He wasn’t sure what Sawyer saw in his eyes because he reached out and grabbed Ford’s hand, and they spent the rest of the ride to Ford’s parents’ home in silence. Although, after a while, when they left the city behind, Gavin seemed to relish his first look at the mountains.
“Look, Savie.” Gavin’s voice was filled with awe. “It’s so pretty.”
Ford glanced back to see if Savanna would say anything. She looked out the window, and he swore her eyes lit up, but she didn’t respond. Ford turned to Sawyer and found his brow furrowed, so he squeezed his boyfriend’s hand, and Sawyer turned to him.
“She’ll come around,” he whispered.
Ford turned back to Savanna, and she was still looking outside. Yeah, he had a feeling everything would work itself out once the kids were settled.
His list came back to mind with everything they would have to do. The two older ones would have to be signed up for school, and that would probably mean getting records from New York. Ford hoped the social worker could help with that. As for Callum, Ford knew his mom would be the first to volunteer to watch him while he and Sawyer were at work. So that part was easy.
By the time the driver pulled into the long driveway of his family’s house, he already had a list building up on his phone. The man drove up to the front door, then turned around so the trunk was facing the stairs that led up to the porch.
Ford got out of the car and opened the back door for the kids. Savanna came out and looked around without saying a word, while Gavin, on the other hand, jumped out and spun around so much he was worried the kid would puke. His excitement managed to make even Savanna smile. It was nice to know the girl knew how.
When she caught Ford looking, it disappeared. That made him grin. Well, at least there was a chance Savanna would actually come around.
Yeah, and she won’t make you a liar to Sawyer.
Before the driver had the first suitcase unloaded, Ford’s parents opened the front door of the house. That’s when the real excitement started—for his mom at least. The squeals as she ran out of the house could probably be heard all the way over on Wyatt’s property.
“I’m so happy you’re all here, safe and sound.” His mom hurried down the stairs and pulled Sawyer and Callum into a hug. When she pulled back, she beamed at Cal. “Oh my gosh… aren’t you the cutest.” Mom made silly faces at Callum, and he beamed that toothy smile.
Ford rolled his eyes at his mom’s excitement, not that he was surprised. “Ma, just slow down a little,” Ford tried. “The kids might need a minute to get to your excitement level.” Or a year in Savanna’s case, but he didn’t say that out loud.
“They’re fine,” Ford’s mom chided. She held Sawyer’s gaze, who actually looked flustered. “I’m so glad to have you home.”
Sawyer broke into a wide grin, his lips curving. “Good to be home, Barbara.”
His mom shook her head. “How many times do I have to ask you to call me Mom or Barb?”
Ford snorted and shook his head. He’d begged his mom to be a little less… just a little less in general.
His dad came up beside him and patted his back. “Your mom is really excited.”
“I can tell,” Ford mumbled.
“Let’s get in out of the cold. Don’t want the children to get sick.” Barb took Callum from Sawyer, and the baby didn’t even cry. She looked at Gavin and Savanna. “Come on you two. We’ll leave the luggage for the men to bring in.” She ushered them up the stairs. “I hope you three like your rooms. We can run into town and pick up whatever you want to make it more ‘you.’”
“That’s too much,” Sawyer whispered when they disappeared into the house.
“My wife has cleaned out all the guest rooms, and she’s already got paint samples ready to go,” Ford’s dad chimed in. “She’s in grandchild heaven, trust me. You won’t win that argument.”
Ford and Sawyer looked at each other and burst out laughing. Ford shook his head. “Whoa, easy there Grandma and Grandpa.”
They weren’t even sure how long they would be at his parents’.
They thanked and tipped the driver before carrying all the suitcases inside. Between Ford, Sawyer, and his dad, everything was brought in quickly.
Ford’s dad left them to it and went in search of his mom. When it was just the two of them, Sawyer pulled Ford into his arms and whispered, “It’s good to be home,” before leaning in for a kiss.
Yeah, it was good to have Sawyer back where he belonged…
“They are out like a light,” Sawyer said as they walked into their bedroom hand in hand. He lifted Ford’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Thank you for being so welcoming to them.” Sawyer sounded exhausted. “And your parents are amazing!”
“Trust me, they are on cloud nine.” His mom was in her element having so many people to take care of. “My mom will spoil them rotten if we’re not careful.”
Sawyer let out a yawn before speaking. “Maybe, but I think they need that.”
Sawyer yawning made him yawn too. Ford walked over to the bed and finally sat down for what felt like the first time since they’d arrived. “Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“I know.” Sawyer stopped in front of Ford, who leaned forward and put his head against Sawyer’s stomach. “We need to check out the schools your mom mentioned.” Sawyer rubbed the back of his neck. “God, I hope the construction site is functioning without us.”
“It will be good to see how Drake is coming along, but I’m not worried. I think you’ll really like him.” Ford slowly undid Sawyer’s pants.
“You think so, huh?” Sawyer’s voice had grown husky.
“Hands up,” Sawyer instructed. Ford did as he was told, and Sawyer pulled Ford’s
