Chapter Twenty-six
Ari
The littles were so excited for Dallas and Colter to move in with me. They were such a supportive community, and I was glad they’d had the opportunity to live here in the comfortable, safe space Monroe provided for all of them. But whenever we weren’t all together, I missed them entirely too much, and I thought it went the other way, too.
I arrived to help, but it seemed as if I was entirely extraneous with everyone in the house involved in the move. I walked in and found everyone bustling around, carrying boxes and bags and donuts. So many donuts. Everything about this house was cheerful, from the furnishings to the general attitudes of the residents.
I knew they couldn’t be happy every minute of every day, but overall, in my experience coming over to pick up my littles, I’d seen more happiness than in any other home I’d been in. Littles were vulnerable in many ways, and the home Monroe established for them all provided most of their needs that they could get from anyone but a daddy.
As I headed for their bedrooms, I passed the playroom and paused to admire it. It was not as big or well-equipped as the one at Chained, but it was not bad at all. On my various visits, I’d seen littles coloring or building with blocks. Some were slot car afficionados and at least a couple loved trains. There was even a puppet theater with the most adorable animal puppets that the littles could use to put on shows for one another.
I had a soft spot for the puppets and their puppeteers. Anything creative found a place in this home. Many people seemed to think littles were just about being diapered and fed bottles, and there was some of that, but many others were not infants when they were in their little space. They could be toddlers or small children or even a little older. Many were professionals in their work life and loved slipping into a headspace of a different kind.
The playroom was deserted now, with everyone helping Dallas and Colter, but most times, it was a very well-used area. I didn’t have a playroom at my house—our house—yet, but it was something we planned to build once they were settled in.
Only the night before, we’d spent hours planning the conversion of a room I’d only used for storage since moving in. Seated on the floor in the space, we’d spread out a big sheet of paper and gotten out the markers.
“We aren’t allowed to use these at Chained,” mused Colter. “They are permanent markers.”
Dallas nodded. “They don’t wash off.”
“Well, I think can make a rule here,” I suggested.
“What rule, Daddy?” asked Colter.
“Permanent markers are only to be used when Daddy is present and then only on paper.”
“What about cardboard?” Dallas patted one of the boxes stored in the room. “When we move in, don’t we need to mark our boxes with what they are?”
“Good point.” I nodded. “So, only when Daddy is present, on paper or boxes that need to be marked for moving or storage.”
“That’s a good rule,” Colter said, eying the blue marker he held. “Maybe we need to write the rules on the walls in the playroom?”
“I don’t think so.” I could only imagine what would ensue if I allowed marking on the walls in here or anywhere. Suddenly, rules sounded like a great idea. “No writing on any walls, anytime. Unless…”
They both looked at me with interest. “Yes, Daddy?” Dallas asked. “Unless?”
“Unless we paint one wall with chalkboard paint. If we do that, you can write and draw on it with chalk.”
They both thought that was a great idea and we added it to our plans.
When I got to Colter’s room that next morning, I found him sitting by a big stack of boxes with a marker on top. “You all packed and ready?” I asked.
“Packed, yes, Daddy.” He sighed. “But not ready.”
“Why not? Is something wrong?” I was puzzled, since all the boxes seemed ready and there were no clothes hanging in the open closet. “Did you need help?”
“No, I just need you to be ‘present,’ Daddy.”
“Excuse me?” More puzzled all the time. “Can you tell me more about that?”
“It’s one of our rules.” Dallas appeared in the doorway. “We can’t mark our boxes with the markers until you are present.”
They had me there. I was thinking the rules would apply when they were little, but with these two, there were levels of little space, and right now, they were being literal. But…rules are rules, and with me present, they were able to mark their boxes so everyone could carry them downstairs and load them in our cars.
We all drove across town to our house, a phrase I loved already. I had a very special dinner planned for my new roommates. I’d even tracked down a couple of boxes of Valentine nuggies as a surprise. And we’d have mac and cheese and broccoli trees. Strawberries with chocolate to dip them in for dessert.
Then a cartoon and a movie…and bedtime. Living together was going to be the best.