Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
I wasn’t sure I had anything from the Marvel Universe, though.
Clearly, it was time to do more shopping.
“How about we have lunch, and after we’re done I’ll get out the crayons and we’ll watch a movie? You can pick out one of the Marvel ones.” As the words came out, I thought of an important caveat. “But no bad endings. I want a happy little, not a sad one because his favorite character died or got divorced or whatever nonsense they’re getting up to.”
He giggled, probably finding my logic questionable. “We can watch Spiderman go to Italy. It’s very romantic.”
I wasn’t sure I was going to see it that way, but I liked travel documentaries…so maybe it would work?
“That sounds perfect.” I kissed his head, tickling his side lightly. “Just not too romantic. No funny business.”
That got more giggles from him and the innocent sound said he wasn’t fighting his little side anymore. “I’ll be good.”
Kissing his head, I relaxed my touch and went back to stroking his back. “If you’re a good boy, maybe we can make sure our third date comes fairly quickly.”
He laughed like a kid hearing a dirty joke for the first time.
When he finally caught his breath, he nodded eagerly and sat up, wiggling closer so he was draped across me. Giving me a delightful grin, he did his best to look sweet and innocent. “I’ll eat all my veggies.”
“That’s a very good start.” Kissing his nose, I smiled as he blushed and giggled. “And you’ll make me a picture?”
He needed to see that I was comfortable with his little side, and I wanted something to remember our first scene as Daddy and boy.
And it was our first scene, even if he hadn’t called me Daddy yet.
“Yes, I can draw Spiderman.” His eager excitement gave me a flash of the flirty tease I’d seen before, but this was flavored with an innocence that was delightful. He was still Hunter, but this was definitely a new side of him.
“I would love that.” Digging my fingers into his sides again, I loved his laughter and the way he squirmed, pushing into me and snuggling closer.
“You…I…” When he was out of breath and laughing, I eased up and gave him a hug.
“So many wiggles.” He huffed and shook his head, sucking in air.
“Silly, Daddy.”
Aww.
“Very.” I kissed his head again as he pressed his face into my chest, finally realizing what he’d said. “But no more sillies for now. We have dino nuggets and tater tots or spaghetti on the menu for lunch. What sounds better?”
That was a harder decision than I’d expected because it took several moments of big sighs and dramatic thinking before he gave an answer. “Um, nuggets and noodles?”
So he was going for a compromise.
Worked for me.
“That sounds delicious.” Giving him a tight hug, I tried to let him know that the problems were in the past and we were moving forward together. “Let’s go make lunch and you can tell me all about your toys.”
I might not have watched the movies, but I hadn’t been living under a rock.
His head popped up as I relaxed my hold, excitement radiating from him. “I have lots.”
That was not a surprise.
“I can’t wait to hear all about them.” Smiling as he jerked forward and kissed my cheek, I stroked his head and gave him another hug. “Thank you, Spidey.”
I wasn’t sure if he was my sweet boy yet or not, but as my cutie grinned and wiggled excitedly, I knew we were well on our way.
****
“Alright, I have a very important question for my Spiderman.” As I shifted closer and tried to look very serious, he giggled and shuffled his feet excitedly under the table.
“Do I gotta save the day?” Hunter’s eager tone and grin said he thought swinging from buildings would be fun.
“No, even more important.” I leaned in and dropped my voice conspiratorially. “Does the spaghetti stay long so you eat it with a fork or do I cut it up and you get a spoon?”
His eyes widened. “Oh, very serious…”
And clearly something that took a lot of thought because it took several long moments before he looked slightly bashful and managed an answer. “Um, a spoon?”
Little Hunter was sweet and funny, but sometimes it seemed like his grown-up side started to worry about what I was thinking.
I was really starting to understand why it’d been so hard for him to tell me about this side of himself when we’d first met.
“I’m so smart. That’s what I thought you’d want.” My over-the-top response had him grinning, and the worry faded from his expression. “I’m fabulous.”
That got another big grin from him and he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes.”
His excitement and cheer said I was funny too.
Which was not something I thought grown-up Hunter would say, but little Hunter loved my silliness. Giving his cheek a kiss as I stood up, I winked at him. “And I have a smart boy, too.”