"The best. They'd come home from classes and hide in bed with me with steaming hot mugs of cocoa and water bottles in the sheets. Absolutely lovely," Jamie said, a deep smile on his face. "At first I was worried when he bought me that it was just a whim and I'd be returned a few months later. But that never happened."

Barba raised both his eyebrows sharply. "I've never even thought to take any of you back. You're mine."