Page 40 of Pretty Baby

“Partners.” Grant leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

“Thank you, Daddy.” Caleb dropped down and started to dig through the chest. Yeah, his boy needed more toys to play with.

“Good boy,” Grant patted his head before he headed toward the kitchen.

Lucy, the dog that seemed to like him best followed Grant and he talked to her as he flicked on the light.

“Let’s see what your Daddy has to eat,” Grant said to the dog. Lucy thumped her tail in return. Grant opened the fridge spotting the leftovers from the previous evening, sandwich fixings, fruit, milk, juice, a bottle of water but not much more.

He closed the fridge before heading toward the pantry. There he found some more food but his boy needed better groceries for more balanced meals. Knowing how much Caleb ate peanut butter from their phone conversations Grant grabbed the bread and peanut butter. He sat the items on the counter before returning to the fridge.

It didn’t take long before he had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the crust cut off and cut up, freshly cleaned fruit, and chips along with a cup of milk for his boy. Caleb had complained about how many dishes he owned and Grant had to agree. Caleb didn’t need fancy dishware. He needed something that spoke to the little boy side of him. Grant added plates and cups to his mental list.

He finished making himself a ham, turkey, and cheese sandwich along with his own fruit and chips. He chose a bottle of water to drink.

After he cleaned up the kitchen he carried everything into the living room. Good thing he had big hands. He needed a tray for the future. Another item to pick up.

Caleb had changed Lizzie into a powder blue frilly dress. He walked her over the coffee table even stopping to pat Gus with the doll’s hand.

“Set Lizzie aside so you can eat,” Grant told him.

“Nap time!” Caleb announced. Still, on his knees, he laid Lizzie on the couch before grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch and tucked it around her.

Grant set Caleb’s food and cup of milk on the coffee table before he sat on the other end of the couch from Lizzie. He sat his water down on the end table before laying his plate on the arm of the couch. He pointed to the floor in front of him.

“Sit boy and eat.”

“’ K Daddy.” Caleb sat in between his legs and the coffee table.

Grant picked up the remote and started to channel surf pleased when the Disney channel was playing one of the princess cartoons.

Against his legs, Caleb stiffened but Grant was learning to read his boy.

He left the movie playing without saying anything and picked up his sandwich.

At first, Caleb picked at his fruit and ate slowly while looking from the table to the screen. Grant wanted to reassure his boy but also wanted to see Caleb work out for himself that Grant didn’t mind the cartoon movie.

By the time the first song came on Caleb had picked up his sandwich to nibble on and began to sway with the music. Grant grinned knowing they would have more days just like this.

7

Grant

Grant hated to leave Caleb but after a call from his partner, he’d needed to go into the precinct to sign off on some paperwork. There was a dangerous drug that had hit the streets and they finally had enough intel that would help them get a search warrant.

He’d completed the required paperwork to request the search warrant and filed it with his supervisor.

Earlier, during the week Grant had found three victims who’d overdosed during a house party. The house had been abandoned months ago so no one should have been inside. The three victims had been less than twenty-five years of age. They were probably younger than his boy.

It was a waste of life and had hit Grant hard. Caleb wasn’t into drugs but the kids had reminded Grant so much of his boy.

Caleb had understood that Grant had needed to go into work trying to hide his disappointment. Grant had promised to return right away as he gave Caleb chores to complete while he was gone.

Caleb was to clean the kitchen from where Grant had made them pancakes and bacon for breakfast. After he had the dishes put in the dishwasher, the counters wiped down, he was to shower and pick a pretty outfit to wear for his Daddy. By the time Grant returned he was hoping his boy was playing and watching his movie.

After less than an hour at the precinct, Grant was headed back to Caleb’s when he spotted the large toy store. He’d forgotten it was there. He ordered most of his stuff online nowadays. Although it had been half a decade since he’d had to buy for a boy.

Making the decision to surprise his boy Grant flipped on his blinker and quickly changed lanes. He pulled into the parking lot before finding a space close to the door. He parked and hurried inside.

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