Yikes. He wasn’t sure if that was allowed or not. “Does Mom know you’re out here?”

  “Yes. She said the fresh air would do me good and she’s on a call. I promised to not leave the deck. She said she’d just be about thirty minutes.”

  “Okay,” he said. “Let me go shower and change and I’ll come out here with you.”

  “Why do you have to shower before you change?” he asked.

  “I normally do after I work out each day.”

  “But you aren’t working out, are you? You just said you were changing.”

  “I’d rather spend the time with you than work out. I’ll do that after dinner. I told Mom I’d entertain you while she cooked us dinner.”

  “I can watch you work out. I want to do that someday. I’m skinny. I want muscles like you.”

  He laughed. “I was skinny too when I was your age. If you don’t mind, let me change and we’ll talk while I lift weights. Just a short workout.”

  “Sweet,” he said, jumping up.

  “Don’t move so fast. You don’t want to hurt yourself. How are you feeling?” His son looked pretty normal to him.

  “I feel good. My side itches more than anything and I always want to sleep, which I hate. It hurts now and again, but Sam says I’m tough. That Fierce men are all tough and I fit right in.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Us Fierces are as tough as our last names.”

  “But my last name isn’t Fierce,” Tommy said.

  “No,” he said. He wanted to add he was going to change that, but knew it was a conversation for him and Marissa. “But you’re still a Fierce. It’s in the blood.”

  He went to his room with Tommy following him into the house and then realized the kid was behind him. “This room is huge.”

  “It is,” he said going into his closet and finding shorts and a T-shirt. He started to undress figuring they were both males.

  “Can I see your bathroom?” Tommy asked.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Oh wow. That tub is like a pool.”

  He laughed. “It is.”

  “Mom loves taking bubble baths. Our tub is small. You saw it. Even yours in the other bathroom is bigger than ours.”

  He wanted to say that Marissa could use his anytime she wanted, but that wasn’t a conversation for a kid either.

  When he was done changing, he said, “Let’s go watch me sweat.”

  Marissa felt a little odd being in Ryder’s cushy office working when he popped his head in, but he didn’t seem to mind, so she finished her call. By the time she got off though she couldn’t find the boys anywhere.

  Then she heard laughing and went to her bedroom and saw Tommy sitting on her bed with Ryder doing squats holding a bar with weights on it across his shoulders.

  Damn, no wonder why his legs looked the way they did. “Tommy, you shouldn’t be bugging Ryder while he works out. He might drop the weights and hurt himself.”

  Ryder laughed as he continued to squat down. “Don’t insult me.”

  “Ryder is explaining to me what he does. He said when I’m older I can lift weights too and get bigger like him. But I’m too young and need to heal.”

  “That’s right, you do. If you two are okay, then I’ll go start dinner.”

  “We’re good,” Ryder said.

  “What’s for dinner, Mom?” Tommy asked. “I’m hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry. But I’m making grilled chicken and roasted vegetables. You’ve been eating a lot of junk food lately.”

  “I like chicken,” Tommy said. “Just not as much as beef.”

  “Men like beef,” Ryder said. “It makes us strong.”

  She squinted her eyes at him. “Chicken does too. It’s a protein.”

  “You’re right. I like chicken too, which is why you found it in the freezer along with a lot of other meat.”

  She shook her head and got out of there before she started to drool over Ryder in action.

  Not that she didn’t appreciate the action he was doing last night when they were naked in bed.

  She’d woken up and gotten out of there before she found herself cuddling in and not wanting to leave. She hadn’t spent the night with a man since before Tommy was born and couldn’t believe how much she missed it. Then she realized the only man she’d ever spent the night with was Ryder when she stayed in his dorm room a few times.

  She had to remind herself they were going to take things slow. Not that anything they did in bed last night was slow. But they had a long way to go and she was only here a few more days.

  They couldn’t even really celebrate Easter a few days ago because they weren’t sure if Tommy would be home from the hospital, and even then, the first day he was on a lot of meds and sleeping. The meds were less now, but the naps remained the same.

  She’d given him a basket, the same as Ryder and Diane and Grant. Diane had called her earlier and asked if she wouldn’t mind having an Easter celebration this Saturday at Ryder’s. That Diane would bring the food and cook here.

  She’d told Diane that was something for her and Ryder to discuss since it was his house and Diane just laughed at her and said, “No. It’s a mother’s conversation. We don’t want to step on your toes over anything, but we knew this year was different and we missed not having Ryder around but understood.”

  There was no way she could say no to that and agreed and figured she’d tell Ryder later tonight if he didn’t already know.

  By the time Ryder was done and showered, Tommy was on the couch watching TV and relaxing and she was on the deck grilling. Ryder came out with a beer in his hand. “Can I have a sip of that?”

  “Sure,” he said. “Do you want one yourself?”

  “No,” she said back. “Just a sip is good. How was your day?”

  “Busy. Yours?” he asked.

  “The same. Your mother called me earlier.”

  “I know. Dinner on Saturday. I told her to talk to you and she said she already did.”

  She laughed. “I told her to talk to you and she said it was between the mothers.”

  “I stay out of things like that with my mother. She knows she’s welcome anytime.”

  “I’m sorry you missed Easter with your family.”

  “I had Easter with my family,” he said back easily enough.

  “Yeah. You did.”

  “Maybe Tommy will feel well enough to search for some eggs on Saturday? Or will that blow the bunny’s cover since he only works one day a year?”

  “Hmm, good question. Let me think on that. Maybe we can work a way around it.”

  “Like the bunny told us we could do it and where they need to be hidden. Special circumstances for this year?” he asked.

  “I like that. It might work.”

  “Do you need help with anything?” he asked.

  “I’ve got it covered. You can just keep me company.”

  “I could get used to this,” he said.

  “I was almost thinking the same thing this morning with the breakfast. I guess it’s nice to take turns.”

  “I’m all for equality,” he said back, sipping on his beer.

  “How are we going to do this?” she asked.

  “I don’t think we’ve got the answers right now. I’m smart enough to know you need to go back to Greenville. You know I need to be here. We’ll work it out as we go.”

  “I’m normally the planner. I just need to know these things.”

  “And you got the answer you needed to start last night,” he reminded her.

  She grinned. “I did.”

  “So let’s continue from there and take it as it comes. We’ve got a few more days together and I’d rather not think of anything other than getting you back in my bed tonight.”

  “That sounds like one hell of a way to spend the night and the rest of my time here.”

  “So you’ll stay all night?” he asked.

  “Probably not wise if Tommy comes looking for me or calls out,” she reminded him.

  “Yeah. Speaking of that.”

  “No,” she said immediately. “We aren’t telling him right yet. That is how you muddy things up if it doesn’t work out.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’ll always be in his life.”

  “I know. And he is just getting used to that now.”

  “Then when can we tell him?” he asked.

  “One of those answers I don’t have either.”

  “I guess we both have to just see what the future holds together,” he said.

  “And you want to come and kiss and hug me. I can see it in your eyes. But Tommy might see.”

  “He’s seen us hug,” he said.

  “He has. But that was different. It means something else now too,” she said. At least it did for her.

  Tommy got up and was standing by the door and opened it. “When is dinner going to be ready? I want to eat.”

  “Soon,” she said, lifting her eyes at Ryder to prove her point. Kids were everywhere.

  26

  Complete Faith

  “Relax,” Ryder told Marissa while they sat in the waiting room with Tommy. Though her son was getting better daily, he still tired easily. Today marked one week from his surgery and the two of them were going to make the drive home on Sunday morning. “We already know the results. Consider this visiting with my brother.”

  She sighed. “I know. It’s just every time we come to the office I get this fear something bad is going to be told to me. And Sam did say he was doing research.”

  “He did, but if it was bad he would have told us before we came in. He’d never blindside us and you know that. I’m surprised you’d think otherwise.”

  She’d have to get used to this. That Tommy’s doctor was in the family now and she’d get special treatment when she had to fight and claw to just get him seen and tested before.

  “I know.”

  “McMillan,” they heard and the three of them stood up and followed the nurse into the exam room. They sat there while Tommy had his vitals checked and the nurse asked them all some questions. “The doctor will be in shortly,” the nurse said and left.

  “Are you tired, Tommy?” Marissa asked when he yawned. It was just before lunch and she could see he was wearing out fast. The same as he did daily, then he’d take his nap and be ready to go for a few hours more.

  “Just a little,” he said. “But I’m hungry.”

  Ryder laughed. “You’re always hungry. We’ll feed you when we get home and then you can rest while your mother and I get some work done.”

  “You didn’t have to take the day off to come with us,” she said.

  “Really?” he said lifting his eyebrows. “You’re going to go there. I’ve got the flexibility to come and go anytime I want. How much time do you have left to take at your job?”

  She shouldn’t have said what she did, but her nerves were still rawer than a shark-bitten flesh wound. “A few weeks. I’ve been working remotely and not taking full days if I don’t have to. But I’ve got to go back next week.”

  “Who is watching Tommy if you are back in the office?” he asked, frowning. “Maybe I should go there with you and stay with him and work remotely.”

  Marissa hadn’t expected him to offer that. “My mother and father. We’ve got it covered. My mother is taking three days earlier in the week, my father two later in the week.”

  “I can’t go back to school?” Tommy whined.

  “You know you can’t,” she said to him.

  Sam walked in. “Can’t do what? You look ready to pout like Ryder did as a kid when he was told no.”

  She grinned at Sam’s statement. “I want to go to school next week.”

  “Nope,” Sam said. “Two weeks before school and even then your pediatrician has to clear you after he sees you and talks to me.”

  “Oh,” she said. “I hadn’t realized that.”

  “I was going to tell you today. We’ve kept in contact. He’s making an appointment for Tommy next Friday and then will call me after and we’ll decide together if Tommy is ready for school based on how he feels and his labs.”

  “More bloodwork?” Tommy asked, looking like he wanted to cry.

  “I’m sorry, buddy,” Sam said, patting his knee. “But it’s all part of keeping you better. Your numbers just came back already, which is why I took so long. Everything looks great and that is what we want to continue to see. Climb up here on the table or do you need help?”

  “I can do it,” Tommy said.

  Marissa wanted to jump up and help him, but she knew Sam was watching his movements to see if there were any issues. Tommy climbed up as if nothing was wrong, which was good for everyone to see. “I’m going to check out your incision. Want to lift your shirt for me? I figured you were sick of putting gowns on and I don’t have kids’ gowns here either. It’s more like a dress on you.”

  Ryder and she sat there while Sam looked around, listened to Tommy’s heart, joked with him, and then said he was looking great and getting strong.

  “So, what’s the next step then after he sees his doctor in Greenville and is back to school?” Marissa asked.

  “I’m going to want to see him in three weeks which is one month from the surgery, then at the two-month and six-month marks. He’ll continue to have labs. We’ll have an ultrasound done at the one, two, and six-month appointments to make sure everything looks good and is clear. Then we’ll go from there. Have them schedule him on a Friday so it’s easier for you with the drive and pulling Tommy from school. I could transfer you to someone there and read his records here, but honestly, I’d rather have my team do it all.”

  “As would I,” Ryder said. “I’ll drive down and get him myself and bring him back if it doesn’t work with your schedule, Marissa.”

  “I’ll make it work. I’d rather he’s seen here too. I have complete faith in you and he’s getting better care here.” No one listened to her in Greenville and though they would now, she didn’t care. Sam was family and she’d get the truth and she wouldn’t have to wait on anything.

  “So, no school next week, as I said. No gym or sports for six to eight weeks.”

  “Aww,” Tommy said, the tears filling his eyes. “I feel better every day.”

  “I know you do. But you need to heal.”

  “It’s closed,” Tommy argued.

  “But inside you isn’t healed,” Sam said. “That takes longer. And if you hurt yourself it will be even longer in the end. I know it’s hard, but it’s the way it is. You want to be good as new, right?”

  “Yes,” Tommy said, sniffling.

  She got up and stood by him to give him a hug. “Hey, you can do this. The hard part is over.”

  Tommy nodded his head. It was so hard to see him upset when very little upset him. “I can,” he said. “Cuz Fierces are strong and I’m a Fierce even if it’s not my last name.”

  She opened her mouth and then shut it.

  Ryder had been sitting there listening and letting Marissa be the mother and not intervening too much. He was glad to hear that she was willing to come back here for all of Tommy’s appointments even though he offered to pick up Tommy.

  But when Tommy made the comment about being a Fierce, he was going to open his mouth and Sam caught his attention and sent him the look he did so much when they were growing up. The one that said, “I’ll knock you upside the head if you say a word.”

  He’d closed his mouth, knowing that what he said might not be the best. It wasn’t the time to address this. The look on Marissa’s face was enough to know she was shocked to hear the words out of her son’s mouth and it’s not like they could make the change tomorrow.

  He and Marissa were working on things, and changing Tommy’s name was something that had to be addressed at some point too.

  “That’s right, bud,” he said. “Fierces are tough and you’ll come back even stronger and healthier. It’s only a few weeks and it will fly by.”

  “I know,” Tommy said. “Can I swim in Grandma and Grandpa’s pool when I visit next? That’s not really gym class and running around.”

  “No, but it’s moving your torso and that is what we need to avoid right now,” Sam said.

  “What can I do?”

  “You can take this time to do things indoors. Learning things. You like to draw and build. Maybe your father has some software learning tools for you?”

  Why the hell hadn’t he thought of that? “Actually. That’s a great idea. What do you think?”

  “I don’t have a computer,” Tommy said. “Not my own.”

  “We’ll talk about this later,” Marissa jumped in to say, but he’d be setting this all up this week for sure so that the next time he saw Tommy he could help him with it.

  “Now that that is taken care of, if you don’t have any other questions, you two look like you could use a little break. Why don’t I come and sit with Tommy for a few hours while you get some dinner? Dani has to work late tonight and I’ll just be by myself.”

  He supposed this was what Sam meant by helping out. By all of his family helping out. Part of him wanted to argue he didn’t need their help, but the other part of him was thrilled to get a few hours alone with Marissa.

  Had she been in his bed every night proving that they were more than compatible? She had. But she always went back to the guest room in case Tommy needed her or woke up looking for her.

  It drove him nuts, but beggars couldn’t be choosers even if he wanted to get down on his knees.

  “If you’re offering to babysit, I’m all in,” Ryder said, looking at Marissa and hoping she’d agree. “You can’t get any safer than his doctor watching him.”

  Marissa laughed. “What do you say, Tommy? Are you okay with Ryder and me going to dinner and you visiting with Sam?”

  “Sure,” Tommy said. “Can we play video games?”

  “That’s fine with me,” Sam said. “If it’s okay with your mom, I’ll bring dinner over for us too.”

  “No fast food,” Marissa said.

  Sam laughed. “Obviously. I heard he had a piece of pizza the other night and that’s fine in moderation. No bellyache after?”