Since Phil was taking over Avery’s duties, Avery had spent a full hour explaining the status on every file on his computer.
“Baby boy?” Jace took his other hand, holding them both between them.
“I forgot, Daddy. I can’t believe that I forgot!”
“You had a big day,” Jace assured him. “It’s okay.”
“I already got so many presents tonight from everyone,” Avery said. “I don’t need anything else. I promise.”
Jace smiled at him. His eyes sparkling in the dim light. “This isn’t the kind of present that you’re used to.”
“So not a toy,” Avery said.
“Not a toy. This is something very serious,” Jace replied.
That brought anxiety. “Is something wrong? Did I do something?”
“No, baby boy,” Jace said. “Everything is perfect.”
“Perfect?” Avery repeated. Yeah, he thought that. Avery couldn’t be happier but why was Jace telling him this. It was… “You’re acting weird, Daddy.”
That made Jace laugh. “I guess I am.”
“Why?” Avery asked. “Did you not have a good time at the party? Oh! Did you not get the week off? That’s okay?—”
“Baby,” Jace said quickly. “I’m going to ask something super important.”
“Okay.”
“I need you not to worry. This is a good surprise,” Jace said.
Then why was Jace acting so weird?
Jace cleared his throat. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
His Daddy nervous? That just wasn’t possible. Avery opened his mouth but Jace shook his head. Okay, he needed to give his Daddy a moment. That Avery did understand.
“Okay,” Jace whispered before clearing his throat again. “I know I’ve told you how proud I am of you.”
Avery nodded. Jace had told him several times.
“You worked hard to get your degree. It wasn’t always easy but you did it because you love these dogs so much. Because you believe in the program.”
“I do,” Avery assured him.
“I was so worried when you first started volunteering that you’d get your heart broken every time that a dog left. You have such a soft heart that I knew it would be tough even if you understand that they needed to go.”
“They need to be with their forever person,” Avery said.
“That’s right, baby boy.” Jace smiled. “I need that too.”
Huh? Did Jace want another dog? Like a service dog?
Jace whistled and Gus trotted forward.
Avery turned his head before he was distracted by Jace squeezing his hands again. Except now Jace was kneeling on one knee.
Oh! Ohhh! Daddy was holding his hands while down on one knee.
