Under His Protection

Chapter 41: Bronze's Favorite

The sun had already begun to dip below the horizon, casting an amber glow across the villa's expansive balcony. Inside, the soft hum of dinner cleanup filled the air as everyone settled into the evening. Travis and Patrick were in the living room, sprawled across the couches watching highlights from an old football game, while Ross lounged with his feet propped up, adding unnecessary commentary to every play.

In the kitchen, Brittany and Taylor stood side by side, rinsing dishes and wiping down counters. Sterling was in the next room, playing quietly with her stuffed bunny and occasionally calling out for Patrick to "stop yelling at the TV."

Brittany laughed softly as she dried a glass, glancing at Taylor out of the corner of her eye. "You know you've stolen my kid, right?"

Taylor froze mid-scrub, turning to face Brittany with a confused smile. "What? Stolen him?"

"Bronze," Brittany said, smirking as she set the glass down and leaned against the counter. "The boy doesn't want anything to do with me right now. I tried to get him to go to bed earlier, and you know what he said?"

"What?" Taylor asked, stifling a laugh.

"He looked me dead in the eyes—no hesitation—and said, 'I want Taylor.'" Brittany shook her head, biting back a chuckle. "I mean, my own son. My flesh and blood. He's been replaced."

Taylor couldn't hold back her laugh this time. "Britt, he's three! It's just a phase. He'll come back to you."

"Oh, I'm not mad," Brittany said, grinning as she nudged Taylor with her elbow. "I think it's hilarious. You're his favorite right now, and I don't blame him. You've got that magic touch. Kids can sense when someone has a big heart."

Taylor rolled her eyes, rinsing off the last dish. "It's not magic. He just knows I'll let him cuddle with me as long as he wants."

"Exactly!" Brittany teased. "I try to get him to bed, and it's all 'No, Mommy,' but you walk into the room, and he's halfway asleep before you even say a word."

Taylor laughed, drying her hands on a towel. "It's probably because I give him what he wants. Travis says I spoil him."

Brittany smirked. "You do. But I'm not going to fight you on it. If Bronze wants Taylor Time, he can have it."

As if on cue, little footsteps padded into the kitchen. Bronze appeared in the doorway, rubbing his tired eyes with his tiny fists. He wore dinosaur pajamas, his hair still damp from the bath Brittany had managed to convince him to take. He blinked sleepily, looking directly at Taylor.

"Tay?" he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Taylor crouched down to his level, smiling softly. "What's up, buddy?"

"Bedtime," he said, his voice wobbling as if he might fall asleep mid-sentence.

Taylor glanced over at Brittany, who held her hands up in surrender, her grin widening. "See? Point proven."

"Bronze," Brittany said, feigning exasperation, "I literally just tried to tuck you in five minutes ago."

Bronze turned to his mom with a sleepy frown. "I want Tay."

Taylor shook her head with an amused sigh, holding her arms out. "Come here, buddy."

Bronze didn't need to be told twice. He padded across the tile floor, stumbling slightly in his drowsiness, before collapsing into Taylor's arms. She scooped him up easily, balancing him on her hip as he tucked his head against her shoulder.

"Are you seriously not even going to give me a hug?" Brittany teased her son, hands on her hips.

Bronze peeked out sleepily, then held out one arm for Brittany. "Hug, Mommy."

Brittany laughed and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "You're lucky you're cute, kid. But you're still a traitor."

Bronze mumbled something unintelligible, already halfway asleep against Taylor.

Taylor looked over at Brittany with an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

Brittany waved her off, her laughter softening into something warmer. "Don't be. He's got good taste. Go ahead, put him to bed. I'll finish up in here."

"You sure?" Taylor asked, bouncing Bronze gently to keep him from nodding off completely.

"Positive," Brittany replied. "I'm going to enjoy these last five minutes of peace before Sterling starts asking me to find her bunny for the hundredth time today."

Taylor chuckled and carried Bronze toward the hallway. The little boy snuggled closer, his breath already evening out as she walked. By the time she reached the room Patrick and Brittany had set up for the kids, Bronze was fully asleep.

Taylor sat down on the edge of the small bed, carefully laying him down and pulling the blanket up to his chin. His tiny fingers gripped her hand as she started to move away, so she sat there a moment longer, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead.

"You're going to break hearts one day, Bronze," she whispered with a smile, watching his peaceful face.

The room was quiet except for the soft sound of his breathing and the faint hum of the ocean outside the window. Taylor sat there for a moment longer, letting the peace of it settle over her.

When she finally slipped out of the room and gently closed the door behind her, she found Travis leaning casually against the hallway wall, arms crossed and a small smile tugging at his lips.

"How long have you been standing there?" Taylor asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Long enough," he replied, pushing off the wall and walking toward her. "I'm starting to think Bronze has the right idea."

Taylor gave him a curious look. "What do you mean?"

Travis smirked, leaning down to kiss her softly. "If I asked you to tuck me in, would you say no?"

Taylor laughed, swatting his chest lightly. "You're impossible."

"Maybe." He wrapped an arm around her waist, steering her back toward the living room. "But you love me anyway."

"Yeah," Taylor said, leaning into him as they walked. "I do."

From down the hall, they heard Sterling calling out for Brittany, her voice faint but determined. "Mom! I can't find Bunny!"

Brittany's groan echoed through the villa, making Taylor and Travis both burst out laughing.