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It's awesome being related to such an esteemed surgeon. Secretly, I know Gianluca volunteers here to keep up his non-cardiac surgery skills for our foot soldiers, but he still works wonders for the community.
The director turns to Arlo and Rusty. "Are you boys ready?"
Arlo flashes him a thumbs up. "Yes, sir. We're ready to help."
The director presses a button behind the counter that unlocks the doors.
I blow out a breath as I nudge Arlo's ribs. "Smile, boy. These kids need to see happy faces when they get their food."
Arlo beams. "Okay, Daddy. I'll show my pearly whites."
* * *
The next forty-fiveminutes pass like a dream. Arlo and I don our game faces and serve more meals than we can count.
Waves of youth enter the shelter, hunger evident on their cheeks, their eyes hopeful as they seek meals.
Arlo and I serve each of them with pride, and we don't stop until the last youth is satisfied. Tonight's menu is sheperd's pie with Caesar salad and orange slices, and we pile every guest's plate full.
Guests.That's how the director instructed us to think of these people. They're not charity cases, they're guests experiencing homelessness who deserve respect. It warms my heart when we serve our last plate.
"Yum." Arlo brings a forkful of sheperd's pie to his mouth. "This is so good. This is better than the pie at home."
I let out a laugh as I spank Arlo's bum, which is rounding out nicely now that he's no longer on stimulants. "Hey now, boy. My kitchen skills aren't all bad."
Rusty beams as he eats a crouton. "This is delicious." He pats Arlo's back. "I love volunteering. We always get yummy food when our shifts end."
I pat my belly in agreement. "I agree, Rusty. This is a five-star meal."
Arlo stares out into the sea of hungry faces. He watches the guests eat their dinner, chowing down on sheperd's pie, drinking the orange juice the kitchen volunteers prepared.
Arlo rests his head against my shoulder. "This is beautiful, Daddy."
Warmth bubbles up inside me as I slink my arm around Arlo's hips. "It sure is, boy. You did a wonderful thing tonight."
Arlo blushes. "Did I?"
He's obviously confused. After all, plenty of people volunteer in homeless shelters. He's not the first person in the world to act altruistically.
But heisone of the first to spend his thirty-day anniversary—which could be anywhere in New York—helping the less fortunate. It's a testament to his character.
"Yes." I rub Arlo's backside as I steal a bite of his sheperd's pie. "This is our one-month anniversary, boy. We could be anywhere in the city. Central Park. Little Land, Barbieri's for lasagna. Instead, you donated your time to help people in need. You're beautiful inside and out, angel."
Arlo's breath hitches as he stares into my eyes. "You make me feel so good, Daddy." He blinks hard. "I haven't felt this way about myself in a long time. I love you."
I can't help but crush my lips to Arlo's. "I love you too, boo boo." I cup his ass. "You make Daddy melt inside like a lemon bar left in the sun."
Arlo lets out a laugh as he kisses me. "Stop, Daddy." He pokes my chest. "If you don't knock it off, you'll give me diabetes."
I stare into Arlo's blue eyes and force myself to stay standing. All at once, I know I can't wait a moment longer.
This is it.
The moment where I make Arlo my forever boy.
If I don't do it now, I never will.
My heart swells as I drop to one knee. I slide the ring out of my back pocket, removing it from the velvet jeweler's box, and lift Arlo's hand.
