Colton

Colto n

O nce I held Abigail in my arms, snapshots formed of her holding a baby with jet-black hair and blue eyes. With some luck, we will all be together forever or for now. Zander motioned Ivy to come back and sit at the table with Abigail on her lap. "Princess Abigail, what would you like to eat?" Zander asked, as I placed a few more placemats down on the table in front of our new guests.

"Hi, I'm Colton Major," I offered my hand to Ivy's grandmother. "What can I get you for breakfast?"

She took my hand. "Hi Colton, I'm Laura Keller. You can call me Grandma, and thank you for saving my granddaughter, Evi."

"Ivy saved us, too." I kissed the back of her hand before releasing it.

She blushed, waving me off. "You charmer."

"Uncle Colton, can you make me some toast? Great Grandma and I had pancake wraps in the car." Abigail turned to her mother with a big smile. "Aunt Polly and Uncle Warren let us eat in the car. We didn't make a mess." She nodded across the table. "Right, Great Grandma? "

"We did not make a mess." Grandma agreed. "Colton, I will have some toast, too."

"Uncle Zander," I head for the breakfast bar. "Do you want to help me get these lovely ladies some toast and make more eggs and sausage?"

"Of course, I do." He followed me.

Discreetly as possible, I placed our guns in the cases still on the bar. Zander shook his head when I motioned for him to take the other case upstairs. Temporarily, we stored them in the cabinet above the fridge. We made quick work of our tasks, bringing everything back to the table. Taking our seats on either side of Ivy. "Eat." I ordered. Making Zander and Ivy's cheeks dust pink.

With breakfast done, Zander and I cleaned up. Sending our guests into the living room.

Zander took the rinsed dishes from me and loaded the dishwasher. "We are going to have to make a run to the grocery store to get some stuff for Abigail." He placed another plate on the bottom rack. "I think we might need all the luck we can muster to win her over."

Drying my hands I pulled Zander against my chest, he melted into me. "They all belong here with us. I can feel it, Babe." His head tilted up, and I brushed my lips on his.

"Us," The word brushed over my chin.

"Babe, I know this is a lot to ask. I love you. Living without you these past few months was torture."

Tears sparkled on his lashes. "Oh, Colton, this is where I have dreamed of being since our first day of college." He went on his tiptoes and devoured my mouth in the most devastating kiss.

I barely registered the knock on the sliding glass door. We broke apart, and I shoved Zander behind me, regretting putting my gun away. My heart beat wildly in my chest.

Andrew waved after he left an enormous wicker basket with pink tissue on the porch.

"Baby," Zander wrapped his arms around me as he rested his head between my shoulder blades. "We are safe now. "

Grasping, his hands to my chest, my body relaxed. Just his touch can calm me. "Thank you, Babe." I tapped his forearm." "I'm okay."

He released me in time to grab Abigail and swing her up into his arms. "Presents. Aunt Polly said the Christmas Elf would know where to find me." She bounced. "Mommy, look."

When we both looked at Ivy, confused, she chuckled, "I explain later."

"Uncle Colton." She wiggled in Zander's hold. "Can you bring the present in?" She demanded.

"Yes, Ma'am," I saluted her as she giggled. "Let's take this back in the living room." Placing it on the floor in front of the couch, we all sat around. The little Princess unpacked a doll, clothes for both of them, puzzles, books, coloring books, crayons in every shape and color.

Ivy read the note. "Dear Abigail, I know you had to leave in a hurry so here are a few things to play with while you are here. Love, Auntie Polly and Uncle Warren." Ivy placed her hand on her heart. Then continued reading. "P.S. At the bottom of the basket…"

"Mommy, look Mac and Cheese and all my favorite snacks." She stood bending over the basket.

I reached over to hold her before she toppled in. "Ice cream and Great Grandma," she shouted. "M&M's."

Zander pulled Ivy onto his lap and tears balanced on their lashes. "These are gifts from your new Uncles."

"Abigail, why don't we let Uncle Colton take the food into the kitchen?" Grandma said when Abigail popped up with two bags of M&M's.

"Mommy, Great Grandma and I ate all our breakfast, both of them." She held up a bag in each hand with an expectant look.

We all held our breaths, waiting for Ivy to respond. With a deep inhale, she answered. "Okay, why don't you pick out a book and bring it over to Great Grandma, while we put the food away." She pointed her finger at her daughter and grandma. "No candy until this mess is cleaned up."

"Even if I share mine with all of you now." She flashed her sad eyes at us.

Yes, was about to slip out of my mouth, when Zander wrapped his fingers around my wrist, nodding to Ivy. "Nice try, But no. We will be back with the basket and a garbage bag in a moment." We all watched Abigail sigh dramatically, giving a book and the M&M's to Grandma.

Ivy quickly ushered us into the kitchen before we all laughed. "Remind me to make some cookies to bring them over as a thank you." Ivy opened the freezer so I could put the Ice cream away.

Zander placed two boxes of snacks and Mac and Cheese in the pantry. My chest pounded wildly because this felt right. Zander and Ivy turned to me when I opened my arms and they both came willingly, letting me hold them. "Please, stay with me." I whispered into their hair.

Abigail called us and we went back into the living room as the unanswered plea hung in the air.

We all sat back down on the floor while the little Princess regaled us with her and Great Grandma's adventure down here with Aunt Polly and Uncle Warren.

Grandma announced she needed a rest and asked Abigail, who yawned, if she would keep her company. Once they were both settled, Zander helped me cover them with the new yellow daisy printed blanket. Our fingers brushed, and he silently mouthed, "I love it." His eyes filled with joy. Yesterday I envisioned cuddling under it with him. Now the picture has changed for all of us.

I gave Ivy and Zander a tour of the house. "This is the master suite." I lead them into my parents' old room. "It has a small bathroom attached." I turned to them anxiously. "Do you think your grandma would like this room?"

Zander waved Ivy in and closed the door behind us. "I like the dark wood headboard and nightstands." He led Ivy to the rocking chair by the wind and crouched down in front of her. "What are you thinking? "

She held out her hand to me and I kneeled down next to Zander. "I don't want to force you two into being an instant family."

"Oh, Ivy," I looked over at Zander to confirm our thoughts. When he nodded, I continued. "Sweetie, we love you and want you to stay with us, which means we want all of you to stay."

Her head shook. "Colton, I don't want to take your bedroom."

"This isn't my bedroom. Our bedroom is down the hall." Stealing a glance at Zander. "I remodeled my bedroom for Zander and I to share." Taking his hand, I laced our fingers. "We would like it to be our room. There is a lot to work out. You live with your grandma and work in Lombard."

Her head went back and forth. "Yes, we lived in Lombard. But I can't go back there after everything that just happened."

Zander stood up, releasing me, and lifted Ivy out of the chair. "Sit," he ordered me to take her place. He lowered her onto my legs and sat on the armrest, so Ivy faced him. "You are staying with us." He brushed his lips against my forehead. "We can both look for new jobs."

Being surrounded by them, my heartbeat fluttered in my chest, waiting for Ivy to respond. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she held out her hand to Zander. " I have been looking for a smaller place and somewhere for Grandma, so she is not alone."

"She won't be alone here." I offered. "There is another small bedroom across the hall. It was my dad's office. We could change it into a room for Abigail." Zander squeezed me, not missing the plea in my voice.

"Hon, we don't have to decide this right now." He leaned forward and his scent filled my lungs as he kissed Ivy, and then they both rested their heads on my shoulders.

"Being surrounded by your love makes me want to stay." She whispered. "But I'm not sure it is right for Abigail. We'd be so far away from her doctors."

"Sweetie," I tightened my hold around them. "We have specialists here too, plus, we don't mind taking a trip to Lombard. Do we Babe? "

"We will go whenever and how often you need." He held Ivy's hand. "Again, you don't have to decide today. Let's enjoy the rest of the day together." He brought their joined fingers to his lips. "We can talk about this tomorrow, for tomorrow is another day."

We stayed wrapped in each other's arms until the sun lowered and Ivy's stomach growled again. "Dinner, now." Zander commanded. Helping Ivy up. Thankfully, before she felt my dick respond to his order.