Between his hockey practice and promos, and Elli’s busy schedule, Shea missed her the rest of the week. She was right when she said she would be busy for the next few days. Not only did they not get to talk much during the day, but she was apparently staying with Harper after all the events, so they didn’t even get to talk on her way home. Shea had gotten used to the nightly calls, and missed them now. He thought about inviting her to stay with him since she was too tired to drive home, and because he wanted to see her so bad, but he was afraid it would scare her, so he didn’t.

After he worked out for an hour Saturday morning, he texted Elli while he made some breakfast.

Hey, whatcha up to?

Hey you! About to get the kids, then heading to the Rising Park. It’s the kid’s favorite.

Oh yeah, she had her nieces and nephews today. He had completely forgotten about that.

Cool, have fun. I guess text me when you can.

I will. 

Shea laid his phone down as he cleaned up his mess. He really wanted to see her today, but he couldn’t invite himself to her day with the kids. It would be awkward for him to be there when she had all the kids. When he turned to put the milk back in the fridge, he saw Ryan and Amelia smiling at him from the picture stuck to the door with a magnet. A slow grin crossed his face as he looked at their charming faces.

“But if I had the kids it wouldn’t be weird at all,” he muttered as he rushed off to the bedroom to get ready.

Shea knew he was driving like a bat out of hell, but he was on a mission. He should have called Grace first, but that would have given her time to say no, so he pulled into her driveway unannounced. He parked the truck beside her van before jumping out and walking briskly to the front door and letting himself in.

“Hey! Anyone home?” he yelled through the house. Ryan came running towards him, his arms opened wide.

“Unky Shea!” he yelled as Shea picked him up, kissing his cheek.

“Hey, bud, where’s momma?”

“In the kitchen.”

“Wanna go to the park with me?” he asked. Ryan gave him a huge smile, his blue eyes bright.

“Yes! Can we play hockey?”

“Maybe. We’ll see, okay?”

“Okay! Put me down, I’m going to go get my bag.”

“Don’t bring your ice skates!”

“I won’t!” he yelled back as Shea entered the kitchen. Grace sat at the table, her face on her arms with her eyes closed. Amelia sat in the highchair, playing with a puzzle.

“What do you want?” Grace muttered. She looked so tired.

“Your kids. I’m borrowing them.”

Grace sat up, looking at him through half lidded eyes.

“Huh?”

“I’m taking the kids to the park.”

“Why?”

“Because you need time to yourself. I’ll bring them back later.”

“Huh?”

“You heard me. Where’s Amelia’s bag?”

“By the door. When will you be back?”

“Sometime later.” He unhooked Amelia’s chair, and took the smiling baby in his arms.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“Unky!” she squealed as she smacked his face. “Go, Go!”

“We’re going, okay? Grace, give me your keys.”

“Why?” Grace asked looked up at him, confused.

“I don’t have car seats, so I’m going to take the van. I left my keys in the basket.”

“Huh? I’m so confused. You never take the kids.”

“You’re tired Grace, sleep.” He walked away with Amelia in his arms. He grabbed her bag as Ryan came booming down the hall in his Assassins’ gear, Shea’s face on his shirt, with his number on the back. Ryan was his biggest fan.

“I’m ready, Unky.”

“Alright, kiddo, let’s go.”

“Did James put you up to this?” Grace asked as she kissed Amelia and Ryan.

“No, just please promise me you’ll sleep today. Love you.”

“Love you too, Shea. Thank you.”

Shea threw her a grin as he left with the kids.

After loading the kids in the van, he pushed the seat all the way back so he’d fit before rolling out. It only took ten minutes to get to the park, and thank God for that because Ryan was talking nonstop. The topics ranged from hockey to baby poop to the Wiggles, whatever the hell that was. When they pulled into the park, he didn’t see Elli’s truck. Maybe they were already gone? He pulled out his phone and dialed her number.

“Hello?” she answered. He could hear kids in the background.

“Hey, you still at the park?”

“Yup, we’ll be here for a while.”

“Oh, okay, well I’ll let you go.”

He hung up before she could answer, and unloaded the kids. Holding Amelia on his hip and holding Ryan’s hand, the three of them headed towards the park, where it seemed billions of kids were playing.

“Unky Shea, does Ryan Justice sound like a hockey player name?”

“Sure does bud, why?”

“Brandon Owens says it doesn’t.”

“Brandon Owens doesn’t know what he is talking about,” Shea said simply as they walked. He heard Elli before he saw her. He could pick out that thick country voice anywhere.

“Max! Please do not pull Penny’s hair! Riley, if you don’t put your sister down, I’m coming after you!”