10. Chapter 10

Ollie

I didn't like it at first when Daddy suggested I go spend some time with Carey. I was afraid maybe he was getting tired of me, but by the time I left, he'd convinced me that that wasn't the case at all. I still thought he was up to something, but whatever it was, it didn't have anything to do with getting rid of me.

And he was right. Even though Carey and I had come on this cruise planning to meet Daddies to spend time with, it seemed weird that we had hardly seen each other at all. So some time in the spa was the perfect way for us to catch up, and Carey agreed.

"It was really nice of your Daddy to pay for my spa treatment," he said. We were sitting side by side in the pedicure chairs, both of us with masks on our faces. It was like something you would see in a movie, but not something I'd ever expected to experience in person.

"I just wish you'd found a Daddy of your own."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I've had a blast, and I met some really interesting people. It kind of opened my eyes to what I want after graduation. Maybe it's time for me to think about widening my job search instead of settling for where I am."

"I hear you. It's sure made me rethink things."

"What do you mean? What are you thinking?"

"It's probably silly," I said.

"Well, personally, I think some silly would do you good. You've been way too serious for way too long. Now tell me."

"I just want what I've had this week, you know. The fun and adventure. But mostly Adam. I don't want to go back to my boring old life looking for a corporate job and working myself to death just to get to the point I can branch out on my own. I've been telling myself that I had to do it that way, you know. Like get the degree, put in my time in that world, but now I'm thinking maybe I was wrong."

"I can see that. Have you two talked about what comes after the cruise?"

"No, I'm afraid to bring it up. What if he doesn't want anything but a vacation fling? That would be…crap, I don't even want to think about what that would be like."

"Well, you have today and tomorrow to figure it out, and after that, we'll be headed back to Fort Lauderdale."

"I know," I wailed. "Believe me, I know."

"So you're going to have to say something or else walk away, never knowing if he felt the same way."

"I just keep hoping maybe he'll say something first, so I don't have to."

"And if he doesn't?"

"If he doesn't, I'll just have to man-up and do it myself, but not until the cruise is over. I don't want to spoil what time we have left if he doesn't want me that way."

Adam

I was waiting on my balcony when Ollie came back from his spa treatment with his friend. He came right to where I was reclining on the lounge and joined me, snuggling right in beside me.

"Did you have a good time?"

"I did. You were right. It was good to spend some time with Carey."

I chuckled and squeezed him tight. "Well, as you'll eventually figure out, Daddy's normally right."

"So, what are we doing the rest of today?" he asked.

"I don't know. What do you want to do?"

He turned to face me and looked at me suspiciously, probably because I'd told him I had a surprise for him later, but I wasn't ready to tell him about that.

"There's only one more full day on the ship after the shore trip tomorrow, so there has to be something you wanted to do that you haven't done."

He settled back down beside me and sighed. "I don't know, there's a cooking demonstration that sounds fun, and I kind of wanted to go back to the art gallery. Mostly, I just want to spend the rest of the day with you."

Hearing that made my heart swell and gave me hope that he'd be on board with what I was planning for our future, and I realized in that moment that Harper was right. I didn't need to do anything that required some elaborate plan. All I needed to do was to make sure my boy knew what was in my heart. "I think the cooking demonstration sounds like a great idea, but if you really enjoyed the art gallery, you should let me take you to my favorite gallery back home. They have amazing work from all over the world, and some stunning pieces from local artists."

He pulled back and stared at me. "You would want me to visit you back home?"

"Sweet boy, I don't want you to visit me. I want you to come with me. I know this is crazy, and I know it's fast, but I don't want to go home without you."

I watched as tears welled up in his eyes and a smile spread across his face. "Really, Daddy? You want me to come with you?"

"I do. It's a big city, and there are tons of opportunities in your field. Or, if you want to branch out on your own and start your own design business, you could do that, too. I just want you with me."

"Like permanently? You want me to be your boy?"

"Sweetness, as far as I'm concerned, you're already my boy. So yes, I want you to go home with your friend, Carey, pack up all your belongings, and tie up any loose ends you have. Then I'll have your stuff shipped to our home, and I'll buy you a first-class plane ticket so you can get back to me."

"You're serious, aren't you?" he asked.

"Totally serious."

At that, he spun around to face me and kissed me. "Then yes, Daddy, I'll come home with you."