Page 29 of Pretty Baby

Grant sat back down and patted his thigh. Caleb practically leaped at Grant. He needed the reassurance that he hadn’t done anything wrong.

“There is no right or wrong answer here,” Grant told him. “All you need to do, all you ever need to do, is tell me the truth. If this was a meal just for you what would you do now?”

“Watch TV? Or with you cuddle and watch tv,” Caleb said.

“And leave the food and dishes here for your staff to handle the next day?”

“I called and scheduled them for tomorrow morning even though it’s not their usual day,” Caleb told him. See that was responsible.

Grant glanced at the table then back at Caleb. “I understand that our lives and experiences are very different so we need to come to an agreement.”

“An agreement with what?” Caleb asked. Grant wasn’t talking like he was disappointed in him but that there was a problem and they would find a solution.

“I can’t leave the food out,” Grant said. “Let’s just call it a Daddy trait. But I won’t be able to sit and relax knowing there is food sitting out and dishes sitting.”

“Oh.” Caleb hadn’t even thought of that. He didn’t pick up after himself. He’d never had to. “Okay.”

“I’d like for us to clean up together,” Grant told him.

Caleb nodded then shook his head. “No Daddy, I want you to relax.” That was the whole point. “I can do it.” He thought he could anyway.

Grant beamed at him. “As Daddy, I get to supervise then. I can relax on the island as you clean.”

Damn, that wouldn’t allow Caleb to use his google or YouTube.

“It’s just…” Caleb bit his lip as he tried to think of the words he needed. Hell, he just had to be truthful. “Can you help me? Maybe? I’ve never done it before and want to do it right so you can relax.”

“Of course.” Grant hugged him and gave him a kiss on the temple. “I’m so proud of you.”

“You are?” Caleb peered at Grant to determine his sincerity.

“Yes baby,” Grant assured him. “You’ve never been shown the basics of taking care of a house or even yourself. And from what you’ve said you’ve had to fend for yourself for most of your life. The people in your life failed you. With your money, you haven’t had to learn and that’s okay. But I’m here now and I will help you in every way I can. You’re my boy and I’m already proud of you but taking on something that you don’t know is scary. So that makes me even prouder.”

“And you don’t mind?” Caleb pressed.

“I swear I don’t. In fact, I think this is something that can bring us closer.”

“I had to watch a video on how to use the oven,” Caleb confessed. “It had a lot of buttons on it.”

Grant nodded. “I understand. That was really smart of you too. It really means a lot to me that you went through so much trouble.”

“Not trouble,” Caleb responded. “I would like to do it again. I think I’d do better. Hopefully not stress myself out so much.”

“I bet if we work together it would cut back on your stress quite a bit.”

“But it’s something I can do for you,” Caleb argued.

“Partners remember?”

Caleb nodded.

“You’ll still be taking care of me. Taking away having to go out after a stressful day or planning a date. But I could help by choosing the restaurant or meal.”

“Or the dishes?”

“Dishes?”

“Plates and stuff,” Caleb informed him. “Why do I have six sets?”

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