“How was the game?” she asked.
“Dallas won. Pissed off Remi, but that’s half the fun,” Christian said.
Addie chuckled softly.
“I ate at Remi’s, but I’m thinking I need something sweet. You want to join me?”
Addie’s gaze sparkled as she slipped out of the front door and quietly closed it behind her. She quickly ran on her bare tip-toes across the yard to where he stood waiting.
When she reached him, he wrapped an arm around the small of her back and pulled her closer for a kiss. ““How’s the baby?” he asked.
Addie looked at him for a few seconds, knowing the question was out of character for him. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, he was just usually focused on other things than her newborn niece. “She’s fine. Sweet baby. Hardly ever cries. Why?”
Christian shook his head slowly. “I just heard something tonight that made me think about people being lucky enough to have babies. Made me realize I’d never asked about your sister’s new one. Or her son for that matter.”
“They’re both good. Really good.”
“I’m glad to hear that. If they ever need anything, let me know, yeah?”
“Yeah. I will.”
He started walking the rest of the way to his home on the other side of Addie’s house, leading her by their joined hands. “You ever want kids?” he asked, not looking back at her, but waiting for her answer nonetheless.
“Yes. One day.”
Christian nodded. “Yeah, same.”
Addie laughed as she allowed Christian to lead her into his home.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Can you imagine our kids if we are still together when that time comes?”
“Why is that funny?”
“Foxes with a Lion’s mane, or Lions with a Fox’s tail — red with a tip of white swishing behind it,” she said, still grinning.
“They’d be beautiful regardless,” he said, as he reached past her to lock his door securely once they were inside. “Hey, can you let your family know to make sure their doors and windows are all locked up secure all the time for a while?”
“We already do.”
“Okay, good. And I’d feel better if you don’t go out anywhere alone, or let your sister and the kids be out alone either. Just be a little more cautious than usual for a while, if you don’t mind doing that for me,” Christian said, as he pulled her into his arms and held her there, looking down into her eyes.
“What’s going on?” Addie asked.
“Nothing in particular. Just tightening up security. We’ve gotten lax in the last few months.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yep. If there was something I was allowed to tell you, I would. Sounds like y’all already keep things more secure thanwe do anyway, just keep doing what you’re doing and everything will be fine.”
“Okay,” she said, gently pulling free of his hold, disappointed that he was obviously keeping something from her.
“There is one more thing you should know,” he said, pulling her back in and tightening his hold.
“What’s that?”
“I’m not going anywhere. So, one day you’re going to have to learn not to laugh at our foxy lion cubs.”
