Page 35 of Requiem for Love

“And Mama loves you too.”

His mouth stretched into a wide smile. “And how do you know your mama loves me?”

“Because she said so!” Theo tossed up both hands for emphasis. “I aksed her, and she said it would be our secret, and I never telled anybody.”

The smile stretched further. “You’re a vault, son.”

“But I can help you make Mama love you like me and Jojo love you,” Theo added.

“I’m all ears.”

“Mama likes food.”

“Good. I took her to a fancy restaurant.”

“Did they have yummy lemonade?” Theo smacked his lips. “Mama likes yummy lemonade.”

“We didn’t have lemonade that time, but if we go back, I’ll make sure we order some.”

Theo stood in front of him and tapped his chin, their faces again close to touching. “What about pretty flowers?”

“Will you help me pick some out?”

“We’ll get the prettiest flowers for the prettiest mama!” Theo pumped his fist. “Oh! Mama loves kisses too!”

And he loved that Theo’s mama loved kisses.

“I’ll…try to remember that.”

Theo yawned and curled into the nook created by his bent limbs and midsection. If he got up from this position without tearing a tendon or ligament, it would be a miracle, but he would risk injury if it meant keeping the three of them safe, especially his little guy.

“Joel, when it’s just me and you and nobody else, can I call you Daddy? Would that make you mad?”

A lump formed in his throat. “It wouldn’t make me mad, but are you sure you want to do that?”

“Jojo said if you get to be our daddy, I can call you Daddy, and he can call you Dad. Then, when I get bigger, I can call you Dad too, but I don’t want to right now.”

“Well, when it’s just the two of us and nobody else, you can call me whatever you want.”

“Daddy. I want to call you my daddy.”

If Ayesha didn’t realize she was moving in for good, it wouldn’t take her long to figure it out. If she needed him to convince her to stay, he could do that as well.

“If I fall asleep, will you leave me?” Theo asked.

“Nope.” He pressed a couple of kisses on top of Theo’s head. “I’ll be right here when you wake up. No one will hurt you as long as you’re with me. Promise.”

He held up his pinky.

Theo wrapped his smaller one around it and closed his eyes.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, Theo?”

“This is the bestest night ever.”

Joel tucked him close. “For me too, buddy. For me too.”

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