Chapter 15

With every day that passed, Luke knew his feelings for Paisley were growing. She was quickly becoming his best friend in the ways that mattered most.

When something happened with one of his investments, she was the first person he wanted to tell. He wanted her there for all their successes and even failures. She listened intently when he spoke and asked questions, celebrating with him.

He did his best to return that to her. When she spoke, he gave her his full attention, not letting anyone interrupt except Garrett. They had found their rhythm again while waiting on the results of the DNA test, which he and Garrett went and took almost a week ago now.

Luke had accompanied her to Garrett's most recent checkup, wanting to cry with him when he got a shot. He was embracing the role of father and husband even if they weren't married.

Part of him regretted not accepting her agreement to get married when she'd said it. The part of him that needed her to be sure warred with the part that wanted her to marry him, but they would figure out the rest later.

Getting married wouldn't solve anything, not really. Marriages were often dissolved so it changed nothing, or so he told himself. Jon hadn't objected so he was taking it as agreement.

He kissed Paisley's cheek as he joined her in the kitchen in the morning. Garrett was already up and reaching out for Luke to take him, which he gladly did.

"Good morning." Paisley smiled at him.

"Good morning. Did you sleep okay? I didn't hear him wake up."

"I have my meeting later today, so I've been up for too long, anxious about it," she admitted.

"We've been over that proposal with a fine-toothed comb. You've got this."

She shook her head. "Doesn't stop the stress."

He understood that. "Well, breakfast smells delicious."

"Sit down, it's almost ready."

He did and she joined him not long after, serving them both a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.

Luke's phone rang on the table before he could take his first bite. He sighed, picking it up and answering.

"What's up, Jon?" he answered.

"I spoke with the caseworker this morning."

"Thanks for keeping her from contacting us. I really appreciate it." Luke sighed in relief that he wouldn't have to deal with that woman again.

"Not a problem. We got the DNA test results back this morning. I am happy to confirm that you are the father," he joked.

"There was never any doubt," Luke said, reaffirming what he had been saying all along. "What else do we need to do?"

"I am confirming next steps and will get back to you when I know more. Since I am not actively involved in what you are doing with your father, I would like to know the status of what is going on there and if we can expect any other challenges." Jon was professional if nothing else and would find a way to be prepared.

"I am not aware of anything coming our way, but that doesn't mean much. I can't explain everything of course"—because tapping his communications and video surveillance was illegal—"but right now, there is no next move being made."

"Okay. If that changes, I would like to be informed early on. Until then, take care of your family and I will let you know if I hear from anyone else regarding the case."

"Thanks again, Jon."

Luke ended the call and set his phone down, immediately taking a bite. He knew that Paisley had questions about Jon, but he was starving and needed to get at least a bite in before they started this conversation.

As he shoveled a second forkful into his mouth, Paisley laughed.

"You can slow down. I promise not to ask about the phone call until your plate is clean," she teased.

Luke paused with a third bite midair and gave her a sheepish smile. "I'm hungry," he told her.

"I noticed." Paisley took her plate to the kitchen and rinsed it off before sticking it in the dishwasher.

Luke quickly finished his food and did the same. "The DNA results are back so that's done now. Jon doesn't know if there's anything else needed from us and will let us know if he hears anything. At least we don't have to talk to the woman again."

"Are you going to tell me the results?" she joked.

Luke wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him for a kiss. "You know damn well what the results were, as did I. It was never a concern."

Paisley giggled. "I was just asking." Her face dropped and she got serious before speaking again. "I was a little worried that your father would find a way to make sure that it said you weren't."

He had thought the same but didn't want to worry her with the possibility. "Not outside the realm of possibilities here. One reason we ordered them was it had to go to a different lab and that one was more secure."

She sagged against him in relief. "I didn't want to speak that into the universe, but I'm glad you were handling it already. I was worried about it."

"I get it, but next time talk to me, okay?" He pressed a quick kiss to her lips and pulled back to look her in the eyes. "We can lean on each other always."

"Thank you, Luke." She leaned against him as they stood there in the kitchen.

He wasn't doing it for thanks, but he didn't say anything to her. The matter was resolved for now so at least that was over. He wanted her to realize that he wanted to do this because it was what couples did for each other.

Garrett's cry had them jumping apart.

"I'll get him," Luke said, dropping his hands from her.

She nodded and went back to cleaning the kitchen.

Garrett was in his swing in the living room and began to grin as he saw Luke walk in.

"Oh, was that a ‘pay attention to me' cry? You need better timing, little dude. I was loving on your mama," Luke fake scolded in a baby-talk tone. "I'm trying to get her to marry me one day and you need to help me here," he teased.

Luke unbuckled Garrett from his seat and gently picked him up. His son. It was absolutely official now with not just by the test results, but the birth certificate was also updated.

"No one is going to separate all of us," Luke whispered to him as he went back to the kitchen.

"I'm done," Paisley said as he walked in. "I can take him and change him."

"I've got it," he assured her and headed up the stairs.

He was grateful that as much as Paisley loved Garrett, she also understood that Luke did too and wanted to help. She didn't get upset or push back when he wanted to be the one to take care of him.

"I think your mama actually likes me more than she wants me to know," he told Garrett as he laid him down on the changing table.

In quick order, he had him cleaned, changed, and ready to go.

"Let's go see if your mama wants to do something today to celebrate that now everyone knows what we knew all along." Picking up Garrett, he held him close as he joined Paisley downstairs.