Chapter Twenty-Three

R oam looked at his messages. Sprite was doing well, and she had dropped the kids at the daycare. She had an early appointment she'd rescheduled from yesterday. Roam had hoped to have breakfast with her but life intervened.

The storm had blown through quickly. The compound didn't have any major damage besides a couple of items blown over on the farm. The orchard trees were all good. It was like most storms they'd had lately. The weather man had warned of an epic storm and then it had changed direction, barely hitting them. It seemed to Roam it was one of the few jobs you could be wrong seventy percent of the time and never get fired. Roam didn't begrudge him warning everyone. He'd rather prepare and then have nothing happen than be caught unaware.

He hadn't really thought through where Matthew was going to go. The daycare would welcome his little one with open arms, but Roam couldn't make himself drop him off with the other kids. Since Remi and War had spent the night, Remi had offered to drop the kids off on her way to work since she worked in the same building.

War had offered to take Matthew because he was just doing office stuff today and could easily have Matthew with him. Roam also had multiple texts from different people offering to watch Matthew. Meg, Rascal's woman, had sent three. His mom had sent two.

Matthew had fallen asleep after his bottle and Roam hadn't laid him down. Instead, he was sitting at his kitchen island, holding his son with one hand and scrolling his messages with the other. His first client would be there in twenty minutes and Roam couldn't bring himself to leave. He didn't want to be apart from Matthew, but he also didn't know how he'd complete his appointments if Matthew started crying.

His back door opened and Bear walked in.

"I figured you might be here still. Let's get all Matthew's stuff so you can get to work."

"What's going on?"

"After Rascal talked with you, he texted all of us who work around the tattoo studio. We're all on call and will be happy to cover diaper changes, feedings, breaks, etc., so Matthew can stay close to you the next couple of days."

Bear walked into what Roam had decided was the nursery and started packing. With a little one, Bear knew what was needed. Roam relaxed and gazed at his son.

The daycare was great, but Roam had a need to know that Matthew was safe with him for a while. He hadn't been there when he was born. He'd missed the first two months, and he wasn't ready to miss anything more. He might think differently in a couple of days or weeks, but right now, he wanted to be able to hold Matthew between clients.

"Let's get ready for work since it seems like everyone's taking care of us."

ROAM FINISHED HIS FIRST client. Matthew had slept through most of it, and when he'd woken, Sprite had finished her client. Rascal had pouted because his client hadn't paid quick enough, so he missed out on holding Matthew.

Sprite had changed him and was sitting on their office couch cuddling him while he drank his bottle. She had a client in ten minutes, so he knew Rascal would be taking his son as soon as possible.

"Sprite, is your area set up for you next client? I'm happy to hold him if you need to work."

Sprite chuckled. "Try again. I have at least five more minutes, then you can get your hands on him if Stella and Meg don't get here first. They don't have any patients for an hour and were planning on heading over."

Roam could almost feel Rascal's eyes focused on him.

"I'm your partner. I have the next two hours free, so why are those women coming over to hog him?"

"One of those women is yours. Can't you control her?" Roam asked, pausing because his client's body moved when he chuckled.

The ding of the studio door had Rascal pausing.

"Where's the newest legacy to the brotherhood?" Stella asked, walking in and heading toward the office.

"Ladies, why don't you all go have a cup of coffee on your break? We've got this covered."

Meg kissed Rascal on the cheek above his beard, then grinned. "Try again, handsome." Rascal grumbled and followed Meg into the office.

Roam paused again because his client's body was shaking. "Didn't know I'd get a show when I scheduled a tattoo, but you all are quite entertaining."

Roam waited until the shaking stopped and then inked the last little part of his shoulder and wiped the tattoo.

"Okay, let's have you look at that and then I'll wrap it. I just charge for the tattoo. The show is free. I could say it's unusual, but honestly, there's always something going on."

Roam finished ringing up the client and discussing where he wanted his next one. Roam loved his repeat clients because they were his bread and butter. He listened to the women oohing and ahhing over his son. He walked over and stood in the office doorway. Sprite still held Matthew, but everyone was crowded around her. He'd imagined Sprite holding a little one that was theirs but hadn't realized they'd have a little one to love on quite so soon. Their relationship had been a whirlwind, but Roam wouldn't change a thing. Sprite was everything he wanted in a woman and mom for his kids.

"Roam, is it okay if we take him to the diner? We were going to grab a snack. If you'd rather he stayed here, then we'll grab our snack and come back," Meg asked.

"Are you just trying to get him away from me, so you only have to share him with Stella," Rascal grumbled.

"No, we were going to invite you. You are so suspicious."

Roam hid a grin. He had no doubt that's exactly what they had planned until Rascal called them on it.

"Of course. I've got another client coming in, so I'd appreciate it."

Roam knew what he was inviting. Letting them take the newest little one to the diner would mean a shopping trip. He had no doubt his kid would return with all sorts of new clothes. Which, he had to admit, was just fine.

Sprite reluctantly handed over Matthew to Stella. He adored Sprite for loving Matthew as much as he did. He could see it in every cuddle she gave him.

The shop door dinged, and he turned to get the next client set up. Today was going to be busy.

SPRITE FINISHED CHECKING out her client and then washed her hands before checking on Matthew. Stella, Meg and Rascal had him at the diner for an hour, then Rascal cuddled him until his client showed up.

Between the three of them, they'd had time to take care of Matthew, grab lunch and all eat, plus take care of their clients. Her back and neck were a little achy with bending over a chair so long today after being off work for a while.

Between her clients when she had time to think, Sprite had worried over Blake's behavior. She'd been adamant that they had to sleep in their house but refused to tell Sprite why.

At the same time, she'd talked about how much she loved playing with Grant, Casper and Georgia and how neat Roam's house was.

With the upheaval of Matthew's addition to their life, she wondered if Blake had just needed Sprite to herself. Or maybe Blake has been worrying about her dad and just didn't know how to tell Sprite. No one warned parents how they'd have to make the best decision for their kids without all the facts.

Some days Sprite thought she was a pretty good mom and then other days, she was positive she was the worst mom on the planet. But even on her worst days, she reminded herself she was doing better than her own mom had ever done.

Matthew was just stirring in the play pen they'd brought in for him. He opened his eyes and his little mouth started to open. Before he could cry, Sprite had picked him up and cuddled him against her chest. She nestled his head up on her shoulder.

"It's okay, buddy. I've got you," she whispered.

He was a little early to eat and his diaper didn't feel soggy. She wondered if it was maybe the different atmosphere at the studio or if he might have been startled when Rascal and his client had laughed a little bit ago.

He snuffled a little against her neck, then settled down. She swayed as she patted his back. She looked up through the doorway and Roam was staring at her, smiling. He finished with his client while she was holding Matthew.

"You look beautiful holding him."

Roam walked closer, sliding his arm around her so she was leaning against his chest and he had his arms wrapped around both of them.

"Are you as exhausted as I am?" Roam asked.

"Yes! Between the trip, the uncertainty of the storm and work today, I am so tired."

"Mom said she was dropping off supper for us. She just needed to know if it was all at my house or if she should divide it up for your house and my house."

Sprite sighed. "I don't know. Blake wouldn't tell me what was going on last night. I want to just move us in with you, but I also want the kids to be comfortable."

Roam dropped a kiss on her head. She adored when he'd kiss her forehead or kiss the top of her head. He was so affectionate. Each gesture made her feel special. She'd never had that before.

"It's up to you. We could eat dinner together, then everyone could sleep at their own houses or dinner separately. I think you need to choose what you think would make Blake feel the safest."

"Let's see how Blake is after I pick her up. Would that be okay?"

Roam nodded against her. "Yep. Mom will be fine with that."