I roll my eyes because...I don't know.I think Boris is rubbing off on me."Maybe we should eat while the pizza is warm and fix the tree after."
He moves closer and gathers me in his arms."Good plan."He nuzzles my ear, then kisses behind it.I shiver and look up to find Ira grinning at me.
"Plates."I push at Boris.
Boris frowns and looks at Ira."What did he say?Do you think aliens have been here and snatched his brain while we were away?"
"It's zombies who take brains."
"Right you are, my boy, but I think I heard him insist on plates for pizza."
I give up.I push Boris away and pull out a chair."Let's eat."
Ira is prattling on about what they've seen at the mall, about the huge fish tank by one of the entrances and the pet store next to it.
I give Boris a sharp look.He better not have promised Ira a pet.He only grins, which makes me nervous.
When we're done eating, Ira is dancing around, unable to stay still for more than a moment.I sigh."You know where the Christmas things are."
He nods."Boris, come on."
Boris gets to his feet, and I'm about to tell Ira Boris doesn't have to help him, but Boris is as excited as Ira is, and I shake my head.
The moment Ira is out of the room, he moves toward me faster than should be possible, and I soon find myself in his arms.He gives me one quick but definitely not child-friendly kiss and leaves me standing there staring after him.Okay, then.
I clean off the table.There isn't much to clean, but I put the leftover pizza in the refrigerator, then I go see how they're doing.
Ira has placed the tree skirt and stand in the corner where we normally have it.Boris is holding the tree, ready to place it.
"Will you be able to fasten it?"He looks at Ira.
Ira nods, and I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the door frame, taking in the show.
A few minutes later, we have a tree.It's leaning slightly to the left, but Boris' solution is to turn it, so it's leaning in toward the corner instead of out into the room.I say nothing.
"Can we decorate it?"Ira is giving me a pleading look.
"Tomorrow.It's time for you to head to bed."
He groans and gazes longingly at the tree.
Boris hauls him up into his arms."Good job today, buddy.I never could've done it without you."
Ira grins, and my heart melts a fraction.Boris puts him down and ruffles his hair.
I follow Ira to the bathroom and help him brush his teeth.Then we go into his bedroom, and he yawns.It makes me smile."Come on, in you go."I hold the cover up.
He snuggles in, and I reach for the book we're reading.
"Boris called me his son."
I still."He did?"
"Yeah.He was talking to one of the salespeople at the mall and said I was his son."
"Oh..."I don't know what to say.
"Can I be?"
