“Cause-cause, cause my Daddy loves me.”
Heart. Broken.
There wasn’t much I knew of Beck’s backstory outside of his being raised in the foster system. Which, it was quite possible, were years filled with memories he’d rather leave behind.
“Of course I do, silly boy. You’re the most loveable bunny ever.”
“Daddy’s Bunny.”
“Yes, you are.” I carried him inside and made a mental note to bring our bags in after I got him settled in. “Would Daddy’s Bunny like tubby time?”
“Please, Daddy. I want out of this outfit for good.”
We’d left right after Beck emptied his locker, so he was still in his work uniform. What little there was of it. If I wasn’t worried about what pleather would do to the ozone layer, I’d hold a ritual burning of the damn thing in the firepit outback.
“Bunny,” I gave his button nose a kiss. “Sit here for Daddy while I start your bath and bring our stuff in.” We’d need to move more of his things to keep here soon. “I’ve got your stuffie Bun-Bun in your backpack.”
“Yay! Bun-Bun is having a sleepover at Daddy’s too. Bunny kisses, Daddy.” We rubbed noses, then I brought everything in and locked up for the night. My sweet boy was on the couch having a conversation with the stuffed bear I got him. He kept it here so Daddy wouldn’t be lonely, his words not mine, though I did secretly love glimpsing the sweet bear on the couch waiting for his Bunny to come and hold him again. I loved how easilyBeck slipped into his little side when I was around, especially after the night he had. That was the best form of therapy for him right now. That and being tucked in his daddy’s arms.
Unloading his backpack, I tucked Bun-Bun into bed, waiting for my sweet Bunny, then I called him in. “Tubby is ready.” The pitter patter of his feet across the tile as he hopped down the hallway was music to my ears. “Um, Bunny, where are your clothes?”
He shrugged. “Here and there.”
“There were only two pieces so not much here or there.”
“Uh-huh, Daddy. I had shoes too, but no sockies.” My cute boy wiggled his toes. “See?”
Good, little Beck was here. “I do, silly boy. Go potty then Daddy will help you into the tub.” I set out the new pj’s I’d bought him and dumped the bag of tubby toys into the water right as he came out. “Alright, into the water so my Bunny can relax.”
You could literally see the stress leave his body as he slid beneath the bubbles. “Mmm, feels good. Thank you, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome, sweet boy.”
“Daddy,” another dramatic sigh from my sweet Bunny. “What am I going to do about a job now?”
“What do you want to do?”
His eyes widened and he blinked. “I don’t know. I’ve always just worked to get out of a bad situation and now I left a bad situation so…I don’t know.”
“Hmm, that’s quite the dilemma, Bunny. But…” dare I say it? “This does free up time to travel with Daddy.”
“Daddy, that doesn’t pay the rent.” If I’m not mistaken, my Bunny just gave me attitude. I cocked a warning brow. “Sorry Daddy, didn’t mean it to come out so snarky. But I’m scared.”
“I know, Bunny, but Daddy’s got you. Now, will you please let Daddy take care of you?” Maybe voicing it in the form of aquestion may help. Or it could turn out to be nothing more than wishful Daddy thinking.
“I don’t know,” he batted at the bubbles and sent them flying, an adorable giggle escaped. “I like the idea of being with you all the time, but I’m scared to not have any money coming in. Does that make sense?”
“Perfect sense, though the question remains, what would you like to do? If you had a choice of any job in the world, what would it be?”
Another shrug. “I like modeling Jobe’s clothes when he’s making them. He said I have the perfect body for a model, but he doesn’t recommend getting into the industry. Something about it being a soul sucker.”
Jobe would know. He got shit on more ways than one while professionally modeling, though he made bank and invested it wisely from what Stanley had told me. “Maybe talk to Jobe and see if he has a job for you. You won’t have any bills to pay living with your Daddy, but I do understand the importance of having your own income.”
“That’s a good idea. You’re so smart, Daddy.” But he didn’t acknowledge the moving in comment. Again.
Good lord, was I being played or what?
“Okay, Daddy, here’s the deal. If Jobe has work for me and can pay me, then I’ll move in with you. If not, then I have to find a job.”
