Chapter Thirteen
Payden
“I was the surprise they always wanted but didn’t think they could have.” I loved it when mom and dad told me that story. I was no angel, but to them I was the best gift ever. They were married twenty years when they finally got pregnant, almost to the day.
Mom smiled and squeezed my hand. “That you were. Our sweet boy with the big blue eyes and the heart to match. This child brought home every stray animal he came across. Poor Callen’s allergies,” Mom smiled fondly at my poor Dad.
“We had to rehome them, but Payden ran a tight ship when it came to whoever he adopted them to.”
“I love animals. Ohhh, maybe we can get a cat, Daddy. Are you allergic?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but I’ve never had a pet.”
“Tell us about your family, Stone,” Dad asked and I grimaced.
“Not much to tell, really, sir. I never knew my parents, the people who adopted me were killed in a wreck when I was four and after that I was raised in foster care.”
“Well,” Mom patted Daddy’s hand. “We’re your family now.”
Dad nodded. “Thinking of going back on the road with a new band?”
“No sir. That wasn’t the life for me. Kinda feels like I was searching for something the entire time, something I couldn’t quite grab hold of.”
“Stability,” Dad said.
“Yeah, I think you’re right. I’d still like to work in the industry. Music is all I know but the road isn’t for me.” I was happy to hear Daddy say that. I didn’t want to be the cause of him not doing it, but I’d be super sad if he was gone for long periods of time.
“Well, you’ve got a home, you’ve got a family. Now, what truly lies within your heart?” Dad never spoke this much to anyone I ever brought home. Had new me finally chosen well?
“Besides Payden?” Daddy kissed the top of my head. “I’m tossing around a couple of ideas, one of which is giving guitar lessons.”
“With the name you’ve built for yourself, I bet that would take right off for you.” Dad actually smiled. Was Stone the kind of friend he’d longed for? I don’t remember my dad ever having buddies to hang out with and having a father figure who was also a friend may be what Stone needs too.
“Thank you, sir, I appreciate that.”
“None of that sir crap, call me Callen.”
Daddy cleared his throat. “Callen. Another idea was working in a music store. I’d still write songs and maybe even sell some. Heck, I have a notebook full of them. Just need to get settled in and reach out to a few contacts I still have. They may’ve written me off already though.”
“But you won’t know until you try.” I’d be Daddy’s number one cheerleader.
“That’s right, sweetheart, and I will succeed. I’ll make you proud to call me your partner.”
“You already do.”
Mom’s eyes watered and she fanned herself. “No making this old lady all mushy.”
“Let me show you the yard, Stone,” Dad stood, Stone side eyed me right as mom winked.
This was a big step for both of them. Dad was proud of the outdoor oasis he’d created.
Many a family meal was had out on his immaculate deck.
Any chance Dad got to grill, he jumped on it.
He’d seen it while we ate, obviously, but this was Dad’s way of getting his private talk in with stone as they walked around.
Mom stood and gathered the plates. “This is good for him, your Dad, I mean,” she said as soon as the slider door closed behind us.
“I have a feeling it’s equally as important for Stone. Doesn’t sound like he had it too easy growing up.”
“I like him, I think you’re good for each other,” Mom’s words surprised me. “He’s very attentive and not all hoity-toity like the others were.” Mom’s euphemisms and antiquated comments never failed to entertain me.
“It bothers him that I’m the so-called bread winner.” I hated that he felt that way. I know if it was the other way around he’d tell me it’s a Daddy’s job to take care of his boy. But sometimes the boy needs to step up and help their family out too.
“I have a feeling it won’t be that way for long, not with a name like his reaching out to folks for employment. He’ll have a job, likely same day, just you wait and see. I don’t think I’ve seen you smile this much in a long time, Payden. Makes my heart happy.”
“Mine is finally happy too, Mom.” I’d never hide it from her if it wasn’t.
Dad and Stone came in a few minutes later, both smiling.
We stayed for another hour and had dessert.
Before we left, Mom and Dad made sure Daddy had their phone numbers.
They hugged us goodbye then Mom hollered, “Text us when you get home, boys.” It wasn’t that long of a drive to the apartment but if I didn’t text she’d call and I’d get an earful.
“That went well, don’t you think?” Daddy said a few minutes after we left.
“It really did. Kind of exciting. It’s like we have the whole world within reach now all we have to do is tell it what we want. And no matter what, my parents are there to cheer us on.”
“They really are great. I can see why you’re so close to them. Can I really be this lucky? I mean, is this for real?”
I held my free hand out and he linked his fingers with mine.
“Yes, it’s real. Our paths crossed for a reason and the draw is undeniable.
We may never know why fate had a hand in all this, but it did.
I for one have chosen to take it as a sign, to not look back and only focus on the future—together. ”
Daddy raised our hands and pressed his lips to the back of mine. “Whatever the reason may be I’m thankful, I hope you believe that? I know right now I’m not much, have even less to offer than that, but I promise to always do right by you.”
“I know, I can see it in your eyes and in the way you treat me.”
“How did someone as young as you get so smart?”
A giggle escaped. “You just met the two smartest people I know.” My parents may not have been scholars, but book smarts didn’t always equate to real life smarts.
“They rarely told me no but always took the time to explain why something I wanted to do wasn’t the wisest of decisions.
From there, they left it up to me to decide which way to go.
When I heard you playing I had to follow that ethereal voice.
I’m not a religious person, wasn’t raised that way, but something in your voice called to me and I had follow it.
Once I laid eyes on you my brain and my heart aligned, literally for the first time.
I wasn’t getting on that train without you. ”
“And I wasn’t about to let you. I’m not religious either, but I do believe in fate. This is my second chance at doing it right and with you by my side. I won’t fail.”
“We won’t fail.” That much I was sure of. “Things may be tight and a bit all over the place for a while, but no matter what we will always have each other.”
“Good thing I’m not a conventional Daddy,” he smirked.
“Why is that?”
“Because I might be offended at having a boy who was smarter than me. As it is, I consider myself very lucky.”
“Daddy, you say the sweetest things.”
“I never thought I would or even could fall in love, having never really known what love was. Yet here I am, just over a week into a relationship and so madly in love I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
Words escaped me and as a writer words were how I paid the bills. But Daddy understood, he kissed my hand again and sang along with the radio the rest of the way home. I almost wished the drive hadn’t been as fast, then I could’ve listened to him longer.
Intimate concert for one, please.
“Why don’t you try your key to make sure it works?” I’d thrown it in the drawer when I moved in two years ago and never checked. Daddy put the key in, turned it, and it worked. “Yay! Now it’s official.”
“Wait, don’t go in yet.” He scooped me up, and I squealed. “Let me carry you over the threshold of our first place together.”
“Silly Daddy.”
He stood me up and locked the door behind us. “Silly boy. I know something we didn’t get to do while on our adventure.”
“What’s that?” We hung our keys on the hook beside the door and kicked off our shoes.
“Tubby time!”
“Yay!”
“My little uni was such a big boy today and held Daddy’s hand when he got nervous. Now it’s time for Daddy to take care of his boy. Now, where are your tubby toys?”
“Um, I just have a couple of things. Not much fun tubby timing myself.” Tried it a couple of times and it gave me a bad case of the sads. “Oh, and my new tubby unis from the train.”
“Well, Daddy will be adding more tubby toys to his list. I’ll start the water while you get undressed. Do you have any bubbles?”
“Yup, they’re under the sink.” Hurriedly, I undressed and tossed my dirty clothes in the hamper. “Ready, Daddy.”
“The water isn’t as fast as my little uni. Gotta give it a few more minutes. Do you have any toys that won’t get ruined in the tub?”
“Mmm, maybe my ponies?” I ran out to the play area in the living room and grabbed two of them. “No fighting, girls,” I warned them before I tossed them in the tub. “They float, Daddy!”
“Yes they do, and I take it by the speech they both just got that they’re not the best of friends.”
“They would be if the Princess didn’t have a bug up her butt.” For some reason, Daddy found that funny. “What? She does, then she gets mean with the others and I have to put her in time out.”
“That’s a very naughty princess,” Daddy tsked. “Why don’t you climb in with them while the tub fills.” He took my hand and helped me in.
“Thank you, Daddy. Kisses!” I got sweet, sweet kisses then he sat on the toilet and watched me play.
“Do you have a laptop I could use while you’re at work on Monday or just your work one?”
“I have my old one from college, but it should still work. Might need to run a few updates first. Tomorrow is a lazy home day before it’s back to being a grown-up,” I sighed, totally bummed out I have to leave Daddy come Monday but there was no getting out of the team meeting.
“We can make sure you have everything you need tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
While Daddy’s brain whirled, the girls ran around the edge of the tub.
“No running or you’ll… ahhh! Splash! I told you not to run, now you’re covered in bubbles.
You’re in time-out, Princess.” I lost track of time playing, but when I glanced over at Daddy he was nodding off. “Time to wash up and put Daddy to bed.”
He didn’t budge, Daddy must be really sleepy. So I was a good boy and washed up, put my toys on the side of the tub to dry, then pulled the plug and dried off.
“Daddy,” I nudged him.
“Huh? What? You’re out?”
“And you’re seepy. Let’s brush our teeth and go to bed.” See, I could be a helper too. “Brushy, brushy, Daddy.”
He yawned and stretched. “I showered earlier, good thing, or I’d likely fall asleep in the tub. Thank you for being a good boy. Daddy promises to do a better job next time and play with you.”
“It’s been a big day, and you didn’t sleep much last night. But you’ll get used to the comfy bed.” Anything had to be better than where he’d been sleeping the last two years. Daddy was so lucky I found him. Now he had a responsible boy to look after him.
And I had a real Daddy to take care of me.
A match made in unicorn bestie heaven.