“Don’t get used to it,” Winter said leaning back. “It feels surreal that we are talking about this so calmly.”
“I know,” Creed said. He turned and leaned his back against the couch. “But for now we are at the let’s wait and see moment.”
“Okay, since there’s nothing we can do about it for now, there’s something else we need to talk about.”
“What?” Creed asked looking over his shoulder.
“I start work in a couple of weeks, and we need to figure out childcare arrangements.”
“I’ve actually been thinking about that and came up with an idea.” Creed got up off the floor.
He couldn’t help watching the man’s body move with grace as he sat in the sofa beside him.
“Yeah,” Winter said clearing his throat hoping he wasn't letting his interest show. They needed to talk and, even though they’d made love practically all day, honestly he wanted Creed again.
“Actually it was Richard’s idea, he just hadn’t been able to finish it, and I started working on it a couple of weeks ago.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense, Creed.”
“A daycare at Makami Architecture for our employees. I’m not the architect he was, but I was able to make a few changes to the design.”
“That is a wonderful idea, but can the company handle paying someone to care of the kids?”
Creed chuckled. “On the outside, we might seem small, but we have a couple of multi-million dollar contracts that’s kept us in the black. Besides, the employees all agreed they’d rather pay to have their kids close by where they can see them any time they want. I also think this will be good for the company’s moral.”
“Will it be ready by the time I start working?”
“Yes, that’s my plan.”
“Well, I guess we have things all figured out,” Winter said moving closer to him. He wrapped an arm around Creed’s neck. “Have I told you how smart you are lately? And I find it utterly sexy.”
“No, but it would be good to know you’re not just with me for my body.”
Winter hummed. “Your body is just a plus.” They leaned in to kiss, but pulled away when a toy smacked Creed on the side of the head causing Winter to burst out in laughter. Creed looked at Connor, who was babbling and blowing raspberries, staring at them.
“I swear this kid is going to be a pitcher for a major baseball team," he said picking up the toy and looking at it. "I think he’s trying to tell us something,” Creed said.
“Yup, pay attention to me, or I’ll throw more wet toys at you.” Winter chuckled taking the toy from Creed that was soaked with Connor's slobber.
He threw the bear to the side and got down on the floor. He picked Connor up and buried his face in his stomach making the baby laugh. For the moment Winter couldn’t help but think how happy he was. Through the heartache of losing his friend, came love and joy.
It might be too Hollywoodish, as Terry would say, but Winter didn’t care. It was perfect for him, and that’s all that mattered.
* * *
A couple of days later,Creed was in his office going over the schematics for one of their latest contracts. When he’d decided that he wanted to be a landscape architect he hadn’t imagined he would spend most of his time behind a desk. He’d checked on the progress of the daycare, and it should be done by the time Winter started working.
Creed couldn’t stop thinking about his delectable mate, and hated leaving Winter and their warm bed that morning to go to work. He was also happy that his day was almost over and he would be home with his family soon. Creed worked the same hours as his employees. It didn’t matter that he was the boss. He felt showing up to work on time set an excellent example for those that worked for him. Looking away from the computer, he focused on the files on his desk. In a short amount of time, he’d accumulated more clutter than he’d realized.
Maybe it’s time I get an assistant.
Creed had no idea how his brother managed his workload without one. Moving the files from one spot to another, he stopped when he saw an envelope with his name on it. Picking up the envelope, he turned it over in his hand wondering who it could be from. There wasn’t a return address on it and no other information but his name. It wasn’t from his brother since it wasn’t his handwriting.
He set the letter back down staring at it. Getting up Creed walked over to the door scanning the large open room to see if anyone that was still there was watching him, giving him a sign that they’d placed the letter on his desk. But they weren’t paying him any attention. He looked over to Jarrod’s office door, and as usual, it was closed. But Creed knew he was still in the office.
Fuck, I’m acting like a paranoid fool.
Walking back to his desk, he picked up the letter and opened it.The information you’re looking for is in the archives on the top floor. Look for the name Noah Ray.
