Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Crispin
“Welcome to Build-A-Bear Workshop, where new friends are made every day!” The sales associate greeted us as we stepped inside. “Are you looking for something specific today?”
“Hello, it’s Beck’s first time here and it’s his birthday today,” I told her.
“Happy birthday and welcome in. Take a look around and when you find the bear you want, I’ll meet you over at the machine where we’ll bring it to life.”
“Daddy, this is so exciting!” My boy wiggled beside me.
“Well, birthday boy, go pick your new bear. In fact, why don’t you pick two.”
“Two? Really? Is there enough on my gift card for that?”
Sweet, sweet, Beck. “I’m sure we’re fine, sweetheart.”
“Daddy, look at the pretty purple bunny. I bet they’ll be Bun-Bun’s new best friend.”
“I think that’s a wonderful choice, love. Who’s next?”
“Umm.” Beck walked back and forth along the wall, stopping now and again before making his final choice. “This one.”
“Rainbow clouds Frog, another great choice. Let’s get them filled and pick out new clothes.”
“Are you ready, Beck?” I was thrilled that she remembered his name. Beck bobbed his head and she continued. “This is the heart ceremony. For each of your bears I’m going to hand you a heart. You kiss it and make a wish then we put it inside as we fill them. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” My boy was over the moon and lacked the ability to stand still. She handed him the first heart, and he closed his eyes then kissed it and gave it back to her. Intently he watched as she filled his new stuffie.
“Here’s the second one.” He did the same then handed it back. “Why don’t you shop around while I finish with your bears, and I’ll meet you up front at the register whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay, thank you.” I followed Beck as he walked each aisle, carefully choosing the right outfits and accessories for both bears. “OMG, Daddy, look, it’s a tiny tutu. Rainbow frog has to have it. Is that alright?”
“You are the birthday boy so anything you choose today is more than alright.” Enough said, prompting him to pick the cutest outfits and toys for both.
“I’m so excited for them to meet Bun-Bun and Daddy Bear.”
How had I never done this with any boy before? Oh, I know why, because they didn’t deserve it, but Beck did. This was an amazing treat, and one I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I foresaw many of these stuffies filling the shelves in my sweet boy’s playroom over the coming years.
“Wow, what great outfits and accessories you picked out for your bears, Beck. Now comes the all-important part—what do you want to name them.” He thought so hard I was afraid he’d hurt himself.
“Not to worry, I’ll leave that line blank on the certificates and you can fill it in later. Will that work?”
Beck visibly relaxed. “Yes, please.”
“Daddy, I’m so excited to play with my new bears. Thank you again,” Beck squealed and kissed my cheek as I locked in his seatbelt. “How long until we get to Mom and Dad’s?”
“About an hour, Bunny, not too long at all.” There I’d give him my gift, plus Mom outdid herself and had far too much fun shopping for her new son. She’d also baked him a birthday cake.
As soon as we pulled up to their house, Mom ran outside and Beck nearly hung himself with the seatbelt trying to get to her.
“Calm down, birthday boy.” I unclicked it and he hopped out. There was no way he would’ve waited for me to come around and get him. That boy was wound up tighter than a clock.
“Hi Mom, yes, I’m here too. You know, the son you gave birth to,” I teased her as she squeezed the breath out of Beck.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know but you’re not the birthday boy. Happy birthday, sweetie,” she kissed his reddening cheeks.
“Thanks, Mom.” Jealous? Not in the least. They both knew I was teasing and loved how bonded they’d become. I grabbed our bags, then his new bears, dropped them off in our room, and met them in the kitchen.
“Are you two hungry?” Mom asked. “Your dad is in town running a few errands. I can whip something up or we can ask him to bring lunch back for us.”
“Subs, Daddy?”
“Subs the birthday boy says, so subs it is. Let me know what you want, Mom, and I’ll text dad.” As soon as she did, I fired off the message then went into our room to retrieve Beck’s birthday gifts. Dad was near the sub shop so it wouldn’t be long before he got home.
“Who’s that for, Daddy?” My wide-eyed boy asked as I sat the bag on the table.
“Hmm, how many birthday boys are here today?”
“Me?” he pointed to himself.
“Yes, you, silly boy,” mom replied as she sat the gifts they got him beside mine. “As soon as Nick gets home we’ll eat, then you can open your presents, and we’ll have cake.”
“You got me a birthday cake?” Oh no, the tears were coming on. “Thank you.”
Beck wolfed down his sub so fast I feared he’d vomit. Thankfully, he didn’t, but his eyes never left those prezzies.
“Son, I don’t think he can wait much longer. Looks a bit on the ready to explode side,” Dad teased him.
“You two, quit razzing Beck and give him his gifts.” Mom slid her bag in front of him. “Happy birthday, Beck.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He did his best to calmly pull the tissue paper from the bag but the moment he spotted the first present, all bets were off, and the rest of it flew in every direction. “OMG! Look Daddy, it’s a bunny terrarium. It’s gonna be so cute when we build it.”
“Yes, it is, Bunny. What else is in there?”
“A Lego bunny! I don’t have any Lego’s. This is my first set. Oh my gosh, how did you find a bunny stuffie with my name on his ear?”
“We found someone to make it for you,” Mom replied. “I think you’ve got one more hiding in there.”
He leaned over and I feared he’d fall inside the oversized gift bag. “Daddy, it’s a new Peter Cottontail tea set, and it comes in its own picnic basket,” Beck hugged it to his chest. “I love it so much. I love everything. Thanks, Mom and Dad.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, let’s see what your Daddy got you.” Mom slid my gift bag in front of him, and he dug in with as much vigor as he had the first.
“A bunny shaped garden stone craft kit. I can’t wait to get home and make all this fun stuff.
A squishy bunny night light. I’ll put that beside Goldie’s tank, so she doesn’t get scared at night.
” My kindhearted boy got me right in the feels every time.
“New swim trunks and a top for the beach. Ooohhh, look at the cute vacation clothes,” he held them up for everyone to see. “And water sandals.”
“Those will be much better than your flippies or sneakers in the sand,” I told him. “Should be one more gift in there.”
He pulled out the last box and turned it over, then looked at me, then back at the box. “Daddy, this is too much.”
“Silly boy, no it’s not.”
“Daddy.” I should’ve expected this given the argument I’d got when I bought him a new iPhone. But the one he had at the time was old and kept overheating and shutting off.
“Just think of it as another way you can reach your Daddy any time you want to.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” He pulled the Apple watch from the box. “Can you help me set it up?”
“I sure can, where’s your phone?” He slid it from his pocket and handed it over, then started playing with his toys. Mom, being the mother that she was, picked up the paper and set the bags aside for him. “Beck, why don’t you show them your new Build-A-Bear’s.”
“Yes! I almost forgot.” He ran to our room and was back in seconds with both boxes. “I still have to name them. Maybe you can help me?” Having parents did amazing things for my boy. If he overused calling them Mom and Dad, no one noticed, and every time he said those two words his eyes lit up.
Back and forth they went over names, finally settling on Lavendar for the bunny, not very creative but they were happy. And Froggy, again, not a stretch. But they were having a great time and were now setting up his terrarium.
Glancing around the room, I realized just how lucky I was. Not only to be brought up in such a loving household, but to have the perfect partner for me and the ideal son-in-law for my parents.
Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.
“Daddy, how long is it until we get to the beach?”
“It’s a two-hour drive, Bunny.” I honked the horn and we waved to my parents as we pulled out of their driveway. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes. I love visiting our family. I can’t wait to spend the holidays in Aruba with them.”
“Is that all you’re excited for in Aruba?” I tsked.
Had I not been driving I’d have tickled him for that dramatic eyeroll. “Of course not, silly Daddy. I’m excited for the wedding and the I dos and the forever love.”
“Forever love, huh. Alright, alright, I see how you are.” I turned up the radio, immediately triggering his dancing queen side.
The drive to Laguna Beach flew by watching him act out the words and dance while trapped beneath the seatbelt.
Drew a few smiles from passersby, but he didn’t care.
He was in his element and was one very happy boy.
Pure entertainment.
“Daddy! Daddy! I can see the ocean.”
I’d purposely driven the long way so he could get a glimpse before we pulled into the hotel. It was a bit pricey, but the views were amazing and I knew Beck would love it.
“I see it. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Oh my gosh, yes. I can’t wait to dip my toes in the water.”
“Just remember, even though it’s summer, it’ll still be chilly, but the sand will be toasty warm.”
“’Kay.”
As we pulled up, a bellman came right over with a cart. “Checking in, sirs?”
“Yes, and I’m glad you have a cart. We’ve somehow accumulated quite a bit of stuff along the way,” I winked at Beck and he giggled.
Beck kept his backpack on, but the rest went on the trolley.
The bellman waited to the side while I got us checked in, then followed us up on the elevator to our room.
As soon as we stepped inside Beck ran straight for the wall of windows and whipped the curtains back.
“Oh. My. Gawd. The ocean is right there!” he squealed.
I thanked the bellman and tipped him then joined my boy. “Did you know blue is Daddy’s favorite color?”
“Like my eyes?”
“Exactly like your eyes. Let’s get settled in then head down to the beach. Sound like a plan?”
While I put our clothes away, Beck got his stuffies tucked in. “What you’re wearing is perfect for today while we walk around and check out the places around us. You can take off your flippies as soon as we reach the sand. Tomorrow we can spend the whole day on the beach. How does that sound?”
“Yay!” He hopped over and gave my cheek a big smacky kiss. “Thank you, Daddy. This has been the best birthday ever.”
“You have a lot of bests, Bunny.”
“That’s because I won the Daddy lottery.”
There went that whole heart overflowing deal again.