Page 21 of Heart of Stone (Stoneheart MC #1)
ANDI
" H igher!" Abby squeals, her little legs pumping as Hawk pushes her on the swing.
"Higher!" Amy echoes from the swing beside her, not to be outdone.
"Any higher and you'll flip over the top," Hawk warns, but he gives them both another gentle push.
I watch from the picnic blanket, Adam sleeping against my chest, as my tiny daredevils reach for the sky. The park is quiet this early, morning sun filtering through the trees, dew still clinging to the grass.
This has become our Sunday ritual—early morning park visits before the crowds, followed by pancakes at home. The twins live for it. And watching Hawk with them...
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asks, dropping onto the blanket beside me as the girls run off to climb over the slide.
"Just thinking how good you are with them."
His smile is soft as he reaches out to stroke Adam's cheek. The baby snuffles in his sleep but doesn't wake.
"They make it easy," he says. He leans in to kiss me, his hand slipping under my shirt to tease the skin at my hip.
Two weeks of living in Hawk's house, of sleeping in his bed, of sharing childcare and meals, of making love deep into the night.
It feels like a dream.
I'd tried to create space between us the morning after, but Hawk refused to have it. And my effort to shut him out had resulted with him sneaking into my bedroom in the middle of the night to wake me with deep, addicting kisses.
We break apart laughing as the girls abandon the play equipment to pile onto the blanket.
"Hungry!" Abby announces, crawling into Hawk's lap.
"Pahcakes?" Amy asks hopefully, snuggling into my side.
"Sandwiches," Hawk corrects firmly. "But first, I think someone needs changing."
Adam chooses that moment to wake, blinking up at us with his sweet baby smile.
"I got him." Hawk scoops him up with practiced ease. "Come on, little man. Let's get you sorted while these ladies pack up."
I watch him head for the restrooms, Adam's tiny hand patting his chest, and my heart feels too full.
Amy tugs my sleeve. "Choc-it?"
"Chocolate," I correct automatically. "And not until after lunch."
They run off, screaming around the park while I fold the blanket. By the time Hawk returns with a fresh, happy Adam, we are ready to head home.
The walk home is perfect chaos—twins racing ahead before stopping every few feet to examine rocks or flowers or particularly interesting leaves. Hawk carries Adam in one arm, his other hand linked with mine.
My cell rings as we get close to the house. I step away, taking it as Hawk wrangles the kids down the street.
"This is Andi speaking," I answer.
"Hi, Ms. Daniels, this is Miranda from Swift Utilities. I'm calling to confirm that your power and water are scheduled to be restored this afternoon. You should have full service by 3 PM."
"Thank you so much," I reply, relief mixing with something bittersweet. "I appreciate the update."
Hanging up, I hesitate for a moment, watching Hawk crouch to pick up a dandelion one of the twins holds out to him, a soft smile curving his lips.
"All good?" he asks when I rejoin him.
"Yeah, it was the utility company." I glance up at him. "The power and water will be back on today."
"That's good news," he says, his gaze steady on mine.
"Yeah," I echo, but my voice lacks the enthusiasm I think I should feel.
It is good news—great news, even. It means I can finally go home, settle back into my own space, and reclaim some normalcy. But the thought doesn't fill me with the relief I'd expected. Instead, it leaves me torn.
Living here, with Hawk and the kids, has been...amazing. Messy and loud, yes, but also warm and full in a way I hadn't realized I'd been missing.
We feel like a family. Even if it is only temporary.
"You thinking of moving back in?" he asks.
Before I can respond, Abby lets out a shriek of delight. I glance over, finding her and Amy following a butterfly.
"You should stay. The house would be too quiet without you," he says, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "Plus, Steel would be heartbroken. Pretty sure he's got tea parties booked through next month."
I try to laugh around the lump in my throat.
"We can't," I say, my voice rough. "It's too much to ask of you."
"Psh." Hawk pulls me closer, adjusting Adam on his hip. "Stay. At least until you find a better place."
The offer is casual, but there is weight behind it. Two weeks of living together has changed things between us. Changed me. I am starting to trust this—trust him—in ways that should terrify me.
Maybe they still do, a little.
"You're sure?" I ask. "We're not exactly low maintenance."
He snorts. "Babe, the clubhouse has more toys than the department store, our fridge is covered in finger paintings, and I know three different ways to braid hair. Pretty sure we're past that conversation."
"True." I watch the twins chase each other in circles. "It's a lot, Hawk. I feel bad asking that of you, of the club."
"Nah." His grin is wicked. "What do you think prospects are for? Babysitting and cleaning."
We reach the house, the twins racing up the steps ahead of us. Through the window, I can see evidence of our invasion everywhere—sippy cups on the counter, stuffed animals on the couch, a half-finished puzzle on the coffee table.
It looks like home.
"So?" Hawk asks as we reach the porch. "You staying?"
I think about my apartment, sitting empty except for the few things we'd brought here. Think about the life I'd built there, careful and controlled and lonely.
Think about this man who makes pancakes for my kids and knows how to handle nightmares and never once makes me feel like we are a burden.
"Yeah," I say softly. "We're staying."
"Thank fuck," he murmurs, kissing my temple. "Thought I was gonna have to kidnap you."
"Kidnap me, huh?" I tease, cocking an eyebrow. "I bet you say that to all the girls."
"Nah, just the really pretty ones with kids."
Laughing, I slap his butt as I move to open the door. "Promises, promises."