Page 74 of Viking Ink

“What?”

Rhys shrugged, still smiling. “Nothing. It’s just, I think Mouse has a crush on Cal.”

I was pretty sure my brows rose off my face at that comment. My baby brother and Cal? Nah. That just didn’t— that was just—nope. Not going to think about it.

“Oh my god.” Rhys laughed. “Have you really not noticed?”

I shook my head, trying not to imagine it. Cal and Mouse?

Rhys shook his head, laughing softly at me. “Oh, Daddy, sometimes I wonder about you." He slid off my lap with a bounce and headed into the kitchen. “Get your arse moving, Daddy. I don’t want to be late for my first tattoo.”

“You know, there’s still time for an early morning spanking if you don’t behave, baby bear,” I yelled, but Rhys’s only response was to chuckle and start singing loudly as he put the kettle on.

“Are you sure you want to shade the blocks like that?” I peered at Rhys’s chest, watching Mouse as he worked on the tattoo. The line work was crisp and clean, but I was still being a picky bastard. This was my baby he was tattooing.

“Sy, trust me, okay? I’ve been doing this long enough to know how to not fuck it up. Besides, it’s for Rhys, and I’m not going to mess up baby’s first tattoo. Now sit back down, and let me finish this thing.” Mitch shot me another glare before he started to work again. Rhys didn’t say a word, but the look he gave me spoke volumes—if I didn’t calm down and let Mitch finish, I’d be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future.

I sat down and shut up.

Rhys

I stood looking at my reflection in the studio mirror. My eyes kept drifting to the tattoo on my chest. The beautiful script that wove around my bear proclaimed who I was—baby bear. I looked at myself and saw the changes the last few months had brought. I’d finally put weight on thanks to Simon’s incessant need to feed me, and I’d gained some muscle tone from working out and running with Mouse most mornings. But the biggest change was that I looked, and felt, happy. I was no longer afraid of what was to come, or who might find me. I had a home, and a family who loved me for who I was, and a handsome, gentle, man who loved me more than life.

Tonight we were heading off to Simon’s dad’s farm to spend Christmas together. I had finally gotten to meet Simon’s dad at my birthday. Magnus was so much like Simon—big, gruff and sweet—that I adored him instantly and I felt the same sense of calm and safety that I felt around all the Johannsen men. Grandad hadn’t been able to come for my birthday, but he’d managed to get a neighbouring farmer to watch Thumper Downs over the Christmas break and he was driving up to join us at Magnus’s farm. I was excited to have all them in the same place together, though I prayed grandad kept the embarrassing stories to himself.

Mitch and Cal would join us tomorrow as they were picking Doc up on their way to the farm. Mouse and I had a plan. I’d been working on Simon for a month now to let me get a puppy, and Mouse had let slip that their dad’s sheepdog had a litter a few months ago. Mitch and I were going to make it impossible for Daddy to say no. I wasn’t above using my sad eyes to work to my advantage—but I wouldn’t count my chickens until I had my puppy.

I also had another plan for Christmas, but that one I’d not shared with anyone.

I caught sight of Simon in the reflection of the mirror, and smiled at the sight of my red-haired bear. I marvelled at the strength of my love for my man. He’d taught me acceptance and love, and to not be ashamed of who I was. I looked forward to what was ahead of us now, no longer afraid of my past. The court date was set for the new year, and I knew I’d not have to face it alone. I smiled as Simon stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, his gaze lingering on my new tattoo.

Soon Daddy would have a matching one on his hip.

“Do you like it, baby bear?” He kissed the side of my neck.

Leaning into his touch, I smiled at our reflection. “I love it, Daddy.”

I thought about the small box I had hidden in my side table, and my plan for Christmas Eve. With luck, I would spend Christmas morning with my fiancé—if I could keep my mouth shut and not pop the question before.

“Are you happy, baby?” Simon hugged me to him, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Every morning I wake up and see you I’m happy, Daddy.” I turned in Simon’s arms. Reaching up, I cupped his face, pulling him down for a kiss. For a moment I forgot where we were, so caught up in Simon’s presence, until Mitch’s irritated shout brought us out of our bubble.

“Oi!” Mitch grumbled. “Are the two of you quite finished making out in front of the customers? You’d think this wasn’t a place of business,” But he flashed me a grin before ducking a swat from Callum, and I grinned back.

Not only had I found my Daddy, but I’d found somewhere I belonged—at Viking Ink.

The End