Page 20 of Lance & Clayton

He nodded. "I wish I could have pizza every day. You're so good at this, Daddy. You always cook so well, which is why I think I have a brilliant idea."

"What is it, bright eyes?" I took a seat next to him and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I've always been obsessed with pizzas," he began with a bright smile. "I'm good with them. Not at making them, but at eating them. So why don't we start a pizzeria together? You'll make pizzas and I'll eat them all."

I chuckled and nodded. "You know what, that might not be a bad idea after all. There aren't many great pizzerias in our neighborhood. I just had an even better idea. Why don't we name it after you? We'll call it Clayton's pizzeria."

"I'll be famous?" His big eyes twinkled up at me. "People will know my name?"

"Yes, sweetheart." I pulled him in closer and kissed him on the head. "We could even put up a portrait of Dino, so he'll be famous too."

"Whoa!" He gaped at me. "That would be so cool! I feel honored, Daddy. All the other boys would be so jealous."

"Starting a restaurant is hard work," I said, getting serious. "Will you be nice to all the guests and ask them if they're enjoying their meal?"

I smiled at the thought of Clayton in his diaper crawling around with Dino from one table to another, checking up on them if they need anything. He would look so freaking cute.

"I promise I'll be good!" He bounced excitedly and clapped his hands.

Clayton was in his Little headspace and while he probably wasn't serious about it, I was. He had just given me a brilliant idea and it was the perfect way to express my love for him. There were times when work felt boring, but having the place named after my boy meant I would give my everything to ensure the restaurant was the best in the neighborhood.

After the pizzas were cooked to perfection, we sat there eating and sharing. While a green pizza wasn't my idea of a tasty brunch, the cheeses he chose went very well with the unusual combination of toppings and green pesto.

"What do you want to do next?" I asked after I cleaned up, trying to see if he could decide playtime on his own or if he preferred I make the decision for him.

He looked up at the ceiling sternly with a frown, trying to come up with something and looking adorable as he did. "Well, you don't get to live in the woods every day. So how about we go out for a walk. I can bring Dino with me, but I'll have to ask him first."

"Sounds fun." I took his hand and led him over to the couch, making him sit on my lap. "I have to warn you, though. Hungry bears are roaming around in this part of the forest and they'd love to eat you for a snack. So you'll have to hold onto Daddy's hand at all times, and never wander alone in the woods."

He bounced up and down on my lap. "Yay, we're going to meet cute bears! Can I pet them, Daddy? I promise I'll be gentle. I'm always gentle with animals."

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. "You're not listening to Daddy, bright eyes. Run the other way if you see a bear and don't look back. Daddy will distract them until you get away."

"But bears are people too! They look different but they have feelings, just like us. You're being silly, Daddy. They just want treats and head scratches."

I had to use my Daddy voice. "Listen to Daddy, sweetheart. Bears are dangerous and vicious animals. They won't think twice before attacking you. Tell me you'll run if you see one."

"Fine," he hesitantly said after a sigh, still looking unsure. "If you say so, Daddy. But I bet if you got to know one, you'll see they just want to be your friend."

"Good." I stroked his head and then nudged his bottom. "Let's go on a walk then. Just a boy, his Daddy and his stuffie."

Chapter 11: Clayton

I held onto Dino as Daddy drove us to his friend John's house. John had a Little boy, Michael, and I had never met another Little before.

"Do you think Michael will like me, Daddy?" I put my head on his shoulder as he drove into the city. "I'm excited but I'm also a bit scared. What if he doesn't want to be friends with me because he thinks I'm weird? Even worse, what if he thinks I talk too much about dinosaurs?"

I chuckled and kissed his head. "Impossible! Michael is a naughty boy, but he's nice to everyone. Besides, you should've seen how excited he was when I told him about the playdate. I bet he's worried over the same things that you're worried about. He's never had a Little friend before too, you know. He must be very worried about whether or not you'll like him."

"Me?" I wiggled in my seat. "I like everyone, but I'm excited because I've never met someone like him. I hope he likes stuffies too, and dinosaurs-" I looked up at him sternly before continuing -"But Daddy, there's something I should confess. I don't know if it's the right time or place."

"What is it, bright eyes?" He looked over at me before going back to looking at the road. "You know you can tell me anything. I want you to know that no problem is big enough for me. So tell me, what's the matter?"

"I…I've been worried sick lately, over whether or not I could ever make friends going forward. I've always been a social person. But now that I know my parents hate me, how could I ever expect complete strangers to like me for who I am?"

He gave me the look, which meant I was being silly. "You want to know how I know people will continue to like you?"

I frantically nodded. "Because if they get to know you even a little, I know they'll see how nice you are. I knew early on that you were kind, and kindness doesn't come to people easily. When you're nice to people like you are? They sense that and they're nice to you in return, which is something I want you to remember. Some boys are not nice to each other during playdates, but I know Michael and you are some of the nicest boys."

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