“Giraffe!” Jack said as he spat toothpaste across the mirror. “Daddy, Harper fixed him!”
“He did,” I said with a grateful smile, thinking of all the ways I was going to make this up to Harper later. I pointed to the bandage and plaster, which were beside the sink, and Harper deftly wound the bandage around the giraffe’s leg and pelvis before letting Jack stick the plaster on.
“Okay, I think it’s time for bed,” I added as I picked Jack and Giraffe up. “Let’s go read you a story.”
“Harper too,” Jack said, putting his hand out and grasping the air for Harper. “Peas.”
“Of course,” Harper said. He was smiling and it was so fucking gorgeous I wanted to melt. It was like literal fucking sunshine. “You and Daddy look very tired, so why don’t I read you both a story?”
I couldn’t even object. If Harper wanted to read, Harper could read.
Jack and I followed him into Jack’s room, and I tucked Jack in and stretched out beside him while Harper grabbed a book off the shelf. I thought it wasPrince & Knight, but I was suddenly too tired to pay attention to the words. The only thing I could focus on was the soft warmth of Harper’s voice.
I was so lucky he was here.
I really hoped he wanted to stay for a long time.
I didn’t think I’d be able to cope without him.
Jack and I were asleep before he’d even read half of it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Harper
Harper
I have a real hankering to make pizza today for me and Jack. Would you like one too? =D
Matty
Like make pizza from scratch?
Harper
Yeah! =D It’s super easy and really fun. Plus it’ll get Jack involved and I can make sure he puts veggies on it too.
Harper
I can either make one for you or you can do it when you get back.
Matty
That would be great, thanks! Just no mushrooms or green pepper please.
Harper
I’m on it. See you later!
Matty
Thanks sunshine
That wasthe second time he’d called me sunshine and just seeing the word made me smile. I’d never really been a big fan of pet names, but sunshine didn’t feel the same to me. It was different somehow.
But like so many of my other feelings towards Matty, I couldn’t explain it.
At some point I was going to have to confront the situation and deal with it, along with my swirling emotions and the consequences of my choices, but I was leaving that for as long as physically possible. It was the first time in my life I hadn’t wanted to do the responsible thing and face everything head-on.
