Page 98 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“Morning, Ollie. You sleep okay?”

Ollie nodded. “Daddy wants to know if you want breakfast.”

“Who’s cooking?”

“Papa and me.”

Grandpa made one of his silly faces. “Well then, what did you have?”

“Cheesy egg sandwich and grapes. Daddy had a gross bagel.”

“Well, if I want a cheesy egg sandwich and grapes, will you help your Papa make it?”

Ollie straightened up and smiled. “Yes!”

“Okay, that’s what I want then. I’ll be downstairs in a few minutes.”

Ollie ran from the room, but stopped at the top of the stairs. One at a time. Hold the rail. Papa always said it over and over when he went on the stairs. He looked over to the table to tell Papa they got to make more cheesy eggs, but Daddy and Papa were kissing. Again. They were always kissing.

“Daddy! You gotta let Papa go. We’ve gotta make Grandpa some cheesy eggs.”

“Well in that case.”

Daddy picked Papa up and twirled him around. Papa laughed and held on tight.

“Daddy!”

He gave Papa one last kiss before letting him go. “I’m heading to the clinic. Can I get some Ollie loves?”

Ollie jumped the last few steps and ran. He leapt when he was close enough, and Daddy caught him before throwing him up in the air and catching him again. Ollie wrapped his arms around his neck and breathed. “Take care of the animals, Daddy. And the shifter people, too.”

“I will. You do your schoolwork and use your listening ears, okay?”

Ollie nodded and breathed against Daddy’s neck one more time. He’d be back at lunch. Papa had a timer that went off at noon so he knew it was almost time. Sometimes Ollie still got scared that Daddy or Papa wouldn’t come, but they always did. Sometimes, Daddy had to stay at the clinic and help someone who was sick, but if he did, he called or had Grammy or Pop-pop call right after the alarm went off to let him know where he was.

“I love you, pup.”

“Love you, too. I’m going to make you a Valentines.”

Daddy squeezed him tight and nuzzled his hair. “I can’t wait to see it.”