Page 77 of Manny Included

“We hadn’t discussed that, but it’s not a bad idea.”Bay looked at him.“What do you think, Pete?”

“I think you should come up with reasons it should be your room, and then we’ll talk about it.”That would help her learn to negotiate, right?

Bay grinned and nodded.“Pete is right.So you make a list and we’ll come back to it, okay?”

Belle nodded solemnly.“I can do that.I have lots of reasons.”

“Good.Good, I can’t wait to hear them.”

“You got homework!”Eric said.

“I don’t mind.It’s for my own room.”

“But school is out.”

She gave Eric a look as if to say,poor stupid boy.“Iknow.”

Bay snickered, trying to turn the sound into a cough behind his hand, but Pete could see his eyes twinkling.

Pete shoved a bite of waffle into his mouth.La la la.Not laughing.

Merida finished her waffle and wanted to play, so Bay let her down to run around in the backyard and play in the little sandbox beside the deck.That had Flynn fussing to get down to play, too, so Bay took him out of his highchair and set him in the sandbox with a little plastic pail and a matching blue shovel.

“He’s getting big.Look at him, wanting to play with his sister.”He started cleaning up food, plates.

“He’s going to be running around soon, too.”Bay shook his head.“Are you ready for that?”

“I am.He’s ready, and he has a big sister to chase.”He winked over.“They adore you.”

“Well, I’m glad they don’t hate me.I don’t want them growing up feeling like they had a bad childhood because they got stuck with their Uncle Bay.”

“They won’t.They’ll know they’re loved, by all of us.”

“It makes me sad that the two little ones won’t even remember them except as people we tell them about.”

“God, me too.Seriously.It hurts my heart.”He went to Bay, hugged him.

Bay hugged him right back, holding him close.It was comforting, Bay’s strength and knowing that he shared the pain eased him.

“I love you,” he whispered.“I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“I love you back.”Bay rested his cheek against the top of Pete’s head, then squeezed him a little tighter before letting him go.

“I can have hugs too?”Merida ran to them, and he hugged Merida tight.

“You guys can always have hugs anytime you need them,” Bay assured her as he joined in the hug.

“I love you so much, Unca.I’m so happy.”

“I love you too, sweetie.And you make me happy, too.”

Merida beamed at him and then wiggled to get down and go play.

Bay chuckled.“I probably should head to work, eh?”

“I’m looking forward to our weekend…” he admitted.

“Yeah?”Bay looked pleased at his words.