The smooth resonant baritone was one that lived in Hawk’s memories, and he turned.
Doc Grayson stood at the end of the table, with a little girl, maybe a bit over a year old, on his hip. Beside him, a short, curvy blonde held the hand of a girl about Aric’s age.
With a whoop of pleasure, Bull stood and held his hand out. “Zachary Grayson. Damn, it’s good to see you, and you, too, Jessica.”
The psychologist had been Mako’s friend, and one of the rare people to visit their remote, off-the-grid cabin. Every year or so, he’d show up to check on the paranoid survivalist and the four messed-up street kids.
“Grayson.” Hawk took his turn shaking hands with the man who’d kept them from being totally fucked up.
Grayson smiled and studied him with keen gray eyes. “You’re looking well, Hawk.”
Hawk nodded his agreement, pleased to see the doc hadn’t changed much. As usual, he was in black jeans and a black shirt. Still lean and fit, although the black hair had more silver creeping into the temples.
The pretty blonde had to be the wife Bull mentioned they’d met at Mako’s funeral. She hugged Bull, Caz, and Gabe, then patted Gabe’s cheek. “You look so very much healthier. I’m glad.”
Then she smiled at Hawk. “You must be Hawk. I’m Jessica.”
Hawk took her hand gently, then shot a glance at Zachary. “Good job.”
“I think so.”
Audrey joined Gabe. “Welcome back to Rescue, Doc. Hi, Jessica. I’m Audrey.” She smiled at the preschooler, then at the toddler in Grayson’s arms. “Hi, you two.”
The one-year-old bounced. “Hi. Hi.” She held her arms out.
Audrey looked at Jessica. “May I hold her?”
“Yes.” Jessica grinned as Grayson handed over the child. “She’s Aubrielle, and I don’t think she has a shy bone in her body.”
Audrey smiled at the baby. “You are adorable.”
Yeah, Hawk had to agree. The kid was fucking cute.
Turning, Audrey beamed at Gabe. “We should have a girl.”
Gabe opened his mouth. Closed it.
As Audrey walked over to show the baby off to JJ and Frankie, Gabe just looked perplexed.
Caz shook his head sadly. “Viejo, has no one explained these things?”
“Yeah, bro.” Bull grinned. “Your boy juice already picked out a gender, and she’ll blame you for not giving her what she wants.”
“Fuck,” Gabe said under his breath. “I’m screwed.”
Hawk felt a hand take his.
“Who’s that?” Aric stared at the little blonde girl who was his age. He looked up at Grayson. “Is she your girl?”
“Yes, she is.” Zachary went down on one knee and held out his hand. “It’s good to see you again, Aric.”
With no reluctance whatsoever, Aric took his hand. “Hi, Doc.”
Hawk almost laughed. Doc Grayson had a way about him.
Holding his hand, Grayson smiled. “I’m getting hungry. Have you found anything good to eat?”
Aric had no problem advising about food, and the questions continued as Grayson learned about school, about favorite games, about Kit. As Hawk knew from his own talks with the doc, Grayson possessed a boundless store of patience.
Quietly, Kit joined Hawk and whispered, “Is this the psychologist?”
Hawk nodded, putting his arm around her.
“And what about Hawk,” Grayson was asking. “Is he your friend too?”
“No,” Aric said, his chin going stubborn, and the answer was a blow to Hawk’s heart.
“Indeed. But I can tell you love him very much.”
“Uh-huh.” Aric leaned forward, put his other hand on Grayson’s sleeve, and whispered loudly, “He’s my papá.”
Hawk froze.
“Ah, I see. How did that happen?” Zachary flicked a glance at Hawk and Kit. Laughter had lightened his gray eyes.
“Grammy says I’m Hawk’s boy. She said.” Aric waited a second as if to let Grayson try to dispute the infinite power of Lillian. When the doc nodded acceptance, Aric laid out his reasoning. “So that means Hawk is my papá. Like Regan’s papá.”
“Very logical.” Grayson leaned forward and whispered too. “Have you called him that to see what happens?”
Aric shook his head, then intently watched his shoe make a hole in the dirt.
“This is a very good time,” Grayson said firmly. “I know you’re brave enough to give it a shot.”
Aric’s head came up. “’Kay.”
He turned. Stubborn chin, bottom lip trembling. So much like his mother. Eyes filled with worry and hope met Hawk’s. “Papá.”
A muffled sob came from Kit. “Yes.” That there was no hesitation in her whispered agreement meant the world to Hawk.
“Yeah, Aric.” Hawk’s heart almost burst with love as he picked up…his son. His voice came out rougher than gravel. “Yeah, you’re mine—and I’m your papá.”
Aric wrapped his arms around Hawk’s neck, and the strangling hug was one of the finest Hawk had ever received.
Fuck, he was a father.
Picking up Kit’s hand, he kissed her fingers. He’d be a husband damn soon if he had anything to say about it.
Rising, Grayson smiled up at Hawk. “Very good work.”
The compliment—and verification—was incredibly gratifying.
Hawk nodded to Kit. “His mother gets most of the credit. He’s never doubted her love.”
Grayson studied Kit for a long moment, then smiled. “There’s nothing more important.”
After kissing the top of Aric’s head, Hawk put him down.
“Aric.” Grayson put his hand on his little daughter’s shoulder. “This is Sophia. Sophia, this is Aric who can probably find you some potato chips.”
“Yes!” With no hesitation, Sophia walked right up to Aric. “I need a hot dog too. An’ ketchup.”
“’Kay.” Aric took her hand and pulled her toward the food. “There’s cookies. We’ll get a lot.”
Chuckling, Grayson held out his hand to Kit. “I’m Zachary Grayson. I met your son when you were still in the hospital.”
To Hawk’s surprise, Kit’s eyes filled with tears as she took his hand. “You’re the one who paid for my hospital and the therapy visits. Thank you.”
Grayson didn’t even try to sidestep. Just smiled and squeezed her fingers. “You’re very welcome.”
Jessica laughed and slung an arm around Kit. “Hey, I now have a serious craving for those cookies your son was promoting. Let’s go get some.”
Hawk watched Jessica hand Kit a tissue as she pulled her away. “Your woman has a big heart.”
“She does,” Zachary agreed. “So does yours, Hawk. I very much approve.”
Hawk felt the words deep in his chest, almost as if Mako himself had been there to give his blessing. “Thanks.”
Bull smiled as Zachary and his family joined their table, fitting in seamlessly.
Regan, Sophia, and Aric sat together, sampling foods from the potluck. The faces they made when a taste didn’t meet their approval kept everyone laughing.