“I, Mitchell, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion.” he snapped the bracelet closed.
The captain reached into his pocket and placed another bracelet on the pillow, joining Neal’s smaller one. He nodded at Neal, who reached for Mitch’s right hand. Mitch looked puzzled for a moment, then understanding flooded his face. Neal was giving him one as well as a surprise.
“Just say what’s in your heart, dear boy,” the captain told our son.
Neal nodded, then dropped Mitch’s hand to pick up the already unfastened bracelet. “I was scared and then the lady brought me to Daddy and I gots real happy. Then you came and I got scareded again because I thoughts you might hate me. But Daddy was right and you are my best Papa. I love you, Papa, and me and Stitch and Molly and Jake and Morris are super duper glad that you and Daddy are mates and gots married and you’re gonna be our Papa forever and ever.”
I reached over and helped him snap the bracket closed. Tears were now streaming down both mine and Mitch’s faces and I could hear sniffles among the crowd.
Mitch picked up Neal’s smaller bracelet, clicking it open. “I never dreamed I’d actually have a real family. Then I went to apply for my scholarship and found out that not only did I have a soul mate waiting for me among the stars, but the most perfect, beautiful son. I am the luckiest man in the universe and I’m honored to get to be your Papa. You are our greatest treasure.”
“And Stitch, and Molly, and Morris, and Jake’s Papa too,” Neal insisted. A small laugh rippled from the observers.
“Yes, theirs too,” Mitch agreed solemnly, fastening the bracelet.
“And I’s not beautiful. I’s handsome.”
Mitch laughed, scooping him up onto one hip before kissing his cheek soundly. Neal looked mildly disgusted but didn’t attempt to wipe off the kiss.
“Yes, by all means, seal the deal with a kiss. I pronounce you mated and bound as family!” The captain chuckled.
I leaned in and kissed our son’s cheek before turning my head and capturing Mitch’s lips.
“That’s enough, Daddy!” Neal protested, pushing us apart. “You kiss too much!” He wriggled to get down and Mitch placed him on the floor. A member of staff hurried over to take the pillow from him and another ushered us towards the nearest dining room, where today’s buffet awaited.
“Cans we go swimming after? You promised we’d go swimming today,” Neal reminded his papa.
“Let’s eat, and then we’ll go back to the room and change into our swimming stuff.”
“Yay!” Neal cheered.
I felt like cheering too, but for an entirely different reason.
CHAPTER43
MITCHELL
“Look,Daddy, Papa! It’s Lilo and Stitch!” Neal practically screamed as he spotted the mural.
“It sure is,” our driver told him. “We are very proud to have Hanapepe be the inspiration for their town.”
“This is the real town they live in?” Neal asked, amazed.
“That’s why Papa and I chose to come stay here,” Jolar told him.
“Yes! Are we moving here? Will I get to meet Lilo?”
“Lilo’s a cartoon character, honey,” I reminded him.
“But there’s a real town, so maybe there’s a real Lilo.”
The driver laughed. “I think there is a little Lilo in a lot of little girls.”
“Oh.” Neal looked faintly disappointed, but that soon changed as he spotted a grown man walking around wearing a Stitch plushie hat.
“Lookie! Can I has a hat like that?”
By the time we’d driven the short distance to the inn, Neal was vibrating with excitement.
