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“About the time my sisters got their footing, Erlene was diagnosed with cancer. Her husband died five years earlier. So she had two kids and no extended family.”

“She panicked, right?” Noel grasped Aaron’s hand. “Dad, for all his faults, panicked when Mom died. Kendra and I were teenagers, but he still didn’t know what to do.”

“Panic’s a good word. And, since I loved her, it made sense for us to marry.”

The men exchanged a look I didn’t understand.

“And then the cancer went into remission.” Erlene wanted to let me go at that point, but I’d committed to her. She was the one who suggested I go to Pup Night. She understood that part of me. I’d never strayed, of course. Never formed any lasting attachments. I’d simply taken the opportunity to enjoy myself with other Daddies and pups.

“But the remission didn’t take?” Aaron winced.

I shook my head. “It came back with a vengeance, and she was gone four months later. We didn’t really have time to prepare the kids. Alaina was so damn young. Keegan older and therefore more aware of what was going on. I wanted to, I don’t know, protect him? But he’s such a bright kid, and he figured it out right quick. Erlene decided he could know what was going on. I’ve worried Alaina might resent the fact she wasn’t in the loop, but it’s never come up. We finally explained that her mom was dying. Then…the end.”

Noel blinked.

This is probably bringing back memories of his mom dying.

Aaron squeezed his husband’s hand.

Noel cleared his throat. “I had Kendra to take care of. My dad basically checked out, and I had a grieving younger sister. She, uh, went a little wild for a few years.”

“But is settled now and about to become a mother.” Aaron smiled. “Uncle Noel has a nice ring to it.”

“And Uncle Aaron.” He wrinkled his nose. “I just wish we could convince them to come north.”

“Javier has a business in Cataluma—”

“He could open a pot shop up here.” Noel pursed hislips.

I wasn’t going to step into the middle of what was clearly an ongoing debate. “So then Erlene died.”

“Ouch.” Aaron gripped Noel’s hand extra tight.

“I’d formally adopted the kids just a few months after we married—to make certain they were cared for. No one ever said anything when Erlene died, and the paperwork was all in order. Now, losing someone is fucking awful—” I cringed. “Sorry.”

Noel waved me off.

“—and suddenly I had two grieving kids and my own pain to deal with. Oh, and I was a single father. I work from home, so I was able to juggle things a bit until things evened out. The kids went back to school, and I thought we were doing okay.”

“Until?” Aaron leaned closer.

“Well, I mean, things are stillokay. We’re making do. I got the kids into counseling until their therapist thought they were coping as well as could be expected. Then, just a few months ago, things went sideways again.”

“Oh?” Noel also leaned in.

“My boy was being bullied at school. It’s sort of a long story, but we’re in Mission City to get him some help. I only pray we can get things back on track. Or maybe find a different track…?”

Aaron cocked his head.

“He says he wants to relocate to Mission City. From East Van—the home he’s known his entire life.”

“Did it occur to you he might be wanting a fresh start?” Noel blinked his blue eyes.

“Or that he’s trying to escape more than just bullies?” Aaron’s contribution.

I frowned. “You mean like memories and stuff?”

“Could be.” Aaron appeared to consider. “Life can be tough for kids. Sometimes a do-over, or something like that, is a good thing.”