"Not from you," Chris said, strained as his body reacted in ways he wasn't giving it permission to, his chin resting halfway on Cole's hand while he petted at the sensitive skin. It felt so good, so right for someone to finally have someone's attention and their positive interaction. It was everything Chris could do to remind himself who this was to try and fight it, a shudder running through him when it just wasn't enough. There was only so much resistance he could muster when Cole was right. God, he needed this. "Please."

That comfort was at odds with the sudden well of anger at Leo. It was true: there was a buried hate for Leo under the familial love and duty. No respect for what Leo had done—or not done, in this case—for his youngest son in the future. Now it was all rushing to the forefront and he gasped quietly. "That's not going to happen," he said with a ruefulness he knew all too well. The sisters forgetting about Leo was just impossible and something Chris couldn't bring himself to totally wish for. If they forgot about Leo, then where would Chris be in several months' time? "I... I want to do what I came here to do... with or without Leo in the way."