“Be gentle, Elio, and be nice.” Cristian drills him with a warning look.
“I’m always gentle and nice, Daddy.” He waggles his brows.
“Lead the way, my little prince,” I say, almost tripping over my feet as my energetic charge moves full steam ahead.
Before dinner, after I’d unpacked my things, Cristian and Elio gave me a tour of my new home. I’ve never lived anywhere this fancy or had such a large bedroom to myself. If I wasn’t shitting myself over the things I’m going to have to do, I’d probably enjoy living here and looking after Elio.
We have to pass through the kitchen to get to the other side of the large penthouse, where the bedrooms and bathrooms are, and as we walk by, I notice Cristian has fully cleaned up, which is a bit of a surprise. I watch him walk over to the sink with Elio’s plate, silverware, and our glasses. “I’ll do those when Elio is in bed,” I call out. While Cristian explained he has a housekeeper who comes in a couple of times a week, it’s part of my job to clean up after activities and cook meals on days she’s not here.
“I’ve got it,” he says, depositing the dishes in the sink and walking after us.
Elio races into his bedroom to get undressed, and I help him while Cristian starts the bath.
“These are my favorite pajamas.” Elio thrusts the blue, black, and green top and pants at me.
“Cool.” They have rockets, planets, the moon, clouds, and the words “Blast off to bed” on them.
“I’m gonna be an asonaut when I grow up,” he says, taking my hand.
“An astronaut?” I say as I fold his pajamas and place them on the end of his bed.
“That’s what I said.” He looks at me like duh, and my lips curve at the corners. “I’m gonna fly into space and get moonrock to bring home to my daddy and Auntie Isa,” he explains as we walk from his bedroom to the large family bathroom.
“Wow, they’re lucky.”
“I’ll get some for you too,” he adds when we enter the bathroom, and my heart melts. He’s such an outgoing little boy and so affectionate. I’m already completely enamored with him.
The tub is half full, and Cristian is pouring some bubble bath into the water.
“That is very kind, and I’d love some.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” he says, and Cristian chuckles. “You play basketball with me, and I’ll get you moonrock.”
“You strike a hard bargain, buster,” I say over a grin as Cristian lifts his son into the tub. “But you got yourself a deal.” I lift my hand and we high-five.
“Where’s Quack-Quack?” Elio asks, running his hands through the water.
“Here he is.” Cristian hands him a large yellow rubber duck. “He won’t take a bath without it,” he whispers to me. His warm breath fans across the side of my cheek, heating my skin, and his whispered words in my ear send little tremors racing through my body.
“Noted,” I say, pleased my voice comes out even.
“He has a touch of eczema,” Cristian adds, handing me a large container. “That is shampoo and a body wash for sensitive skin, and it’s the only one I’ve found that doesn’t aggravate him.”
“I’ll be sure to only use this.”
Cristian sits on the closed toilet seat, staying close by but not interfering as I bathe his son. After Elio is clean, he lifts him out, bundling him in a large fluffy white towel. “Daddy?” Elio says, stifling a yawn. “Can Sloane read me my story tonight?”
“If that’s what you want.”
Elio lifts his tiny palm to his dad’s cheek. “You won’t be sad?”
“Of course not, silly.” He peppers Elio’s face with kisses and Elio squeals, wriggling in his dad’s lap. “I usually read him his bedtime story,” Cristian explains, looking over at me. “But I’m happy to hand over the reins tonight if you don’t mind.”
“If you don’t, I don’t.”
His eyes probe mine, and a spark ignites the space between us. “I’ll just get him settled,” he says, standing. “And then I’ll leave you to it.”
I trail Cristian into Elio’s bedroom, watching as he dries his son and helps him into his pajamas. Cristian tucks him in and leans down to kiss his brow.
