Mannies Incorporated by Michael, Sean (phonics books .TXT) 📗

stood, making sure she wasn't going to melt down before he nodded to Drake. "Sure."

They headed into the kitchen without incident, the kids happy to stay with Poppy and Nana, even Maggie.

"They sure do like your folks."

"Yep. They came and stayed for a month when Jerry died, just to help out."

"They're that good to Mindy, too?" Drake sounded so surprised. Of course, his mother was dead and his father was not a good man by all accounts, so maybe it wasn't that weird that he didn't get it.

"They love her. Christ, Mom sends Mindy a care package once a month."

"Huh. That's… that's pretty cool." Drake's voice was a little rough as he stirred the potatoes.

"They're decent people."

"Son, Jenny needs a diaper change. Everything still where it was before?"

"Yeah, Dad. Thanks."

"I never said they weren't, I just didn't get it."

Slayde thought maybe Drake still didn't, but he accepted it now, and that was enough.

Mom came in with the older kids trailing behind. "How can we help?"

"I imagine there's nothing to do. I tease Slayde about being Super Manny, but he really is pretty awesome at, well, everything." Drake gave his mom a smile and picked Maggie up when she held her arms out to him.

"He's sort of great, my boy." She nodded to the table. "Christian and I would like to make fruit salad together."

Drake looked right at him and said softly, "Yeah, he is."

His cheeks heated and Mom just chuckled. "Look at you boys."

Drake's cheeks went dark red. "Uh…"

"Mom, there are strawberries and blueberries and raspberries in the fridge. I'll grab the bananas." Damn it.

"I'll uh…go see if your dad and Jenny are okay." Drake fled.

Mom looked over at him, eyebrows arched, and he shrugged. What was he supposed to say? Drake wasn't out of the closet. Hell, Drake was a walking, talking closet. He hoped that maybe there was a light on in there now, though.

"Are you fixin' to get hurt?"

"I hope not. Don't forget the lemon juice."

She put her hands on her hips. "Slayde…"

"It's in the door." He wasn't talking about this. He'd done his crying with Joey and Travis and now he was going to just ride it out.

"I'm your Mom, it's my job to worry about you, you know. You said he was a good man, but if he needs a talking to…"

"He's a great guy, but he's not…interested in anything long term."

"I find that hard to believe given how sweet he clearly is on you."

"He's a police officer."

She had to understand.

She sighed. "I won't say anything, honey, but the way he looks at you is not the way a man who just wants one thing looks." She started gathering the fruit; Christian already had the bowl down and on the table.

"I'm glad you're here, Mom."

She turned to him, smiled. "Oh, baby, I am too. So looking forward to a relaxing visit with you and the kids. I just wish Mindy was here, too."

"We all do." Drake came in, swinging Jenny in his arms. "And this little monkey wants to help with the fruit salad, too."

"I hep!"

Mom nodded. "You can do the grapes, baby girl."

Drake sat her in her high chair and Maggie and Christian both settled in their chairs. It was quite the assembly line.

He started peeling eggs and working on the potato salad.

Drake sort of hovered a moment, then asked. "You think your Dad would like a beer?"

"Dad would love a beer, I bet."

"Cool." Drake grabbed two out of the fridge and headed back to the living room.

"Not much on the kitchen?"

"Quit it, Mom."

She chuckled softly and reminded Christian he had to take the stems off the strawberries.

***

Supper had been nice and Drake had been able to man the grill, which gave him something to do and saved him from having to make too much small talk. Slayde's folks were nice and they clearly adored the kids. He was used to his sex life being absolutely private, though, and it made him twitch a little, knowing that Slayde's folks knew. Hell, this was more than just his sex life and he knew it. God, Mindy had been fine with it, Slayde's friends and family were fine with it, why was it so hard for him to let go? Maybe it shouldn't be.

Anyway, it was a beautiful evening and they were out in the yard, blankets on the ground so they could sit and watch the fireworks that were supposed to be starting any minute now.

"Are you planning to stay until Mindy comes home, Drake?" Slayde's mother was a curious woman.

"I am. It isn't fair to ask one person to take care of them by himself, especially when it isn't necessary." He didn't doubt Slayde could do it, but Drake knew he was more help than hindrance. Besides, getting laid at night made Slayde more relaxed during the day, right? Besides, he loved the kids more every day that he stayed. It wasn't going to be easy for him to go when Mindy got back, for more than one reason at that.

"That's decent of you. I know that it's a lot of work, especially when there are no days off."

He shrugged. The kids were worth it. Hell, Slayde was worth it. "It's family." His family. And he didn't just mean the kids.

Slayde's mother beamed at him. "Family. That it is. You like the T-shirts we brought you?"

"Yes, ma'am, thank you very much. You really didn't have to do that…" He knew real people had parents like this, he'd just never had personal experience with it.

"Of course I did. You're family now." Helen leaned back against Steven, Jenny snoozing against her chest.

He didn't tell her this wasn't how his family was. Had been. He and Minds and the kids and Slayde were his family now and he was beginning to see that just maybe, they could make their own rules on what family was.

His thoughts were interrupted by a strange noise and then an explosion, the sky lighting up with fireworks.

"They started!" shouted Christian.

Maggie's eyes went