her? I could put together a little gift basket.”
Greta winced. “I wouldn’t. She’s a fickle lady and she’d probably find a gift insulting.”
“Breakfast looks amazing, Greta. We’re all eating upstairs on the balcony from here on, I guess. Just put it together however is easiest and one of us will stop by to grab it.”
Looking over at us, Greta watched us with raised brows. “What is happening in this household? Since when do the Phoenix men do buffet style anything?”
I grabbed the tray of drinks and twirled away. “I don’t want to keep anyone waiting! See you for lunch, Greta!”
Zeke followed behind me with the bigger tray of food, laughing. “She’s right. You’ve turned this place upside down.”
“I’m not sure anyone thinks it’s a good thing.” I hesitated. “Besides me. Did you see Jones hug Griff? That was amazing.”
Zeke stopped in the middle of the stairs and made an aggravated noise. “I wish I wasn’t carrying this stupid tray right now. I need my hands free.”
“Why?”
He went up a few more steps and slid the tray onto the floor before doing the same with mine. Then, he pressed me into the stair railing and kissed me. Deep and slow, it was a burn that left me panting for more. When he pulled back, he stroked his hand down my face and gave me a small smile, one that felt somehow more real and special than his larger-than-life grins.
“You’re a special woman, Autumn. You really care about the kids, don’t you?”
I nodded, confused. “Of course, I do.”
He kissed me again and then nipped my lip, pulling back with his normal cheeky grin. “Come on. If we serve Griff cold eggs, he’ll turn green and start smashing things.”
I laughed and rushed up the stairs ahead of him. Grabbing the drink tray, I wobbled a bit before Zeke was there, steadying me. Looking up at him, I had trouble catching my breath as a rush of attraction washed over me. “I hope we have a date soon.”
“Fuck breakfast, let’s have it now.” He reached for me and grumbled when I slipped out of his grip. “Fine. Feed the children and then sexy time.”
I was still laughing when I stepped out onto the balcony and started handing out drinks. In a great mood, I planted a kiss on each kid’s head as I put their milk down in front of them. Jones wiped his off, but I just added another that made him push me away, but with a small smile on his face.
We ate and watched the ocean. The dogs laid silently underfoot, catching crumbs and entire pieces of bacon dropped by the kids. It was peaceful and special, getting to see the kids happily sitting with their dads and uncle.
“What’s on the agenda today?” Griff stretched his legs out, brushing his thigh against mine.
I popped the last bite of fruit into my mouth and chewed before answering. “Today, we have a beach day. It’s been a few days since we’ve just enjoyed the water. I thought we’d take a few books down and spend some time reading, too. In between playing, of course.”
Jones pretended to accidentally bump his plate and let a slice of bacon fall to Wiggles. “The dogs can come?”
I nodded. “Are you silly? Of course, the dogs can come. I got something special for them, too.”
Caroline perked up. She loved gifts and surprises. “What?”
“Well, I ordered special doggie lifejackets for them, so they can be safe in the ocean with us.” I was almost as excited as Caroline. “We’ll have to ease them into swimming, to see if they really like it, but that can be a job for a very patient little boy I know.”
Jones nodded seriously. “I’ll make sure they’re safe.”
I couldn’t help it. I reached across the table and cupped his sweet little face. “I know you will. You’re a good kid. I would trust all the dogs in the world with you.”
His face lit up in a brilliant smile that transformed him into a perfect little cherub for a moment. It faded almost as fast, and he pushed my hand away, but it was gentle, and the stern look on his face afterward was clearly an effort. “I said I’d do it.”
I sat back in my seat, surprised when I found Griff’s hand in mine. I wasn’t sure if I’d grabbed him or if he’d grabbed me, but when I looked over at him, he was staring out at the ocean with unshed tears in his eyes.