Page 62 of Mouth to Mouth

He started nodding before grabbing for the shirt and hugging it to his chest. “Mine,” Luca mumbled.

“It is yours.” Brad sounded relieved and happy and proud all at the same time.

“Mine, mine, mine,” Luca chanted.

“We have to put it on you, silly boy,” Brad said as he pried Luca’s fingers from the soft fabric.

But it was his shirt! Luca wanted to see it. Stare at it. Oh! He couldn’t wait to show James. Luca was his Daddy’s good boy. He had a shirt that said it, so it had to be true. “Hurry!”

“Oh, now you’re in a hurry?” Brad’s blue eyes had been cloudy with worry but cleared, shining bright.

Luca bobbed his head. He wanted to show his friend. James didn’t have a good boy shirt.

By the time that Luca was dressed, including the most awesome rainbow light-up shoes, and jumping by the door, his Daddy had been laughing for several minutes. Brad was trying to get everything back inside the bag so they could go to the nursery/ playroom.

He had no idea what else was in the black bag, but it had to be magic. A magic Daddy bag full of cool stuff. Luca knew he was right.

“Alright, little brat,” Brad said, offering his hand. “Let’s go.”

Luca grabbed his Daddy’s hand, waiting impatiently for Brad to get the door open. Once they walked through, Luca dragged Brad all the way to the nursery.

“Slow down, baby,” Brad admonished. “You don’t want to fall and hurt yourself.”

“K.” Luca sucked on his binkie. He was so happy. He wanted to dance and jump around and just hug everyone that passed. Luca hoped everyone was as happy as he was.

They reached the nursey and Luca peeked inside, looking for his friend. There he was! Jacob was sitting on a beanbag chair with James laying blankets over his lap. There had to be at least five. What was up with that? Eventually Luca was going to remember to ask.

He yanked his binkie out of his mouth and pushed it into Brad’s chest before kissing his Daddy’s cheek and running inside the room.

Luca rushed over to Jacob and James. “Look!” He pointed at his shirt.

James’s eyes were wide and full of happiness. “Cool!”

Luca knew. It was the best shirt ever! “I’m Daddy’s good boy.” He drew out good so that James didn’t miss it.

“You’re Daddy’s brat,” James argued.

“Nuh-uh,” Luca said. He pointed at each word. “Daddy’s. Good. Boy.”

“Brat,” James said again.

Luca jumped on James, knocking them both down into one of the empty beanbag chairs.

“Boys!” Jacob barked.

“Boys!” Brad said firmly.

They rolled onto the carpet with Luca’s arms around James’s waist as they both giggled.

“I think I need to have some new shirts made,” Jacob said. “They can be matching.”

Luca pulled James up, grinning at James’s Daddy. “Twins?”

“Twins!” James lifted his arms into the air.

“Twin menaces,” Jacob said.

Luca shook his head as he smiled as wide as he could. “Daddy’s good boy!”