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When the cloth grew cold, I tossed it towards the bathroom and helped Henley settle in beneath the blankets. He immediately wrapped himself around me and rested his head on my chest.
“That was incredible,” Henley whispered, his breath warming my skin. “But I knew it would be, because it was with you. You took such good care of me and made me feel so good. It was so special and just…it was everything.” I hugged him tighter and smiled into his hair. I couldn’t imagine sweeter words until he added, “I’m glad everyone thought I was a terrible dater.”
While I hated any pain he’d been through in his life, I couldn’t deny the selfish part of me that was glad for it. Because of the ignorance and immaturity of the other men who turned him away, I received the most precious gift. While I couldn’t quite give Henley the same, the experiences I had prepared me to care for him in the way he needed. Everything thus far in my life had led me to this very moment, and there was nowhere else I’d rather be.
Before I could relay my thoughts to Henley, or offer words of undying love, I heard gentle, quiet snores against me. I thought for a moment about waking him up to brush his teeth and get him ready for bed, but I wanted him to rest. And I definitely didn’t want to let him go.
I kissed the top of his head, and Henley nuzzled closer in his sleep. The last thing I remember before slumber took me as well was whispering, “I love you.”
Chapter Nine
Amir
I looked around the room once more to make sure everything was ready for Henley’s arrival. He would be over to my place once he finished his shift at Perry’s, and I wanted everything to be perfect.
Everything that I’d ordered for him online (the clothes, toys, and diapers) had finally arrived, and I got them set up in a room that had been an office for far too long. It looked much more pleasant now, with stuffed animals and race cars strewn around. This was the way it was meant to look.
I still wasn’t completely done with the room. Eventually, I wanted to buy a changing table where I could help Henley with his diapers. He’d come into my life so quickly and unexpectedly that I wasn’t fully prepared, but I’d get there. I sure as hell wasn’t going anywhere, and hoped with everything I was that he felt the same way.
I’d also like to buy a rocking chair, so that I could hold Henley on my lap to read him a story, or to sit there and watch him while he played. And although the idea of a crib was tempting, if Henley got tired while he was visiting, I wanted him in bed with me.
My heart skipped a beat when a knock sounded at my front door. I hurried out of the room and through my house until I reached the door, and then took a deep breath to calm myself down. It wasn’t like it was his first visit; over the past couple of weeks, Henley had been to my home several times.
We’d also spent time at his apartment, out to dinner (whether at restaurants or his dad’s house), and even took a stroll through the city park a couple of times. And we spent plenty of time in bed. Lucky me. But this was the first time Henley would see all of his new items. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction, and I hoped he loved them all.
I swung the door open and found my boy smiling widely, dressed in his work uniform of jeans and a Perry’s Pizza Barn t-shirt. “Hi, Daddy! I missed you!” Before I could even reply, Henley pounced on me, wrapping me in a bone crushing hug. Every day, his nerves vanished a little more, and he grew more confident.
“I missed you too, kitten.” I had just seen him that morning, when I left his apartment to head to my shift. But it didn’t matter. I did miss him; a moment away was too long. Yes, I had it bad.
I hated to break our embrace, but I was excited to show him all of his new things. “I've got a surprise for you,” I told him as I pulled him inside.
Henley sniffed the air as I closed the door behind him. “Whatever it is, it smells yummy!”
“I do have a special dinner in the oven.” I didn't want to leave his side once he arrived. I wanted to put the food in the oven and totally focus on my boy. “But that's not your surprise.”
“Really?” His eyes widened and he clapped his hands together. “Can you please tell me what it is? Please, oh, please?” He gave me a toothy, cheesy grin I couldn't deny.
