Love Is Always Write Volume 4

really was his better half. With Maisy the three of them were now bonded though in a way no one could ever break apart.
    "Love you," he said with what he knew was a sappy grin as Bryce opened their front door.
    "Love you, too." Bryce returned the smile. "Both of you."
    His husband left and rather than sit Aaron began to slowly walk around. He knew if he rocked Maisy he would fall asleep with her. He hummed quietly and watched her drink her bottle. She was the spitting image of Bryce and a beautiful little girl. She had his wavy brown hair that curled at the ends, his hazel eyes, and a button nose. She even had dimples when she smiled, just like her Papa.
    Her eyes were closing by the time she had finished the bottle. He grabbed a cloth and burped her before laying her in her swing. She loved it; it was the best thing they had ever bought because it always put her to sleep. He set it on the lowest setting and turned on the lullabies then decided to search the room once more. Maybe he could find an extra diaper somewhere, change Maisy and tuck her in before Bryce got home. Then they could go curl up in bed and get some much needed sleep.
    He checked the crib's bottom drawers, the changing table – behind and below it – the dresser, and finally the closet. That's where he found success as a small package of diapers had been tucked away in one of the extra storage bins. He nearly cursed for not looking before. If he had Bryce wouldn't have had to leave. And come to think of it where was his husband?
    After a quick change and only a little protest Maisy fell back asleep in her swing so he ran to the bedroom and grabbed his cell off the nightstand. No missed calls. He wasn't sure what time exactly Bryce had left but he should have been back by now. He dialed his husband's number but there was no answer. He began to pace the hall as he tried twice more and still got no response. Finally he left a voicemail.
    "This is your worrywart. Maybe your phone died or whatever, but where are you, babe? You've been gone too long and it's freaking me out."
    He hung up and checked on Maisy when he heard the house phone ringing. He rushed to answer it, dread coiling in his stomach as a bad feeling hit him like a train. He sent out a silent prayer that Bryce was safe and sound wherever he was. "Hello?"
    "Honey, thank goodness," Bryce's voice sound pained and all wrong. "I tried calling your cell but got the busy signal."
    "What's happened?" Aaron clutched the phone tightly, his knuckles turning white. Holding his breath he managed to ask, "Are you all right?"
    "Yeah, I uh… someone stole our car," Bryce said, breaking off in a hitch. "I was getting in, y'know? Diapers in one hand and phone in the other to call you and this guy came outta nowhere. He had a gun, Aaron…"
    "Oh my god…" He felt his legs give out as the scenario played out in his head of that happening. He sank back against the counter trying to tell himself Bryce was okay, he was talking to him. He had to be fine, right? Was this was some crazy dream that he was going to wake up from?
    "I'm okay, shaken up but okay," Bryce broke through his terror with his voice. "He made me give him the keys and my wallet, threw my phone and shoved me then took off when an employee ran out."
    He pinched the bridge of his nose, tears building up at the thought that his husband could've been killed. What would he and Maisy have done? "Did he hurt you?"
    "No, but the police were called. I wanted to call you baby, but they made me give a statement and get checked out. I'm with an officer now, he's gonna drive me home."
    "I'll come get you," he decided, finding his strength and moving from the counter. His husband needed him and nothing was going to stop him from getting there.
    "It's too late to bring Maisy out," Bryce tried to argue.
    "I'll wrap her up like a mummy."
    "How is she?"
    "Fast asleep. I found extra diapers tucked away." He broke off, unable to speak for a moment. "You didn't even have to go."
    "I'm okay," Bryce repeated again, though he didn't sound like he was.
    "Not gonna believe that until I see you. Call me on my cell, so I can switch phones."
    "Yeah, okay."
    Aaron hung up the house phone, immediately answering his cell when Bryce called again. He went to their daughter's bedroom and, careful not to wake her, he picked her up and held his phone between his ear and shoulder as he got her pink car seat from the closet and strapped her in. His hands shaking he pulled open the