Page 16 of Daddy Detectives: Episode 1
Nope. We just need you.
When I arrive home half an hour later, the house is quiet. The downstairs is empty. I head upstairs to find the babies sleeping in their bassinettes, and Ian asleep in our bed. The poor guy must be exhausted as he had to do everything by himself today. I make a pit stop in our bathroom so I can freshen up. Then I strip down to my T-shirt and underwear and climb into bed with him.
Ian turns to me and slips his arm around my waist. “Welcome home,” he murmurs sleepily. “We missed you today.”
“I missed you, too.” I press my lips to his forehead. “After two weeks of being at home, it felt weird getting back out there. But I’m glad I did.”
“Your mom stopped by. She brought us a casserole, so guess what we’re having for lunch for the next two days, if it lasts that long.”
I chuckle. “That sounds perfect. I’m glad she got to see the babies.”
Ian yawns. “I’m glad Kimi’s roommate is all right.” He’s clearly still half-asleep, and a moment later, he’s in la-la land.
I lie there wide awake and reminisce about how much my life has changed since I met Ian—how I went from a lonely, solitary closeted man to an openly gay man now married with kids. I owe everything to Ian—he pulled me out of my shell, albeit kicking and screaming, and forced me to look myself in the mirror and acknowledge who I am and what I need.
And what I need is this man.
I doze off myself for a little while, and when I wake up, I can see the sun is low on the horizon, meaning it’s getting close to dinner time. My stomach grumbles loudly.
I roll toward Ian and kiss his forehead a few times, until he begins to stir. If we don’t get up now, we won’t be sleepy when it’s bedtime.”
“What time is it?” he asks as he squints at the clock.
“Almost five.”
“Oh, crap! Dinner! Are you hungry?” He lifts his head to peer at me. “Of course, you’re hungry. You skipped breakfast this morning, and knowing you, you haven’t eaten a thing all day.”
“Have we got something we can grill?” I’m not the best cook, but I’m good with a grill and a spatula. Making dinner for Ian is the least I can do when he’s been home on baby duty all day.
“We have some fresh ground beef,” he says. “How about burgers?”
I give Ian a kiss and then swing my feet to the floor. “You relax. I’ll get the grill started.”
* * *
An hour later, we’re up on the roof in the greenhouse, all four of us. Ian is sitting on a lounger, holding Lizzie. Will is lying inthe center of our big bed up here, cooing as he looks around the greenhouse at all the flowering plants and potted trees.
The burgers are done, so I make up plates for the both of us, burgers with cheese and condiments on buns, potato chips, and cold bottles of Coke. I place Ian’s plate and drink on the little table beside him. “Here,” I say as I take Lizzie from him. “You eat.”
“You’re the one who needs to eat,” he says. “You’ve had nothing all day.”
I sit on the other lounger and hold Lizzie tucked into one arm while I reach for my burger with my free hand. “I can multitask.”
Ian grins. “Now you’re showing off.” He watches me as I gently bounce Lizzie, while taking a bite of my burger. “Stop being so sexy,” he says, looking at me like I hung the moon for him.
It’s difficult to chew and smile at the same time.This guy!I love how he makes me feel. I’m just trying to do my part, and he acts like I’m doing him a huge favor when I’m simply trying to be a good husband and father.
Lizzie lodges a complaint, so I put my burger down so I can adjust my hold. I smile down into her perfect little round face, with her tiny nose and little rosebud lips, which are currently quivering as if she’s ramping up to cry. “Hey, little lady, what’s wrong?” I bounce her a little more, but she’s still not happy. I lift my gaze to Ian’s. “What’s wrong? Is she hungry?”
Ian shakes his head. “I doubt it. They ate not that long ago. Check her diaper. Is she wet? She doesn’t like to be wet.”
I pat her padded bottom. “Might be. It feels soggy. And warm.”
Laughing, Ian stands. “I’ll change her. You eat before your food gets cold.”
After we’re done eating, I ask him about something that’s been on my mind all day. “Are you sure you didn’t mind meworking today? I know we said we wouldn’t. I don’t want you to think I’ve changed my mind. It was an emergency.”
“Of course I don’t mind. You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t do everything you could to find Kimi’s roommate.”
