Six

Lux

It was Monday again, Archer's first day back at work. It'd been three hours since he left, and so far he'd called me three times and sent me close to a dozen texts. I didn't mind, though. I could only imagine how difficult this separation was for him, and I was happy to help him in any way I could.

Which was why I'd magicked up this baby wrap I saw on TV, something that allowed you to cradle the baby to your chest and walk around with zero risk of dropping him.

I spent every free minute of my morning practicing wrapping it around my torso, using one of the many stuffed toys in Gunner's nursery as a makeshift baby. The wrap thing was basically a very long, soft and stretchy cloth, and when you wrapped it around yourself properly, you could carry your baby around without using your arms. It was a great way to walk around with the baby, and I thought I might take him on short strolls around the neighborhood once I had Archer's permission. I figured he'd enjoy doing it too, and might even decide to take Gunner to work sometime if he felt like it.

As soon as I had the thought, an image of Archer in the three-piece suit he wore this morning with baby Gunner wrapped around his chest popped into my head, and it was all I could do not to grin at just how adorable they'd both look.

Archer could be working at his desk with Gunner patting his cheeks or rubbing his hand over his beard. Judging by how much Gunner enjoyed petting it, I imagined it was pretty soft.

Gunner started crying, and I blinked back to the present as I rushed to him guiltily. Had I just been daydreaming of running my fingers through Archer's beard to test how soft it was?

Scowling at myself and then immediately turning it into a smile as I picked Gunner up from his crib—where he'd been sitting and gripping the slats of the crib while he stared at me with his teary baby-blues—I told myself in very firm words to stop thinking about Archer that way. He might be my mate, but he was my boss right now, and I needed to respect that.

"Oh, Gungun, is your diaper making you angry?" I asked, testing it with a pat and discovering it was pretty full. "Come on, then. Let's get you changed."

I carried Gunner to the nursery and quickly got rid of the explosive diaper, wiping him down with the wet wipes as I pointed a finger at him. "Don't you dare pee on me, you hear me, kiddo? I know where all your toys are. Remember that."

Gunner giggled at my threat, and I smiled as I powdered him and wrapped a new diaper around his bottom before zipping up his onesie.

Picking him up, I cradled him against my arm, and he tucked his head into my neck with a cute little sigh.

Carrying the precious cargo to the living room, I simply stood there for a few minutes since Gunner seemed completely content to just lie against my chest, and it made me not want to put him down just yet.

As if knowing we had a moment to spare, my phone started buzzing. It was a call from Archer, so I declined and video called him back.

"Hey, Archer!" I greeted, holding the phone far enough that he could see us both.

"Hey, Lux. Hey, little guy. Are you two having fun without me?"

"Oh yes. We just got a fresh diaper and now we're trying to decide what to do next. Right, Gunner?"

Gunner reached out toward the phone as Archer spoke to him, and I smiled. This kid absolutely adored his dad, and it was such a sweet thing to see.

"Are you doing okay?" I asked Archer when he went quiet, and his eyes slid to me as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm pretty distracted," he admitted with a laugh. "I know you're taking good care of him, but I guess I just miss him."

"I understand," I said with a soft smile. "Feel free to call again if you want to see him."

Archer winced. "Sorry. I know I've been calling a lot."

"Not at all. It's not a problem. I'm here to make your life easier, remember? And this is all part of it. If I can relieve your stress even a little, I'm happy to do it."

Archer was silent for a long moment, his eyes searching mine, and then the moment broke when Gunner started making what I called his 'hungry noises.'

"Looks like someone needs a bottle."

"I'll let you go then. Thanks for humoring me."

"Have a good day, Archer."

"You too."

As the call ended, I stuck my phone in my back pocket before walking over to the kitchen where I had a bottle ready and waiting. Using just a pinch of magic to heat it to the optimal temperature, I held the bottle out to Gunner, keeping hold as he clamped his little hands around the top and started drinking. Once he had a good grip, I slowly let go, but I still kept an eye on it.

I slowly paced around the room as Gunner drank, mentally cataloging all the things I needed to take care of. The sheets in his crib, both here and in the nursery, could use a washing, and it probably wouldn't hurt to gather up some of these toys and clean them too. While I was at it, I might as well fetch the pacifiers from under the couch.

Since Archer could use the baby monitor to sneak a glance at Gunner at any moment—he'd installed an app on his phone that allowed him to access the feed remotely—I couldn't use my powers in any obvious way.

This was the longest I'd gone without shifting into my true form, and I was starting to miss it a little. Not enough to shift and risk getting caught, but enough to be debating the merits of shifting in the privacy of my room once Archer went to sleep at night.

Archer

Even though I left the office at 5 o'clock on the dot, something I'd never done before Gunner came along, it still felt like the longest work day of my entire career.

By the time I arrived at home, I was almost desperate for a cuddle with my baby. Grabbing my briefcase, I made my way into the house through the garage door, my eyes searching for Gunner as I headed straight for the living room.

"He—"

"Shhh!" Lux cut me off, then pointed at the crib, where Gunner was fast asleep, his hands curled into tiny fists and his eyelids fluttering softly.

Grabbing my wrist, Lux tugged me out of the room, and I followed after him, too stunned to react. His hand was warm, his grip firm around my wrist, and I swallowed hard, ignoring the weird, fluttery feeling in my stomach. It was probably because I hadn't had a proper lunch today. Yeah, what else could it be?

"You should go clean up and change while Gunner sleeps so you can hold him when he's up," Lux said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Today, he was dressed in a soft blue T-shirt with a unicorn on the front, the same one he'd worn for his interview, and I found myself smiling as I looked at him.

"Archer?"

"Uh, yeah. I'll go grab a quick shower." Flustered, I made my escape to my bedroom, closing the door and then leaning my forehead against it.

What the fuck are you doing, Archer?

Lux was my nanny. My male nanny. And I was his boss. I needed to stop having weird thoughts about him.

Lux was amazing with Gunner and I couldn't risk losing him by making him uncomfortable around me. Whatever feelings I was having, I needed to deal with them on my own.

Mind made up, I grabbed some pajama pants and a T-shirt, and headed into the shower.

As I washed up, I focused on the tiles in front of me and consciously did not think about a certain blond-haired beauty.

When I was done, I dried myself, got dressed, and headed into the living room, mind firmly focused on my son.

"You're just in time. Gunner's awake and roaring for some food," Lux said with a grin, holding out a bottle of milk.

Taking it from him, I walked over to Gunner's crib, placing the bottle on the edge as I picked him up, cradling him into my arms and pressing a kiss to the top of his head before offering him the bottle.

Carrying him to the armchair, I took a seat and sighed softly.

For most of my life, I'd been focused on academics. On getting good grades to get a good job so I could give my mom the type of home she deserved, to do something to thank her for all she did for me.

So I'd studied hard, and then once I started my company with Jerry and my other friend Kat, I'd worked hard. I still couldn't save her when the cancer came for her, but at least I'd be able to give Gunner a good life.

I wasn't the type of person who took vacations. I was the type of person who worked on weekends when his friends kept telling him to come hang out with them.

But for the first time in my life, work wasn't the most important thing to me. This little guy in my arms was.

If I could, I'd stop going to work completely. But I'd built our company from the ground up with my friends, and I wasn't going to abandon it.

So many parents had learned how to have a career and raise kids at the same time, and I would too. Plus, I had Lux.

If Lux wasn't here, there was no way I'd be able to go to work. And now that I'd watched Lux take care of Gunner for the past two weeks, I didn't think any other nanny would suit us.

There was something special about Lux, in the way he took care of Gunner (and me) and I didn't think any other person would do it anywhere as well as he did.

Gunner fell asleep mid-meal, and I pulled the bottle away, placing it on the table as I gently rocked him against my chest. He must've had a very active day if he was tired already.

My stomach growled, and I sighed, not wanting to stop holding Gunner but knowing I needed to.

Lux peered out of the kitchen doorway as if he'd heard my stomach from there.

"Dinner's ready," he said in a whisper-soft voice, and I nodded.

Pressing a kiss to Gunner's forehead, I stood and carried him to his crib. Once he was settled, I made my way to the kitchen.

"I hope you like spaghetti. I can take care of babies, but cooking is not one of my strong suits," Lux said with a sheepish smile, and I shook my head.

"Spaghetti is great. And I'd be shocked if you were skilled at everything, so that's good to hear."

Lux chuckled, and I grabbed the plates and glasses as he turned off the stove.

"Would you like some wine?" I asked, and Lux gave me a wide-eyed look.

"Should I be drinking on the job?"

I chuckled, then blinked as I realized he wasn't joking.

Oh hell, there went my stomach again. I really needed to get some food in me.

"I don't think a glass with dinner is a problem, so I can pour you one if you want."

Lux stared at me for a moment, as if he thought this was some kind of test. Then, he nodded, and I filled his glass with red wine before pouring some for myself.

We took our dinner and drinks into the living room, and I sighed softly when I saw Gunner was still lost to the world.

We settled on opposite ends of the couch like every day, and started eating. I hummed as I ate, loving the simple yet filling dinner. While I enjoyed cooking, I hadn't really done much of it in the past six months, but I'd started to again since Lux got here.

This weekend, I was going to cook a great dinner for Lux and Jerry. We'd finally settled on dinner this Saturday, since Jerry didn't have any plans for the weekend, and I was looking forward to spending time with my best friend outside of work. And introducing him to Lux.

I was sure Jerry would find Lux just as perfect for the job as I did.