Perfect Fit: Book 4 of the Fated Hearts Series (30 page)

“I want to go home to Indy,” Lucas said to Miller. The kids found a lot of comfort with the pets and it was amazing to watch how the animals instinctively knew how much they were needed.

“We’ll go home soon, Big Guy. I’m sure Indy misses you too.”

The kids stuck pretty close to our sides as the late morning carried into early afternoon. I could tell that Lily was dragging, but I also knew that Miller felt obligated to spend time with the people who stopped by to share memories and offer a kind word.

“How about I read a book to you, Buttercup?”

“Please, Uncle Jag.” The girl loved her books more than any toy she owned. “You want to hang out with us, Champ?”

“Sure.” Lucas wasn’t ever as excited about story time as his sister, but he did appreciate a book with an adventurous storyline. He was so much like Miller sometimes that it wasn’t funny.

Marilyn kept a basket of books for her grandchildren in her sitting room, which was a quiet nook away from the main flow of the house. I immediately felt better once I walked into the comfortable, quiet space. They both picked out a book and then tucked themselves against my sides. Lily fell asleep before I was midway through her book, but I continued to read until the end. Lucas handed me the book he chose and I held it for him while he read it to me. There were only a few words that he got stuck on, but I helped him sound them out. When he was finished, he set the book aside and snuggled his head against my chest just like his sister. It wasn’t long before he was asleep too.

I heard the sounds of high heels on the hardwood floor in the hallway outside of the sitting room. Destiny’s sister, Vanessa, rounded the corner and came to a stop when she saw that both kids were sound asleep. I could tell by her expression that she wanted to talk, but didn’t want to wake them up.

“They’re sound sleepers,” I told her. “Come on in.”

“We haven’t had much of a chance to talk,” she said softly. “It’s been so crazy and I keep telling myself that it’s just a dream. I’m going to wake up and all of this heartache,” she covered her heart with her hand, “will go away. I’m not dreaming, my sister and Darryl really are gone, and these sweet angels have had their lives turned upside down.” She crouched down in front of me and ran her hands over their heads. “My mom and dad are upset with me because I refuse to challenge Miller for the guardianship of Lucas and Lily.” She looked into my eyes and offered me a sad smile. “Miller was always Darryl and Destiny’s choice and it was the right one. Now they have you also and they’re just where they need to be.” She stood back up and sat in the wingback chair beside the sofa.

“Are your parents going to make things harder than they already are for Miller? I have to be honest with you, Vanessa, they’re going to have to come through me first to get these kids away from him. I will use every resource available to me – and they are considerable – to make sure Lucas and Lily stay with Miller, because no one will love them more than he does. No one will look out for them the way that he will.” I could feel outrage starting to build and took several breaths to calm myself. “This is a terrible and tragic loss, but them deciding they want two small children out of guilt and grief is not the answer.”

“I agree,” Vanessa said calmly, “which is why I told them that I would not support their decision if they pursued custody of the kids. I also told them that I’d give a deposition in favor of Miller if they persisted.”

“What did they say?”

“They’re outraged, of course. I think my mother more so than my father. I feel like it’s a kneejerk reaction with my father right now, but once he’s had time to think things through I hope he’ll calm down and use his influence over mother.” Vanessa blew out a frustrated breath. “Honestly, my parents weren’t that involved in our lives growing up or even as adults. They’ve engaged very little with Lucas and Lily so it’s really absurd to think that all of a sudden they want to be guardians of two active, rambunctious kids. I agree with your assessment that their decision right now is being based on grief and guilt.”

“Thank you for your honesty and candor, Vanessa. It’s a very difficult time for them and I can understand their grief over losing their daughter and the anxiety of not seeing her children. Miller would never want to keep Lucas and Lily away from them. You have to know that he doesn’t operate that way.”

“I do know that and once they get to know him better they will too.”

“I have to ask you something, Vanessa, and I’m sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable. If you really support Miller raising the kids, then I need to be fully aware of all the circumstances of any potential custody hearing.” I looked down to make sure my snuggle buddies were still sound asleep before I asked my question. “Are they going to make an issue out of Miller being gay or that he and I are practically living together?”

“They have honestly never said anything negative about Miller’s sexuality. They knew that he was gay when Darryl and Destiny signed the documents to make him the kids’ legal guardian upon their death and they never made any derogatory comments. However,” she tilted her head to the side, “they probably never thought that it would happen. Who thinks it will happen to them? No one really thinks it will, but they prepare just in case. Luckily, Darryl and Destiny were prepared and their wishes should be honored.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” I replied. I didn’t learn anything new, except that Vanessa was willing to support Miller as Lucas and Lily’s guardian. That part was great news.

Vanessa leaned forward and patted my knee. “I’ll give Miller a call once I know what my parents decide to do.” She rose to her feet. “I’m going to retrieve them and take them back home. It’s been nice meeting you, Jag, but I wish it were under happier circumstances.”

“Likewise,” I said. “I’m sorry for your loss, Vanessa.”

“Thank you. Thank God I have these two as little reminders.” She leaned in and kissed them softly on their heads. “Give them extra hugs from me later, okay?”

“You bet.”

I stayed in the sitting room for a long time after Vanessa left. I wanted to seek out Miller and tell him what Vanessa said, but I didn’t want to wake up the munchkins to do it. I could tell him later once we got back home. I leaned my head back against the couch and planned to rest my tired eyes for just a few minutes. The next thing I knew Miller woke me with a soft kiss on my forehead. The light in the room had faded and it was obvious that I had been asleep for quite some time.

“Let’s go home.” Miller said softly.

I DECIDED TO
take a brief leave of absence from the university so that I could handle some estate issues and spend as much time with Lucas and Lily as possible. One of the first things I did after the funeral was meet with Dr. Lauren Tannehill, who was one of the child psychologists Jag recommended. I needed to be certain that I was doing the right things for my niece and nephew.

“All kids react differently to grief,” she told me kindly. “Kids are really resilient and a lot of them cope remarkably well. The most common emotion they feel is fear, but they sometimes show it differently. Some act out, some stop talking or eating as if they’re depressed, and some try to mask what they’re feeling with humor and a smile. The most important thing for them right now, Miller, is a consistent routine that they can rely on.”

“That makes a lot of sense,” I replied. “My boyfriend and I worry that they’re showing signs of separation anxiety when we leave. They cling to us when we return as if they were afraid we wouldn’t come back. I mean, that’s what happened with their mom and dad so I think that they’re worried the same will happen with us.”

“That is a very common and understandable reaction for children who just lost both of their parents. The only thing that will fix that is time, patience, and routine.” She leaned forward and offered a warm smile. “No one expects you to quit your jobs and stay home around the clock. That isn’t reasonable and it could be unhealthy. In fact, you can’t give in to their fears or enable them to allow their fear to take over.”

“I’ve taken a leave of absence to be with them and make sure they feel settled. I hate to leave them when they get so upset.” Tension and worry was evident in my voice.

“Try this, Miller. Leave the house for a short periods of time at first and then gradually prolong your absence. You’ll have to return to work so it would be better to work them up to a longer absence then just one day be gone for your entire work day. When you get home you should comfort them briefly and then ask about their day. Get their mind off the fact that you were gone and they were worried. It’s part of the routine they need to get used to. Did their mom stay home with them?”

“No, they had a nanny come in each day to look after the kids while they worked. I’ve been lucky enough to retain her services, which I think will be great for the kids. They know Chloe and love her as much as she loves them.”

“That’s great news. She’s someone they’re familiar with and she’ll bring them comfort as they transition into their new routines.”

It was late afternoon before I left her office and I was eager to get home. Jag had taken the day off to hang out with the kids so I could meet with the estate lawyer, life insurance agent, and Lauren. It was an emotionally straining day and I was looking forward to a big hug from my guy. There was a lot I was needing from Jag, but I wasn’t sure when we were going to get some alone time so he could give me what I’d been craving from him for days.

Realistically, I knew couples with kids still found time to have sex. There’s sex and then there’s good sex. Sure, Jag and I found time to be together once the kids fell asleep, but we were always careful not to wake them. I needed to make noise. I needed to ride his cock until I forgot all the worries that kept building inside me until it felt like my head might explode. My body started to react to the image of me riding Jag like a bronco while I yelled out my pleasure. It was a very uncomfortable ride home and in fact it caused me to sit out in my driveway for a few extra minutes as I willed my dick to settle down.

I found Jag in the kitchen when I walked into the house. I inhaled an aroma that smelled like spicy beef. “That smells so good,” I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Liam has been teaching you so many useful things.”

“It’s just tacos,” Jag replied.

“Where’s the munchkins?” The smell of food was the first thing I noticed and the second was the silence.

“Your mom and dad picked them up for dinner and a movie.” Just like that my dick was hard enough to pound nails. We were finally alone and could make as much fucking noise while we fucked, I pushed my erection into his ass. “I can feel that you don’t have a problem with that.”

“Stop cooking and fuck me.” I dropped my hands from around his waist and walked out of the kitchen. It was only a few seconds later that I heard his footsteps following me. “Don’t forget to turn off the stove.”

“Fuck.” I laughed as he retreated to the kitchen to prevent a ruined dinner and potential fire. That gave me a slight bit of extra time so I dashed up the stairs, ripped my clothes off, and laid myself in the middle of our bed. “Damn, Bones, you’re so sexy. I can’t believe that you’re mine,” he said when he came through our bedroom door.

“I’m all yours.” I spread my legs to give him incentive as he peeled out of his clothes. The sound that escaped my mouth when Jag laid his naked body on top of mine was a hybrid mix of lust and gratefulness.

“Roll over so I can give you a massage.” Jag’s dark, velvety voice was a caress against my ear before he nipped my earlobe sharply.

“You don’t have to seduce me, Jag. I’m yours for the taking.” I thrusted my hips up so that my cock rubbed against his and demonstrated how ready I was for him.

“It’s not about seduction tonight, Bones. It’s about showing you all the ways I love you and not just lubing you up and plowing into your body. Roll over.” The look in his eyes promised me that having his hands on my body would be the hottest foreplay we ever had. I rolled over without another word and was grateful I had when his skilled hands began working the knots out of my neck and shoulders. “I promise that you’ll get to do plenty of screaming soon.”