Page 41 of My Young Rebel Daddy

Initially, I know that Nick had been planning on renting an apartment for a couple of months, but I offered him the chance to move in with me while the new house was being finished – an offer that Nick jumped at!

Speaking of which, I need to discuss exactly where the outdoor trampoline and playtime area is going to be…

‘So just to confirm, you still want the triple-trampoline and slide just to the rear of the chill area?’ I say, flipping through the notes on my iPad. ‘I know we’ve changed our minds on this a few times…’

‘Hehe, sorry Daddy,’ Nick replies, gleefully making his way to the projected play area. ‘But yeah, this is the spot!’

I love how enthusiastic Nick is about all this.

It’s been a long project that’s had a few bumps in the road, but it hasn’t damped his spirit – if anything, Nick has got even more puppy-like enthusiasm than ever!

‘But I do have one question,’ Nick says, turning to face me and with a suddenly far more nervous look on his face.

‘Oh God, please don’t tell me this is about the basement layout again!’ I say, fearing the worst. ‘We’ve changed it three times already. Another change might just mean I break out my biggest, swishiest paddle…’

‘No, it’s definitely not the basement,’ Nick says, making me feel relieved – although a bit disappointed that I can’t go and grab my paddle. ‘You know how I’m moving in with you for the next phase of the build?’

‘Yeah…’ I reply, not sure where this is going.

‘I was thinking,’ Nick says, a look in his eye that suddenly gets me feeling all emotional. ‘Maybe when the house is ready to move in to…’

I think I know what the boy is about to say.

I don’t want to jump ahead, just in case I’m wrong – even though I hope with every bone in my body that the boy is about to say what I think he might be about to say…

‘Would you maybe want to move in with me in my new home?’ Nick says, his face filled with emotion. ‘It would beourhome. After all, you built it. I want it to be ourForeverhome. If that’s what you want too.’

I know I’m a Daddy and Daddy’s are meant to be tough – but right now I’m so happy I could probably start crying.

‘Yes! Hell yes!’ I roar, a happiness coming over me that is so intense that I feel like I could shoot off into the sky like a jet fueled rocket. ‘Nothing would make me happier!’

‘Really? You really want to?’ Nick says, jumping with joy. ‘I was nervous you might say no.’

‘Never!’ I laugh, wrapping my arms around my wonderful boy and jumping up and down with him. ‘This is the best news! Wait… this isn’t just so I finish the house quicker?’

‘Daddy! Silly!’ Nick exclaims, the pair of us falling to the soft ground laughing. ‘I’ve wanted to ask this for a while. I just didn’t know how. I can’t wait for us to be living together in our own dream home.’

‘Me neither boy,’ I say. ‘Me neither.’

Chapter 17

Nick

Wowzers – the last six months have been a total blast!

Daddy did a great job in getting our brand-new home ready ahead of schedule and brought together some sub-contractors to make everything possible.

When the day came for us to finally move in, I was blown away at how incredible it felt to step inside my forever home.

With the marble floor and perfectly clean and fresh furnishings, this is truly the kind of home that I can see myself living in forever more – with my Daddy alongside me of course.

The playroom is big and has the kind of space that allows me to have my toys out, and my crafting activities, and all my stuffies – with pride of place going to Rosie of course!

We hired a brilliant local artist to paint the playroom walls in a collage of jungle, outer space, and underwater themes. It’s certainly eclectic, but what started out as a blank canvas is now the most perfect room of them all.

But the highlight of the playroom has to be the huge bear stuffie, all six feet of him. But he’s not just any old bear, he’s a Construction Bear called Maximus!

With his yellow safety hat and blue denim dungarees, the big bear is perfect for snuggling on and dozing off for a nap when I’m done playing.

---