39. Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

C annon sat in the rocker in the twins' bedroom, holding Ginny after the four a.m. feeding. Jesse had fed them both and Rissa had immediately fallen back asleep. Ginny had been restless, so he'd tucked Rissa into bed and then cuddled in the rocking chair with Ginny, singing softly to her.

Hank had been bathed, changed into warm, clean clothes, and had supper plus a snack. He'd fallen asleep against Jesse's shoulder on the couch but had woken up to brush his teeth and be tucked in. They hadn't even thought about a bed until they'd pulled back into the compound. Thank goodness for family. Roam had moved David's toddler bed from Bear's house since he'd moved into a twin bed. Besides the bed, there had been some hand-me-down clothes from David and Grant, along with some toys. Cannon had held back the tears when Hank hadn't known what to do with the little toy cars. He'd learn soon enough. Cannon had been prepared to have him sleep with them if he was scared, but Jesse had suggested letting Hank decide. Cannon rocked, then paused when he thought he heard something. Hank pulling a blanket behind him and holding his stuffed teddy bear paused in the doorway.

"Hey buddy, did you wake up? Do you want to cuddle?" Cannon said, then held his arm out to show Hank it was okay. Hank ran over, then crawled up Cannon's leg until he was sitting on Cannon's lap.

"Do you want to snuggle while I sing to you guys, or are you hungry?"

Hank leaned against his chest and whispered snuggle. At least Cannon thought that was what he said. It was hard to understand what he was saying. Cannon went back to the song he'd been singing. He figured people might make fun of what he was singing to his kids, but he sang the songs he liked. He moved the rocker to the beat of the words as he sang Elton John's Your Song .

In the quiet of the night, holding one of his daughters and cuddling his brother, who would become his son, he sent up a prayer of thanks for the second chance he'd been given and the life he got to have. After he finished that song, he moved into one of the songs Jessie listened to all the time, Rascal Flatts I Won't Let Go . He'd learn some kid's songs, but for now, he was singing the ones he knew. He glanced at Ginny. Her eyes were closed, and her mouth wasn't even sucking her paci. Hank had fallen asleep against him too. He looked up as he sang one of the verses, and Jesse was standing at the door. He finished the verse, then motioned to their daughter. Jesse lifted her out of his arms and laid her in the crib. He stood holding Hank in his arms and slipped his arm around Jesse.

"Should I put him back in his bed?" he asked.

"Let's let him sleep with us. If he's already woken up, I don't want to put him back. Do we need to change his diaper?" Jessie asked.

"I will, then I'll come to bed. I love you, honey," he said, kissing her lips.

"Ditto," she said heading toward their room. Sunday couldn't come soon enough for him. He wanted her married to him before something else happened and she decided he was too much trouble.