Chapter Five
Ford
“Are you okay, baby?” I asked, noticing that Keegan had seemed distant or distracted for the past half an hour or so.
Before that, the weekend had been going so amazingly; playtime, spankings, bath time, and our lovemaking was only the beginning. After we settled down, Keegan played some more, and then he helped me cook dinner. He was so attentive and did everything he could to be helpful. We made spaghetti and he said it was one of the best meals he’d ever eaten. It was so cute watching him twirl and slurp his noodles.
He also helped me clean the kitchen, even when I told him he didn’t have to. But he said he was happy to do it because he was my very good boy, and I couldn’t agree more. After that, we watched a movie together, and I asked Keegan to stay over with me. Holding him close to me all night long was so incredibly special, and I could quickly become addicted.
He shocked the hell out of me this morning by waking up while I was still snoozing and preparing me breakfast. He made me eggs. It was the only dish he was confident in cooking, and he made it for me. They were the best damn eggs of my life.
After breakfast, he did his makeup and was playing with his toys when I asked if he’d like to help me prepare dinner again later. He was over the moon excited. But his enthusiasm dampened when I told him we were going to have guests - Henley and Amir - coming to join us.
At first, I worried that it was a big step; too much too soon, but he quickly waved away those concerns. He said he wanted to meet them, and would be an extra special helper to make sure dinner tasted perfect.
He did just that, stirring and layering our cheesy chicken casserole under my instruction, although I put it in the oven to keep him from harm’s way. I thought the comfort food would help everyone be relaxed, full, and happy. But now that my son and his partner would be arriving any minute, Keegan appeared a little on edge.
“I’m okay,” he answered, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes, so I wasn’t entirely convinced.
I put my hand on his back and firmly yet lovingly requested, “Talk to me.”
Keegan chewed his lip as he collected his thoughts. “I just know how much they mean to you. Henley, obviously, but also Amir; they’re both your family and…I just really, really want them to like me. I’m worried what could happen if they don’t.”
“Oh, baby.” I pulled him from where he sat beside me on the sofa onto my lap, and he instinctively curled into me, settling his face in the crook of my neck. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about. They’re going to love you.”
There was more on his mind and he spilled, “Amir is a police officer, so I’m sure he’s big and strong and brave. I’m…different.” He looked down at his outfit - the skirt and flowered crop top I laundered for him the day before. “What if I’m not what he - what either of them - expect? What if I’m too much?”
It was a far cry from the ‘go find less’ attitude I loved, but I understood; it was one thing to brush off strangers, but another thing entirely when it came to people you cared about. It meant a lot that my family’s opinion mattered so much to him, but I never wanted him to question himself.
“Amir is strong and brave,” I agreed, and Keegan squeezed me tighter. “He’s a good police officer and a good man. Do you think I’d give my blessing for him to be with my son if he wasn’t?”
“No, Daddy.”
“And do you think I’d ever allow him in my house or around my boy if I thought for a moment he’d do something to upset or hurt you?”
His body relaxed against me as he sighed, “No, Daddy.”
“I know it can be scary meeting new people sometimes, but you’ve got me right here with you. Your safe word travels far outside the bedroom, and so does my protection. I’ll never let anyone hurt you, no matter who they are. But as far as Henley and Amir are concerned, they’re a little different from what most people might expect, too. Amir cares for his boy in every way, including feeding and changing him. And you don’t think bad of them for it, right?”
I knew the answer without having to ask the question; it was only to prove a point, so I wasn’t surprised in the slightest when he replied, “Of course not. I think it’s great that they have each other, and give one another everything they need.”
“That’s how they feel about us, too,” I assured, patting his cute little bottom. “And don’t forget, they helped me get your playroom ready. They know what you like.”
“That was so special. But even though they know what I like, they don’t know what I look like.”
“Oh, yes they do,” I corrected, and he raised his head to look at me with wide eyes. “There’s no way I found a boy as beautiful as you and didn’t brag to my family about it. I told them everything about you, because I’m proud of everything you are.”
Keegan slammed into me, squeezing me in a tight hug. “Thank you, Daddy.” He sniffled his nose but shook his head. “That was so sweet, but I can’t cry; my makeup will run and it’s almost time for our guests.”
I chuckled and dropped a kiss on his head. “You’re welcome. So, I’ll say again; you have nothing to worry about. I am positive they will love you.”
“What if…” he paused, and I listened intently for any more concerns he may have. It was my job and honor to soothe his mind and support him. “What if I love you ?”
His words took me by surprise, but I fully expected the way they made me feel; my heart swelled and raced, and happiness filled every cell, every synapse until I could literally feel its warmth.
“That’s perfect, because I love you, too.”
“Really? Oh, Daddy!” His hug threatened to snap my neck, but what a wonderful way to die. “Even though we haven’t known each other very long? I know it’s not ‘traditional’.”
“Baby, I’d like to know one thing about us that is,” I chuckled, and he laughed along with me.
“That’s a very good point.” He beamed up at me, his entire face glowing with joy. “I do love you.”
“And I love you.” I kissed his plush lips, and just as I moved to slip my tongue into his mouth, the sound of my front door opening made Keegan jump. “Sounds like our company is here.”
“Oops, I better get this off of you first,” he giggled, wiping some lipstick off of my mouth with his thumb.
I didn’t mind it, especially since it meant I got to kiss him, but I still teased, “Yes, it definitely wouldn’t look as pretty on me.”
Keegan laughed again and got to his feet. He took my hands and I let him think he pulled me up off of the couch. We stepped into the foyer just as Amir was shutting the front door behind him and Henley.
My son was dressed in what I now knew to be one of his ‘little’ outfits; a pair of black cotton shorts, which I assumed had either a diaper or padded underwear beneath them, and a t-shirt printed with a race car. His long hair was braided in two cords; it was the way Amir usually fixed it. At first, it was to keep Hen from pulling at it when he was nervous, but I hadn’t seen that particular tick in a while. His Daddy gave him peace.
“Hey guys,” I greeted, before giving each of them a bear hug. “I’d like to introduce you to someone very special.” I stepped back again to wrap my arm around my boy’s waist in support. “This is Keegan.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Amir offered with a smile, and I felt Keegan relax beneath my touch as he repeated the greeting. “I’m sure you’ve figured it out already, but I’m Amir, and this is Henley.”
“Hi,” Hen greeted with a little wave. “I like your shirt. Flowers are really pretty.”
“Thanks. I like your race car too.”
“Did you like the ones I brought for your playroom?” Henley asked excitedly, and Keegan nodded.
“I played with them earlier; they had a race, and the white one won.”
“It is the fastest,” Henley agreed, and I wondered how in the hell they’d both landed on that outcome. “Maybe we can play with them together later.”
“I’d like that!”
“Me too. Ooh, and I brought you something else.” He turned to Amir and asked, “Daddy, can I give it to him now?”
“Let’s wait until after we eat,” Amir insisted, making Hen groan. “I know if you two start playing, you’re not going to want to stop.” I could confirm his assumption.
Keegan interjected, “I helped make dinner. I think you’ll like it; cheesy chicken casserole.”
“Hey, that’s my favorite!” Henley cheered. Everything I made was his favorite, and it warmed my heart. “Come on, I’ll help you set the table.” The two of them scurried off to the kitchen together, leaving Amir and I staring after them, smiling like idiots.
“Well, they seem to be hitting it off,” Amir grinned.
“I’m so glad.” I couldn’t contain my excitement a moment longer and told him, “He loves me.”
“I’m not surprised,” he replied with a wink. “You’re a good man, and I’m so happy you’ve found your match.” He clapped me on the shoulder and added, “Come on; let’s get to our boys.”
The duo quickly got the table set, and took seats right next to each other. They prattled on about toys and TV shows while Amir retrieved drinks from the fridge and I got the casserole out of the oven.
Amir and I filled our boys’ plates, followed by our own, and we all settled in to eat. Henley raved about what a good cook Keegan was, and my sweet boy beamed with pride.
“I have a question,” Hen announced when his plate was about half cleared. Amir sat up straighter to answer it for him, but he turned to Keegan. “You are my dad’s boy…” Keegan nodded. “So does that make you more like my step dad or my brother?”
I nearly choked to death on the drink of sweet tea in my mouth, and Amir covered his mouth with his hand; whether it was to hide a shocked expression or a laugh, I couldn’t be sure.
Keegan was the only one who appeared unfazed. He simply draped his arm across Henley’s shoulders and replied, “What I’d really like to be is your friend.”
“Yes,” Henley agreed with an exaggerated nod. “My best friend. Well, except for Daddy, of course.”
“Of course,” Keegan giggled, and they went back to their meals, wiggling in their seats.
I slowly panned my gaze to Amir, who was definitely now hiding a laugh, judging by the way he was chewing the shit out of his lip. Around this table was perhaps the strangest, yet most fucking amazing family unit in the world. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After they’d both eaten all of their dinner, Henley begged his Daddy to let him give Keegan his gift, and he agreed. He retrieved the bag quickly, and practically vibrated with excitement as my boy opened it.
“Aw, it’s a cute doggie!” Keegan exclaimed, pulling out a stuffed yellow lab. “Hey, it looks just like Ruby!” He told Henley all about his canine pal at the shelter as my son listened with rapt attention.
“You can name it Ruby if you want to,” Henley suggested, and Keegan nodded his agreement. “But this Ruby is extra special; she is a police dog! She can be partners with Officer Bear.” He showed off his teddy to my boy, who fawned over the toy. “There’s one more thing in the bag.” Keegan dug inside until he found a play policeman’s hat, which he promptly placed on his head. “Now you’re an official Deputy.”
“I love it.” Keegan wrapped his new best friend in a hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Want to go play?”
“Yes!”
They both jumped up from the table, but stopped at the exact same time before exiting the kitchen. As if on cue, they both turned and looked at Amir and I respectively.
“Go on,” we both answered in unison, and laughed as they ran out of the room.
The two of us cleaned the kitchen more quickly than usual, wanting to get to the guaranteed cuteness going on down the hall.
And it didn’t disappoint. The pair were on their knees on the playroom floor, both wearing their police hats. The fast white car had been on the run, but Officer Bear and Deputy Ruby were on the case, chasing after the perpetrator. Luckily, they caught the driver before he could do too much damage to the town, and locked him up in jail. My heart melted at the precious scene as Keegan and Henley high-fived, followed by them making their toys do the same.
They were already two peas in a pod; two souls who, while different, wanted the same thing - to be accepted, cherished, and loved. And here, in this room, in this house, surrounded by their family, they had all of that in spades.
I knew I could speak for Amir as well - no harm would ever come to these boys. We would do everything in our power to keep them happy, protected, and adored. This heartwarming sight was pretty damn perfect. The only thing that could make it better was making it last forever.