Page 49 of It's Love I'm After

Shiddd, . . . fuck Jeff and Wally. Caleb already has a dad.

21

GERMAYNE

“Awe, man. Mine don’t look like yours, Mr. Germayne. Look.” Caleb sulks with his bottom lip sticking out.

“They don’t have to be perfect, C. This is your first time making them. I’ve had years of practice.”

“I want mine to be perfect too, though.”

Taking the spatula from Caleb’s hand, I set it on the stove before wiping the lone tear on his cheek.

“You don’t have to be perfect, nor do your pancakes. We’ll keep practicing until you get the hang of it. How does that sound?”

“Okay. I can’t eat these. They look funny. I also wanted to make Mommy feel better, but these will make her sicker,” he whines.

“How about you dump yours and watch me make you and your mom a new batch? Will that make you feel better?”

“Yes, sir. Can I pour the batter in the pan?”

“Of course. You can even help me flip them over when it’s time.”

“Yay. Thank you, Mr. Germayne. I love you.”

Time stands still, my heart freezes in my chest, and I stare unblinking at Caleb while my brain processes the three words I didn’t see coming from his lips.

“I-I love you too, C. Let’s finish breakfast so you’re not late.”

Caleb's first day of kindergarten comes at the speed of light, and what should be a happy time isn’t because Chaniya is sick. In fact, Chaniya has been sick for the past two days, much to her displeasure, since she has been looking forward to walking Caleb to his class. However, Chaniya is battling the flu and isn’t strong enough to do anything but bark orders in a hoarse voice from her bed.

“I don’t understand why I can’t at least ride with you to drop Caleb off.” Chaniya pouts with her arms crossed over her breasts.

“You’re still running a fever, Cha-Cha. Leaving this bed isn’t something you’ll be doing unless you need to pee. Going out of the house is out of the question. Now, what else do we need to debate?”

Chaniya wanted to call Nana or one of her family members to take Caleb to school in her absence. However, I took off work to be the one to do it and have been looking forward to the task. Caleb and I are slowly building a rapport with each other, and I’m enjoying the time we’re getting to establish something significant.. Based on our interactions and Caleb’s easygoing personality, I’m not worried but understand Chaniya’s anxiousness. We’ll be on FaceTime during the ride and drop-off process to ease her mind. Whatever will help Chaniya adjust to my involvement in this capacity is perfectly fine with me.

“I know. How did you let me get sick the week of Caleb’s big day?”

A low chuckle escapes my mouth at the question because I’m only partly to blame for Chaniya’s current predicament. She would be good if she had not been laying up under me last week when I was sick. With me working in the hospital, catching whatever bug floats through the hallways is not uncommon. Chaniya insisted that I stay with her and Caleb so they could nurse me back to health. The memory of Caleb’s excitement over me being in the house is what led to me taking today off.

“Mommy said you don’t feel good, Mr. Germayne. I’m gonna help take care of you. You’re gonna have to rest and eat your vegetables so you can grow strong again,” Caleb informs me after entering his mother’s bedroom.

“Uh, I’m not sure if I can eat my vegetables right now, C. What else you got for me?” I ask in a deeper tone than usual, thanks to the congestion lining my chest wall.

“Hm. Let me think about it. I’ll be back, but you rest, okay?”

“I got you, man.”

“I got you too, Mr. Germayne.” Lifting his little hand up, I reciprocate the gesture, slapping him a weak high-five before he jogs out of the room.

“If I recall correctly, your nursing skills are trash, Cha-Cha. When did nurses start sucking dick as part of patient care?” Smirking, I place my finger on my chin while awaiting her answer.

“Your dick wasn’t sick, though. Besides, if I recall correctly, you enjoyed the nightly blowjobs. A nut a day will keep the pain away.” Chaniya shrugs.

Laughing hysterically, I shake my head at the foolishness coming out of Chaniya’s mouth. I’ll admit that watching her head bob in my lap effortlessly and swallowing my nut like a champ had been one of my favorite highlights of recovery.

“I guess you’re right. Let me go see what C is doing. I’ll be back. Stay in bed.” Giving Chaniya a stern glare, I wait for her subtle nod before heading out of the room.

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