"That wasn't even bad, though," he protests, feeling the bizarre need to cling to his ridiculous belief that this isn't happening. He doesn't get this many good things at once, something bad has to happen to balance it all out.

He's not trembling, but he is tense; that is, until he feels little hands clutch the hem of his shirt and tug, a small voice piping up, "Daddy?"

Sliding his glasses back on his face, he bends to pick up Javi and kisses his cheek. "I'm finished, Daddy," he says, and sure enough, his plate is clean.

"Good job, buddy," he says, giving him another kiss before setting him back on the floor. "Can you and your sister go get dressed for me? I'll take you to school this morning but only if you two dress yourselves." It's a guarantee that they'll wind up wearing something ridiculous and eye-wateringly bright — they are definitely his kids — but it will also give him and Cougar another few minutes alone, and he wants that very much.