“I’ll stay in the car with Callum while you go inside. I’m sure my parents will understand if we don’t stay.”
Well, apparently he had his marching orders from Ford.
“I can’t bear to leave him yet.” Ford looked back at a sleeping Callum.
“I love you. Let me get the kids.” Sawyer squeezed Ford’s hand.
“Love you too.”
“No baby, I love you. I don’t say it enough, but I couldn’t do any of this without you.” Sawyer leaned over and placed a quick kiss on Ford’s lips.
Sawyer looked in the back seat. The sight of Callum sound asleep melted his heart. “I’ll be right back,” Sawyer said. He opened up the car door. Right then, the kids ran squealing out of the house with Ford’s parents hot on their heels.
“Callum is back with us, right where he belongs,” Gavin shouted as he flew down the path.
Gavin ran into his arms, but when Savanna got there, she seemed hesitant at first until Sawyer smiled, then she ran into his arms.
“He’s home?” She bit her lips, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Sawyer pulled her in for a hug. “He’s home.”
Ford came out of the car and ruffled Gavin’s hair before walking over to his mom and pulling her in for a hug. Ford stood and had a brief conversation with his parents, then hugged both of them before they walked back with him to the car, and Ford opened the door so his parents could kiss Callum.
They stepped back, and Barb pulled Sawyer in for a hug, “Go take care of your family,” she whispered, then patted him on the back.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said once Ford’s parents had gotten back to the porch and everyone was in the car.
“What happened?” Savanna asked. It was like the mood had shifted, and she could only stare at him with expectant eyes.
“Ford and I will tell you all about it,” Sawyer began, “once we get you home Sawyer wasn’t looking forward to the conversation that would follow where they would have to tell them that their mother was probably going to be in jail for a long time. For the moment, though, they were excited. The kids bounced in the back seat and showered a sleeping Callum with lots of kisses.
Sawyer smiled his first real smile since he’d gotten that phone call, and started the car.
“Did you know what you’re going to tell them yet?” Ford whispered.
He nodded his head. “Everything,” he said. He put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. If they wanted to be transparent, then they needed to start with the truth and tell them everything, no matter how much he didn’t want to or it may hurt.
27
Ford
Sawyer walked into the living room, and his eyes immediately sought out Ford’s, who in turn gave his boyfriend an encouraging smile... at least he tried to. All the while, his stomach felt like it was in his throat, or maybe it was his throat in his stomach. Yeah, he was definitely freaking out. Fuck, he would do anything to make this better for the kids.
“He’s still out like a light,” Sawyer commented, breaking the silence that had descended over the room since they got home.
“He had a busy twenty-four hours,” Ford replied, trying to appear calmer than he felt.
Sawyer lowered himself onto the couch, sandwiched between Gavin and Savanna, while Ford occupied a chair across from them. “Okay… so, here’s the deal.” Sawyer seemed to take a moment to steel himself before speaking. “Callum was taken a couple of counties over by your mother and our old employee. Someone called the local police after seeing them, and they were discovered and immediately apprehended.”
“Apprehended?” Gavin’s brows drew together, and Ford shot a look at Sawyer. They needed to get a little more down to a ten-year-old’s lingo if they wanted him to understand what they were saying.
“That means they arrested them,” Savanna helpfully supplied.
Sawyer glanced at Savie and smiled, nodding, then looked back at Gavin. “Your sister is right. They arrested both your mother and Larry because they did some bad things. They want them to have time to think about their actions, and that means they’ll be going to jail.” He could swear Sawyer was a statue with how still he was when he asked, “Do you understand?”
Gavin nodded. “I think so. Savie said we’re not going to see Mom for a while, right?” His eyes looked dim and sad. Even though that was what he’d been saying, Sawyer still looked at a loss for words, so Ford spoke up.
“That’s right, Gavin, but once she’s had lots of time to think and get better, I’m sure she’ll be a better Mom.”
“That’s right,” Savanna said. She plastered on a smile, though Ford could see that she didn’t believe what she was saying, but for Gavin, she carried on, “Mom needs this time, but you know what…? We have Ford and Sawyer.” Her eyes met his, and Ford looked down in time to see her take Sawyer’s hand. “Ford and Sawyer are looking out for us. We can count on them not to ever leave. That’s all we need.”
It was like someone made ground beef out of his heart. Ford closed his eyes and swore he would never be one of those people who let their kids down.
Did Savanna know how much it meant hearing her say that? He met Sawyer’s eyes, and it was clear it meant just as much to him. His boyfriend’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Gavin nodded and wrapped his arm around Sawyer, and the moment he heard the sob, Ford had to go to them. They had a group hug and just stayed in that position until Gavin finally muttered, “I can’t breathe.”
They laughed and then pulled back, and everyone wore matching pairs of red-rimmed eyes.
“Thank you for giving us a place to live,” Savanna whispered and looked down, picking at a non-existent spot on her jeans. “We know you didn’t have to
