Page 6 of Daddy's Little Chaos Gremlin

“You’ve certainly made a positive impression on us both,” Daddy declared, “so what I’d like to suggest is a week’s trial period here in our apartment and if things work the way I believe they will, we’d like to offer you a position of long-term employment as we see how things develop between us in all the avenues that we’d discussed.”

Oh, please let him agree to living here with us. While the apartment was far more spacious than the rooms at the Honey Hearth, it didn’t have the same atmosphere of our actual home. I hoped that didn’t play to our disadvantage because I knew how warm and wonderful the bed and breakfast could be. Bruce and Brenner were amazing friends, and we frequently attended murder mystery nights there.

“I’ll happily agree to a trial week to see if I really am who and what you’re both looking for,” Zephyr replied. “When would you like the time to start?”

“Tonight, please,” I blurted, then hung my head, because I’d cut off Daddy’s attempt to speak.

We’d said the same thing, though I knew my impulsiveness would earn me a warning strike. Each strike was an extra chore, and Daddy always picked the ones I hated the most, just to be sure the lesson stayed with me. Three strikes in a day and I’d have an afternoon date with a feather duster rather than the tools in my studio and that was never fun. It took forever to stop sneezing and feeling like I had cobwebs in my hair.

“I-it might take a few trips to collect my things,” I explained. “I don’t have a vehicle.”

“Then please allow us to help you,” Daddy offered. “It’s been a few weeks since we’ve visited with Brenner and Bruce. It will be wonderful to catch up.”

“Oh my gosh, thank you, that will make it so much easier,” he blurted, bouncing like I’d been when I’d first approached him.

His enthusiasm was infectious, but it saddened me that he hadn’t even thought to ask. Was he so used to struggling to do everything on his own that he didn’t know how to ask for helpwhen he needed it? Or was it that he was so unused to getting the help that he needed that he’d stopped asking? Either way, my heart hurt for him as every protective instinct kicked in. I had a little brother and I was gonna make sure he knew that I’d never let anything bad happen to him.

4

ROWAN

Zephyr’s meager array of possessions barely filled the cargo space in the back of the SUV, and according to him, the majority were his costumes. I’d seen the way his eyes had lit up when Tristan had gotten down on the grass with him and I could already tell that this one would delight in the playtime they’d get to share.

All work and no play made Tristan anxious and too critical of his own work. If left unchecked he’d pick at each concave of a piece until he saw cracks where there was nothing but a smooth expanse of metal and worry himself to tears in the process.

It was never a good feeling to hold my crying boy in my arms and not be able to soothe him until he’d sobbed himself into a fit of exhaustion after bombarding himself with criticism. I did my best to lessen the instances of that, though I was ashamed to admit that there were times when I still missed the signs or got so bogged down with some mess with my firm that I neglected to see them until it was too late.

Having a playmate would help, especially one who’d need breaks and time to relax between project sessions.

All the rooms in the apartment were sparsely furnished, but there was a bed in the room beside ours and that’s where we directed him so he could get settled. As we guided him through the apartment, I wondered what our attempts to add a few touches from home looked like from his point of view. Would he think it strange that there were only a few scattered photographs, some throw blankets and an assortment of kitchen odds and ends to rival a small eatery?

Those were the only amenities I refused to do without. We’d stocked the fridge before his interview, and I fully intended to be up bright and early in the morning to make crepes stuffed with bananas and brown sugar and served with a side of sliced andouille sausage sauteed in maple syrup. Tristan loved them and I was hopeful that Zephyr would, too. I could already hear him laughing with Tristan as they looked through his collection of costumes to pick the perfect ensemble for the sunrise session they had planned.

I’d allow it, despite it beginning before Tristan’s usual start time, but I’d insist upon some fun activities before lunch so I could see how they played together. Before we’d parted ways at the Honey Hearth, Curtis had wished us luck, which I appreciated. My every instinct screamed that we’d found our boy at last, but I knew better than to get ahead of myself. Brenner and Bruce had assured me that they hadn’t told him anything about where we truly lived or my standing within the community but that didn’t mean he’d be happy sharing this cramped space with us. It was already a logistical nightmare just trying to find a space to comfortably sit with my laptop without having to hunch over to reach the keys. Tristan’s workstation occupied the only thing resembling a desk, and there was barely room for him to work at it with everything set up the way it was.

It was only temporary, I reminded myself as I banged my elbow on the edge of the coffee table.

Just fuckin’ temporary.

Another surge of laughter drifted from the room, distracting me from the injury I’d done myself. I looked up in time to see Zephyr spring through the doorway and twirl on one foot before tipping himself upside down into a handstand and walking across the floor toward me. He dropping into a graceful split at my feet and waved.

I applauded, much to his delight, because his tanned face lit up with a brilliant grin. This close, it was easy to see how much he enjoyed being outdoors. His skin had a healthy glow to it and yet I couldn’t help noticing that he looked a bit underweight. I hoped he wasn’t deliberately depriving himself of food in order to be able to perform the stunts he did. If I discovered that to be the case, there would be an immediate call placed to my personal physician so that he could ensure that Zephyr’s health wasn’t in any danger. I did not know what the physical requirements were for him to do what he did on a continuous basis, but I would certainly be learning all that I could if he became a permanent member of my household.

Now that I thought about it, I had noticed the amount of food on his plate tonight didn’t come close to the portions everyone else took. Even Tristan, who didn’t pack away a great deal in a sitting, still ate more than double the amount that Zephyr consumed, plus several morsels I’d fed him from my plate.

When I thought back to what the boy had said, about being willing to nurse if given the opportunity, I was eager to see how he reacted to our nighttime routine. I was curious to see if he’ddisplay any interest in joining in and if so, I’d gleefully invite him to drink his fill.

The outfit he’d chosen was made of tiny, soft feathers that swayed whenever he moved, giving added motion to every movement. I knew Tristan would love capturing it on film as well as canvas.

“Is this what you’ll be wearing in the morning?” I asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“I think it’s perfect, don’t you, Daddy?” Tristan asked as he perched on one of my knees the moment I sat.

He usually took up the entire lap, but when I went to shift him, it dawned on me that he’d taken that spot deliberately, like he was trying to show Zephyr that there was room for him, too.

“I do, indeed, and I already have breakfast planned for the two of you when you finish your photo session,” I replied. “Though if that is the outfit you’d like him in for tomorrow, then I think it’s time to let him change and get settled in, don’t you? Sunrise will come soon enough and you’ll both need time to prepare before you start shooting.”

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