Page 26 of Quinton's Quest

“I have their favorite ice cream.”

His light-brown eyes softened. “That’s great.”

“Papa!” Melodie tore across the space.

I dropped to my haunches to catch her.

Gideon had a hand at my back to ensure I didn’t topple over. Sometimes, I forgot what an exuberant Melodie could be like.

Trevor was hot on her heels and he curled against me. “Missed you.”

“I know.” Which really hurt to say.

“We worried you weren’t coming back.” Melodie whispered the words. “But Daddy and Archer swore you were.”

I blinked back the tears.That’s on you. Because you took Gideon away from them for almost two years.

“Papa will always come back.” Gideon met my gaze with his fathomless light-brown eyes. “He loves you very much.”

“Daddy’s right, I really do.” I barely had the words out before Lucky wormed his way between the two kids.

Archer clicked his tongue.

Lucky swiped his against my cheek before backing up.

“Oh dear.” Gideon winced.

“All good. I was planning to wash my face before bed anyway.” I’d showered after work and then raced over here. I still hadn’t eaten.

“Oh.” Archer held up a finger, took off, and was back a moment later with a food container. “We made too much. It’s just a little something.”

I held his gaze. He had the most amazing dark-gray eyes that conveyed obvious concern.I must look like shit.God knew, I felt like it.

He put the container in a cloth bag and then tucked it next to the kids’ backpacks.

“Papa, can we bring Lucky home?” Melodie met my gaze.

“Lucky will miss you, but this is his home.” Gideon petted his dog. “You’re back on Sunday night, and you can cuddle with him then.”

“He’ll miss us.” Trevor stuck out his lower lip.

“We’ll miss you too.” Archer moved to Gideon’s side. “But Sunday will be here soon. You need to spend time with your papa.”

Slowly, the kids nodded.

Why does this have to be so hard?

Because I’d made it this way. And I’d have to live with that decision for the rest of my life. Too much had happened between Gideon and me to ever make our way back to each other—but seeing him with Archer hurt. I’d never fathomed that he would move on first.

Gideon clapped his hands. “Coats, hugs, and then you need to be on your way. Papa needs to eat, and you need to settle in before bedtime stories.”

I didn’t need the reminder of the nighttime ritual. I hadn’t always been home—but Gideon had. Despite his reading issues, he read to the kids every single night. No matter how bad his pain—he made the effort. When I’d taken over after he left, I’d done my best. The rest had been left up to our nanny. A nice young woman who, although she clearly cared for the children, hadn’t been their true parent.

“Yay. Stories.” Melodie released me and took her coat from Archer.

“Yeah.” Trevor, with clear reluctance, pulled back and took his from his soon-to-be stepfather as well.

I hadn’t asked if the men had set a date. Or even if things were official. They’d do things in their own time and at their own pace.