Page 27 of Genie's Boy
“Deal.”
In our little protected bubble, no longer fearing whose hands the lamp might land in, my tired boy and I fell into a deep sleep. Not waking until late the next morning.
“Morning, Daddy.”
How I loved to hear that from the love of my life.
“Good morning, my sweet boy. Based upon the fact we’re in the exact same positions we went to bed in, I’d say we both got some much-needed sleep.”
“Finally. Now, to see about breakfast. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’d eat my own cooking.”
That wasn’t an option for either of us, though I’d not say it aloud and risk upsetting him. “Well, I actually can cook, though I’ve never had to. Once, when I was between masters, I took cooking classes atLe Cordon Bleuin France.” Outside of there, I hadn’t used the skills that were not cheap to obtain. “Would you like to learn?” Couldn’t be all that bad, could it? As long as the ingredients could still be magicked, we’d be all right.
“I’m not sure but I’d make a good helper. Might be fun, cooking together.”
Groceries I'd required appeared at a mere thought, one test down, a million more to go. Thankfully, my memory wasn’t taken as I began the painstaking process of putting the ingredients together for omelets. And before long I cheered, “Voila! Breakfast is served.”
Raj dug in, tilting his head from side to side as he chewed. “Not too bad. I think we’ve got this.”
“What’s thiswepart of the equation?” He grinned at my teasing.
“You cook, I clean. How’s that?”
“Hmm, fair trade, though I believe…” I trailed off, and with a wave of my hand, the dishes were done. “I still have a gift for that and cooking as well, so you need not worry your handsome head.”
“What’s left for me then?” Raj pouted.
Adorable. Though I’d never tell him that or it would be used against me. Who was I kidding, there was no way he didn’t know. “You, my love, get to be my best friend, and lover. Always and forever.”
I’d say everything was back to normal, but it wasn’t—it was better. Today was the first day of the rest of our lives, with no dark clouds overhead. Well, except for that whole pesky, being wanted by the authorities thing in Raj’s homeland. But since we never planned to return, I didn’t see it as an issue.
Over the coming months, we spent our days lounging in the sun, making love, and traveling. I quickly learned that the only magic I’d lost was associated with the lamp, and without a master to serve, none of it was missed. Raj was granted no magical capabilities by the fates, only eternal life, and he had zero qualms with that. I had enough to take care of all our potential needs like the true Daddy I was.
But today was the day. One thing I’d never done before would come to be.
“Come, my love,” I called up the stairs to him. “Dinner is ready.”
Nervous. When had I ever been nervous? I didn’t think it was an emotion I’d been created with.
“Where’s dinner?” He hopped off the bottom stair and glanced at the empty table.
“I set it up outside. Let’s go.” Raj cocked his head but took my hand and off we went down the path and to his favorite spot on the beach. He’d taken to wearing no shoes while home and absolutely loved the feel of the sand beneath his feet.
“Oh, Daddy, it’s beautiful.”
I’d revitalized the canopy we normally sat under during the day and adorned it with string lights, and a small table with two chairs. A white tablecloth that matched the two chair covers, a bow tying them in the back, perfectly litbeneath the bulbs. Dinner sat beneath two silver covers and I’d even put an area rug underneath it all.
“Sit, my love.” I spread a napkin across his lap and uncovered his food before I sat.
“This is amazing. What are we celebrating?”
Genie, you’ve got this.My leg got caught in the tablecloth as I stood, and it all came tumbling down with me. Could I have stopped this from happening? Absolutely. Did I? No, because I wasn’t paying attention.
“Daddy, are you okay?”
“Aside from embarrassed, yes.” I stood and righted the mess. “I’m so sorry. Let me begin again.”
Before I could sit and make everything tumble a second time, I pulled the ring from my pocket and dropped down on bended knee.
“Raj, you committed to be my forever, now, I want to do the same for you.” I held the ring up for him to see. “I had this ring made many years ago, and at the time, I had no clue why. All these years I’ve hung onto it, a piece of my treasure, and now I understand why. Raj, this ring was meant to be on your finger. A symbol of our love and commitment. If you wish, we can be properly wed but know that no matter what you choose, you have my heart. My everlasting love and promise to always be faithful and by your side.”
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he bobbed his head. “Daddy, I’d be honored to wear your ring. It’s beautiful.”
I slid it on his finger and, oddly enough, it was a perfect fit. The emeralds, nearly as dark as my eyes, glittered beneath the lights.
Raj peppered my face with kisses and knocked us back onto the soft sand. “I love you so much.”
“Same, my love. I’ve waited an eternity for you.”
“And now, you have me forever and a day.”
