Page 29 of A Daddy of the Heart
“No. Let me deal with him.” He gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile to Willem. “I’ll be fine.”
“Just this once, boy.” Willem warned, before he ushered the kids down the hall and toward the bedrooms.
“I don’t know what you think you’re going to say to convince me…” Andrew started as Willem and the kids disappeared from sight.
“Shut the fuck up.” Eli barked. He’d always given his father the utmost respect, but it was now crystal clear that his father didn’t return the sentiment. “You don’t get to come into my home and dictate shit.”
“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” His dad blustered. “I’m your father and…“
“You may be my sperm donor, but you’ve just worn out your welcome.” Eli grabbed his dad by the arm and dragged him out the front door of the house, uncaring that all he had on was a pair of house slippers. “This is my home and what you want doesn’t amount to jack shit in the long run. I let you come into my home out of the goodness of my heart. Now I see that I was wrong.” He jerked the door open and pushed his father outside. “Reed’s will placed both Raelynn and Jeremy in my care for the next four months and three days. Until then there is nothing you can do or say that will change anything.”
Andrew jerked his arm free. “Really? You seem to forget who I am, Elias Foster Atheron. I can outsell you and your boyfriend many times over. I can tie you up in court until Reed’s children are in college…”
A chill that had nothing to do with the cold temperature outside raced through Eli. His father wasn’t making an idle threat. He could read the clear intent on his father’s face. “Go ahead and do what you think you must, but until then get the hell off my property. I’m done.”
Then he turned around and walked calmly back into the house, shutting the door quietly, and locking it behind him even as the tempest of rage pulsed deep inside of him. All that kept him from exploding was the soft voices of Raelynn and Jeremy in the other room. They didn’t deserve any of this. He quickly made his way across the room, then up the stairs and into the bedroom. Shooting off a quick message to Willem, he set the phone down on the stand, and disappeared into the closet.
After opening and shutting both the closet and the hidden panel, Eli let the anger flow – knowing that his Daddy was keeping the kids safe, and that they couldn’t hear anything at all.
* * *
Willem set the plate of spaghetti in front of Raelynn with a smile. The girl accepted it with a frown. “Is Uncle Eli okay, Daddy Will?”
“I’m sure. He had some things to do upstairs.” He placed Jeremy’s in front of the boy. “I’m sure he’ll be down in a little bit.”
Raelynn twirled the pasta around her fork. “Grandpa made him mad, I think.”
Willem sighed. The little girl was very observant. “I suspect so, sweetie. But don’t worry, he’s not angry at you. At the situation that your grandfather put him in, I’m sure, but he still loves both of you.”
Raelynn nodded, before stuffing the sauce covered pasta into her mouth.
Grabbing his own plate, complete with a side salad and mixed vegetables, he sat down between the kids. “I’ll go up and get him if he doesn’t come down by the time dinner is done.”
He had gotten his boy’s text and knew that Eli was spending some time in the playroom. His father had dealt quite the blow today with his visit. Not only had he threatened Eli with removing the kids who had stolen both of their hearts, but he’d belittled everything his boy had worked so hard for. The pasta settled like a lead ball in his stomach. His boy was hurting and while he understood Eli’s reasoning – the kids didn’t need to see him fall apart – as Eli’s Daddy, he couldn’t just let his boy suffer alone. “You know what? I think I’ll go get him now. You two keep eating, I’ll be right back.”
“Yay!” Jeremy cheered. “Go get him. It’s not the same if we’re not all eating together.”
“You’re right.” He set his napkin on the table, then rose. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with your uncle.”
With determination, he climbed the steps. It’d been over two hours since Eli had escorted his father off the premises. It was time for his boy to rejoin their family. Entering first their room, then their closet, and finally the playroom itself, he was prepared to be greeted by a huge mess created by an angry Little. Instead, he found his boy curled up on his daybed, sound asleep. His cheeks were tear-streaked, and in his arms he clutched Petey along with one of Willem’s undershirts. There was nary a toy out of place, but he did see a new picture drying on the easel in the corner.
Willem’s heart softened as he took in the watercolor rendition of their tree, fireplace, with the kids sprawled on the floor in front of it. Another picture to grace their fridge downstairs. Sinking down on the edge of the bed, he brushed a lock of hair back off his boy’s forehead. Eli stirred and turned into Willem’s touch.
“Time to get up, sweet boy.” He stroked his finger down over Eli’s face. “Supper is ready.”
“Don’t wanna.” Eli grumbled, clutching his stuffy closer. “Wanna sleep.”
“I know.” Willem sighed. “But the kids are worried about their uncle. Not to mention, someone made a rule that we eat together every night.”
“Who made that one?” Eli finally opened his eyes. “He needs to be spanked.”
Willem smiled down at his boy. “I have it on high authority he loves spankings so that may defeat the purpose.”
Eli yawned widely. “True enough.”
“Better?” Willem tangled their fingers together.
Eli nodded. “Sorry Daddy. I just couldn’t…” His cheeks flushed. “…I was so angry and…”
