"He's not going to kill you."
"Mom too." Riley's relationship with his mom was stronger with every passing day, and he'd laid a lot of how he felt about her at Jim's feet. She had changed so much. Still Texas aristocracy, daily, she was softening at the edges a bit more. Jim made his mom happy, and she deserved that. Added to this, Jim was now officially courting Sandra, which kind of put Riley's world off balance. Okay, so he still wasn't calling Jim "Dad", but there'd been too much water under the bridge for Riley and Jim, and too much time had passed. Would it be the same for Hayley and him?
"I don't know what to say to them." Riley couldn't think of where to start to explain to Jack.
"How about 'Mom, Jim, I'm a dad, and I want you to meet my beautiful daughter, Hayley'." Jack obviously thought he was being helpful or Riley needed the mood lightened. Riley had to make Jack see what was in his head.
"Do you know," he began carefully, "when Jim was the HayesOil attorney, he had to deal with five separate paternity claims against me from three different women in the space of two years. Women I had never even met, let alone slept with." Riley sat down heavily on the bed next to Jack.
"Money breeds that kind of thing," Jack said in an offhand way.
Riley bristled at the accusation he heard in Jack's voice, and he rounded on his husband in an instant. "What?" he snapped, "me fucking around?"
"No, jeez, Riley, calm down. I meant people will do anything for money." Jack placed a hand on the base of Riley's spine and began a small circular motion, patiently letting Riley know he was there and supporting him. Riley sighed and leaned back slightly into the touch.
"None of them were true. To contact Jim now and admit I am actually a father…"
"I don't see what you… Wait, are you worried he'll be disappointed?"
"Yes." That was exactly what he was thinking would happen. Dad or not, Jim's respect meant an awful lot to Riley.
"Just tell him the truth. Lexie was the one that got away and you didn't know anything about Hayley." Jack made it sound so easy.
"Easier said than done," Riley muttered. Jack kept up with the gentle press of fingers on his back. Sighing, Riley connected to his mom's number, and she answered the call on the third ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mom."
"Riley. Hello, darling. Is everything okay? It's late—"
"Would you and Jim come to breakfast tomorrow? There's something I'd like to talk to you both about." Well, it wasn't exactly "I'm a dad", but at least he had a time and a place set in his head for the big reveal. He was hiding behind Hayley. Jim and his mom couldn't be sorry for what happened or think less of Riley once they met the gorgeous child, their granddaughter. Could they?
"Of course we can. What's wrong? Is it Eden?" His mom sounded worried, and he heard the rumble of Jim's voice in the background.
"Riley?" Jim had clearly taken the phone from Sandra, and the use of his name held an urgent question. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just inviting my parents to breakfast."
"At midnight?" Jim sounded skeptical. Riley wasn't winning this one at all.
"Just try to get here by nine. I have something I need to tell you."
There was a brief pause at the other end of the line, then Jim said, "Okay, son, we'll be there."
"Nine?"
"Nine."
Riley ended the call and breathed a sigh of relief. At least he had a reprieve of nine hours and the chance for sleep. He climbed into bed then pulled the magazine from Jack's hands but didn't then lean into kiss or initiate anything. He just needed sleep, and he needed to know Jack was there. Jack seemed to get the message and leaned over to turn out the light. Riley sighed and pulled Jack close for a hug, but sleep eluded him even as Jack's breathing changed to the rhythm of slumber. He tried relaxing each muscle in turn, inhaling his husband's scent and the cool Texas air, but it was a long time until sleep finally chased him down.
Sleep didn't last long.
* * * *
"Riley."
"'M 'sleep," Riley replied.
"Riley." This time Jack's voice was more insistent and pushed along by the tempting scent of coffee. Riley managed to force open his eyes.
"Whattimeisit?"
"Just after six. I brought coffee." Riley groaned. He'd probably only been asleep a few minutes. Or at least it seemed like it. "I'm out with Taylors; she's restless again."
"Horses. Okay."
"Are you getting up?"
"Jeez," Riley muttered, and forced himself to scramble upright in the bed. "I'm up already."
Jack chuckled and then placed a gentle kiss to Riley's forehead. "Love you, het-boy," he said softly as he left the room.
Showered and dressed, Riley was in the kitchen by six-thirty brewing more coffee and standing at the window of the silent house. He wondered what time Hayley would be awake. He wondered if he should go and wake her up. Wasn't that what dads did for their kids? It was too early now, but should he go in at seven-thirty or eight and take her a drink? Not coffee, and water was too boring… Inspired, he rooted in the cupboard and located the tin of hot chocolate powder he remembered was Donna's favorite. Hot chocolate would be good; kids liked chocolate. Maybe one of Donna's cookies as well? With a cookie and powder in a mug sitting on the table, he realized he was done. He sat down. Then he stood up. He might as well get the breakfast stuff out as well.
That was how Jack found him. He came in through the main door, stamping dirt from boots and bringing with him the scent of the outside. He eyed the array of food and raised an eyebrow.
"How many are we feeding?"
* * * *
Hayley woke a little after eight. With Eden back at her own apartment in the city and Donna with her vet at his place, Riley was left with a small child and absolutely no idea of what to do or say. Of course he was fully aware she needed to wash up, get dressed, brush her teeth and then come to eat breakfast. He wasn't stupid. He just didn't know how to tell her. In the end, they stood eyeballing each other uncertainly for a good ten seconds before Hayley took control.
"Morning," she said brightly. Hoisting her oversize PJs up, she clambered onto a tall stool next to where Riley was getting things ready to cook, sorting bacon and eggs into piles ready to cook.