3. Gabriel
3
GAbrIEL
S he's perfect with Damon. I can see that as the days tumble by, each one blending seamlessly into the next. She fills a place in our lives that I didn't even realize we were missing, a vibrant spark that ignites our mundane routines.
Luna drops into our lives Thursday through Saturday, and with her presence, she flips our world upside down in the most delightful way. She and Damon dive headfirst into a host of science experiments that I didn’t even know existed, their laughter and enthusiasm echoing through the house. She shows up armed with household products—vinegar, baking soda, and an array of colorful liquids—and the two of them spend what few waking hours they have together exploring the fascinating concepts of gravity, life cycles, the properties of water, and so much more, their imaginations running wild with each new discovery.
When I get home in the morning, I always make it a point to cook them breakfast, filling the kitchen with the comforting aroma of sizzling eggs and crisp bacon. Damon goes into great detail about the new things he’s learned, his eyes sparkling with excitement and pride. Even Joey, our mischievous gray furball, is learning, he insists. But as our playful little troublemaker keeps growing, the only thing he seems to be mastering is how to get into more and more mischief, turning the living room into his personal playground.
On Fridays, Luna and I walk Damon to the bus stop after a quick breakfast, and it almost feels like we’re a family, united in the simple act of sending him off to school. I’ve discovered that Luna’s charming southern accent comes from her years spent in Texas, a melodic lilt that adds warmth to her words. She moved up here to Kansas to be closer to her parents, who are retiring after very fulfilling careers in teaching, and it’s clear that her roots run deep in the values they instilled in her.
"That's where I get most of my stuff," she tells me one day with a playful wink, her eyes sparkling with mischief. When I mention that I’ll gladly refund her the money for the school supplies, she waves me off dismissively, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "What's my mom going to do with it? She's retired, Gabriel. Don't worry about it. It's just taking up space in their garage, collecting dust." Her nonchalance about the situation makes me smile, and I can’t help but appreciate her generous spirit.
When Luna isn't around, Damon talks about her constantly, his little voice brimming with enthusiasm. He asks when she’s coming back, as though he can't quite grasp the passage of time or the days of the week. Because when Thursday rolls around, he comes roaring out of school, his face alight with anticipation, her name spilling from his lips like a cherished secret. Some days, I can't tell who's more excited to see her, him or me, and that realization brings a warmth to my chest that I didn’t expect.
After a month of her devoted service, I find myself at a crossroads, a decision looming ahead that feels weighty and significant.
"Son, are you sure about this?" My dad asks over the speakerphone, his voice laced with concern. "Seems a little risky to be playing footsie with the babysitter." There’s a hint of protective instinct in his tone, and I can sense the unspoken questions swirling in the air between us, heavy with the implications of my feelings.
I should have known my mother would have me on speakerphone. She and my father are practically glued together, a duo that thrives on shared conversations. If he hadn't been home to join the call, she would have eagerly relayed every word I said to him like a parrot reciting lines. "Thanks for your opinion, Dad. But it's just a date. I really like Luna, and so does Damon. She's beautiful and incredibly smart. I don’t get many opportunities to meet women outside of work," I explain, my voice steady despite the rising tension.
My mom clucks her tongue disapprovingly, and I can hear the unmistakable sound of her hand meeting my father's arm or shoulder in a playful reprimand. "Daryl, don’t discourage him! Gabriel, honey, ask the nice lady out. I would love to watch Damon while the two of you go out." Her enthusiasm is palpable, a hopeful undertone woven into her words.
She's just wishing for more grandchildren, but her presumption that Luna and I will settle down and start a family works in my favor in this moment. "I'm not even sure she's going to say yes, Mom. I just wanted to ask if you'd be willing to watch Damon if she did say yes." My heart races at the thought, and I can't help but feel the weight of expectation in her voice, blending excitement with a hint of pressure.
"You're a police officer, son," my dad chimes back into the conversation, his tone light but tinged with pride. "You're a good-looking guy. I can't imagine why she'd say no." His confidence in me is unwavering, even if I'm not as sure of myself.
"Our son is very handsome, Daryl, and quite smart," my mom adds, her voice warm and affectionate. "He's also a good father to his son." The way she emphasizes that last part makes it sound almost like a resounding endorsement, as if my parenting skills somehow guarantee my dating success.
They're stressing me out. I shouldn't have called them. I should have just asked Luna out, set the date, and then tried one of my other babysitters. Maybe, on a whim, they could have actually worked a couple of hours on a casual Tuesday night. The thought of navigating the babysitting labyrinth didn’t seem so daunting then. Then I wouldn't have had to put up with these two yahoos dissecting my finer merits and inadvertently turning my nerves into a full-blown anxiety attack.
"Well, thank you for everything, Mom and Dad. I'll let you know if it works out and I need you." I hang up before the two of them can get any cringier. The last thing I need is for them to start discussing my love life in any further detail, imagining scenarios that only serve to amplify my already racing heart.
"Knock, knock!" Luna announces cheerfully as she breezes through the front door, her bright energy illuminating the dimly lit room. I've given her a key, granting her full access at all times, a small gesture of trust that allows her and Damon the freedom to come and go as they please. This way, if they ever decide to dash out for ice cream or venture to the park for some fresh air, they can always get back inside without a hitch. "Hey there. Why so glum, chum?" she asks, her playful tone cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
I find myself standing at the kitchen counter, my eyes glued to my phone, a lifeline that feels more like a burden at the moment. I'm sure I look a little off-putting, lost in my thoughts. "Not glum at all," I reply, shaking my head in an attempt to dispel the weight of my worries. "Just got off the phone with my parents, is all. Nothing crazy, really. Damon is taking a bath right now. He and Joey were in the backyard building an impressive moat after dinner. I made sure to tell him to get cleaned up before you arrived."
Luna's grin widens, and she shakes her head in disbelief. "And how's Joey doing?" she asks, her curiosity piqued, clearly eager to hear more about the antics of the two boys.
I shake my head, a small smile creeping onto my lips despite my earlier frustration. "He didn't like his bath at all. The way he was yelping made me think I was killing him. Unbelievable." That little furball was going to send me to an early grave with his antics. I could just picture him cowering under Damon's bed, wide-eyed and waiting for me to leave the bathroom, convinced I would come back to 'murder' him again. Truly overdramatic, that one.
"A little off-topic," I say as I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure, "but I was wondering if you might be interested in going on a date with me." Did the words jumble together when I said them? Because they sounded a little smushed as they tumbled out of my mouth, like a clumsy confession that had been waiting to escape.
Luna cocks her head slightly, a playful smile dancing at the corners of her lips. "Officer Livingston, are you nervous?" Her teasing tone sends a flutter of uncertainty through me.
Yup. Those words definitely jumble together. "Ma'am, I'm the one who asks the questions around here," I respond, attempting to adopt an affected demeanor of confidence, even as my heart races in a mix of excitement and trepidation.
"Right, right." Her smile broadens, transforming her expression into something radiant. "Well, I'll have to check my schedule. I have a very demanding evening job that takes up my weekends. How're your weekdays lookin'?"
I can’t help but feel a rush of warmth whenever she smiles. It’s as if her joy illuminates every corner of the room, making everything else fade into the background. "I'm thinking they're free, but I'll double-check and get back to you. What if we reconvene in the morning?"
She pushes a few stray blonde curls out of her face, her fingers brushing lightly against her cheek, and nods her head thoughtfully. "I think I can do that. I'm thinking maybe Tuesday evening?"
I can easily arrange for my parents to drop by on Tuesday for a few hours. Or I could take Damon over to their place for the night. He absolutely loves spending time at his grandparents' place, and it gives me a little freedom, too. "I think Tuesday sounds great."
"You know, I've never gone out with a cop before," Luna says, her brow furrowing slightly as if she’s pondering the implications. "But I guess this gives a whole new meaning to 'fuck the police.'"
My body reacts instinctively, my cock going unbelievably hard in my pants at her words. Sweet, sweet Luna... The thrill of her teasing combined with the promise of what’s to come sends a jolt of electricity through me, igniting my anticipation for our time together.
"Anyway, have a good night, Gabriel! I'm going to go see if Damon is finished with his bath." With a playful wink and a casual wave, she glides away toward the bathroom, her confident demeanor lingering in the air like a tantalizing fragrance. It’s hard to believe she just brazenly flirted with me in a way that ignited a fire deep within.
Once inside my car, I have to discreetly adjust myself, feeling the effects of her flirtation pressing against my jeans. Beautiful, blonde, and curvy Luna might very well be the death of me, and the thought sends a thrill racing through my veins. And honestly, part of me is more than willing to embrace that possibility.