“Maybe,” I yawned. “Can’t remember the schedule.” Could hardly remember my name at this point. “Let me clean up so you have somewhere to sleep.” And if he woke up with me curled up beside him I’d throw sleepwalking under the bus, or train, in this case.
“Up you go,” Stone was careful to keep his hands on my back as he helped me up. “Let’s get you tucked in.”
I held up both my uni stuffies. “Sassy Pants, meet Hugo,” They hugged then I tucked them in beside me. “See, you’re a good Daddy, Stone. You even tuck your boy in.”
He chuckled. “A good Daddy, huh? Don’t they usually come with an overflowing bank account?”
“Nope, just need an overflowing heart filled with love.” I was a smart boy and knew Stone already had that. He’d just forgotten was all and I had a week to help him remember. I’ll be the bestest boy ever.
He cleared his throat and sat at the chair across from the bunks, directly in my line of sight. “The Brave Little Unicorn.”
I didn’t remember seeing that book, but then again, I’d only glanced at them.
“One day, a brave little unicorn hopped a train, searching for a new adventure. This unicorn was smart, wise beyond his years and knew without a doubt that this world held great things for him.”
Yawn.“Smart little uni.”
“Yes, he is,” Stone turned the page. “During one of the trains stops the little unicorn stumbled upon a lost soul, pouring his heart into the lyrics as he sung.”
Wait, was this little uni me? “I like this story.”
“The little unicorn saw something in the man and bravely reached out and invited him to join him on his journey.”
I sat up, suddenly full of energy. “It’s me! It’s me! I’m the brave little unicorn!”
“Indeed, you are, sweet boy. Hopefully, I’ll be as brave as you someday.”
“This story’s gonna have a happily ever after, I can tell.”
“The unicorn and the man played games and ate good food and talked. It was like they’d known each other forever. Kindred spirits, some might say, but they were happy as they played. Across the states they traveled, staring out at the ocean, making wish after wish, hoping they’d come true.”
“All the wishes that this trip would never end,” I yawned again.
“I’m happy to hear that, sweet boy, but it’s time for bed.”
“But the story isn’t over.”
“Not even close, tomorrow night there will be a whole new chapter. This story is in its infancy with so much more to tell.”
Stone was right, our story had only just begun.
He turned off the light and crawled into the bunk beneath me. “Goodnight, little unicorn.”
“Goodnight, Daddy Stone.” That felt so right and since he didn’t correct me, I was sticking to it.
Sneaking out of bed was a big old fail. My foot got caught in the ladder and I swung sideways and landed on Stone.
“Oof!” he grunted.
“Sorry. I got stuck.” Not the best way to start the day. Or was it still night? “Gotta potty.” I darted into the bathroom. Falling on top of Stone jolted my bladder way too much. Should’ve put on a pull-up before bed, but I wasn’t sure how he’d react to that. I didn’t always wear them, but every once in a while, when I was super tired, I did. Oopsies weren’t any fun and some Daddy’s got really mad when they happened.
I shut off the light, quietly opened the door, and tiptoed across the floor. The sound of the train running over the tracks pretty much drowned out most noise. “Eep!” I squealed when his arm reached out and tugged me into the bunk beside him.
“There,” Stone snuggled in, “much better.”
Do I slide out? Cuddle up? What are the rules here? Rules were good, they kept things in order. But I was so comfy, with his arm around me, his warm breath on the back of my neck. Sleep, yes, sleep would be nice.
This was… this was…
