Page 21 of Marshall: The Manny

I disconnected the call and rested my head against the couch. Regardless of how much Denver felt like my son, I hadn’t calledhim that yet. It felt natural to me, but I wondered how it would make her feel. I didn’t wonder enough to stay on the phone and see. The last thing I needed was for her to remind me that Denver wasn’t my son. Maybe he wasn’t biologically, but I’d chosen him and her, and that was all that mattered. Running my hand down my face, I looked down at him as he whined and squirmed against me.

“You’re alright, little man. Daddy’s got you.”

I gave him the Tylenol and some Pedialyte before giving him a sponge bath and dressing him in thin clothing. As I wrapped him in a blanket, I smoothed his curls back. His tiny hand lifted and gripped my ear. As he rubbed his and mine too, I rocked him until he went back to sleep.

16

Demi

I rushed into my home, fully expecting to hear my son screaming at the top of his lungs. Instead, I found him cuddled up against Marshall on the couch as they both slept. I quietly set my bags down and took a picture of them. After feeling Denver’s head and noticing it was cool, relief filled me. The last time he had a fever, he had an ear infection, and I was hoping he wasn’t about to get another one. To be safe, I would make an appointment with his doctor for in the morning.

Unable to resist, I placed a kiss on Marshall’s lips. His brows wrinkled and he stirred slightly before his eyes fluttered open.

“Hi,” I whispered.

“Hey.”

“I love you.”

His head jerked as he fought to process my words. I smiled and pulled Denver into my arms, careful not to wake him.

“Huh?”

“I love you,” I repeated.

Marshall smiled and pulled me onto his lap. “I love you too.”

“He is your son,” I affirmed. “It’s okay for you to call him that. You’ve been more of a father to him than the man who gave him half his DNA. I won’t let genetics take that away from you.”

Marshall wrapped his hand around my neck. He kissed my forehead, my nose, then my lips.

“Thank you,” he muttered against them before kissing me again.

“Thankyou.”

Denver squirmed and hummed quietly, so we didn’t say anything else. As I held Denny, Marshall held me, and before I knew it, I’d fallen asleep.

The Next Afternoon

Denver was givena clean bill of health by his doctor, and I was glad about that. Instead of going to the office, I was inclined to spend the day at home with my family. Denny enjoyed every moment of it. His incessant giggles and rambling soothed my soul.

Marshall told me about his family’s barbecue that weekend and I agreed to go. My first instinct was to say I needed to work, but more than that, I needed time with family and friends. The more balanced my life was the sharper I was mentally. That wasn’t to say when I was consumed with work and didn’t have a social life that I couldn’t do good business, but it was easier these days and didn’t feel as forced.

After we got Denver down for bed, we showered together and got into bed ourselves. I was so tired there was no doubt in my mind I’d be falling asleep soon. The last couple of days hadn’t gone the way I expected, but maybe they went the way they weresupposed to. Luis sent his payment, my son was healthy, he had a daddy, and his daddy told me he loved me.

Nothing could top this.

Demi Bot 2 Day

The daymy first app launched, I was in the hospital giving birth to my son. Today, I was celebrating it by being home with my two favorite guys. Denny sipped his juice while Marshall and I drank champagne. We were watching our favorite movie series—Rush Hour. Though I was checking the progress of the app, I wasn’t consumed by it. It was live, and now, it was time for it to do its thing.

Tomorrow, I’d celebrate the launch with my family. This weekend, I’d celebrate with my team. But tonight… tonight it was all about me and my guys.

“Are you happy?” Marshall asked quietly. Denny looked from him to me before shoving popcorn into his mouth then looked back at the TV.

“Happier than I’ve ever been. Are you happy?”

“I am, and I’m proud. Your app will change lives. Hell, the first one already has. It’s truly an honor for me to stand by your side and know you. It’s an honor to love you. I’m so proud of you, Demi.”

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