Chapter 6
Eddie
“Daddy,” I whisper, testing the word out with the man I’ve always wanted to have the title.
The look Bram gives me tells me his words were true.
When he was talking before, I kept my face covered for two main reasons. The first was because I didn’t want him to see me ugly crying. The second was from shock. My jaw was wide open as I attempted to process what he said.
Bram likes me.
No, that’s wrong.
Bram loves me.
More than friends kind of love.
Is this a dream? Did I actually fall asleep in the toy store? I had to have. There’s no way all this is real.
“Eddie Baby.”
I come back to myself as the man I’m thinking about gains my attention again. His gaze is knowing, his smile amused.
“You ready to get out of here? I’ve got a nice, cozy cabin waiting for us. As fun as tonight seems like it’ll be in the town, I want you to myself,” he tells me.
Nodding my head, I wrap myself around his body like the clingy baby I am. He laughs as he shifts an arm under my butt.
“Hold tight to Daddy.”
I squeeze him even tighter as he moves us from the floor into a standing position. The minute we’re up, he’s off to the door. I expect to feel a blast of cold, except he stops.
“Eddie Baby.” His hand runs down my back. “Daddy told the nice man who let you stay here that we’d buy some things. Would you like to look around? There are a few things in the cabin, but I’d like you to pick some things out yourself for you and me to play with.”
“Daddy, play?”
His smile grows at my question. He nods and kisses the tip of my nose.
“Yes, baby. Daddy is going to play with you too. I love when we have our special time together.”
With a wiggle, I motion for him to put me down. He does instantly, though he does hold me like he’s worried I’ll be unsteady.
I always knew he’d be the bestest Daddy.
“Toys,” I cheer as I spin in a circle to look around.
“Point out everything you want. There’s no such thing as too much. I’ll bag it all up and tote it to the car in multiple trips if I need to.”
When I don’t immediately move, Daddy walks me to a display of toys. They’re all stuffed animals in various sizes. I spot three I want to add to my collection right away.
“I bet I can guess which of these you like best, Eddie Baby.”
“Bet?”
He hums. “Yes, a bet. Just like I do with the big you, Little Eddie can join the fun. Know what I want if I win?”
“What, Daddy?”
“I want a kiss.”
My mouth falls open. “A kiss.”
His arms wrap around me, pulling me to his chest. I’ve always liked how he’s bigger than I am. I used to picture us in this exact pose because I knew I’d feel so safe and cared for.
Past me was absolutely right.
“Yes, Eddie Baby. I want a kiss for my prize. Do we have a deal?”
“What I get?” I ask instead of agreeing.
Little me isn’t completely in charge right now. I’m in limbo. There’s too much about this that affects everything in my life. I don’t think I could be one or the other even if I wanted to.
One of the arms around me loosens. Daddy’s hand moves up until he’s got a hold of my chin. The grip he uses forces my eyes to stay on his.
“You can have anything you want. Anything, you hear me?”
I suck in a deep breath as I try to calm my heart. “I want Daddy.”
His expression doesn’t change one bit at my words. If anything, it’s like he knew what I’d say. I’d doubt it if he were anyone else. As my best friend, he probably did guess. Just like he’ll probably get the answer right.
Before I can stop him, he nods and tucks me in front of him so we’re facing the stuffies. “I know you well enough to guess there isn’t just one you like. I’m right so far, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” I whisper softly as I relax in his hold.
He feels so good like this. His big body behind me, protecting me and caring for me. It’s like a dream come true.
Daddy hums. “If I had to choose, I’d say you have three favorites. The turtle, this lamb, and the hippo tucked under that elephant.”
My jaw drops open, and I spin around. “How did you do that? The hippo is barely visible!”
I want to stomp my foot at how insane this all is. I mean, sure, I knew he knew me well. But this feels like he cheated somehow.
If I were on the outside looking in, I’d see Little me is simply throwing a fit for losing. Since I don’t have magical abilities though, I’m stuck in this state of bratty-ness despite wanting to also throw my arms around Daddy’s neck and kiss him silly for being able to read my mind.
Rather than get mad at my outburst, the man before me grins even wider than before.
“I told you, Eddie Baby. I know you inside and out. You’ve been obsessed with sea turtles since we watched that documentary years ago.
We went to dinner once, and you cried when you saw lamb on the menu because we’d just watched Babe before going out.
And the hippo, well, you didn’t really give me a reason for that one other than I know how you notice even the smallest details at times, so you’d have probably felt bad that he was hidden and wanted to bring him home to be loved on. ”
There are no words to describe the level of emotions running through me at his speech. If there were, I doubt I’d even be able to say them.
“That’s… you… how?” As it stands, it seems I can’t speak much at all.
I’m too astonished, too perplexed. How can he read me so damn well?
He leans closer, his face hovering over mine.
“Like I said, I know you, Eddie Baby. Long before you were mine this way, I’ve watched and observed you.
Maybe even obsessed over you a bit if I’m honest. Now, before I ravish you in this store and scar these sweet animals, let’s pick out your toys and get home. ”
Home.
It’s a powerful word. I don’t know that I would have considered this place home, yet with Daddy here, it feels right.
“Ok, Daddy.”
Spinning out of his arms, I skip around the store plucking item after Item off the shelf.
Everything I touch gets snatched up and put in Daddy’s arms. He stops me every now and then to go put stuff on the front counter, but overall, he doesn’t complain one bit despite me adding far more than I should.
It’s hard to not just say I want everything here. This place is so cool, and the toys are unique. I can’t find this kind of stuff back home.
“All done!” I raise my arms above my head as I do a big stretch. “We go home now, Daddy?”
“Yes, baby. Let me just count out some bills for the old man to cover all this. I’m going to leave him a business card as well so he can contact me when they get new toys in. I think it would be worth it to keep in touch with him since you like so much of his inventory.”
I nod quickly, then rise on my toes to kiss his chin. “Thank you!”
Daddy smiles. “You never have to thank me, Eddie Baby. I live to take care of you.”
Oh.
Ohhhhh.
That’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Tears spring to my eyes at the easy way he says those words. How did I not realize before now how perfect this man is for me?
He must sense I’m at a loss for words again because he steps away long enough to draw some cash from his wallet, along with the business card he mentioned leaving. I watch him place it all on the counter before he goes around it to grab a few large paper bags.
“Help Daddy?” I ask when he comes around to begin loading everything up.
“You can help, Eddie Baby. I would love for you to stack them inside each one. Can you be neat for me and treat it like a puzzle?”
I clap excitedly. “Yes! Love puzzles!”
Together, we get four big bags stuffed with everything. It’s the best game and by the end, I’m giddy with how perfect it all goes together.
“Alright, baby. I’m going to go grab the car and pull it to the curb. I want you to stay inside until I’m pulled up. Lock the door and don’t let anyone in, ok?”
“Yes, Daddy. I be safe.” I give him a thumbs up to encourage him.
As soon as he leaves, I sit on the floor with my legs crossed as I watch the front window for his car. I want to open the bags to pull out my toys, but I know if I start, then I won’t stop. Plus, we worked so hard to get them all to fit.
I can’t disappoint Daddy by messing it all up.
The wait feels forever long, but eventually he pulls up in front of the store just like he said he would.
I wait for him to climb out and open the trunk.
When he approaches the door, I unlock it and together, we load up the big bags.
I watch as he places the hidden key back where it goes after locking things up. Finally, it’s time to leave.
“Let Daddy buckle his baby in.” I turn at the words. “Don’t look shocked. I need to secure you just like we secured the presents. Precious cargo and all that.”
His wink tells me he’s teasing, though there’s a seriousness to his words too. I really like the idea of being precious to him.
Daddy opens the door and motions for me to sit. Once I do, he straps me in, tugging to make sure the seatbelt is tightened. After he’s content, he goes around and drops into the driver’s seat.
Soft Christmas music plays as he takes us through the edge of town and into the dark woods.
I can admit I’m a bit nervous about what comes next.
It’s one thing to say he wants to be with me in the heat of the moment because I ran away.
It’s another when we’re actually alone without any possible interruptions.
I can feel the Little side of me slipping away as my nervousness increases. It’s like I’m protecting that part of me by letting the adult inside take over. Little Eddie would be devastated if things didn’t work out, but Edward can handle hard things better.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Before I know it, we’re parking in front of a cute, secluded cabin. The porch light gleams in the darkness surrounding us. I reach for the door, only to hear a growl from my left.
“Don’t you dare open that door, baby. I’ve waited a long fucking time to take care of you. You’re going to let me,” Bram rumbles in a deep tone.
I nod as I tug my hand back. “Ok.”
‘Ok, what?”
“Ok, Daddy. I’ll behave.”
He’s out of the car and around to my side in a flash. My door opens, yet I wait because I have a feeling this goes much deeper. Sure enough, he smiles at my obedience.
“Such a good boy waiting for Daddy to unbuckle you. I’ll have to reward your patience.”
My jaw drops open when he spins me to the side and drops to his knees. “What—what are you doing?”
“Daddy wants to give you a special treat, Eddie Baby. Is that ok? Can I make you feel good?”