Page 24 of Arthur

Patrick smiled at me.“I know. We’ve had this conversation before. You are quite a bit older than I am. As such, it is expected that you have had previous partners. I’m not upset.”Patrick reached under the table and gave my thigh a gentle squeeze before he went back to eating his breakfast.

“The two of you have gone quiet down there,” Edgar said.

“We are simply eating. Having a little one puts your schedule off a bit with all of the nighttime changes and feedings,” I told him. Edgar looked thoughtful for a moment before he nodded once and then looked back to where George was sitting and holding William.

I shared a look with Patrick, who grinned and then went back to eating. He tried to cover a yawn, and I thought back to the past few nights. William was sleeping well, only waking twice in the night. We’d not been intimate since before the baby had been born, but that wasn’t an issue for me. I knew that Patrick hadbeen tired after giving birth. He’d healed quite well, but both of us were still adjusting to our new schedule.

“Are you tired? Would you like to take a nap? We can go lie down when William does. I know our sleep last evening wasn’t what it has been.”

Patrick shook his head. “I’m fine. You took care of William and let me sleep. If anyone should be napping, it should be you.”

“Or it could be the both of you,” Father said. “Wallace and I would watch William for you this morning so the two of you can spend some time together. Neither of you have been out of your place much since the baby arrived,” Father said.

I was about to pass on the offer when Patrick spoke up. “That would be wonderful. I know the two of you will take the best care of him, and you have experience.”

I could only stare at Patrick in surprise. I didn’t think he was ready to leave William in the care of others yet. Granted, it was my fathers, but still. William was only a month old.

“Are you sure?” I asked, placing my hand gently on Patrick’s arm.

“A nap when I know that we don’t have to worry about listening for the baby would be wonderful. Would it not?”

It would, but I enjoyed spending time with our son. Was Patrick starting to have second thoughts about having a large family? William had been such a wonderful child thus far.

I realized there were several sets of eyes staring at me, waiting for my response. “Of course, yes. I wish you would have said you needed time away from the baby though.”

Patrick grinned and shook his head. “I don’t. I’m simply going to let your fathers take care of him for a few hours. I will know subconsciously he will be perfectly safe and cared for. That will allow for true, deep sleep, and I think we could both use it. Don’t you?”

I could only nod. I hadn’t felt tired or run-down. But it was obvious that Patrick had, and I’d somehow missed it. I went back to eating, vowing I would talk to Patrick as soon as we were in the privacy of our cottage. I could discuss this with him through our bond, but I really wanted to wait until we didn’t have others watching us so intently.

Chapter 10

Patrick

Icould absolutely feel Arthur’s confusion through our bond. It was understandable because I’d not said anything to him about wanting time away from William. Honestly, I didn’t. I very much enjoyed every moment with our son. But I would love some time with Arthur, and in order to have that, we would need to have someone watch William for a little while. Even when our son was sleeping, Arthur often would go over and check on him repeatedly. That didn’t leave much time for us to do more than talk for a few moments at a time.

I wasn’t upset with Arthur. He was an absolutely amazing father. But I didn’t wish for us to only be parents. Yes, I adored William, but I wanted to reconnect with my One as well.

“You’ve gone quiet.”

I glanced over at my One.“I’m simply thinking about the wonderful nap I’m going to have. And perhaps a soak that is longer than a few moments.”A soak sounded like bliss. And if I could get Arthur to join me, that was even better, as he’d never been able to resist me before when we were in the tub together.

“If you wanted a longer soak, all you had to do was say so. I am always more than willing to take care of William while you have a long soak.”

I nodded because we were going to go in circles about this. I already knew he would watch the baby. That wasn’t in question even a little. It was the fact that since I’d had William, that was all we’d done. Our lives completely revolved around our son. Arthur still took care of me as well, but we hadn’t made time for just us. We were more than parents, and we both needed to remember that.

I finished my breakfast, and as I stood to take my plate to the basin to be washed, Arthur reached out and touched my arm. I looked down at my One and grinned.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked quietly.

“Absolutely. I’m finished eating, and I’m looking forward to a nap.” That was honestly true. I wanted a nap. Later. After I had become reacquainted with Arthur’s body. I knew that if a couple of hours turned into a few more, William would be perfectly safe with his grandfathers.

I took my plate and utensils and placed them in the basin of water to be washed. I pushed up my sleeves to start washing what was there, but Edgar was suddenly beside me and gently moving me out of the way.

“I’ll wash today. You should go enjoy time resting,” he told me.

“I don’t mind washing. It’s been a while since I’ve done the cleaning.”

Edgar made a face, then shrugged before grinning and walking away. I looked down and found the basin now empty and the clean dishes sitting off to the side. They were clean, dry, and neatly stacked. Very well, then. I could take a hint.