Page 64 of Manny Included

“I’m totally using the hose.Totally.”

Bay laughed.“I’m looking forward to seeing that.”

“Merida will love it, so will Eric.Belle will squeak.”He knew how this worked.

“Well, I guess if she doesn’t want to get hosed, she shouldn’t play in the mud, right?And they’ll get baths right after, eh?We can let Belle have hers in my en suite so we can get them all warmed up at the same time.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.They’ll like that.”Pete chuckled as Eric went sliding through the wet grass on his butt.

“I know Tony and I must have done something like this all the time, but I can’t remember doing it.”

“No?”He hadn’t, but he didn’t like to think about his childhood.

“Nope.It seems like so long ago most of the time.”Bay looked at him.“You know, I’ve never asked about your family.I don’t even know if you have any brothers or sisters.I’m a self-centered ass, aren’t I?”

“Of course you’re not!You’ve been mourning.”He understood that.He felt it in his soul.

“Yeah, but you have too and you’ve managed to keep everything together for all of us.I don’t know where we’d be without you.”

“I’m glad you don’t have to know, you know?”He squeezed Bay’s hand.

“God, me, too.”Bay turned his hand over and twined their fingers together.“Thank you.For being you and loving this family so much.”

“I do.”He met Bay’s gaze.“I love you and this family, so much.”

“That makes me happy.You make me happy.”Bay swayed toward him.

He lifted his face for a kiss, begging the connection.

Bay pressed their lips together, his eyes dropping closed as they kissed.

He breathed out into Bay’s lips, his belly going tight.Bay deepened the kiss slightly, hand sliding behind his head, tilting it.

“Mmm…” He slid one hand behind Bay’s neck.

“Uncle Bay, why are you kissing our Pete?”Belle’s voice sounded so loud in the kitchen.

Pete blinked.He couldn’t wait to hear this.

Bay pulled away and cleared his throat.“Because I love him.”

“Oh.Cool.Can we clean off now?I’m cold.”

Huh.That was that, eh?Had to love the kids.

“Yeah, let’s get the hose out.”

Pete tossed a bunch of towels in the dryer on his way to hose the kiddos down.

Belle followed him slowly.“Do we have to do the hose?I promise not to drip on my way to the bathroom.”

“Go on.Hop in the shower.Don’t wake the baby up, okay?”

“Thanks, Petey!I love you.”She hurried to the bathroom, and Pete grinned at Bay.

“It’s hard to be the oldest girl.”

“I was going to let her use my bathroom,” Bay reminded him.“I guess it can be something special for the oldest girl at another time.”Bay shrugged.“We’ll let the other two play a little longer, eh?So the bathroom is free?”