“Nope. This is perfect.” I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.
“So, you live here full time?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“You don’t want a place of your own?”
“Scrappy and I owned a place together. Couldn’t go back after he died. Sold it.”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” She snuggled closer.
“It’s just easier to live here. I pay my dues, throw down a little for rent and I don’t have to deal with upkeep on my own place.”
“I get that.”
Stoney’s kid, Felix came running over with a wave. We all called him Fox. I wasn’t sure why, it had been his nickname long before anyone knew he existed. “Uncle Scooby, do you want to play?”
I pointed to my head. “I can’t tonight, bud.”
“Oh, no, what happened?”
“Had a little accident, but it should heal quickly. Just got a headache. We’ll battle in a few weeks, okay?” I promised. “Did you meet Rowan?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Fox helped me feed Lord,” Rowan said.
“You did?” I asked.
“Yes. He was super hungry,” Felix said.
“He sure was. Fox made sure his water bowl was filled,” Rowan said. “And then showed me where I could take him outside safely. He was a huge help.”
“Good job, buddy,” I said. “How about I take you to laser tag when my head’s all healed up?”
Felix’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Awesome!” Felix pumped his fist in the air before turning and rushing over to his dad. Stoney gave me a chin lift and I returned it with a grin and our agreement was made.
“I take it you like kids?” Rowan asked.
“I like Fox,” I said. “Actually, I like all of my brothers’ kids. Most kids, though, bug the shit out of me.”
Rowan smiled. “Sounds like that’s not really true.”
“Maybe not.” I chuckled. “What about you?”
“I love kids,” she said, snuggling closer. “I want a ton.”
“Like, as in, a metric?”
“Well, considering I might weigh a metric ton carrying one of yours, then yes.”
I lifted her chin. “You wanna have my baby, Twinkles?”
“Yeah, Frankie, I absolutely want to have your baby. Not right now, but eventually, definitely.” She smiled. “You gonna make that happen for us?”