Page 107 of Soft
Pops:I'll get the rest of your stuff packed up. Gives me something to do.
Pops:You ok with this?
Another glance at my sleeping boy gave me the answer.
Paxton:Yeah. More than.
Pops:Good. Tell Grizzly I said hey. Also tell him I expect to see him at my table sometime this week.
A small laugh moved through my chest. I kept it quiet enough so my boy wouldn’t stir.
I set the phone aside and settled back against the wall, running my hand through Grizzly's hair in the slow, even rhythm that kept him under. His forehead was smooth now, the tension that had been there when I arrived fully gone.
I thought about what I was going to say when he woke up. I wasn't going to make a big production of it. Grand gestures had their place, but this wasn't one of them. This was a practical thing, and Grizzly trusted practical.
He trusted me.
I would tell him I wanted to move in. That it was because I wanted to be here every minute I could. Love was the root of my decision.
He’d likely tell me I didn’t have to. He might even feel like he’s being a burden in some way. I’d have to erase the thought from his mind.
When my boy finally stirred, it was slow. The small sounds first, a shift in breathing, a tightening of his grip on Wells. Then hishead moved slightly against my lap and his eyes opened. He looked up at me with the most unguarded expression.
"Hey, baby," I whispered.
"Daddy," he murmured back. He blinked a couple of times like he was still trying to come to. "How long I sleep?"
"A while. You needed it. I bet you feel better now."
He stayed where he was, which I took as a good sign. No immediate scrambling to sit up and recalibrate. He just lay there looking at the ceiling.
"Auden was incredible," he said after a moment, his Little side shifting away.
"They really were."
"I froze. I didn't—" He stopped.
"You handed them the phone. That was the right call. Knowing when to hand off is not freezing." I relayed Auden’s version of things.
He was quiet after that, as if he were turning it over. I ran my hand through his hair again. He closed his eyes briefly though I could tell he wasn’t sleeping.
"I want to ask you something," I said to break the silence. "And I want you to know there's no pressure attached to this. I'm not going to be upset if you need time."
His eyes met mine as he nodded slowly. I didn’t want him to worry over what I intended to say. This wasn’t anything bad, so it was best to get it out in the open.
"I want to move in. I want to be here. Every day, not most days, and not just when things come up. Here." I kept my voice even.
He looked at me for a long moment before softly asking, “Are you sure?”
"The most sure I’ve ever been.”
He turned his face into my leg, tucking his nose against my knee. I heard his mumbled agreement a few minutes later, and for the first time since answering Moseley’s call, I felt like I could breathe again.
CHAPTER 35
Grizzly
I’d specifically scheduled the appointment for early morning in an attempt to not dwell on the outcome all day. Daddy arrived at my door far earlier than needed.
