His heart melted any time Holden called him that, and for the millionth time, he wondered how anyone could expend their rage on a helpless child who was completely dependent upon them for everything. He discarded Holden’s heavy overnight diaper and changed him out of his pajamas into tiny jeans and a red sweater. He was so damned cute with his dark hair and eyes, the picture of his biological father, not that Owen and Laura cared who he looked like.

Owen was blessed to have Laura and Holden in his life, and he gave thanks for them every day. At times like this, when his emotions were stirred by memories he’d sooner forget than relive, he was extra thankful for Laura and the baby, who reminded him of how far he’d come from where he’d started out in life.

He brought Holden into the kitchen and put him into his high chair with some dry cereal. They had the same routine every morning, and Owen loved it. He took the morning shift with the baby so Laura could sleep in. As her pregnancy progressed, she couldn’t seem to get enough sleep.

A soft knock on the door preceded his mother ducking her head into the apartment.

“Come in,” Owen said, smiling as she came in the door with her fiancé, Charlie, trailing behind her. They were nearly inseparable these days, and Owen couldn’t be happier for them.

“Morning.” Sarah went past her son to kiss her grandson’s forehead.

Holden squealed with happiness at the sight of two of his favorite people.

“I see where I rate around here,” Owen said, amused by his mother’s focus on the baby.

“Grandchildren always bump children.” Sarah leaned in to kiss Owen’s cheek. “You should know that by now.”

“Wait till the twins come,” Charlie said. “You’ll be lucky if she says hello to you.”

Owen laughed, because he knew that was true. His mother was almost as excited about the new babies as he and Laura were. She was excited about everything now that his father’s trial was behind them, and he was finally exactly where he belonged. Which was why Owen was so tormented over his father’s latest cruel volley. His mother and Charlie wanted to be married but were content to live together forever if his father refused to let her go.

After everything they’d both been through before they found each other, they should have everything they wanted, and Owen hated being the one thing standing between them and a happy future. Intellectually, he knew it was his father standing between them, not him, but he could fix that. If only he could bring himself to accept a call from the person he least wished to speak to.

“We’re on our way to Uncle Shane and Aunt Katie’s for breakfast,” Sarah said to Holden. “You want to come with us?”