I had ideas too, but this was for Daddy to decide and not his boy.
Mom had been texting me rapid-fire after I told her about Stone. Insisted I give her his last name. Turning her into an internet junkie was something I hoped not to come to regret. With how her mind works, she’ll likely have a million questions prepared by the time we got to their house this weekend.
“I um…”
“Spit it out, little boy.” Stone had that whole stern Daddy look down and sadly, didn’t miss the shivers that ran through me at the sound of it. Sorry, not sorry, there was something about that no-nonsense voice that did it for me. “Why do I feel that threatening you with a spanking wouldn’t be a punishment?”
Queue in more shivers. I did enjoy a good foreplay spanking, one that came with happy endings.
Stone’s hand slid down his face. “Yeah, gonna have to find another form of punishment for sure. Now, finish your sentence.”
“MoministedwecomeoverfordinnerSaturdaynight.” She threatened to meet us at the train station on Friday if I didn’t agree. We’ll be so tired when we get there in the morning. In order to give us a day to get settled in and get groceries and stuff,I had to agree. She was kind of a helicopter mom, but she and dad always put me first.
He blinked, then blinked again. “Try that again, but this time pause between words, please.”
“Mom insisted we come over for dinner Saturday night. Saying no isn’t an option. Sorry.”
All the color drained from Stone’s face, nope, he said he’s my Daddy now. From Daddy’s face, and I hoped I didn’t break him. Again. Kinda using that word a lot today. Oops.
“Alright. Okay. Sure.” Yup, I broke him. He took a big drink of water and sighed. “Let’s enjoy our last night on the train. I can save the panic for tomorrow.”
“But I don’t want you to panic, I want you to be happy.” Don’t I make my new Daddy happy?
“Little unicorn,” Daddy reached across the table and held my hand. “You make me happier than I’ve ever been. I just, umm,” another sigh. I hoped Daddy wasn’t getting frustrated. “I don’t have the best of luck where parents are concerned, given I never knew mine.”
Shoot. In my haste to keep the one Daddy who so far had treated me right, I forgot that he was a human with thoughts, feelings, and a past too. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“It’s not your fault, little one. I’m not used to opening up and sharing my past with anyone. But if we’re gonna make a go at a real relationship, I owe you that much. I’m a work in progress and am afraid I’ll be for quite some time.”
“We’re all a work in progress. It starts when we’re born and ends when we die.”
“Good point. Well, like I just said, I never knew my parents. Grew up bouncing from foster home to foster home after the couple who adopted me died. Some were better than others and the ones that were bad left scars that may never heal. You’re close with your family and I understand the reasoning behindmeeting them, just please, forgive me if I’m off my game when we do.”
“I’ll be there to hold your hand, Daddy, I promise.”
“I couldn’t ask for anything more. Come on, let’s get packed so we can enjoy the rest of our last day.” Daddy stood and held his hand out. I hoped once we got home, being together came as easily as it had on this trip. I’d never been happier and losing Stone would hurt way more than the last so-called Daddy I had. Even after only a week…
Why do I fall in love so fast?
Hopefully this time my heart doesn’t let me down.
Daddy didn’t have much to pack, which was kinda sad. “Daddy, when is your birthday?”
“June tenth. When is yours?”
“Another Gemini, it’s a sign. I’m May twenty-sixth.”
“A Gemini match made in heaven,” he winked. “Alright, let me help you pack. Not sure all your new stuff will fit into your giant suitcase.”
I giggled. “Yeah, I had a bit too much fun hitting all the shops.”
“How about you leave out your jammies, an outfit for tomorrow and one stuffy. Then we won’t be rushed in the morning.”
“But who do I pick, Daddy?” I stared at them all, wondering how to make it fair.
“Why not keep the one you’ve played with the least on the trip out and let the others keep company inside the suitcase. Then no one is alone.”
“You’re so smart, Daddy. Okay, Sassy Pants, you and Hugo can play in the suitcase and Little Midge, you’re with me today.”
