Both littles followed me with determined faces as I led them to the end of the hallway and opened up the closet where I stored various sheets and blankets. “We need to grab as much of the enchanted materials as we can carry and take them to the living room.”
Once all of our arms were full of the linens, we made our way back into the main room. I instructed them to place the sheets on the floor and the blankets on the couch, and I hurried to find some clothespins.
When I returned with the pins in hand, both littles waited patiently as I moved the furniture around to make a base for our fort. Once I was done, I instructed them to help hold the sheets up as I pinned them together and anchored them to the coffee table and the couch, creating a canopy over the large space.
I’d barely finished pinning the top together when both Ellery and Tristan darted inside and plopped on the floor. “Whoooaa,so cool!” Tristan roared in agreement.
They stayed inside the tent, holding the sheets for the fort’s walls as I pinned them to the top. Once I was done, I made my way around the structure, making sure it was secure, sure it wouldn’t hurt anyone if the sheets fell on top of us, but I’d prefer if they didn’t. Excited giggles sounded from inside the tent as I re-adjusted a few pins.
“I’ll be right back.”
All I got in response was more giggles and the cutest-sounding roar. My face ached from smiling as I hurried to my bedroom and grabbed my laptop so we could watch a movie inside the fort. On my way out, I had a lightbulb moment and rushed into the playroom, grabbed some fluffy pillows and stuffed animals.
The room was silent when I returned. All of my worries faded when I opened the fort to find my boy and Ellery snuggled up together. They’d taken all the fluffy blankets off the couch, except one for me. Their thoughtfulness made me smile. The blankets were arranged into a pallet on the floor, and they had a few more on top of them, and it nearly broke my heart that I was going to have to ruin how comfy they were.
“Hi, little ones, are you having fun?” They both nodded their head furiously, nearly knocking their heads together. I started to talk, but was cut off by both boys yawning loudly, making me chuckle. “All right, little ones, I know you’re comfy, but we need to get ready for bed, and then we can come back and get all comfy.”
“But Dada, we are ready. Dun wanna get up.”
I furrowed my brow and met his gaze, my expression stern. “Areyou sure about that little one?”
Tristan wiggled and nodded his head. I held out my arms and wiggled my fingers, making him giggle. “Hmmm, I’m not so sure. Come here, little one.”
Tristan let go of Ellery and crawled toward me out of the tent. I lifted him and propped him on my hip. Placing my hand on his bottom, I shifted his weight and squeezed. Just as I thought, he was wet, and I was not going to let my boy go to bed in a wet diaper.
“Ellie, there’s a spare toothbrush under the sink in the hall bath if you need it. Get ready for bed, and we’ll meet you back here.”
“Okay! Thank you, Daniel.”
“You’re welcome. Come on, sweetie, let’s go get ready for bed.”
Tristan was practically half asleep already as I carried him to the playroom. He suckled on his paci as I changed him into a dry diaper and rubbed fresh cream on his soft skin. “Come on, baby, let’s get those teefies brushed.” He whined in protest but still nodded his head in acceptance. “I know, sweet boy, but it’ll be fast, and then we can go watch a movie, and you can cuddle with Ellie.”
A few minutes later, I was dressed in clean sweats and a black t-shirt, crawling into the tent with my boy. Ellery had gotten back before us and set up my laptop, with a movie already pulled up. I didn’t know what movie they pulled up, but the happy squeals I heard from my boy meant it must’ve been a good choice.
Once both littles were snug under the covers, I groaned as I crawled over to the couch. Thankfully, I didn’t have to crawl far,or I was going to need new knees. Tristan and Ellery stared at the screen with half-lidded eyes as I stretched myself out over the couch and got comfy.
My eyes never made their way to the screen as I watched my boy slowly fall asleep, snuggled up to his friend. They looked so peaceful together as they slowly drifted to sleep. I couldn’t help but follow suit, and the world faded away.
24
Daniel
Soft whimpers had my eyes fluttering open, and I searched in the dark for the origin. The whimpers sounded again, and I looked down to see both boys still curled up together. Their hair was damp and stuck to their faces, their cheeks rosy and gleaming with sweat.
Reaching down, I placed my hand on Tristan’s forehead. His face scrunched in discomfort, and he let out another soft whimper.Shit. he was burning up. I felt Ellery’s forehead next and winced at the warmth radiating from them.
I had two sick littles on my hands. Slumping back on the couch, I gathered up a game plan. Grabbing my phone, I opened my messages and hoped David was already awake. He kept odd hours, so it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Hey man, Tristan and his friend spent the night, and they both have fevers. Any chance you’d be available to drop off some supplies?
The second my thumb hit the send button, I looked at my boy. If they didn’t wake soon, I’d have to wake them up so I could help them get clean and get their fevers down. Both little ones looked so sick; my heart broke for them. Everything was going to be okay. I’d give them both everything they needed to get better. Being sick while alone was the worst. I was just thankful they were here, where I could take care of them.
My phone buzzed, making me jump slightly. I let out a sigh of relief seeing David’s reply.
Oh man, you’ve got your hands full. I’ve got no plans today. Text me what you need, and I’ll bring it.
If both of them are okay with it, I can stay and help you out.
