Page 87 of Off Limits Daddies
Jack nods, but his expression remains grim. "We should check the whole property anyway. Make sure."
We spend another twenty minutes searching every inch of the clearing and the surrounding woods. Nothing. No footprints, no signs of disturbance, no evidence anyone was here besides us.By the time we return to the children's cabin, my bare feet are freezing and scratched from pine needles.
Mia has all the kids gathered on the floor in sleeping bags, telling them a story about brave knights and dragons. Her voice is soothing, maternal, and I watch her face light up as she does different character voices. Even in the dim lamplight, I can see the curve of her breasts beneath her robe, the way her dark hair falls across her shoulders. She's beautiful like this, completely in her element with the children.
"False alarm," I announce, keeping my voice light. "Just a big branch the wind was moving around."
Lily's lower lip trembles. "It looked like a person."
I cross to her and scoop her into my arms, holding her against my bare chest. She's so small, so fragile. The weight of her trust in me settles over my shoulders like a heavy playbook I'm not sure I know how to execute.
"I know it did, baby girl. But I promise you're safe. Jack and I checked everywhere."
"You won't let anything bad happen?" Her voice is muffled against my shoulder.
"Never." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "That's what dads do. We keep our kids safe."
Jack and Noah help settle the children back into their sleeping bags while Mia tucks each one in with whispered reassurances. I notice the way Jack's eyes linger on Rory and Corey, the possessive pride in his expression now that he knows they're his sons. Noah's hand finds the small of Mia's back as she leans overto kiss Sophie's forehead, the gesture so natural it's like they've been doing this for years instead of months.
Back in the master cabin, Mia collapses onto the bed with an exhausted laugh. "Well, that was terrifying."
"Welcome to parenthood," I say, pulling on sweatpants. "Where every noise in the night could be a serial killer or just the house settling."
Jack pours himself a scotch from the mini bar, his hands not quite steady. "I thought someone had actually found us out here."
"Same," Noah admits, adjusting his glasses. "My heart rate probably won't return to normal for an hour."
I sink onto the bed beside Mia, suddenly aware of how close I came to losing my mind when I thought someone was threatening the kids. "I've played in and coached hundreds of games. Faced down opposing players twice my size. But nothing has ever scared me like hearing Lily scream."
Mia's hand finds mine, her fingers threading through mine. "You were amazing with her."
"I had no idea what I was doing," I admit. "I'm still figuring this whole dad thing out. It's like being thrown into a championship game without knowing the playbook."
"You're doing great," Jack says, settling into the armchair across from us. His hazel eyes are warm as they meet mine. "Better than great. Lily's lucky to have you."
The compliment from Jack means more than it should. He's been a father for years, and navigated the complexities of raisingEmma even through a difficult divorce. If he thinks I'm doing okay, maybe I actually am.
We talk for another hour, the adrenaline slowly fading as we process the scare. Eventually, exhaustion wins, and we all collapse into bed, Mia tucked between us while Noah takes the other side. I fall asleep with my hand resting on her belly, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
Morning comes too early. Sunlight streams through the windows, and I can already hear the kids' voices outside. I extract myself carefully from the tangle of limbs and dress quickly, needing coffee before I can function.
In the main cabin's kitchen, I find Maya already awake and making toast for the younger kids. She's so responsible for an eight-year-old, taking care of her siblings with a competence that breaks my heart a little. No kid should have to grow up that fast.
"Morning, Maya," I say, starting the coffee maker. "You're up early."
"Sophie was hungry." She spreads peanut butter with careful precision. "And Ethan had a bad dream."
"You're a good big sister."
She shrugs like it's nothing, but I see the pride in her smile.
The rest of the morning passes in organized chaos as we pack up the cabins and load vehicles. I watch Mia move between all seven children with practiced ease, wiping syrup off Sophie's face, helping Ethan find his stuffed rabbit, and settling an argument between Rory and Corey about who gets to sit in the front seat.
She's incredible. The way she anticipates their needs before they voice them, the patience in her voice, even when she's clearly exhausted, and the genuine love in her eyes as she looks at each child. My chest tightens watching her braid Lily's hair, her fingers gentle and sure.
I'm falling for more than just Mia. I'm falling for this whole chaotic, beautiful mess we're building together.
Jack catches my eye across the clearing and nods toward Mia. "She's something, isn't she?"
