Page 20 of Daddy's Thirsty Little Doll
He’s fine, but I think your boy needs you right now.
We’re at his suite.
I quickly shot him a text saying I was on my way. My mind whirled with unanswered questions, but none of them mattered until I had my boy safe in my arms. Thankfully, I was only tenminutes away from his suite. When the light turned green, I changed directions and headed toward my boy.
Emery's suite was only a few minutes away when my phone started to ring. Pressing the button on my steering wheel, I answered the call with panic in my voice. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”
Darren's worried tone echoed through my speakers. “He was fine when I first texted. He’d just finished cutting my hair, and we were talking about you when he got pretty emotional, so I figured you’d want to stop by and check on him. But then his phone rang, and now he's sitting on the floor crying for you. I’m so sorry, man, I tried to comfort him. I don't know what was said during that phone call, but he's really upset.”
“Thank you for letting me know and for trying to comfort him. I’m almost there.” My heart nearly shattered when I heard Emery’s sobs in the background, followed by his panicked plea. “Wan Dada. Pwease.”
My poor boy was hurting. Love for my best friend filled my chest when I heard Darren speaking to my boy. “Hey, Em, it's okay, he’s on his way.”
Relief filled me when I pulled into the parking lot of the suites building. “I’m here. I'm going to hang up, but I’ll be inside soon.” Ending the call, I jumped out of my car and rushed inside like my pants were on fire.
When I opened the suite's door, I was met with Emery's sobs and Darren’s worried voice as he tried to console my boy. I rushed over to them and kneeled down on the floor in front of Emery. He was hunched over, hugging his legs, his head resting on hisknees. “Hey, baby doll. Daddy’s here. I’m here now, it's gonna be okay.”
He opened his eyes, his face covered in tears and snot. “Dada, I scared. Don’t wanna weave Dada.”
I scooped him into my arms and carried him to the love seat in the corner. “Baby doll, why are you scared? You’re not leaving me. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.” I desperately wanted to tell him I loved him, and if he allowed it, I would always be by his side no matter what. As much as I wanted to say those words, now was not the time. Something had my baby scared, and he didn't need the added stress.
“But my house isn’t brokend anymo, I hab to go back.” Emery looked at me with panicked eyes as he gripped my T-shirt with both fists. “Dun wanna weave Dada, wanna stay foreber. Wub Dada so much it scary.”
My heart was so full I thought it would burst. Oh, how wrong I was, my boy needed to hear how much I loved him and wanted him with me, and I would gladly tell him over and over again till I was blue in the face. “Shh, baby doll, take a deep breath for me.” I pulled him against my chest and rocked him until his sobs died down. Placing my finger under his chin, I lifted him to face me. “Hey there, pretty baby. You feeling a bit better?”
Emery nodded, and I placed a kiss on each of his tear-soaked cheeks. “Precious baby, I love you with all my heart. I know we haven't known each other very long, but you have become my entire world. I love you when you're a talented hairstylist who runs his own suite, and I love you when you're my adorably needy baby who never wants to leave my side. I just love you.”
Emery’s eyes filled with tears again, but this time he was smiling. “I love you, too, Daddy. So much it hurts. I’m sorry I freaked out, but anytime I think about going back home, I feel so empty and scared. I don't want to be away from you.”
“Oh, precious, I don't want to be away from you either. I was planning on bringing this up before they called, but I thought we had more time. I spent so long waiting for you, waiting for a boy to care for. My house felt so empty and dark, but then you showed up and it finally feels like a home… our home. I don't care if it’s fast. I know you’re it for me, baby doll, and I would love nothing more than for you to live with me in our home. Do you want to move in with me, Emery?”
His face broke out in a huge grin as he bounced up and down with excitement in my lap. “Yes! Before you, I was so exhausted and alone. You gave me a safe space to be myself and relax. You changed my whole world, Daddy. I love you so much.” Emery leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on my lips before adding, “You do so much for me. I was worried you’d get tired of me, but Darren told me that how I feel when you are taking care of me is how taking care of me makes you feel.”
My best friend chuckled from behind Emery, making me startle. I’d been so wrapped up in our moment that I completely forgot he was here. I grinned. “He was right, precious baby. I love taking care of you. I will never get tired of you. You make every day more special than the last.”
Emery threw his arms around my neck and nuzzled his cheek against mine. “I wuv yous. Can I habs a baf when we gets home?” My heart filled with joy at his easy acceptance that my home was now ours.
I brushed his hair from his face and kissed the tip of his nose. “Of course, precious baby. But first, we need to get everything cleaned up.”
Darren walked over to where a broom was hanging on the wall and picked it up. “I'll help too. Just tell us what to do and we’ll get it done!”
Emery tried to climb off my lap while protesting our help. “No— No, it’s okay, I?—”
I tightened my arms around his waist and stood up, placing him on the couch. Gripping his chin, I brought his gaze to mine. “No, baby doll. You are hovering between Little and big, and I don't want you to overwork yourself. Just sit there, and you can be the princess, and we’ll be your faithful minions. Now, Princess Emery, what should we do?”
Emery giggled and placed his finger on his chin. “Hmm, as princess, my first order is Darren sweeps the hair and Daddy turns off all machines and lamps!”
Darren and I both bowed as we said, “Yes, Princess Emery.” That made my sweet baby giggle as we made quick work of the tasks Princess Emery assigned. Once we got everything cleaned up, I hugged my best friend and we said our goodbyes.
“Hey, baby doll, let's get you home and into a nice warm bath. How does that sound?”
Emery wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek, making me blush. “That sounds perfect, Daddy.”
18
EMERY
“Stay right there, baby doll.”
