"What?"
"You protect people.Like Batman.But without the cape."
My chest tightens."I guess so."
"Do you have a Batcave?"
"Sort of.The clubhouse."
"Can I see it someday?"
“Soon maybe."
He seems satisfied with that and goes back to his biscuits.
We sit in comfortable silence for a while.
Then Warren yawns, big, his eyes getting heavy.
"You tired?"I ask.
"A bit."
"Come here."
He crawls over and settles against my side, head on my shoulder.I wrap an arm around him and let him get comfortable.
Within minutes, he's asleep.
And I just sit there, holding this kid, feeling his small body pressed against mine.His trust.His safety.
This is what fatherhood feels like.
This.
My throat burns.Eyes sting.
I didn't know I wanted this.Didn't know I needed it.
But now that I have it, I can't imagine going back.
* * *
Enya comes home to find us still in the fort.Warren asleep on my lap.Me just holding him.
She stops in the doorway, hand over her mouth, eyes shining.
"How long has he been asleep?"she whispers.
“I’m not sure.What time is it?”
“Almost two in the morning.Have you just been sitting here?"
"Didn't want to move him."
She stares at us.At the fort.At her son sleeping peacefully against me.
"I love you," she says quietly.
