Chapter 17- Reed #2
“Oh, uh, that’s not…true,” I try to say. Everyone else interrupts me with variations of “Yes, it is,” and I try not to be flattered.
“Aisen, we love you, but you’re fifteen,” Ryan says.
“I’m fourteen,” he replies.
“Seriously?” Ryan exchanges an incredulous look with Shannon, then turns back to us. “Anyway, you know what you want. And your mother and I love you. And part of loving someone is knowing what’s best for them. A life with your samchon is clearly the path for you.”
He turns to his wife. “Right, Shannon?” She bites her lip, and Ryan frowns. “I said: right, Shannon?!” he says in a firmer, louder tone than I’m used to.
She startles and says, “Yes, yes. We love you. And this is probably for the best.”
I exchange a smile with Aisen and nod at the camera. “You’re always welcome to visit,” I say. “Just call in advance, please.”
We all chuckle, and Aisen says, “Have a Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.”
They wave. “Have a Merry Christmas, too,” the couple says in unison. With that over, I breathe a sigh of relief. I have my nephew and my boyfriend, the two best things in my life; I’m truly blessed this holiday.
Aisen and I decide to spend the evening on the beach.
Skyler brings towels and sits on the sand while we sea monsters return to our love, the ocean.
We swim around in our kraken forms, and he shows me all the juggling tricks he learned in his octopus form as well.
It’s our first time swimming together in ages.
I always thought I was too busy for fun, but losing my nephew made me reevaluate everything in life.
I need to make it a point to let my kraken out more often in public.
When we return home, I let Aisen get washed up before dinner. I happily reheat leftovers, then head back to my bedroom, where I assume my boyfriend is showering. Instead, I find him frozen, staring out at the evening sun, a neutral expression on his face. This gives me pause.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, um…” He fidgets on the bed. “I think I’m gonna go home.”
“Oh, no need. You can borrow my clothes,” I reply with a grin.
“No, I mean, just because.”
He shrugs, and concern blooms in my chest. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He stands up, but I block the doorway. I know a lie when I hear one, and he’s avoiding my gaze. This won’t do.
“Skyler, please.”
“Look, this has been so fun.” He looks at me and kisses me slowly. Then, he pivots around me and power-walks away. “But goodbye.”
“I thought you were gonna spend the whole weekend?” I ask as I chase after him.
“It’ll be easier if I just go.”
“What’s easier?”
“You know…”
I shift and block him from exiting with my tentacles. “Skyler, talk to me.”
He gazes at me, precious blue eyes behind glasses. “Reed, you have your nephew back. You’re a strapping, successful sea monster single dad again.” He laughs softly and looks down. “You’re too busy for me.”
“Too busy?” I lift up his chin with a tentacle, forcing him to look at me. “Skyler. Look at me.”
He sighs and gazes at me. “I thought I told you: Baby, I want you, family or no family.”
“But before you said you didn’t have time―”
“That was before I kissed you!” We share a laugh. I wrap my tentacles loosely around him, and he gazes at my appendages in interest.
“Now I’m addicted to you, baby. My life is so much better with you in it. I don’t wanna let you go. I want to continue dating you, to keep making this work, and continue to make love,” I lean into his space and kiss him slowly, gently, hoping he feels my promises of the future.
“I’m already falling in love with you, Skyler Dillinger.” I smile against his mouth and hold him closer. “It’s not about being a single dad, or having enough time. It’s about me, wanting to keep seeing you.”
He gasps and pulls back. “Really? You’re…f-f-falling in love?”
“Yeah! I thought you knew.” We both laugh as I hold his shoulders.
He rubs my tentacles and beams at me. “I didn’t think a wealthy monster like you would fall for me.”
“Skyler, you are so much more amazing than you give yourself credit for.” Shifting back to human, I hold my boyfriend close. I rub his arms and pray he knows I mean every word I say. “I can see us getting serious. So yes, I love you.”
He gasps. “I love you, too.”
The smile on my face makes my cheeks hurt. “I’m committed to making this work. Even if it means hiring a sitter and going to your place for date night.”
“But my place is so cruddy compared to yours.” He scratches his arm and looks away.
“Hey, no.” I point at him sternly. “You are too sexy to care about apartment sizes and finances. Way too sexy.” We crack up, and I take his hands.
“I’m going to work on my time management and make this relationship work.
I love you, Skyler Dillinger. So, what do you say? Want to be my kraken’s mate?”
After a tense moment, he nods and pulls me in, kissing me hard. His mouth was made for mine. Seconds later, he steps back and looks me up and down. “I guess I got my dream sea monster other half after all.”
“I’m yours, baby. Merry Christmas.”
Skyler squeezes my hands. “Merry Christmas, Reed. Let’s do this. A real relationship, all the way.”
And so we do. This holiday will forever be the date that Skyler and I consummated our love, and this kraken couldn’t be happier.