Justice Falling (Falling #3)(54)

“Come on Tan Man. Let’s find something and get going home. I need to get ready for work. I’m going to be late.” She sounded worried.

I got out of bed, pulled on my jeans and went after her, bare-chested. “You have your clothes here?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yeah, but I need to take him back to Jin.”

“I can do that. And you can walk to work. You know how close AIR Bright is.” I hugged her and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to burden you--”

I cut her off with a kiss. The giggling behind us stopped me from deepening the kiss. I cupped her cheeks and winked at the little guy happily waiting at the bar for breakfast. “I want to. It will give me time to get to know the lad,” I added.

At that statement she melted, the line on her forehead disappeared and her features softened. I kissed her once more. “Go get ready for work. I’ll feed Tanner.”

“You sure?” She seemed uncertain.

“Sport, tell your mum to get ready for work. Us men can get to cooking breakfast.” I puffed my chest and hit it with my fists.

“Yeah Mommy. Get going. Mr. Nate and I got this.” He clapped his hands together.

I cooked him a plate of eggs and fruit. He gobbled them up so fast I worried he’d be sick but his Mum said that’s the way he always ate…with gusto. I liked that. Made me feel good that he liked the meal. I kissed his Mum goodbye and then dressed in a dark suit. I let him pick out a tie. He enjoyed my tie rack immensely, saying over and over that he couldn’t believe how many I had. Finally he picked a deep red one that went well with the suit and crisp white shirt I chose.

As I was tying the knot, he sat on the bed, his little head down, deep in thought.

“What’s up, sport?”

He looked at my suit and then down again. “I want to be like you,” he said.

I got down on one knee in front of him and ruffled his hair. He looked up, a quiet sadness in his eyes. “How so?”

“I like your clothes. Never had clothes like that.”

He gave me an idea. “Would you like to go to work with me today? My law office?”

Tanner’s face lit and a bright smile replaced the frown. He nodded fast and repeatedly.

“Right then. We best get you the proper attire. Come now. Let’s get you a suit.”

His eyes widened and he grabbed my hand. Tanner’s hand was pint sized compared to mine and that over-protective feeling swept through me again. “For real?” he asked in that sweet boy timber.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

I called Emma on the way to the car park. She told me where to go to purchase children’s attire. Apparently Ralph Lauren had a children’s line, which included very manly mini-sized suits for wee ones. We had a smashing time working with the sales attendant, finding him just the right suit. It looked so similar to mine, he could be my own son. The thought warmed me and gave me a gushy feeling I’d experienced a lot lately.

We entered Stone, Walker & Associates hand in hand. Emma’s mouth dropped to the floor.

“And who is this little fella?” She crouched, her dark hair swinging over her shoulder.

“I’m Tanner,” he answered, then cowered into my leg just enough that I could feel his nervous energy.

Emma smiled. “And who is your Mummy?” she asked, her English accent thicker than mine or Collier’s since we’d been in the states for years and she’d just arrived months before. Tanner’s eyebrows scrunched together and he looked up at me. “What’s a mummy?”

I laughed. “Well, it’s a dead body that’s been wrapped for preservation.” His eyes widened.

“I don’t have any mummys. Sorry,” he answered deadpanned. I bit my tongue not to laugh out loud. Emma chuckled.

“Well, isn’t he just precious,” she said and eyed me speculatively.

“Sport, she means who is your mom. Camille Johnston is his mother, or mum, as we say in England.” Tanner nodded and Emma’s eyes widened.

“When the conversation went crazy at lunch the other day and she mentioned being pregnant, the two never connected.” She shook her head. “Well it’s lovely to meet you, Tanner. I really like your Mum.”

“She’s the prettiest and nicest Mommy in the whole world.” He smiled. “And she likes to kiss and sleep with Mr. Nate a lot!” he continued not realizing the bit of gossip he’d provided my sibling who would later torture me with it.

I smacked my forehead. Now I knew why Camille did this gesture so often in his presence. “What Tanner means is…”

Emma just laughed and waved it off. “No explanation needed. But this is too good. I can’t wait to find out what Mum has to say.”

My hackles rose and I placed a hand on her shoulder. “Leave it be. This is new and Camille scares easily. Last thing I need is Mum getting involved.” Besides, I was keeping Mum in the loop to some extent. No need for her to know about stay overs.

Emma bit her lip and tilted her head to the side. She looked at Tanner then at me. “Fine. I won’t meddle. You guys look adorable though. Let me take a picture.” She pulled out her iPhone and I placed Tanner in front of me, my hands on both his shoulders. We both smiled wide and she captured the image.