“Yes,” he moaned as I washed his hair. “Never had anyone wash my hair before. It’s like a massage for my scalp.”
“Silly boy, it’s meant to be. Let Daddy finish washing you so we can get you into your bunny pj’s.”
“Where is Bun-Bun and Daddy Bear?”
“Hmm, Daddy Bear is waiting in bed. Remember, you tucked him in this morning before we left. Since Bun-Bun went with you to Jobe’s I’d imagine he’s wherever you left your backpack.” I know it came with us from Jobe’s, so it was somewhere in the house.
“I think it’s on the couch.”
With my boy washed and warm under the spray, I moved to the second shower head and washed myself. Adding dual heads and widening the shower when I remodeled was one of the best choices I made. As of late, I’d made even more, starting with following my heart.
Beck was dried and dressed, wobbling toward the bed, his eyes half lidded. Basically, sleepwalking, but thankfully made it safely and fell face first onto the mattress. Another forty-eight hours like this I couldn’t allow. It was too much for both of us and completely unhealthy. Settling into one living space will help tremendously. Monitoring sleep and Beck’s meals will get us both onto a better schedule and healthier lifestyle.
I tucked him in and retrieved his Bun-Bun, then slid into bed behind him. “Goodnight, sleepy boy. Daddy loves you.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
Having woken with the sun for far too many years, I was up before my boy and managed to tackle quite a bit of work before he stumbled down the hall.
“Daddy?”
“In here,” I called out. “In the office.”
“There you are. I woke up alone,” he pouted as he slid onto my lap. “I missed you.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Daddy is an early riser, but the good thing is that I was able to get a lot of work done so we have time to shop for stuff you need after I feed my boy.”
“Bunny ‘cakes?” He cuddled Bun-Bun to his chest.
Ah, he woke as my little Bunny. “Absolutely. Bunny cakes and milk.” Now to see how he reacts to my next surprise. “Regular cup or sippy cup?”
That opened his tired eyes, and an adorable rosy blush tinted his cheeks. “I don’t have a sippy cup, Daddy.”
I stood and sat him on his feet. “Follow Daddy.” I wandered over to the cupboard and pulled out the divided dish and sippy cup set I bought him. “You do now, if you want one.”
“Daddy, it’s got little bunny’s all over it,” he danced in place. “Sippy cup, please. Will the bunny cakes fit on my new plate?”
“I’ll make them just the right size, so they do.” I’d butchered their ears so badly last time I felt horrible and ordered a couple of silicone molds to use now. One shaped like tiny cotton tail bunnies and another that was just the bunny head I’d been trying for and failed miserably at. Traumatizing my sweet boy wasn’t on my to do list.
Next on the order list was a bathrobe in his size. Poor boy was in mine and could’ve wrapped it around himself twice. Maybe a new pair of bunny slippers, the bottoms of the ones he had on were duct taped. Nothing against duct tape, but my boy deserved bright, shiny, new things.
“Bunny, you know that spare room across the hall from ours?”Ours.God how I loved saying that. Never realized how lonely I’d become until Beck and I started dating. Going home at night without him was the worst.
“Yup.” He tipped his cup to his lips, took a quick drink then shrugged and drank some more. This was beyond adorable to witness. I loved that Beck was free to explore his little side now and I was elated to be a part of the new discoveries that were yet to come. He already mentioned pull-ups, but would he be interested in diapers too? What about a binkie?
“What do you think about turning it into Bunny’s playroom?” An ear-splitting squeal bounced off the walls, as did my boy when he spun in circles. “Careful or you’ll vomit milk all over.” He skidded to a halt and stared at me. “Was that a yes then?”
“Yes!” he cheered. “All the yeses in the world. Can I help too, Daddy? Can we paint it blue and yellow and have bunny’s going hoppity-hop-hop all over the walls?” I already envisioned the cute little toe bean prints. I wonder if I could have larger ones made to put on the carpet like tic-tac-toe for my Bunny to hop across.
Maybe doing this with Beck rather than for him was the way to go. I’d already caught a glimpse of separation anxiety and with taking care of everything alone for as long as he had, he’d likely enjoy a Daddy-boy project.
“Absolutely. What else would you like in your room? Daddy will build the shelves and furniture for you. I enjoy that and it’ll be sturdier than anything we could buy.”
“Mmm,” he took a bite of his pancakes. “These are sooo cute, Daddy. Thank you for the nummy bunnies.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” He got his thinky face on. Adorable as hell, though it was a mix of thinking hard and if I wasn’t mistaken, constipation? I swear, only Beck could pull that off and have it end up that damn cute. “Maybe a pen and paper would help? Don’t want you to hurt your brain.”
“Daddy,” he rolled his eyes and wiggled. “I gotta go potty.” I was too busy laughing as he sprinted down the hall to reprimand him for running in the house. But in the end, he made it safelyto his destination while I learned how to read another face he made.
