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and he couldn’t avoid Henry. Well, he could as long as he was in the study but Lane wasn’t going to allow him to hide for long. He’d let Aiden have a break and center himself but he wasn’t going to let him get lost in the case.
    In the months since they apprehended Gavin Langley, the serial arsonist, the District Attorney in Chicago and Captain Graves leaned heavily on Aiden. It was his analysis and guidance that led them to Langley and their interrogations were going nowhere until Aiden agreed to observe and oversee their efforts. With his help, Langley confessed and the trial was swiftly approaching. While Lane loved that Aiden was able to help bring one of the worst arsonists in history to justice, he was wary of the mental toll it was taking on him. Lane had to balance his pride in Aiden with his responsibility as Aiden’s husband. It was his job to make sure Aiden stepped back and took a breath now and then. If Lane didn’t step in and call Time, Aiden wouldn’t sleep until the trial was over. Aiden was the rare exception where justice and a case didn’t come first. In their home, Aiden’s health and mental and emotional stability were his priorities. In their home, Lane was a husband first and a cop last. He’d let Aiden immerse himself in the case for an hour or so, then he’d make him confront his fears and face Henry.
     
    “Just relax,” Lane repeated as he stepped back slowly. “I’m going to get his dinner ready, I’ll be in the kitchen but I can still see and hear you,” he said reassuringly and Aiden gave him a panicked look from the sofa. Henry was babbling happily on his lap but Aiden was petrified.
    “Why can’t he sit in that vulgar Mamathing chair?” He asked urgently and Lane shook his head.
    “It isn’t good for babies to spend too much time strapped into a chair or alone in a play yard. And this is good for you. It’s time you learned that babies and children aren’t as terrifying as you’ve built them up to be,” Lane said as he stepped into the kitchen and Aiden groaned.
    “I’m not terrified,” he mumbled and Lane bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as Aiden sniffed Henry cautiously. “What does he smell like?” Aiden asked before he took another long sniff.
    “Ummm… Baby stuff and baby?” Lane guessed. He raised his hands to his face and the smell of baby lotion and powder had him smiling. “I think he smells amazing,” he added and Aiden looked over in confused disbelief.
    “Can you hurry? He just made a weird sound,” Aiden called and Lane smiled as he found containers of various pureed vegetables and fruits. A long ago comment Kat had made about Stacey being the obnoxious suburban perfect mom was biting her in the ass. Everything Kat did was organic and homemade. Henry would be wearing cloth diapers if Lane didn’t stipulate that she drop him off with decent disposable diapers.
    “What kind of weird sound?” Lane asked absently as he carefully heated sweet potatoes.
    “He kind of grunted and I think he turned a little red and…” Whatever else Aiden was going to say was replaced by a strangled cry and Lane stood up straight and looked into the living room. Aiden was gone and Henry was sitting in his play yard.
    “What the…?” Lane asked as he rushed across the room. He reached into the play yard and a strong, pungent odor had him gagging as he lifted Henry. “Oh… Jesus… Heeeerp…” Lane quickly set Henry back down and stood. He covered his nose with the front of his shirt and turned way, desperate for clean air. “Fair enough,” Lane announced loudly. “That’s horrific,” he said before he took a deep breath and turned back to Henry. “I’m going to slap your mother tomorrow,” he grumbled as he picked up Henry and held him away from him. Luckily, he’d set up a changing station just across the room. If he could get Henry over there without vomiting, he’d ask for a medal.

Chapter 3
     
    Could you find some way to