“Of course not!”
“Well, taking her away from Sierra would hurt her.” Looking at him, I shrug. “She’s been here for thirteen years, Richter, and while I hope she remembers the connection she had with you and Skylar… that won’t erase the bonds she has here. I don’t want her to have to choose.”
Richter opens his mouth to speak, but he shuts it again, glaring out the window as he thinks, and I give him some space. Turning, I see Brinnah setting up the foldable fencing that Damon helped me make years ago. She blocks off the fireplace, leaning it against my chair so that the little ones are directed toward the couch and back into the living room.
“Do you need any help, Brinnah?” I ask, and she smiles at me as she lifts Weston out of his crib to play on the floor.
“No, Daddy. I’m good!” She takes out Lissa next, bouncing her on her hip for a second. “I have a feeling Lissa is going to walk today. Abigail definitely wants her sister to walk!”
Abigail babbles at her mama, blowing spit bubbles from the crib beside Lissa’s, reaching as Brinnah grins at her.
“That would be wonderful,” I say, sensing that Richter is watching us now. “If she starts to walk, definitely call for me. Richter and I are going to talk to Xoe, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy,” Brinnah says, taking Abigail out and putting her on the floor with her siblings.
“I want to go outside with Cleo and Skylar,” Richter argues, but I’m still between him and the door.
“Let’s talk with Xoe real quick, then we’ll go out and you can show off your snowball skills.” Smiling at him, straining to be patient, I gesture toward the kitchen and eventually he relents. Muttering under his breath as he walks ahead of me.
“Hey Daddy,” Xoe says, leaning away from the fridge to smile at us. “I’m just taking inventory of what we have, adding to the shopping list.”
“Anything we’re short on?” I ask, and her head tilts as she looks at the notepad on the counter.
“Eggs,” she answers, planting a hand on her hip. “You know, if we could get some chickens this Spring, I think we’d save a lot on those.”
“Good idea,” I acknowledge, nudging Richter gently. “Maybe Richter here could help me and Casey build a coop for them.”
“I don’t know how to do that,” he answers, straightening his back as soon as the admission is out of his mouth.
“That’s okay. We can teach you.” Beckoning Xoe, I tilt my head toward her room. “Come talk to us, sweetheart. You can finish the inventory later.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she says, shutting the fridge to join us.
I point off the kitchen at the doorway just past the second table. “I added that room on myself years ago. We needed the space.”
“Obviously,” Richter grumbles, but when Xoe reaches for his hand his eyes widen.
“Come on,” she says, leading him to her room as I follow behind them. Xoe takes him right to her bed, sitting down on the edge and pulling him to sit beside her. The look on his face confirms what I thought yesterday—he likes Xoe.
He may not like me, or Casey, or trust any of us, but Xoe has his attention.
“I was hoping you’d help me talk to Richter about how we show our love,” I say, and Xoe smiles at me before she turns to Richter.
“It’s not that complicated. We love everyone equally, share it whenever we can, and we make sure no one feels left behind.” Reaching up, Xoe runs her hand along his jaw. “You’re very handsome,” she whispers in her soft voice.
“Th-thanks,” he replies, and I can see that he’s tense. Unsure. It’s always this way the first time the boys get the opportunity to love their family. I remember Wesley crying, and how Damon had kept his eyes closed so tight I thought he might never open them again. But when it was Casey’s turn… Xoe had made it easier. He’d been nervous, just like Richter is now, but she’d soothed him. Shown him how he could share his love.
“I thought so yesterday too,” Xoe continues, running her fingers over his lips. “But I didn’t want to upset you.”
Richter’s hand lifts off his thigh, reaching for her, but he hesitates.
“It’s okay,” she encourages, taking his hand and bringing it to her waist. “I want you to.”
“I don’t—”
“There’s nothing wrong with sharing your love, Richter,” Xoe whispers, leaning in to kiss him softly, and I feel my cock twitch in my jeans as I watch her. She’s such a good girl. The daughter I finally got right, the one who helped me build our family… and who might help me save the rest of it.
It takes a moment, but eventually Richter leans in, kissing her back, his hold on her waist tightening. She lets out a sweet sound as he pulls her closer, and in a smooth movement she swings her leg over him to straddle his lap on the bed—but Richter pulls back.
“I’m sorry… I thought…” Xoe’s blonde hair tumbles over her shoulders as she looks down, but Richter’s hands slowly shift to her hips, fisting the fabric of her dress. He doesn’t speak, but, eventually, he does pull her closer, and their lips meet again. I know my girl isn’t wearing any underwear, and she was needy this morning, so when she starts to rock her hips gently, I’m sure that Richter is responding.
“Please?” Xoe begs, a soft whine escaping her as Richter kisses down her throat.
“What?” Richter asks.
“I need you. Please?”
“You want me inside you?” There’s an edge to his voice, hesitation or surprise, as his fingers squeeze her hips hard.
“Yes, please, Richter. I need it.”
I stay silent, not even moving so that I don’t distract them, but I hear the fastening on Richter’s pants open and
