Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds 8)

He didn’t get to see her as much as he’d like with his hectic schedule, so he’d taken today off to spend it with her and her daddy while he shopped for new furniture for the house Andrei had built with Lucas. They were slated to move in soon, and while Ian’s heart felt wrecked over them leaving the penthouse where they had so many memories, he knew it was time for his friends to get the bigger home. Especially since they planned to expand their family more.

Ian wanted that, wanted children. For good someday, but right then, he wanted to be a home for children who needed new families, at least temporarily. That was why he was going through all the steps to become a foster parent. He could offer so much love to them. Give back when he’d been so incredibly lucky to have found his own family.

But sometimes when he looked at little Daciana, he couldn’t help but think of a tiny Hollis, and his heart swelled with want. She’d have wavy blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Maybe someday.

It had been wild watching Lucas and Andrei change so much as fathers. They doted on this little girl, and the change in Lucas especially had been something to see. He was no longer as hard-edged, was quicker to smile. The man had melded completely to married life and fatherhood and had never been happier.

And now, he was basically starting over in a whole new place. When he’d first told Ian they were selling the penthouse, Ian’s reaction had been complete dismay. So many years he’d spent coming and going there. He’d lived there. That place still carried the remnants of home for Ian. But it was time…and he was happy to be searching for new furniture for the house with Andrei.

“I like these over here,” Andrei said as he strolled to a brown set in the corner. Well, brown was too plain a word for the color that held a faint hint of red. It wasn’t exactly maroon or burgundy, but it was close.

It reminded Ian of fall leaves. “This would go great in the new place, and I think Lucas would like it. It’s certainly a lot warmer than the furniture in the penthouse.”

“I like that furniture. I have great memories on that furniture.” Andrei’s smile was faintly wicked, and Ian could only grin back.

Yeah, he’d walked in on them a time or two with that furniture before he’d realized using his penthouse key without at least knocking first was a bad idea now. He still had it though, and more than likely he’d have a key to their new place. Lucas liked knowing his family had access to him whenever he was needed or wanted.

Andrei sat on the couch and spread out his arms. “It’s comfy, too.” He bounced a little, his grin turning into something infinitely private, and Ian had no doubts where his mind had gone.

Ian pushed the stroller between the sofa and coffee table and sat next to Andrei. The salesman took a few steps closer. “You’re right. This set is nice. And it looks fancy enough for Lucas’s tastes. Are you going to get it or bring him here for his opinion?”

“I may just get it. We’re so close to the move-in date, and I don’t think he really cares how I decorate the new house. It’ll take me a while, big as that place is. And he’s been extra busy lately.”

“New business he’s starting?”

Andrei gave him a look as if to say, “When isn’t Lucas starting a new business?” and Ian could only chuckle. “When he is home, he just wants to spend time with us. No other worries,” Andrei continued.

“The house is big because it’s Lucas we’re talking about here. Plus, he wants more children,” Ian pointed out as he reached into the stroller to pick up little Daci. She gurgled and smiled at him as he sat her on his lap. Chubby little legs kicked out. She’d recently developed a belly laugh that had all his friends making fools of themselves to get her to crack up. “She’s such a sweetheart.”

Andrei looked at his daughter, and love shone from his eyes. “She is. And yes, Lucas wants more. At least one. He’s even agreed to father our next child, though I had to talk him into it after seeing Daci.”

“You do make pretty babies, Andrei.”

Andrei reached for his daughter and she held her arms out. Ian shifted her onto Andrei’s lap.

“What do you think, Daci? Like this furniture?” He kissed her cheek.

She made a bubble with her spit, causing Andrei to laugh and reach for a soft cloth he kept in the diaper bag on the back of the stroller. He wiped her mouth, then kissed her forehead. Watching the ex-MMA fighter go soft over his little girl warmed Ian’s heart.