Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“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.