It was early evening as they made their way from the airport to Kyle and Jon’s townhouse condo. While they’d eaten on the plane, they were ready for another meal by the time they got home. Since they’d only been gone for a couple of days, there was plenty of food in the fridge, and Jon found the makings for sausage, vegetable, and cheese omelets and got to work cooking breakfast for dinner while Kyle and Neil got caught up.
“I set up the furniture as best I could, so you should be good to go. Cheryl says you can keep it for as long as you need it since she isn’t planning on having more kids.” Neil smiled.
“Thanks, Neil. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate this.”
“No problem. Like I told you before, we’re family. And if you and Jon need a babysitter some night, I’m available. After all, I’ve helped Cheryl out with her three, so I can change a diaper with the best of ’em.”
“I’ll remember that, Uncle Neil.” Kyle chuckled. “Hopefully, we won’t need the furniture for too long. Uncle Mike is going toget Wyatt’s stuff all packed up and shipped to us pretty quickly. I think it will help Wyatt to have more familiar surroundings.”
“Dinner’s just about ready,” Jon called out.
“You’re staying, right, Neil?” Kyle asked.
“I don’t want to be in the way.”
“Nonsense, you’re family, remember?”
Neil helped Kyle set the table, and they soon sat down to the meal that Jon had prepared, with Wyatt in a highchair between Kyle and Jon.
Wyatt ate happily, occasionally looking around and saying “Ma” or “Da.” Kyle would get a pained look on his face, and it broke Jon’s heart to see him hurting. He placed his hand over Kyle’s. “It’s gonna be okay, sweetheart,” he said gently. “It’s just gonna take a little time.”
“I hope you’re right,” Kyle replied.
“I am. You’re gonna be the best damned Da to that boy. Just you wait and see.”
When they finished dinner, Neil insisted on cleaning up the kitchen while Kyle and Jon got Wyatt ready for bed.
“And that,”Jon said, “is all there is to putting a diaper on a child.” They’d gotten Wyatt cleaned up, and after putting on the fresh diaper, had dressed Wyatt in a pair of footie pajamas. Jon had insisted that Kyle do it all but offered words of instruction and encouragement along the way.
“Good night, sweet boy,” Kyle whispered, kissing Wyatt on the forehead and setting him down in his crib. Wyatt raised his hand to touch Kyle’s cheek and mumbled something akin to “Un-ka.”
Kyle and Jon found Neil sitting in the living room. “How did it go?” he asked.
“Okay.” Jon smiled. “He’ll be a diaper-and-bath expert before he knows it.”
“So what happens now?” Neil looked at Kyle expectantly.
“I’m gonna call Aunt Ellen tomorrow and see how she’s doing. Ask if she wants to see Wyatt,” Kyle replied. “And I’m thinking of talking to Fred about the possibility of working from home a couple days a week. I guess we’ll need to start looking at day care for Wyatt for at least part of the week.” He shook his head. “Phew, it’s so much to think about.”
“I can check with work too. Maybe I can do some remote work as well,” Jon added. “I think the more time Wyatt is around familiar faces, the easier this will all be on him.”
“Clearly you have your work cut out for you,” Neil said. “And on that note, I should go home. You guys need your rest. But remember, I’m here if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Neil,” Jon said. “We both appreciate everything you’ve done.”
After Neil had departed, Jon put his arm around Kyle’s shoulders and hugged him tightly. He’d do whatever he needed to help Kyle get through this. After all, his family had just grown by one, and he vowed to make it all work.
Chapter 10
Kyle
Kyle slept poorly, worrying about Wyatt and how everything would work out. Even being wrapped in Jon’s arms, which normally made him feel safe and cared for, didn’t ease his anxiety. He finally got out of bed at five thirty, determined to make that day better for all of them.
Wyatt was, miraculously, still sleeping, so Kyle made a pot of coffee and looked around the kitchen for something to give his new son for breakfast. Sipping the much-needed caffeine, he made a list of things he hoped to accomplish that day. Just as he was finishing, he heard footsteps on the stairs. Jon carried Wyatt to the table and handed the boy to Kyle.
“Good morning, son.” Kyle kissed Wyatt on the cheek, then accepted a kiss on the lips from Jon.
“Couldn’t sleep, huh?” Jon asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
