Guilt pricked at me. I knew the big reveal was supposed to happen on Christmas, that keeping it secret was part of the tradition. But watching him struggle with not being able to express his gratitude made me want to confess everything.
Not yet, though.
Just a little longer.
"I'm sure they know you're grateful," I said instead. "They can probably tell by how happy you are."
"I am happy." He tilted his head back to look at me. "Happier than I've been in years."
The confession made my heart stutter. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." He stood on his toes and kissed me softly. "Thank you for that. For helping me find this."
"You found it yourself, bud. I just gave you a safe place to land."
"That's everything, though. Don't you see?" His hands fisted my shirt. "You gave me everything."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I just held him tighter and hoped he could feel everything I couldn't put into words.
Eventually, we made our way to bed. Tanner curled up against my side immediately, his head on my chest and one leg thrown over mine.
"Daddy?" he said quietly, just as I thought he was falling asleep.
"Yeah, bud?"
"Will you read to me sometime? From one of the books you found at my apartment?"
My breath caught. "You want me to read you a bedtime story?"
"Is that okay?" His voice was small, uncertain. "I know it's probably weird?—"
"It's not weird," I interrupted firmly. "And yes, I'll read to you. Anytime you want."
He relaxed against me. "Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," I promised. "Now get some sleep, sweet boy."
"Okay." He nuzzled closer. "Love the pajamas."
"I can tell." I ran my fingers through his hair, the gesture soothing for both of us. "They look good on you."
"Mm." He was definitely falling asleep now, his breathing evening out. "Everything's good with you."
I waited until I was sure he was fully asleep before I whispered, "Everything's good with you too, bud. So fucking good."
I lay there in the darkness, listening to him breathe, feeling the weight of him against me. In such a short amount of time, this man had become essential to me. Had worked his way into my heart so completely that I couldn't imagine my life without him anymore.
Wren would have liked him,I thought. Would have appreciated his kindness, his dedication to helping others, his soft heart hidden under all those lawyer defenses.
And more than that, Wren would have been happy for me. Happy that I'd found someone to care for again, someone who needed what I had to give.
One gift at a time, I was building something beautiful with him.
CHAPTER 15
Tanner
I woke up in my elephant pajamas, still wrapped around Simon like a koala bear.
