“I love you so much, sweetheart.”
“I wub chu too, Dada.” His words were slurred around his pacifier, but I knew what he said, and I hoped they were words I’d continue to hear from him forever.
25
Epilogue
Tristan
My fingers were starting to ache from how long I’d been crocheting. It had been several days since Daddy took me home to grab things from my apartment after my sleepover with Ellery. I didn’t need much since Daddy had plenty of little clothes for me at his house. I grabbed a few big outfits, just incase, and some crochet supplies for the projects I was working on.
Daddy took such good care of me, making sure I rested. But it had been days, and I nearly wept with joy when he decided I was finally well enough to get some work done. I loved being little and all the comforts it brought me, but crocheting was just as necessary and fulfilled me in a completely different way.
I startled slightly when I heard Daddy enter through the back door. “Sweetie, I think it’s time you took a break,” I whined slightly as I continued moving the hook, creating new stitches.
“Sweetheart, you need to stretch and eat something. You’ve been hunched over working for almost two hours.”
As if conspiring against me, my stomach chose that moment to rumble so loud that Daddy definitely heard it. I sighed in defeat. “Okay, Daddy, but can I please finish the row I’m working on? I hate stopping mid-round.”
“Of course, little one. Finish that round and then stand up and stretch while I make us some lunch.” Daddy placed a kiss on the top of my head before walking away.
Daddy spent the last several days by my side, and it was incredible. I was so sick that we mostly cuddled on the couch and watched TV; even so, I was spending time with him. I loved every second we spent together.
Daddy decided he would get some work done, too. I wanted to join him in the workshop since I could crochet anywhere, but Daddy didn’t think it was best for me to spend a lot of time in the shed. Sitting for hours in a hot workshop in the middle ofsummer, even if there were fans, was apparently not a good idea after having been sick with a fever for several days.
When I was done, I found Daddy sitting at the table with our plates. Since I was so sick, I’d spent the past several days mostly in little space. I loved being little, but the idea of having lunch and talking with my Daddy was equally exciting.
“Come sit and eat, baby.” I sat down, and my mouth practically watered. It was just a sub sandwich and some chips, but it looked amazing. Daddy was right, I was really hungry if a simple sandwich was affecting me this much.
I bit into my sandwich, wiggling in my seat when I tasted yummy sauce. I hated dry sandwiches, and Daddy knew that and made sure to include my favorite sauces. He was the best.
“Mmm, that’s yummy, Daddy. Thank you… I love you.”
Ever since we first said those last three words, we’ve used them frequently. It’d barely been two weeks, and the words already flowed so naturally at every opportunity. I wanted to tell him I loved him every chance I got.
“I love you, too, sweet boy. You’re very welcome.”
It was nearly five when I finished crocheting another dinosaur plush. I put all my supplies back in my bag and realized it’d been a while since I last saw Daddy. It’d only been a few hours since we had lunch together, but I’d grown so used to being with him all day, and I missed him terribly.
The door to the workshop creaked as I entered the massive space. “Daddy?”
“Over here, sweetheart.”
I made my way over to where I heard his voice. Daddy stepped away from his bench and wiped the sweat off his forehead using his sleeve. His hair was damp with sweat, his clothes covered in dirt and wood shavings. He was so sexy I nearly jumped into his arms and kissed him silly, but the idea of being covered in wood dust did not seem appealing.
“Hi, Daddy! I’m done for the day.”
“Perfect timing, I was just finishing up.”
He grabs something off his workstation and turns toward me, holding it out. “It’s the stacking egg!”
“It is! I made a slight change to it… I figured after dinner we could have some playtime, and you can try to guess what’s different.”
“Ooo, that sounds fun! What’s for dinner?”
Daddy brought the egg with him and led us inside as he told me his plans for dinner and the rest of the evening. I loved staying with Daddy; our lives seemed to fit together so seamlessly. The comfort of being together or even just knowing he was close by in the workshop was a euphoric feeling. I never wanted it to end.
“Sweetie?” Daddy’s nickname for me brought me out of my thoughts. I smiled sheepishly at him, his tone suggesting it wasn’t the first time he said it.
