His Forever Family

9. Family Vacation

After their own weekends, Lauren had convinced Jay to talk to Mouse more about settling down. She thought Sarah was perfect for him, and she wished they would move closer. The kids loved any time they were up for a visit. Jay had promised to talk to him, but he told her it would ultimately be Mouse's decision since it was his life. She knew that, but she thought he could use some pushing a long. 

Shay had baby Katie right before Independence day. Lauren and Jay kept Braxton for them while they were in the hospital. Katie was a beautiful little girl and already had her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Shay called her her little firecracker since she decided to come right before their big celebration day. Lauren told her not to worry about the ruined plans; she was just glad Katie and Shay were safe and well. 

After Shay came home, Kelly had a close call at work worrying them all. It was after that, the couple decided it was time for a change. It seemed to work for their family, and Kelly was almost certain it would work for them. They decided to move to Kenosha to the beach house. They were closer to Jay and Lauren, but Kelly had always wanted to live at the beach. He looked for a job, and was lucky enough to find a squad and rescue position in Kenosha. Shay was going to wait until Katie was older to look for a job. 

After helping them move, Lauren, Nat and Shay planned a beach vacation. Lauren missed going to the gulf beaches since she had moved further north, and Shay and Nat had never been so they were on board. Lauren convinced Sarah and Mouse to go as well. They rented a beach house in Pensacola for the middle of August. Most people would be back in school and work, and that would make Katie six weeks old. Lauren was beyond excited, making her own kids excited. 

Once the beach plans were finalized, Mouse came up one night to talk to Jay and Lauren. The kids were excited to see him, and he wore them out playing. Even Jayde had Uncle Mouse wrapped around her little finger. She loved the funny faces he would make at her while he held her. Once all the kids were down, the adults settled on the back porch enjoying the nice night. 

"So what's up?" Jay asks as Lauren settled in his lap. 

Mouse gave them a longing look before looking back out over the lake. If he were being honest he wanted what they had. "Just been thinking," he started. "About what you said last time we talked." 

Of course Lauren was out of the loop because Jay didn't always share guy talk and she understood that. Jay kept quiet giving Mouse the space to say what was on his mind when he wanted. 

"I want it. I've had an offer," he said surprising them. 

"What kind of offer?" Jay asked. 

"A work from home gig. Cyber defense or something like that." 

"Mouse that's great," Lauren smiled.

"Yea... yea Sarah thought so too." 

"So... is there a problem?" Jay asked wondering why his best friend seemed so pensive. 

"No.. not really. Sarah already works at home and we're good ya know... we're good." 

"Mouse?" Lauren said quietly getting a nod from Jay. 

"Yea?" 

"You said you want it. What is it?" 

Mouse was quiet for a moment before turning to look at them. "This. What y'all have. I want it. Sarah is everything I never knew I wanted. Being around y'all, it's made me want this. I never thought I would get here, never thought I'd find someone who could deal with me. But Sarah... she's.... she's amazing," he said with a small smirk. 

"That's great," Lauren said with a big smile. "We all love her. She fits in great." 

"Yea... yea I know," he said with a smile.