I roll off him and curl into the bed. He laughs before climbing from the bed. I hear the water come on in the bathroom, likely from him getting a towel to clean up with. My eyes close as exhaustion takes hold.
When I wake hours later, I find Daddy did actually clean us both. I’m tucked against his chest with a blanket draping over my back.
I kiss his chest gently, careful not to wake him before snuggling deeper against him. No need to rock the boat. I’m right where I want to be—in Daddy’s arms.
Epilogue I
Bram
“It was really nice to meet you. Don’t be strangers,” Marian tells me with a pat on the back. He and Link offered to see us off at the airport despite my protests. I didn’t want them to have to drive so far out of their way.
According to Link, it wasn’t a big deal. Friends didn’t mind the extra work.
While I’m chatting with Marian, Link and my boy are holding hands and practically crying while saying their goodbyes. We watch them quietly as they share whispered words and giggles.
“They are something else, aren’t they?” I mutter.
Marian nods. “They are, but we love them.”
“We do.”
“Time to get on the road,” Marian calls out to his husband. Link pulls back from Eddie with a reluctant look.
Eddie drifts over to me, his body pressing against my side like he wants to climb in my skin rather than just hug me. Knowing my boy, it’s likely an accurate assessment.
The couple waves before turning to head out of the front doors. Since we’re taking a private flight back, there isn’t much to the boarding process after that.
Once we’re in our seats, and I dismiss the attendant, my boy sighs. “What’s wrong, Eddie baby?”
“I think I’m going to miss this.”
“Miss what?”
He bites his lip, tilting his head back to look me in the eyes. “Miss it being just us. Your work schedule is really busy. I don’t want to throw a wrench in things, but I’m worried I won’t get to see you as much.”
“Oh, baby. That’s not the case at all. Didn’t we see each other quite a bit before when we were simply friends?”
“Yes,” he agrees.
“Then why do you think we’d see each other less now? If anything, I’m going to make more time to see you.”
“Really!?”
I run my finger down his jaw, taking in how utterly perfect he is. My sweet boy and his heart of gold.
“The truth of the matter is that I’ve been trying to brainstorm ways to get you to the office too. I thought about putting a desk in with mine so you could work with me sometimes. Or maybe I could renovate my home office and do a bit more remote time.”
He shoots upright. “Really?!”
“You sound like a broken record now, baby,” I tease. “And yes, I am serious. You and I are the real deal. I’m not going to say this is a holiday fling or that things need to change once we’re back home. Sure, they will change, but it’s all for the better.”
“All for the better.” He mumbles the words as he undoes his belt and climbs into my lap. Thank goodness the light had come on to tell us it was ok to move.
Not that I would have sent him away even if it hadn’t come on. His safety is important; however, I’d risk my life before letting him be in any type of danger.
I rub his back in small circles as he relaxes in my hold. It’s not until I hear his soft snores that I realize he’s fallen asleep again. If it was anyone else, I might be offended. Then again, I doubt I’d ever allow anyone else in this position.
My lap is only for my boy.
