Page 19 of Bear’s House

"How do you keep order with so many boys?" Jeffrey asked me, watching JJ and Henry, who had escalated back to arguing about the LEGO tower at increasing volumes.

"Patience," I said. "And the truth is I love this role."

And I did. I genuinely loved being Daddy to my boys.

"Lucky me that I only have Lucy," Elizabeth said, raising her Sprite. "I don't think I could manage all of that."

"It's easier than it looks," I said. "Our house runs well. I can't imagine the boys without each other — they'd miss it terribly."

And that was true. Every time one of them had somewhere else to be, the others complained. JJ got even more chaotic than usual. Mikey curled inward. Sawyer adopted a posture of calm responsibility that barely concealed how much he felt the absence too.

Just then Mikey stood up, holding the plastic strawberry cake that came apart in little slices, and came over to the table.

"Do you want a piece, Daddy?" he asked. Then he looked shyly at my friends. "Would the Sirs like some too?"

"I'll take a piece, thank you," Dominic said.

I was glad. He was engaging like this again — since Sara had gone, he'd stopped interacting with littles in any way at all, and it had made him visibly sadder. The fact that he was accepting Mikey's little cake was a good sign.

Mikey set a small plastic plate with a plastic slice in front of him with all the care in the world.

"Thank you very much," Dominic said, in that deep voice of his.

Mikey lit up completely.

"I'll have some too," Elizabeth said.

"Don't forget me," Jeffrey added.

Mikey gave everyone a little plate, delighted and animated, then went back to his fluffy rug and sat down.

"I'm going to make soup now," he announced. "Dessert first, then the meal." He giggled like the idea was outrageous.

"I'm sorry?" I said, putting on my best mock-stern voice. "That doesn't sound right to me, little boy."

He laughed. "Sorry, Daddy, but that's how my kitchen works."

"I think this kitchen might need to be inspected for rule violations," I said. "And there might need to be a little talk with the head chef. With some good spanks."

"Nooooo, Daddy! It's fine," he giggled. "I promise the dessert will come after."

"Very good. Good boy."

He laughed again and went back to his food set. My friends were watching the whole exchange with something close to pride in their eyes, and that made me happy. These were good people who understood our way of life, who shared the same values, who made this place a real community.

Just then Sawyer appeared in front of the table.

"Daddy, I'm hungry," he said. "Can I order a burger?"

"Of course, sweetheart," I said. It was almost lunchtime anyway. "Go get JJ and Mikey and go together."

"I'm noooooot huuuungry," JJ said from the mat, stretching the words out, not even looking up from his blocks.

"Don't make me come over there, young man," I said.

Mikey was already on his feet. "I want to eat," he announced. "Cooking all of that was a lot of work."

I smiled. He was precious. "Sawyer, help them order. You can get whatever you want, just no sweets yet, all right? Food first."