“I’d never push you to explore something you weren’t comfortable with, but I have my suspicions. Would you like to tell me about it now?”
“Yes, please.”
For the next hour or so I poured out everything. Things that I’d never said out loud to anyone and barely acknowledged for myself. But my best friend already knew. Even if we never had the conversation word for word before. He held me while I droned on about my lack of worthiness, my insecurities, and anything else that had been hidden away. I guess nothing was hidden though considering how perceptive he was. Kingston wouldn’t judge me no matter what I’d been doing. When the last of my tears dried, we stood up and he lifted me up in his arms.
“I’m taller than you, Daddy.”
“Wrap your legs around my waist. You’re like four inches taller than me, not twelve.”
“I don’t think you can carry me that way. I’m not fussing, but no one has ever tried.”
“I’m not just anyone. Do as I told you.”
Doubting his ability to move with me in such a position but not wanting to question him, I did what he directed me to do. King carried me downstairs to the living room without issue. He was so much stronger than me, both physically and mentally.
His incredible good looks made people often underestimate him, assuming that he was superficial and shallow when the opposite was true. Nuzzling against his temple, I smiled when set me on the couch.
He turned on the television and flipped to one of the streaming services we shared. “There’s a new movie you might like.”
Watching the trailer, I was immediately enthralled. I may have watched it by myself, but it wasn’t likely. The movie itself was geared toward younger kids, and was about space robots having to work together to save Planet Earth from certain doom. Shyly glancing up into his face, I nodded. “I’d very much like to watch it, Daddy.”
“Very good. I ordered from Falcon Creek Diner and our food will be here in about twenty minutes.”
“You didn’t ask me what I wanted.”
Kingston sat next to me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
“For the rest of the night and until I leave tomorrow, I’d like you to do one thing for me. Are you listening, little prince?”
My heart swelled with love and I nodded. “Yes, Daddy. What’s that?”
“Trust me to take care of you. I’m handling the decisions. I’m in charge, Reed. Will you surrender your control just a bit? It will help your brain rest.”
It was so scary to place everything in his hands even though he had my best interest in mind and in his heart. I swallowed, refusing to cry again. Somehow I knew after tonight that I wouldn’t fight anymore. That I wouldn’t question every single decision anymore. Somehow, after tonight, I’d allow Kingston to balance the three of us completely.
“Yes, Daddy. Yes, please. I trust you to take good care of me.”
“Wonderful. It’s going to be such a good night, I promise.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, Reed. So much.”
He looked away for a moment before kissing the side of my head. I had made him cry one day in my kitchen, and it had been so unusual that we simply sat there for a while, not speaking. His chosen career had hardened him in some ways, because he had to focus during critical situations that were very much life and death. But he cared very deeply, especially for me. Kingston cleared his throat. His voice was thick with emotion.
Taking his face in my hands, I looked deep into his eyes and kissed his lips gently. “I won’t fight anymore. I promise. It’s never been a question about you, it was all this crap inside of me.”
“I’m so glad you were able to get it out. Next time Daddy will give you an enema to help you work through it faster.”
“Not funny, Daddy.”
“Who’s laughing, little prince?”
“You’re distracting me from your own tears. I saw them.”
“It’s because your words made me remember how valued I am and how incredibly fulfilled I feel. I won’t drop the ball, Reed. And if I somehow manage to fumble it? I’ll fix it. If you don’t remember anything else I’ve said tonight, at least know that I’ll always make it better.”
“I believe you, Daddy. Hey! Can we make popcorn too?” Drawing us back to the fun activities we had planned for tonight instead of heavy topics, I waited for him to reply. Popcorn made every movie night better. I had an entire shelf in my pantry for movie snacks.
