Page 22 of Milk For His Little

“No, we’re not playing a guessing game over what your surprise is. You’re just gonna have to sit there and pretend it’s Christmas Eve and you’re waiting for your presents.”

“I don’t like Christmas Eve. It’s hard.” I faux pouted. I loved Christmas Eve. It meant lots and lots of cookies.

“Good thing we only have a half-hour before we pull into the station.”

It was the longest half-hour ever. I was so giddy about getting a present, but also off-center, not knowing what that present might be.

“Is it pet-related?” We did have a pet sitter, so it was a pretty logical guess, especially since I’d looked at a cat tree at one point that was pretty much going to fill up our spare room. I thought it was worth it. Shawn did not.

“No, sweet boy, it’s not pet-related.” And that was the end of that conversation, the announcement filling our car to let us know that our station was next.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t go straight home. We had to stop and get milk for our coffee and a few other perishables, adding even more time to our return.

“You’re doing this on purpose,” I muttered, putting the milk in the cart.

“Oh, yeah, that’s true, and you love it.”

My side-eye was strong, but he was right. I did love it, even if I hated it too. “And I love you too.”

He chuckled, probably at the way my glare and words didn’t match.

Finally, we got home, and I half-expected to see a package on the step, but then I remembered his friend was pet sitting; of course, they’d have brought any package in.

“Don’t run in. Daddy wants to show you the surprise.”

“Okay, Daddy.” I was so going to run, too.

When we walked in the front door, nothing seemed unusual. Nothing in the kitchen, either. The cat was sleeping in the sun, looked at us both, and then went back to its business—apparently not a huge fan of us being gone for the weekend. So far, there was not a hint in sight.

“Daddy...” I was being whiny. I knew that, but that was okay. It added to the fun. At least for me, it did.

“Now close your eyes, sweet boy.”

I did as he said, and he took my hand, leading me down the hall. I couldn’t tell if we stopped at the linen closet or the spare room until he said, “Open your eyes.”

It was the spare room. I twisted open the door, and what once held bits of storage and a couple of pieces of random furniture for guests—or whatever never really had a full purpose, was now a nursery. A full-on nursery, complete with a crib.

“I told you, you needed a bigger crib.”

I threw myself at him, nearly knocking him over. “I need a nap, Daddy, I need a nap.”

“I hope you need so much more than a nap.” He kissed my cheek and brought his lips to my ear.

“It’s a good thing I have a Daddy who’s ready to give me everything.”

“And that, my sweet boy, is because you gave me what I needed most in this life—your love.”

And he had all of it, just like I had his.

Epilogue

Shawn

I looked down at Kasper, his big blue eyes gazing up at me with that mix of innocence and mischief that always drove me wild. He was lying on his back, his head propped up on my pillow, his body barely covered by the thin blanket. His lips were slightly parted, eager and waiting. I could already feel the heat between us, the electric charge that always seemed to crackle in the air when we were together like this.

"Daddy," he whispered, his voice soft and sweet, a stark contrast to the hardness in my jeans. "I've been waiting for you."

I smiled, running a hand through his tousled blond hair. "I know you have, baby boy. I'm here now."

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