Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“And my baby and my alien and my trucks.” Lorne went around petting it all and listing off everything he could see until his excitement settled just low enough for the flood to stop.
When he turned back to us, he gave us a beaming smile. “My playroom, Daddy.”
He was very proud of himself for being right and I was very proud that I’d managed to get toys that he liked. Lorne was unique and I’d guessed that an eclectic mix would be best…and thankfully, I’d been right.
But I’d also had some wonderful help, so as Lorne bounced over to study which Transformers he had on his shelf, I ran my hand over Carrick’s back and mouthed a silent thanks to him. He just huffed, probably knowing he was the best and not really needing the acknowledgment, but there was a smile in his eyes that couldn’t be missed.
That didn’t last long, though.
“Alright, monkey. Toys or coloring? Daddy needs to make dinner.” Because I was pretty sure I could already hear Lorne’s stomach grumbling.
He looked up with his excited grin and wonderful innocence. “Play with Papa, Daddy.” And had no idea he’d just given his mage a heart attack.
Mates were so much fun.
****
“I’m never going to win if you keep doing that.” Carrick’s voice was filled with frustration, but Lorne’s laughter said he didn’t care.
“Pew. Pew.” More laughter with a slightly maniacal tone to it had me just a bit worried about what they’d decided to play.
Carrick had confidently told me not to worry and that they’d have fun, but I wasn’t sure I was hearing both of them have fun.
“That’s cheating.” Carrick sounded offended, but again, Lorne wasn’t worried.
“I mage. Ha ha.” Lorne thought whatever they were doing was hilarious. “I mage.”
“But you said I was going to be the dragon because I was big and strong.” Carrick sounded like he wasn’t sure how he’d lost, but when I peeked around the doorway, all I saw was random blocks and farm animals scattered around the floor.
“I’ve been had.” Frowning, Carrick glared at Lorne, who was laughing so hard he was stretched out on the floor. “That’s just…that’s…”
Clearly, he’d never played with someone like Lorne.
Had he ever played with anyone?
Sometimes it seemed like he’d popped out in a three-piece suit with a scowl on his face, so possibly not.
"Monkey, are you making Papa insane?” I was hoping for Carrick’s sanity’s sake that Lorne would say no.
He didn’t.
“I the mage, Daddy.” Only sounding slightly less delighted with the chaos he’d caused, Lorne sat up, nodding eagerly. “I the mage. I so funny, Daddy.”
Yes, he was but he was also very confusing.
“Well, dinner’s ready but what were you playing?” Nothing on the floor gave me any clues.
“Mages and Dragons.” Carrick was still frowning as he looked around at the mess. “Think of it like The Three Little Pigs meets Dungeons and Dragons. The mages get to cheat and the dragons don’t.”
Oh.
Just the description or maybe Carrick’s expression set off Lorne’s giggles again. “I the mage, Daddy.”
He thought that was hilarious.
Well, maybe it would teach Carrick not to cheat so often.
“Well, my little monkey mage, are you ready to dip?” That ended up being the perfect distraction and saved Carrick’s sanity because Lorne immediately jumped on the new thought train.
“Dip.” Making a gulping noise, Lorne popped up and grabbed Carrick’s hand, tugging him ineffectually. "Hurry, Papa. Dips. I share. Come on."
Carrick seemed to have no idea what to say to a mood that shifted so quickly. “Yes, I’m coming. Yes.”
Standing got him a cute cheek kiss and wide eyes from our delightfully naughty boy. “Tank you, Papa.”
His exaggerated tone was definitely to look cute to his Papa…and it worked.
Carrick sighed and I could see some of the frustration around him softening slightly…and maybe his walls crumbling a bit? “You’re welcome.”
And the monkey even got a kiss on his nose.
Yep, he’d definitely played the mage.
“Dip?” Taking Carrick’s hand, Lorne swung it cutely and bounced over toward me. “Ready, Daddy.”
Adorable.
Of course, Carrick was back to grumbling about cheating and not being the dragon next time, but Lorne pretended not to hear him. “I hungry, Daddy.”
“Me too.” Giving his forehead a kiss, I pretended to ignore the chaos. “Let’s go dip.”
Before Carrick could figure out that Lorne wasn’t a real kid and he didn’t have to let himself get bamboozled.
“At what point is it acceptable to ask what a dip dinner is?” Carrick’s question got more giggles from Lorne, who didn’t seem to care what dinner was as long as he could play with it.
“Any point would be fine.” I hadn’t been deliberately fucking with him—I’d just been making it fun for Lorne. “In this case, our dip dinner is steak tips with roasted fingerling potatoes and bell peppers. All sized for a cute little and all sized to be dipped.”