Chapter 22: Errands

Chapter 22

"You're being really selfish Timmy."

"No daddy."

"Yes you are. You know white crayons don't make sense. Give me a colored one."

Timmy shook his head and pulled the box of crayons out of his father's reach.

"Well then I aint coloring with you if that's how you're gonna be." Jason dropped the white crayon onto the coloring book that was spread open between them, and Timmy frowned down at it as if the thing offended him.

"Daddy cower with Timmy." He lifted his little face to glare at his father. It was the same look Jason tended to shoot my way whenever he was upset with me. Only, Timmy's scrunched up nose made him look far less threatening.

"Give me a colored crayon and I will. Otherwise I'm done here." He responded. "You can't ask somebody to color with you then give them a crayon you know won't do anything. That aint right Timmy and you know it."

Finally, and as expected, Timmy turned to me and pointed an accusing finger at Jason. "Micha daddy no cower."

I fought hard to keep a straight face. "You have twenty-three other colors in that box babe, give him a good piece."

The kid looked down at the box, pulled out a vibrant green crayon and held it up for me to take.

Across the way, Jason shook his head and I laughed. "Give it to daddy Timmy."

"No."

"You know, if you don't watch yourself, you're gonna grow up to be one mean kid." Jason told him.

I didn't know if Timmy really got the gist of what he had said, but he carefully replaced the green crayon, dropped the box all together; causing the lot of them to spill onto the floor, and stuck his index and forefingers into his mouth—something he tended to do when he was upset.

When the tears began to gather in his eyes, I reached over, took hold of his arms and lifted him up and stood. "Alright don't start...daddy was just being grumpy like he always is." I told him, and the man in question rolled his eyes.

"It's almost time for us to leave anyway." I told Jason." I might as well take him out now."

Jason nodded, then he too stood. "Where'd you put your shoes Timmy?" he asked, looking around the room.

Timmy pulled his fingers from his mouth and blinked away the tears that clung to his long lashes. "I no no."

"Where did you have it last?" I asked him and when he pointed to the kitchen, Jason went to investigate.

In the mean time I picked up bunny from the couch and handed it to him, then bent to retrieve his bag from under the coffee table where he'd stashed it earlier.

"You gonna be a good boy for me today?" I asked him when he had buried his face into my neck, and he nodded.

"You promise?"

Another nod. "Pomise"

"Found em." Jason reentered the room holding up his shoes and I waited for him to slip them onto Timmy's feet.

I could smell the faint hint of my shower gel on him when he leaned in to kiss his son's cheek, but it was gone the second he pulled away. "No crying today okay?" Jason told him. "Be good for Michael alright? I love you."

Timmy nodded and even though the words were clearly meant for him, I felt them like a shot through the chest.

He ruffled Timmy's hair and his eyes met mine for a second before they skittered away again. "Remember not to give him anymore candy today."

"I won't."

I turned to go and when I pulled open the front door, Timmy glanced over my shoulder and gave Jason a little wave.

"And don't let them cut too much of his hair. He'll cry if they do."

"Yeah I know. I was there the last time remember?" I said, then smiled indulgently and he nodded. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah and don't forget the vegetable book when you go to the library." He called again when I was strapping Timmy into his car seat

"Daddy no come Micha?"

"No daddy has to work today, remember?"

"No."

"You'll see him when you get home. We have a lot of errands to run today." I handed him Bunny, who had fallen head first onto the floor of the car, and locked his door.

Jason gave me a small wave when I was buckled in and he was still watching us from the doorway when I pulled out from the driveway and onto the road.

He'd started working at the garage earlier this week and he was as dedicated to it as he was to Timmy. He hadn't said whether he liked it or hated it, but he'd gone in three days already and he'd made sure he was on time every morning. He'd even made a habit of getting up earlier each morning to pack his lunch and make breakfast for everyone. Which had in turn, forced me to get up to help him.

All in all he seemed much more satisfied with his place in the world, and it was good to see him with that same grin on his face every morning as he walked out the door. Of course, he'd refused my offer to take him to work in the mornings, being the prideful, independent person that he was, but that would soon change when I started work come Monday morning, since the garage was on the way. I could drop him off before I dropped Timmy off at his grandmother's.

The thought made me smile. I was looking forward to this new routine. It would make this feel even more like a family. I glanced into the rear view mirror at Timmy. He was shoving Bunny's stuffing back into his side. I made a mental note to ask my mom to sew that up for him when next I saw her.

I flipped on the children's radio station and made a right turn at the intersection.

My mind went back to Jason...something that had been happening more frequently since the night he'd spilled his guts, then asked me to keep his secrets.

It had been almost two weeks since then and he'd yet to give any indication that he remembered our conversation. I shook my head. It had been a longshot anyway with the amount of liquor he'd poured down his throat that night, but that didn't stop me from searching for signs.

I'd thought of telling him about a dozen times since then, but instinct held me back. It was best to let him come to me when he was ready. Telling him I knew would only serve to embarrass him and maybe even push him away.

It was crazy how much had changed though. Before he'd told me how he felt, I was in the dark. Now when I caught him trying to pretend he hadn't been staring at me, I knew why. Now when I smiled at him and he blushed like a school girl, I understood. Now when he got that strange look in his eyes whenever I held his son, I had no doubt in my mind what he was feeling.

Jason was in love with me. He had been for a while and now that I knew it I was a happier man. I could see it in his eyes when I made love to him and I could feel it whenever he held me tight afterwards. I only wished I could tell him I knew so it would all be out in the open.

Patience.

He'd even stopped moving between rooms now. One day I'd moved all his stuff to my room...cleared out a few drawers for him and everything and he hadn't complained. Now we went to bed together and woke up together and everyone was happier for it...except for maybe Timmy, who loved his father's company.

It was the waking up together that was the real bonus. Like a few mornings ago when I'd felt him running his fingers along the side of my face when he'd thought I'd been sleeping. I'd enjoyed it as he'd run them through my hair and as he'd touched every inch of my face. I'd allowed him his opportunity to explore, because he wouldn't have done it if he'd known I was awake. I'd felt his stare and I'd wanted more than anything to open my eyes and watch him to do it. I'd felt his breath on my skin when he'd leaned in to kiss my cheek, my nose, my eyelids. Then he had run a thumb gently over my lips, as though he were saving them for last, but he'd pulled away and I'd been disappointed when he'd slipped from between the sheets.

I'd cracked my eyes open then to watch him as he got out of bed and crossed the room; naked and beautiful. Then he'd slipped on his pants and left.

It was the first and only time he'd done something like that and it was the first time I'd really felt the yearning he had inside him. He was afraid, and I didn't know how to change that except to give it time.

I'd never been a patient man, but this whole experience was certainly teaching me a lot of it.

"Micha bus song."

I glanced into the rear view mirror to see the devil watching me expectantly, then I reached into the glove compartment and retrieved his favorite CD. When I stuck it in and flipped to the song, he leaned back in his seat and listened. He never sang along to any of his songs, but they seemed to relax him. It was always interesting to see the change in him. From hyper to zen in a matter of minutes.

I'd have to make sure it was on full blast after he got his hair cut, because that never went well. It was just too bad I hadn't been able to get him that dentist appointment after he went to the hair salon. It would have been the quickest way to calm him down, since he had a huge crush on his dentist.

....................................

The dentist, the hardware store, the hair salon, a quick stop for some lunch and finally the library. That was the itinerary for the day and it started out fairly well.

At the dentist, Timmy was the epitome of perfection. He held the doc's hand as she led him into the room and wouldn't allow me to lift him into her chair. It was as though I didn't exist when she was around. He babbled to her throughout the entire teeth-cleaning process, which undoubtedly made it a bit difficult for her to get her job done, but he opened his mouth when she asked, and he spat when she said, and stared and stared when he couldn't say a word.

When it was all over and she lifted him from the chair, he accepted the sticker she gave him with a reverence I didn't know he possessed, then waved goodbye with a pearly white grin plastered on his face when it was time to go.

✓Dentist (check)

When we finally got to the hardware store, with his sticker proudly visible on his forehead, he was still on his dentist high. He babbled and touched everything, and when I reached the counter with my two bags of cement and stack of nails, he begged me to let him sit on the counter so he could have a chat with the cashier.

"That's a cool sticker you got there little man" Dave the cashier praised, and Timmy reached up to cover it; watching Dave with distrustful eyes, as though he thought Dave would take away his prize. It was only when Dave rolled up his sleeve to show him his dragon tattoo, that Timmy decided Dave could be trusted. When I'd paid the bil,l and Dave held up his fist for Timmy to bump, we both watched as he slowly reached out to touch it with his finger. And so a friendship had formed.

Timmy continued his babbling on our way to the car and was so excited about meeting his new friend Dave, that he decided he wanted to run the rest of the way, and I had to grab him around the middle and hoist him into the air just as he was about to run out into the street.

My heart was pounding so hard after that episode that my hands shook as I tried to insert the key into the car door a few minutes later. When we were both seated, I gave him a five minute speech about the dangers of running into an open lot, which of course he ignored in favor of removing some of the stuffing from Bunny's side.

✓ Hardware store (check)

The next stop was the place I'd been dreading all week; the hair salon. The place looked like a mini amusement park what with all the toys and the colorful décor, but for Timmy, it was a war zone and he made his displeasure known to all its inhabitants the moment he realized where we were.

He didn't just cry, he bawled. When I lifted him with the intention to put him into the rocket-shaped chair, he kicked and screamed and fought, until the lady suggested I sit in a normal chair with him in my lap. Timmy could not be consoled. I reminded him that he'd promised me and daddy to be a good boy, but that fell on deaf ears. I promised him ice-cream when we were done, but apparently, ice-cream could not replace all the hair the evil witch was taking from his head.

I told him it would grow back and showed him all the other little boys who were getting their hair cut without a fuss, but he couldn't care less. He wouldn't take my hand when I told him he could hold it, and every time a lock of his hair fell onto his lap, he took it up and tried to reattach it to his head...without success.

He cried some more.

"His dad would kill me." I told the lady when she asked if she could give him a lollipop to help calm him down, and by the time his once shoulder-length hair was cut to just under his chin, I had a headache.

"We're all done now Timmy. See?" I gave him the mirror so he could see that she hadn't cut off much and he still had his long black mane, but he was upset with me, and upset with the hair lady, and upset with just the idea of the place, so we left with him in a funky mood.

He didn't talk to me in the car, and when I tried to wipe his nose when we stopped in the parking lot of the restaurant, he wouldn't have it.

Not even the bus song could calm his stressed-out soul, and we sat in the parking lot for a long time as he forcefully stuffed and destuffed Bunny over and over again, until I could convince him that I wasn't the demon he clearly thought I had become.

✓ Haircut (Check)

He asked for macaroni and cheese at the restaurant, so I ordered him a serving with barbeque chicken wings and apple juice, and when he'd eaten his fill, he started talking to me in full sentences again. I let him taste my steak, which he decided he didn't like, and when the bill was paid and we were good friends again, I took him to the restroom so he could relieve himself and wash his hands. Before we left though, he'd tried to strike up conversation with some guy who was busy doing his business, and I'd had to usher him out with the promise of new friends once we got to the library.

✓ Lunch (check)

We usually allowed him to pick out his own books at the library, because it guaranteed that he'd sit still and listen once we read them to him at home during the week. However, today they had some sort of toddler gathering at the library, where all the little tables had been pushed together and toys, books and play doe were scattered on top of them. There were about fifteen kids running around and making a racket and Timmy quickly lost interest in book hunting.

He wanted to play, but he didn't want to go alone, so he dragged me over to the group and made me sit as close by as possible while he went to explore. I noticed that while he watched the other kids and was clearly fascinated by them, he didn't get too close. I figured maybe enrolling him in a preschool twice a week or so might be a good way for him to interact with kids his age. It would be good for him.

"Which one's yours?"

I looked over to see a thin, blond woman taking her seat on the carpet beside me. She had legs for days and a warm, welcoming smile.

I gestured to Timmy. "The one hogging all the toys." I told her, and watched as she looked cross the way. When she saw him, she smiled and I tried to see Timmy through her eyes.

He was the smallest one there, and maybe I was biased, but I was convinced he was also the cutest; with his fat cheeks, adorable dimples and big, soulful eyes. Not to mention his treasured midnight-black curls. His eyes were narrowed in concentration as he shaped his play doe into nothing sensible. His brows were furrowed and his tongue sticking out at the corner of his mouth as he focused. The smartest kid too, I bet. I grinned.

"He's adorable." The woman said, and I tore my eyes away from him to offer her a smile.

"What about you?"

"Right over there... with the Barbie."

I spotted her easily. The little girl was the splitting imagine of her mother...minus the makeup and hair extensions. "She'll have all the boys eating out of the palm of her hands before long."

Mommy laughed, then held out a hand. "I'm Hannah."

I took it and we shook briefly. "Michael."

"Do you live close by? I've never seen you here before."

"Not far from here. I'm actually here every week, but I usually come on Sundays. Decided to change up the schedule today."

"Ah I see." Then she looked down at my hands which were clasped around my bent knee. "I'm sure his mother appreciates the break."

"His mother died actually." I said without thinking, and she practically cooed.

"Oh you poor thing. I'm so sorry to hear that." Then she looked at Timmy, who had glanced my way again, as he'd been doing every few minutes to make sure I was still there. "That poor child, growing up without a mother. My husband died just before Marcy was born, so it's just me too."

"Oh...ah...my condolences."

Hannah's face brightened and she took my hand in hers and squeezed. "I think it would be so nice for them to have a little play date, don't you?"

I looked from her, to her daughter and back and nodded. "Sure." I watched as she let go of my hand and fished in her purse for her phone.

"Just give me your number. We can arrange a little get-together one of these days." Her face had become flushed, and her smile wide as we exchanged number,s and I thought of how good it could be for Timmy to have another kid to play with.

She talked a lot after that. She told me all about her little Marcy, and about how children needed the love of two parents in their lives, and how Marcy would do well with a little brother or sister. I wholeheartedly agreed and would have told her about Jason, but she wouldn't let me get a word in. It was a good thing we'd met though, because she told me a lot of helpful things. Including fun activities I could do with Timmy, and the best way to get him to use the bathroom by himself. She told me about Marcy's fear of the dark and I suggested the glow in the dark stickers for the ceiling and a princess nightlight since she was a little girl.

All in all, it was an eye opener, and before she left I'd already had a list of all the important things to know about raising a toddler, which I securely placed into my wallet.

It took about an hour and a half, but eventually I was able to pry Timmy away from the toys and we searched for his books. He picked out the ones with bunnies or fire trucks on the front, and went even further to choose once with a big green turtle on the cover.

He wasn't allowed to watch the cartoon with the dancing vegetables anymore, because it had convinced him that vegetables were his friend, and as a result, he point blank refused to eat them. So, after he'd made his selection, I went in search of books on the importance of eating vegetables, and armed with our stack, we checked them out and made our way back to the car.

✓ Library (check)

I made a quick stop at a fast-food place on the way home because Timmy wanted fries, and I decided to pick up something for dinner while we were at it.

....................................

It was sometime after seven when Jason got home. By then, Timmy was squeaky clean and downstairs watching TV with a bowl of fruit nestled between his legs and a cup of water beside him.

After he'd eaten and showered, Jason joined me on the couch. I pulled him closer and he came without protest. "It looks good." He said, referring to Timmy's hair. "Did he cry?"

"Like a banshee."

Jason laughed. "He thinks it's a part of him. Like an arm or a leg."

"Maybe if he saw you cut yours, he wouldn't be so afraid."

"Yeah, but..." he trailed off.

"What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. Maybe you're right."

"No, tell me what you were going to say."

He shook his head and blushed. "It's just that I thought...that maybe you liked my hair like this."

It was such an unexpected response, that I laughed, then pulled him closer when he tried to move away. "I do." I told him and leaned into kiss his neck.

He tried to pull away again. "Don't. Timmy—"

"...is practically asleep." I finished, and he glanced at his son, whose eyes were in fact already drooping.

I nibbled on his earlobe. When he pulled away again, I sighed and stood to get Timmy. "Come on kid. It's time for bed." I picked him up and of course, he protested, but it was weak at best and I carted him off up the stairs.

I brushed his teeth and helped him into his PJ's and by the time I had him tucked into bed, he was fast asleep. He'd had a long day after all.

I plugged in his nightlight and closed the door behind me, making my way downstairs. Jason had already cleared away Timmy's water and fruit bowl, and was turning out the lights when I got there. "Ready for bed?" I asked him as I turned off the television, and his eyes narrowed.

"I'm tired." He glared. When I grinned, his eyes narrowed further.

"For real." He told me after I checked the locks and we were heading upstairs. "I worked really hard today."

"I have no doubt."

"So I just want to sleep." He said carefully, as if to ensure that I understood every word he was saying.

"I completely understand." I assured him, but I couldn't help the slow smile that spread across my face, and he sighed when I locked the door behind us and began shedding my clothes.

He climbed into bed fully clothed and I turned out the light and followed. I would have fun peeling back the layers. When I was spread out beside him, I pulled him closer and whispered in his ear.

"I missed you today."

"It was only a few hours." He whispered back, but I could hear the smile in his voice as he tried to bury his face into his pillow.

"Didn't you miss me?"

He shook his head. I grinned and ran a hand under his shirt. "Michael." He warned.

"I'm only touching." I kissed his neck. "And tasting."

He chuckled. "You're not allowed."

His nipples hardened when I ran my fingers across them and he sucked in a breath.

"I just wanted to sleep." He groaned when I dipped into his sweatpants.

"Where's the fun in that?"

He hardened in my hand and I pumped him slowly. I grinned when he turned on his back and his legs fell apart. "Do you want me to stop?" I whispered against his lips, and he shook his head.

He allowed me to pull off his pants and he watched me as I slid down and settled between his legs; eyes only drifting shut when I took him into my mouth.

His hips rose as I suckled him and he hissed and panted and groaned the longer it went on. I liked the taste of him between my lips. I liked what I could make him feel. I liked that he was mine. I took my time and made him feel every slide and suckle. I felt his hand tight in my hair as I took him deep and I basked in it. This was all for him. There was no need to rush it, even though he begged and bucked and called out my name.

I took my time even when I felt his release and while he shuddered and pulled harder on my hair, I swallowed. When he was sated, I moved to lay beside him, but I stopped him when he moved to return the favor.

"But what about you?"

"I'm fine." I told him and his brows furrowed.

"But—"

I held him close to me. "You can sleep now."

For a moment, he only watched me in confusion, then his eyes gentled and slowly, he raised a hand...to touch my face I guessed, but when I whispered the three words he'd claimed he didn't want to hear, he flinched and made to pull away.

I took his hand anyway and brought it to my face, where I held it for a while. Through it all, he watched in silence. "I won't stop saying it." I told him, then released his hand and lay my head against the pillow.

He turned away then, so that his black was to my chest, but his body was still tense.

"Go to sleep Jace."

"Okay." He whispered back and moments later, he did just that.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

I'M BACK!

Exams are finally over so now i'm all yours!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. While you wait, feel free to go check out my other works: A Vampire's Marine and Dominance and Submission. You won't regret it!

THANKS FOR READING AND KEEP SWEET!

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.