known how to show it at the time. Yes, he’
d been pushy and distant, but he was owning those mistakes now and more than making up for them. It took a
lot of courage to look someone you’d wronged in the eye and promise to do better. Austin had done that, and he
was making good on his word.
I tried to imagine Austin and myself with a child; it wasn’t nearly as hard as I’d thought it might be. I already knew
he looked sexy as hell cradling a baby in his arms. Not that we’d get any time to pounce on each other with a
newborn baby. I pictured us with an older little one, around the same age as Lucas. We’d teach him how to read.
Although knowing Austin, our son would probably be able to play the piano and read music before he could read
words.
“Charlie.”
I looked up when Greg touched my shoulder and said my name.
“It’s time to board. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just daydreaming.”
“About?”
I sighed happily. “My future.”
9
Austin
Over the next two weeks, Charlie and I kept in close contact. It was a little harder to make the timing work when
he flew over to the United States and Canada, but we figured it out. We talked endlessly. I gave Charlie piano
lessons, and he patiently tutored me in cake decoration. We also enjoyed plenty of phone sex. It was no
substitute for being in each other’s arms, but we made do.
The sixteenth of September and the twins’ adoption party rolled around faster than I’d anticipated. I arrived at the
barn early to help Frank and Kyle set up for the party while Isaac, Jesse, and the twins were at the courthouse,
getting the adoption finalised. It was a foregone conclusion that it would happen. The twins’ father had never been
traced, and their grandfathers hadn’t wanted any contact with them. Even so, I knew both Jesse and Isaac would
feel a lot happier once everything was finalised.
I had managed to make and decorate a cake that didn’t look too hideous, which Kyle insisted had to take centre
place on the dessert table. It was a gorgeous day, which was just as well, as the plan was to have the party in
the garden. Frank seemed happy lighting the barbecue while Kyle and I transported food and drink from the
kitchen outside. Their grandsons, Josh and Ben, played chase around the huge garden.
The garden had originally been two separate fields, but Jesse and Isaac had torn down the fence between them
to make one massive space. Isaac’s entire family—bar Danny’s mate, Troy—were tigers, so they needed plenty
of space to roam. Troy was a black leopard, more commonly known as a panther. None of them was in their
animal forms at that moment. Josh and Ben had wanted to shift, but they were under strict orders not to until
after the party and the guests had gone. They had a habit of stripping off and shifting without caring who else was
around.
Troy, Danny, and Noel, Isaac’s other brother, were corralling the boys and welcoming guests as they arrived.
“I think we’re ready,” Kyle said. “We just need the guests of honour.”
As if on cue, Isaac’s car pulled down the long drive. Everyone gathered in a semicircle as the car pulled to a halt
and Jesse, Isaac, and a bodyguard got out. Once they’d unstrapped the twins and lifted them out of the car,
everyone cheered and clapped. The twins, too young to understand what all the fuss was about, stared at
everyone with wide eyes. At least we hadn’t scared them and made them cry.
“Welcome home, little ones,” Kyle said.
“This was already their home, Tad,” Isaac said.
“You know what I mean. It’s official now. They’re Grays.”
Jesse glanced at me, but I shrugged and smiled. Although Jesse’s stage name would always be Steele, he’d
chosen to take Isaac’s name in his personal life once they’d got married. It made sense that the twins would
have the same surname rather than Steele.
“Isaac, come help with the barbecue,” Frank said as everyone began to drift away to attack the food.
Isaac gave Colby to Kyle and walked away with his alpha dad.
“Come on, little man,” Kyle said. “Let’s go introduce you to all your daddies’ friends.”
“Are you happy?” I asked as Jesse came over to me with Jasper in his arms.
“Ecstatic. And a little relieved. They’re ours, Dad. No one can take them away.”
I put my arms around his shoulders and kissed
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