Page 29 of His Middle

Noah jumped back, all flirting and teasing vanishing in an instant. “Pizza!” He clapped his hands. “Pizza, pizza, pizza!”

Sawyer covered his own grin that was about split his face. Man, it had been a while for him too, and he’d always hoped he’d have a middle for a boy. Littles were fun too, but more active, feisty boys were his favorite. He also loved that Noah’s age was eight. To Sawyer, that was perfect.

“We can have pizza if you promise to eat some salad first. All you had today that was remotely healthy was an apple.”

Noah huffed. “I guess.” He broke into a smile again. “But can I also have root beer?”

Sawyer crossed his arms. “No. You already had two sodas earlier. From now on, there’s a one soda a day rule.”

Noah gasped. “One soda?” He stomped his foot. “I’ll die.”

Sawyer snorted. “I doubt that.”

“But Daaaaddy… Who eats pizza without root beer?”

“Plenty of people and I’m not arguing with you about this. One more word about root beer and you can forget the pizza.”

Noah scowled. “Fine.”

Sawyer pointed a finger at Noah. “Watch your tone or else Mario Kart might not be coming out to play tonight, either.”

Noah’s eyes went wide, and Sawyer wondered if his strictness had caught Noah off-guard. He’d told Noah he was a strict Daddy when they’d discussed everything earlier, but Sawyer wondered how many Daddies had truly taken Noah in hand before.

Noah snapped his jaw shut then nodded. “Okay. I’ll behave.” He bit his lip. “Can I have bubbles in my bath?”

Damn. Sawyer didn’t think he wasthatmuch of a hard ass. He reached up and tucked a hank of Noah’s shaggy hair behind his ear.

“I don’t see why not. You’re not going to eat them or something, are you?” He winked and Noah fell into a bout of laughter.

“Daddy! Gross.” He started to run off then whipped back around. “Can I have pepperoni and extra cheese on my pizza? Ooh, and those cinnamon bread thingies with frosting.” He pointed to a small drawer next to the refrigerator. “The menu for Bayside Pizza is in there. That’s where me and Arlen always order from.”

“Yes on the pizza and I’ll think about the cinnamon bread thingies.”

Noah crossed his arms with a frown but didn’t say anything. He seemed to be considering what his response should be.

“Whatever you think, Daddy. But…” He cleared his throat. “Since I’m not having any soda, maybe a dessert wouldn’t be all that bad?”

“We’ll see.” Sawyer made a shooing gesture. “Now scoot. It’s getting late and we have to get up early.”

A flash of disappointment crossed Noah’s features before he seemed to catch himself. “Okay, Daddy.” Noah took off running but called out behind him, “Don’t forget the extra cheese!”

Sawyer grinned as he made his way to the menu drawer. His heart lightened, and a deep sense of satisfaction filled him. Noah’s middle was adorable, spirited and just right.

He couldn’t wait to discover what the future held for them.

* * * *

Noah yanked on his Transformers briefs then did the same with his Avengers PJs. He’d bought the set recently, but this was the first chance he’d had to wear them. His thoughts kept jumping between adult Noah and eight-year-old Noah, and he was getting frustrated. The incredible opportunity to be with a true Daddy hadn’t been available to him in for freakin’ ever. Not to mention that he was now playing with his dream Daddy, and here he was, allowing insecurities and the unending stress over the club to interfere.

Noah plopped onto the bed as soon as he was dressed, his head falling into his hands.

The bath had been fun, but it had been the same struggle to keep from snapping out of his middle self. Noah closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He focused on all the things he loved, all the elements that made up a happy childhood space. That’s all that mattered right now. Nothing else existed except pepperoni pizza with lots of gooey cheese, Mario Kart and hoping that Daddy got him the dipping sticks.

Daddy. Noah exhaled slowly, a smile tugging at his lips. Daddy was here and would take care of everything.

“Hey buddy, are you ready to come downstairs?”

Noah’s eyes flew open and his smile grew bigger at the sight of his Daddy. “I sure am! Can I play my game before the pizza gets here?”

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