Page 42 of Schooling Little Sage

Daddy handed me the bag with all the treasures in it.

“Thanks, Roman. What’s next, Daddy?”

“We need to stop at the café to pick up an order. Wait here on this bench for Daddy, I’ll be right back.”

I picked through the bag, putting my treasures into the chest while he did that.

Daddy came back carrying a basket.

“What’s that?”

“That’s our second surprise and lunch. Come on.”

I followed Daddy to my favorite tree surrounded by all the soft grass.

“You can open your backpack now.”

I sat the goodie bag down, unzipped my pack and pulled out a fuzzy blanket. “Turtles Daddy!”

“Yes, turtles for my turtle-loving boy. Your own special blankie. Let’s spread it out and use it for lunch. I’ll wash it when we get home, then it’ll be nice and clean for you.”

Spread, spread, spread, it was finally as straight as I could get it.

Daddy opened the picnic basket and took out all the food. “Finger sandwiches, chips, juice box for you and an iced tea for Daddy. Potato salad, and cookies for dessert.”

“You’re the bestest, Daddy,” I hugged him and tipped him over. “Oopsie.”

“I’m glad you like your special date day.”

“I do and tonight I get to play with my new friend. Best day ever!” Almost made me want to work full time so I could earn more days like this.

Almost.

Chapter Twelve

It took no time at all to get settled into our new place. From a Daddy’s point of view, Sage’s playroom was sad, too empty, but he was thrilled to have space for all his toys. I swear, that boy could find happiness in a paper sack.

With Christmas just around the corner, it wouldn’t stay that way for long. This Daddy had plenty of prezzies in his online shopping cart and had been working on a making a special gift for his boy in the afternoons while Sage was at school. While we were on vacation, Burke was gonna set it up in his room along with a few other things I’d ordered for him.

Sage and Dempsey had quickly become inseparable, shopping for their Halloween costumes online and begging to play together every chance they got. Each weekend since we met them at the mine, Burke and I had scheduled playdates. It was nice having another couple in the lifestyle as friends and my boy was beyond elated.

“Daddy, when are our costumes getting here? It’s almost Halloween.”

Sage’s first Halloween.

Both sad and exciting.

But I wasn’t bringing the mood down even thinking about that. His excitement was infectious and the Ranch therapist he’d started seeing once a week was very happy with his progress. Catherine Denton knew just how to get Littles to talk, same way I’d learned how—while they were playing. Eye contact during serious conversations wasn’t easy for Sage and respecting that boundary helped earn his trust.

“Let me track it really quick.” I pretended to do just that even though I knew it had arrived. “Hmm, let’s go ask Becky. Sometimes packages slip through.” Burke and I had already planned this out. While I picked up the costumes, he was grabbing dinner and meeting us back at our place to surprise the boys.

Sage skipped along, jumping rocks and leaves, making a game of the quick journey.

“Evening, Becky.” Sage ran right up to the counter, eyes wide as we talked. “Any chance you’ve got a couple of packages for me?”

She hemmed, and hawed, drawing it out. “Hmm, I think something might be here. Let me check the back room.”

“Daddy,” Sage whispered, “do you think it’s my costume?”