Page 20 of Infected By Virus

He had just noticed some new-to-him ink on her leg when the head of his son raced into his field of vision, and his whole world shrunk down to the two of them. Rae squatted down and said something to Adam and pointed at Virus. Whatever she said had him turning his head Virus’s way and waving.

Rae had said she’d follow his lead about how he wanted to be introduced to Adam. Neither of them had a clue as to what the proper approach was. A few of his brothers had opinions on the best way for him to approach the situation, but the majority just shrugged and told him to do what felt right.

Ultimately, that’s what he chose to do. He opted to wing it. When Rae grasped the little boy’s hand and walked his way, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Hi, Adam, I’m your dad.”

Only after the words were floating on the air did he take a moment to think or question his approach. He had a moment of fear that Adam would shrink behind Rae and be scared.

Everyone else seemed stunned silent at his proclamation, except Adam.

“Hi.” His little voice spoke with enthusiasm. Turning to Rae. “Auntie Rae, can I have pizza now?”

“Of course.” As soon as she answered, Nova appeared in his peripheral vision.

“Hi, Adam, I’m Nova, and this is June. She’s dying for a slice too. Can we join you?”

Adam nodded but seemed to lean into Rae for reassurance. He both loved and hated it. Loved that he had a bond that he obviously relied on, but was jealous because he was denied those years with Adam.

“Let’s go,” she reassured him and offered Virus an apologetic smile and led Adam toward the table everyone else had gathered at.

Virus, still kneeling, turned and watched them walk away when Adam turned around. “Are you coming, Dad?” His little man didn’t even hesitate to accept him as Dad.

Virus said who he was, and Adam had just accepted it. He figured he owed someone a thank-you for that.

His heart stalled in his chest and then burst outward. He was already so in love.

“Hell yeah,” he said as he stood and every woman in his line of sight shot him a scolding look.

“Sorry,” he murmured his apologies into the room at large and joined them at the table.

He watched Adam eat and chatter with June and his brothers. Virus didn’t speak to his son much, he was just enjoying watching everything about him.

Virus was enamored with Adam’s crooked little smile when June said something he found amusing. When he wiped his mouth on his sleeve, then halfway down he looked to Rae, stopped and grabbed a napkin, it amused him to no end.

He didn’t feel left out, but he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit he was a little jealous of his son’s relationship with Rae, but he didn’t feel like an outsider even though he kind of was. She’d gotten time with his son that was denied him. But instead of anger, he was glad for it because it meant his son knew love. He doubted Celeste’s ability to do so.

They clearly adored each other. That boded well for his plan to get Rae to stay in Provo.

Everyone, including Adam and Rae, turned to him every so often, although he didn’t add to the conversation, he couldn’t. He was too enamored of the little boy to speak intelligently, so he nodded and smiled at appropriate moments.

His little boy.

He vowed to himself right then and there that Adam would feel nothing but love and never want for anything, including his attention. Virus’s world had just shrunk down and grew at the same time. There was a purpose bigger than himself. So much bigger than anything else in his life.

When Adam turned to Virus instead of Rae to ask if he could go play with June, tears sprang to his eyes. When he nodded his agreement, Adam flung himself at Virus and then Rae before disappearing with June, hand in hand. Both under the watchful eyes of Nova, Heidi, Zombie, and Hook, who also stood and followed the group toward the ball pit.

No way anything would happen to them. Virus breathed a sigh of relief and turned back around.

He shot a look at the men remaining at the table, stuffing their gobs with pizza. There was some eye rolling before they got up and found another table.

“Rae,” Virus spoke her name.

She responded with his in a shy manner, “Virus.”

Virus.

She’d said Virus. He hated and loved it at the same time. She was the only person in a handful of years who called him Darrin. But Darrin was also the man, no, boy, who broke her heart.

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