by Faye Byrd
He shakes his head as he crosses the room. “Do you hear yourself?”
I have to fight to keep my lips from involuntarily curving upward. “So?”
Yeah, that’s all I’ve got.
As we dig into our omelets, I ponder just how much I should tell him. I need my brother to understand. “When Cameron’s insemination was successful, Easton purchased all available sperm from the donor she used.” Coop’s chewing slows as he processes my words. “It was her intent to make sure her children, Cam’s siblings, all had the same parents.”
His mouth stops moving completely, and his brows lift high. “Holy shit.”
“Yeah.” I nod, because damn. “Not only is Cam the product of another couple entirely, but that son who was made from the inseminated sperm already has a father. Me. So when you dig into it deeper, that’s the truth of it. I’m both Cameron and Blake’s father, in two different ways, but I’m the only one that matters. It’s almost like I have a duty to give her another baby—if that’s what she wants—regardless of Cam’s condition.”
Cooper wipes his mouth and tosses his napkin on the table. “That’s some heavy shit right there, man,” he says, jabbing a finger at me. “I guess I can see where you feel an obligation, but let’s put that aside. Are you ready to have another baby?”
I finish my omelet before answering him, mostly to get my own thoughts in order, and he lets me, waiting patiently. “If you’d asked me last week, I’d have said hell no. But this whole fucked up situation changed that. Meeting Easton’s changed that. I thought Blake’s chances for a real mom were gone, nonexistent, but suddenly they’re not. He has one now. Any kid who’d get to have her as a mom is lucky, so the answer is yeah. I’m absolutely willing to have another baby if Easton is its mom.”
My normally nonplused brother gathers his fingers together and brings them to his forehead before making a little exploding sound as he spans them out. “Mind fucking blown, dude. Are you sure you’re my brother?”
I stand and grab our dishes, placing them back on the cart. “I’m definitely still your brother. I’m just traveling down a different road, and strangely enough, I’m okay with that.”
He doesn’t say anything as I set Blake’s plate of blueberry pancakes on the table, but as I turn to go wake the little dude, Coop grabs my arm, bringing me to a halt. “I get it, okay? We can’t even begin to understand, but we’re only looking out for you. You need to protect yourself. You need to make sure you have rights, not only to Cameron but to any other baby as well.” His green eyes are begging me, and because I love my older brother, I do stop and consider what he’s saying.
A legal agreement would protect both Easton and me, but would it protect our boys from heartbreak down the road? The agreement we have now is centralized on them. It’s about putting them first and making it work, but if I’m being realistic, that doesn’t always work.
It’s a lot to consider, but maybe there is a point to be made here. My carefree, easy-going brother actually came in here and made a good case. Maybe the truce between Easton and me is tentative. Maybe we do need to be more concrete.
“Fuck, man,” I gripe. “Why’d you come in here and fuck with my head? Make me question things Easton and I have already agreed on?”
He chuckles and shoves me toward the hall. “Looks like my job here is done.”
“Hurry, Daddy, I ready to go in,” Blake says, rushing me to open the car door.
I chuckle at his cuteness. “Okay, dude, I’m getting you.”
After stepping off the elevator, I lead them to Cam’s room, pausing to knock lightly on the door. Coop’s beside me with the breakfast I picked up from the hotel kitchen, while Blake dances on the floor between us. He has his toy truck in one hand and the present, another toy truck, we brought for Cameron in the other.
Easy opens the door, and it brings a smile to my face. It looks as though we woke her. She’s adorably rumpled in a simple T-shirt and pajama bottoms. Her hair on the left side is a ball of purple frizz, and the same cheek is tinged pink.
“Morning,” I say, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
“I didn’t expect you this early,” she says as her eyes pass over our group. She squats in front of Blake. “Good morning, sweetie. What you got there?”
“It for Cam,” he answers.
“Honey, you didn’t have to bring him anything.”
“Yeah, I did. Daddy said so,” he says, and I chuckle under my breath.
She glances up and rolls her eyes, shaking her head. “Come on, Blake, let’s go in and see if Cam’s ready to wake up yet.” She stands and takes his hand. “Are you two going over to MUMC to get tested?”
“Yeah, that’s where we’re headed. Coop has a flight later today,” I say with a dumbfounded nod. Seeing her step right into mom mode with Blake does something to me—it muddles my brain, making me forget everything else.
“We’ll be here when you’re done.” She grants me a beautiful smile before turning all her attention to my son.
As they start to turn, Coop nudges my shoulder and tilts his head to the containers he’s holding. “Wait,” I grab her arm. “We brought you breakfast.” I take the to-go plates and pass them to her. “Here you go. I hope you like what I ordered. Blake ate before we left the hotel.”
The smile that lights her face can only be described as angelic. Even knowing Coop’s keen eyes are taking in my every move, I can’t help but beam back. It’s the littlest things that matter, and there hasn’t been a time when I’ve had any doubts on where Easton stands. This smile tells me she feels the same. Our circle is complete with the addition of Blake. Everyone that matters is here.
“Easton, I know you’ve already gathered, but this is Cooper.” I point to my brother. He offers her his patent smile. “Coop, this is Easton, and you’ll meet Cam after we get back.”
He holds his hand out to her. “I’m honored to meet the woman who has my brother acting like a pansy,” he jokes, or at least it sounds like he’s joking.
She raises a brow but still places her hand in his. “I’m sorry, Cooper, but I don’t think doing what’s right for our children makes Trystan a pansy at all. It makes him an amazingly, caring father who recognizes the gift he’s been given.” Her eyes flick to me for one second before settling back on Cooper. “I hope his family can recognize that and support him the way mine will be doing for me.”
“Oh, um … Of course,” he stutters, thoroughly put in his place.
Smiling even wider now, I begin backing away. “Okay, we’re going to uh, go get tested.” I nudge Coop’s arm to follow, as he’s still standing, stunned, in place.
“Wait,” Easy calls, just before I turn away. “You should be here for this. It’s Cam and Blake’s first meeting.”
My heart tumbles to my stomach. I can’t believe I almost walked away. Coop’s point was just driven home. I’m so twisted when I’m around Easton that I almost missed the first meeting between my sons. “Of course, I want to be here.” I shake my head as I step closer, my eyes apologetic. “I can’t believe I almost left.”
My brother snorts, but I decide to ignore that and focus on Easton, who gives me a smirk. “I know the feeling completely.” She steps back so I can pass. “Come in.”
It isn’t until I hear her speak again that I pause and look back. “I’m sorry, but this is a family meeting. I hope you understand.” She’s standing there with her hand on Coop’s chest, stopping him from entering.
“I am family,” he replies, his eyes narrowing.
“And you’ll meet Cam soon, but this moment is just for the four of us,” she says, her voice kind yet firm. “This is one of the most important firsts for us, and I think it should be private.”
He stares at her for a few more seconds. “Actually, I agree.” His eyes meet mine, and it’s clear that he really does. “I’ll wait out here, bro.”
I smirk at his retreating back as he wanders off to find a seat further down the hall. Little does he know,
but that fucker just did exactly what he spent the morning crawling my ass for—bending to Easton’s will. But it’s easy to do, as there’s no doubt where her priorities lie.
Easton closes the door and leads Blake and me over to Cameron’s bed. They go to one side while I step back and hang around the periphery of the other. Placing the containers of food down, she grabs Blake and picks him up to stand on the chair beside the bed.
“He still sleeping,” Blake whisper-shouts.
She smiles and nods. “Sure is. Let’s see if he’s ready to wake up this morning.”
I stand back and watch the whole scene unfold across from me. This is a reality I never imagined a few days ago, and now I can’t find myself wanting anything else. My chest is so full right now, I’m almost unsure if I can contain the emotion. It’s swelled within me, pulsing with my every heartbeat.
With gentle caresses to his cheek, Easton quietly rouses Cameron. Disoriented, his eyes open, spotting Easton before panning around the room to settle on me. His whole face lights up with recognition.
“Trystan, you here.”
“I sure am, buddy,” I say, motioning to the little boy eagerly waiting beside Easton. “Look who I brought with me.”
Cam follows where I’m pointing. “Is that Blake?” he asks, his eyes planted on my other son.
“It sure is.” I motion to catch Blake’s eye. “Why don’t you introduce yourself?”
His eyes flick to me for one swift second before focusing back on Cameron. “My name’s Blake, and I three years old. I brought you a present.” He shoves it in Cam’s direction.
Cam hesitantly reaches out for it. “Thank you. I three years old, too.”
“Open it, Cam,” Blake yells, his excitement nearly overwhelming him.
Cameron’s being careful with the wrapping paper, but when he hears Blake’s order, he tears into it. A huge smile appears when he sees the monster truck inside. “Look, Mama, it’s a truck!”
“I see that, baby.” Easton nods and brushes a hand through his hair, but she’s already forgotten as he’s squirming with excitement. “Don’t you need to tell Blake and Trystan something?”
“Thank you,” he says, his voice squealing. “Here, open it, Trystan.”
He thrusts the package at me, so I pull out my pocketknife and cut through the plastic and the bazillion little ties that hold it in place. When I’ve gotten the toy out, I hand it back to him. “Here you go, dude. Blake brought his own toy so you can play together.”
Easton lifts Blake and settles him on the bed with Cam before moving over to stand beside me. She slyly reaches between us and grasps my hand, giving it a squeeze. “Look at them, Trystan. Those are our boys. Both of them.”
Her words lodge in my chest, forcing me to swallow before I can speak. “It’s amazing what we didn’t even realize we were missing.”
She blinks the wetness away and nods, giving my hand one final squeeze before allowing it to drop at my side. I step closer, placing my lips near her ear. “Can’t you just imagine adding a little girl to the mix?” When her eyes snap to mine, I lean back and wink.
She smacks me on the chest. “Will you ever give up?”
“Not until I’m sitting in the clinic.” I smirk and run my eyes down her slender frame. “And somehow, I don’t think that’s what you want.”
She doesn’t respond. She simply sighs and props her head against my arm as we watch our boys become fast friends. Lifting said prop, I bring it around her shoulders and pull her into my side. She feels good there, like she belongs, and the sensations that course through me aren’t strictly platonic. Easton is a special woman and if I’m not careful, I’m liable to get burned.
After fifteen minutes of pure fucking bliss, I finally heave a heavy sigh. “I guess Coop’s waited long enough. I hate to leave them.”
“I’ve got them,” Easton says, stepping from underneath my arm. “This has to be done, or I’d suggest you blow it off.”
“Oh, yeah. I’m already a couple days late really”—my eyes flick toward the boys—“but there’s no doubt whatsoever. Maybe I can be his cure, too.”
Easton sighs. “Don’t get your hopes up, Trystan. The odds aren’t in your favor.”
I nod, accepting her wisdom on this subject and step closer to the bed. “Blake, Cam, I’m going to run next door with Coop, and I promise I’ll be fast. Okay?”
“What’s a coop?” Cam asks.
I chuckle, but before I can answer, Blake takes off, explaining everything. I lean in and ruffle both their heads before sending Easton a wink on my way to the door.
Just as I step into the hall, her soft voice stops me in my tracks. “A little girl would be perfect.”
I turn to her, my mouth gaping.
She smiles and steps back, closing the door behind her. I stare at the closed rectangle for a few more seconds before Coop taps me on the arm and tilts his head down the hallway. Still a little stunned, I finally start walking beside him.
He lets out a low whistle. “Holy shit, man. No wonder you’re such a pussy-whipped fucker.”
I reach out, throwing my arm across his chest, stopping him in his tracks. Then I turn to face him. “Coop, I’m going to tell you this because I fucking love you more than anybody, aside from those boys down that hall.” I point back toward Cam’s room. “Easton is an amazing woman, more than just looks. She knocked some fucking sense into me when I crossed a line, and she cares more for Cam than I could’ve ever hoped. I respect her, and I’m willing to learn to trust her. I realize you and Kari are worried about me, but you need to let me do this my way and just … be there for me.”
His shoulders slump. “I know, man, and I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” He looks to the floor. “I think I’m afraid I’m losing my brother to Atlanta all over again.”
I sigh because as it stands now, he definitely is. “It’s not the same, though. Before, I was young and stupid. Now I truly do have something worth being here for.” I scrub my hand through my hair. “Fuck, I don’t know what the future holds for sure, but for right now, Atlanta is where I have to be. I’m sorry.”
He reaches over and grasps my shoulder. “Man, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s me that fucked up. Easton is way more than her looks, and I think you got lucky when it comes to sharing parenthood with a stranger. But I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t question the stranger in front of me, and I still want you to consider a legal agreement.”
“You’ve definitely made your point on that,” I say with a definitive nod. “I can at least agree to discuss it with Easton.”
He rolls his eyes. “Of course, you will.”
“What?” I chuckle.
“Dude, I’m surprised you didn’t commandeer the hotel kitchen and cook their breakfast yourself,” he retorts with an eye roll.
I prop my fingers on my chin and look off in thought. “Hmm, that’s an idea. Or maybe I’ll just wait until Cam goes home and then cook them breakfast in bed.” I give him a smirk.
He shakes his head. “No doubt you will, brother, no doubt you will.”
As we start back down the hall, I bump his shoulder with mine. “Tell me you wouldn’t?”
“In a heartbeat,” he replies quickly.
14 SLOW, CHILDREN AT PLAY
Easy
I push the door closed and lean back against it with a smile. I’m not sure about a lot of things right now, but I am sure about Trystan. He’s proven that he’s serious—about everything. He’s all in when it comes to our kids, whether that’s just the two we have now or a possible future one. It’s a scary prospect, but it also excites me in a way that runs deeper than simply providing a cure for Cam.
Before everything erupted in our lives, I had mentally prepared myself for another pregnancy. So even though I’ve been gifted another child unexpectedly, it doesn’t take away that maternal urge deep inside. The longing to carry another baby and hold an infant in my arms is still compelling.
My eyes trail to the boys, and a contented, girly sigh escapes at the sight of them. They’re relaxed against Cam’s pillow, pushing their trucks across their legs and snickering amongst themselves. In only a small amount of time, they’ve already become fast friends.
I approach them quietly, my slippered-feet padding across the floor. “What are you boys doing?” I ask as I perch on the foot of the bed.
“Our legs like a bumpy road,” Cameron replies, giggling as Blake wobbles his legs, causing the truck to bounce around. “Look, Mama.”
Their laughs are like the sun rising over the horizon. Breathtaking. “I see, baby,” I murmur, squeezing his toes through the blanket. “Trystan and Blake brought you breakfast. Are you ready to eat?”
Cameron’s excited eyes jump to Blake. “You did!”
Blake nods vigorously. “Yep. It bueberry pancakes.”
“I like pancakes,” Cam says, turning those huge green eyes on me. “Get ‘em, please.”
“Let me set you up,” I say, grabbing the two containers and sitting his on the rolling tray, swinging the whole thing toward his bed. “Blake, are you sure you’re not hungry?”
“I not, Miss Eaton,” he answers, shaking his head. “I already ate all my pancakes.”
My legs go wobbly, and I sit to keep from falling. “Sweetie,” I say, my eyes on Blake. “Why don’t you just call me Easy? All my friends do.”
Cameron nods and adds, “They do.”
“Easy,” Blake repeats, testing the word.
“Perfect,” I say, my voice soft and sentimental. “I think we’re going to be good friends.”
“Not best fwiends, though,” Cam jumps in, shaking his head.
“No, we best fwiends,” Blake adds, motioning between Cameron and himself.
“You two are adorable,” I say, a swell of emotion causing me to choke on the words. I take a deep breath and perk up. “Okay, let’s feed Cam.” I open Cam’s container and add the syrup to his pancakes before positioning the tray where he can reach it.
