Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“Thank you so much.”
“Of course. See you soon.”
We ended the call and I got to work. I definitely needed help where Keegan was concerned, but there were things I could tackle on my own, like getting my place cleaned up. I always kept it tidy anyway, but I wanted everything to be perfect for Keegan’s visit. I loaded the dishwasher and dusted the furniture. Just as I finished running the vacuum, my front door opened and Henley and Amir entered without knocking, which was just the way I liked it.
“I’m so happy for you!” Henley exclaimed before slamming into me with a running hug. “Oh, this is so exciting! And you’re a Daddy?”
I assumed Amir had filled him in on everything. I hadn’t had the conversation with my son yet; I was waiting until I found someone special, because I didn’t want to get his hopes up. I was glad he didn’t hold my secrecy against me. He only had acceptance and excitement, which warmed my heart.
“You are going to be the best Daddy,” Henley continued, before scrunching up his nose and deciding, “Well, it will be a tie.” He released me from his grip and plastered himself to Amir instead, making his partner beam until he practically glowed. Love radiated off the pair, and I hoped I would experience the same…hopefully soon…and hopefully with a certain gorgeous young man.
“Do you want to show him what you brought?” Amir asked, shaking the plastic bag in his hand.
“Yes! I almost forgot.” Henley took the bag and opened it for me to see inside. “I brought some of my toys to share with Keegan.” My heart swelled as I inspected several Matchbox cars, a model train, and a coloring book with a box of crayons. “I only colored one picture in the book, and Daddy tore it out for me. So it’s basically brand new. Do you think he’ll like it?”
“I think he’ll love it.” During our talk the night before, I learned that Keegan loved creative things like coloring and finger painting. “I also think that this was very sweet of you.” Henley grinned and got an extra squeeze from Amir.
“Come on, we can get this stuff set up in my old bedroom,” he suggested. That had been my thought as well, but I wanted to check with my son before I made any big changes.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course! I have my own place with Daddy now. Besides, if it’s a playroom, I’ll get use out of it too when I come to visit Keegan! I get to meet him soon, right? What about at Sunday dinner tomorrow?”
I blinked in surprise; I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but apparently Henley had, even on the short drive between our houses. “I…I suppose,” I stuttered, while my son nodded.
“It’s only fair; you met Daddy very soon, and it was at Sunday dinner, too.” He rattled on as he headed towards his old room, leaving me blinking behind him.
Amir snorted a laugh and patted me on the shoulder. “I guess that’s settled.”
“I guess it is.”
We entered the bedroom, finding Henley tapping his chin as he looked around. “You should keep the bed in here in case Keegan needs a nap; unless he’ll be sleeping in your bed. But an extra one never hurts.” It amazed me how Henley accepted everything so readily and without question. All he wanted was for his old man to be happy. “He needs a new bedspread, though,” he insisted, nodding to the gray blanket covering the twin sized bed. “That one is very blah. What color does he like best?”
“Pink,” I answered easily. “He loves the color pink, and very soft things.”
“Oh no,” Henley sighed as his shoulders slumped.
Confusion and a slight streak of irritation coursed through me, but Amir was the first to ask, “What’s wrong, kitten?”
Henley peered into his bag again. “I didn’t bring anything like that. I don’t even have anything like that to share.”
I immediately felt like the world’s biggest asshole. Of course sweet Henley wasn’t judging; he was only sad that he didn’t have what my boy liked.
“It’s okay,” Amir told him as he wrapped him in another hug. “I’m sure he’ll still like what you brought because of the thought behind it. But now that we know what he enjoys, we can get him all set up.”
Henley’s smile returned, and Amir looked over at me. “You said he’s coming at ten, right?” I nodded. I wished I could pick him up from his place, and that was what I intended to do in the future, but I needed extra time to get ready for his arrival. “That gives us plenty of time; let’s go shopping.”
*****
Keegan
I stepped out of my car and smoothed out the front of my skirt. I had no hesitation when picking out my outfit for the day; I chose my favorite pink pleated skirt and a powder blue crop top printed with pink roses. Ford made it clear that he not only accepted my clothing choices, but he enjoyed them.