Chapter 15 #2
My sweet darling was practically boneless as I cleaned them up and led them back into the play area. When we arrived, Tristan and Daniel were seated at a small table with snacks and drinks for both littles.
When I glanced at Daniel to give him a quick thank you, he just smirked at me. We were definitely gone longer than a bathroom break called for.
When Ellie spotted the snacks and their favorite sippy cup, they clapped with excitement. “Thank you, Uncle Daniel.” My sweet princess wasted no time finding their seat next to Tristan and tearing into their snacks.
When I looked at Daniel, he wore the same lovesick grin I knew had to have been plastered over my face as well.
Both of these boys had us wrapped around their fingers.
In different ways, of course. My princess was my everything, but Tristan was also worming his way into my heart, and I knew that if he asked “Uncle David” for anything, it’d be impossible to turn him down.
Both littles chatted and giggled while eating their snacks. Daniel and I chatted briefly, but for the most part, we were just content to sit and watch our partners.
When Tristan finished eating his snack, he got onto the floor and crawled over to Daniel and buried his face in his lap. I couldn’t hear what he said, but Daniel obviously did, because he instantly scooped Tristan up and told him how incredibly proud of him he was.
Daniel started to walk away, but then turned back to Ellie and me. “It seems it’s our turn for a potty break. We’ll be right back!”
I chuckled and waved them away with a wink. If their bathroom break was anything similar to ours, we might be waiting a minute. As I was looking around the room to find an activity to do with my princess, the door to the playroom opened again.
Excitement coursed through me when I saw Cameron bouncing in, dressed in a bright green onesie. Cameron was a great friend and an adorable little. I had no doubt Tristan and Ellie would love him.
When Cameron’s eyes spotted me, his eyes lit up in excitement, and he headed straight for us.
“David! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you here for anything other than business. Is this them?”
When I looked at Ellery, their whole demeanor had changed, and it made my head spin. My princess was normally so light and carefree. But the Ellery before me looked rigid and ready to fight. It wasn’t anything that would be obvious to Cameron, but to me, their Daddy, it was alarming.
My brain went into overdrive trying to figure out what had changed, when I noticed a familiar look burning in my princess’s gaze. My darling princess was jealous. Our relationship was still new, and honestly, if the roles were reversed, I’d feel the same.
Not wanting my princess to question a single thing, I pulled them out of their chair and plopped them into my lap. Ellery came willingly, but didn’t melt against me like they usually did.
“Ellery, this is Cameron. Cameron, this is the little I was telling you about.”
Ellery gasped and turned to face me. “You told him about me?”
I kissed their nose and smiled. “Of course I did, darling. You’re mine, remember? I want everyone I know to know you’re mine.”
Ellery planted a quick kiss on my lips, making my heart swell. “Thank you, Daddy. I want that too.”
Now that they felt more reassured, they turned back around to face Cameron and relaxed into my hold. “Hi, Cameron. My name’s Ellery, but you can call me Ellie since you know my Daddy.”
Cameron’s smile was huge as he came closer, his excitement barely contained.
“Hi, Ellie! When I’m little, I go by Cammie.
My grandma called me Cammie when I was a kid, and it always makes me feel small.
I was so excited to meet you. I couldn’t wait to say hi when I saw you. Would you want to color with me?”
I couldn’t see Ellie’s face, and I worried Cameron’s enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Cameron was a wonderful person, but his brain seemed to work much faster and differently than others.
It could be an adjustment at times, but I’d never fault him for it; it was simply who he was, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Hi, Cammie. My Daddy didn’t tell me about you. But you seem really nice. My best friend Tristan is with us, but he had to go potty. I want to color with you, but only if he’s allowed to join when he gets back.”
Ellery crossed their arms over their chest, and I could practically hear their bottom lip sticking out when they finished speaking.
It warmed my heart to see how much Ellery cared for Tristan and always wanted to make sure he was included, no matter what.
Cameron’s face turned into pure joy as he grabbed my darling’s hand. “Of course he can join us. The more the merriest.”
Ellie giggled as Cameron dragged them over to the coloring station. “I’m pretty sure it’s the more the merrier.”
Cameron paused for the briefest of seconds, seemingly contemplating this new information. “Hmm. No, I don’t think so. I like my version better.”
Ellery shrugged and repeated the phrase with almost as much enthusiasm as Cameron did.
Just as both littles were starting to color, the door opened and in walked Tristan and Daniel. When Tristan spotted Ellie coloring with a strange little, his expression was slightly wary, but it faded when both littles called out his name, beckoning him over.
“Cameron, this is my bestie, Tristan. He’s a little, but also a dragon. Sometimes when he’s little, he doesn’t like to talk, but he’s not being rude.”
Tristan waved, looking relieved that, for the second time that night, Ellery had helped explain that he went non-verbal when little. Ellery had been taking care of him, exactly like a big sibling would. It was adorable.
“Hi, Tristan. Ellie said you liked dragons, so I saved this coloring book for you.” Tristan squealed with excitement, grabbed the book from Cameron, and then joined them on the floor.
All three littles talked and giggled as they worked on their pictures. When it started getting late, Tristan and Ellie were slowing down on their coloring and looked seconds away from falling asleep. Cameron, however, was as hyper as usual, but that didn’t surprise me.
“I think it’s time we grab our littles and get out of here.”
Daniel nodded, and we made our way over to our sleepy littles. “Hey, darling. It’s getting late. Clean up your mess and tell Cameron goodbye.”
Ellie yawned and looked at their coloring page in defeat.
“Okay, Daddy.” All three littles made quick work of cleaning up their mess despite being so tired.
I helped Ellie tear free the page they were working on and then did the same for Cameron.
Both littles thanked me and gave each other a quick hug before saying goodbye.
It was already dark outside, and we were going straight back to our apartment, so both little ones decided to stay in their play clothes. Both of them were too tired to be bothered by changing, even with their Daddies’ assistance.
When we arrived back at my apartment, Tristan was passed out in the front seat next to Daniel, and Ellie was barely able to stand.
Once we were both out of the car, I picked Ellery up, and their legs tightened around my waist. Their grip wasn’t the tightest with how tired they were, and both of my hands were occupied keeping them from falling.
Thankfully, Daniel saw my predicament and was right there, grabbing my bag and keys and helping us get inside.
“Thanks, man.”
“Of course. You and Ellie should come over for dinner again this week. In fact, we should have a weekly family dinner with you and Ellie. Sound good?”
If it weren’t for the sleepy princess in my arms, I would’ve hugged him to show how happy that idea made me. “That sounds wonderful. Both Tristan and Ellie will be ecstatic.”
“See you then. Good night, brother.”
My eyes instantly stung with tears, but I kept them at bay. Hearing Daniel call me his brother was like the last piece of the puzzle clicking into place. Except it wasn’t. I still needed to buy that house and make sure my princess knew I could be the Daddy they deserved.
“Drive safe, brother. Make sure to take care of my nephew.”
My voice was shaky, but the words felt incredibly right. He waved goodbye and was out the door, leaving me alone with my princess, feeling like I was on top of the world.