God, how he loved this kind and generous man. Ezra was so thoughtful, even when contemplating the hypothetical.
“Of course, babe. Family takes care of family. I hope you feel the same about my parents.”
Ezra glanced up, looking anxious all of a sudden. “Roman, I haven’t even met your parents. Or your sister and her husband, or Jada and Desmond.”
Roman knew that Ezra probably gave equal, if not more weight, to his niece and nephew as he did his parents and sister.
“I can introduce you by video. And, if you’re up for it, we can go to Florida for a week this summer and you can meet them in person then.”
“Roman,” he said, getting a panicked look. “What if they don’t like me?”
“Of course they’ll like you. And they’re really looking forward to meeting you.” Roman’s father might be a stubborn man, but even he would appreciate Ezra’s good nature and gentle spirit. Or else.
“But they might not.” Ezra’s free hand started flapping, a sure sign that his anxiety was spiking.
“Baby, come here.” Ezra walked over and Roman pulled him onto his lap, rubbed his back, and told him to take a few deep breaths. “They’re going to love you, Ezra, because you’re amazing and also because I love you.”
“Do your parents know I’m autistic?” he asked, and though Roman understood Ezra’s concern, it also pained him that he worried his autism might affect their feelings toward him.
“I haven’t told them because I wanted to leave it up to you. But they know you’re really good at computer programming and strategy games, that you’re sweet and smart and take really good care of me.”
Ezra gave a cautious smile. “Those are all nice things.”
“Would you like to join me on my next video chat with them?”
Ezra nodded. “I’ll need a list of all their special interests ahead of time, including Desmond and Jada’s. I want to be prepared to make small talk.”
Roman nodded, appreciating the effort Ezra put into the tasks that others might take for granted. “Done and done. Now, have you got anything else for me, babe?”
Ezra leaned over him to retrieve his tablet. He glanced up at Roman shyly.
“What is it?” Roman asked, wondering at his sudden timidness.
“This is kind of a big one,” Ezra warned.
“Okay.” Roman braced himself, worried it might be something like wanting an open relationship. He didn’t know if he could do that, even if it was what Ezra wanted.
“How do you feel about children?”
Roman’s sense of relief was palpable, followed by a warmth unfurling in his chest when he thought about welcoming children into their home. Truthfully, he’d never seen parenthood in his cards. He’d been a confirmed bachelor for so long and with such a hectic work schedule that it hadn’t occurred to him that children might ever come into play, but with Ezra…
Roman could imagine it quite easily. Ezra would be loving and kind, great at managing schedules and instilling good habits. He’d probably tear his hair out with all of the messes, but maybe having kids would force him to relax his standards a little. Roman would take them outdoors and feed them good food and make sure they were disciplined and respectful…
“I like children,” Roman said at last.
“I like children too.” Ezra gave him a glimmer of a smile.
“Do you want children, Ezra?” Roman asked and nudged his side.
“I know that I need more time to bake,” Ezra said slowly. “And I’d like to devote myself to you exclusively for a while. But there are a lot of children who don’t have any parents at all, and I think we’d be good at it. We are a good team.”
“We’re a great team,” Roman agreed. “I’d love to be a father with you.”
“We’d have to decide what to call ourselves because we can’t both be Dad, as that would get very confusing.”
“We have some time to figure that out,” Roman said.
“Yes, yes we do.”
