Chapter Seventeen

Bobby

Miss Lily had arranged a little New Year’s Eve party. I was so excited. I’d never been one to do the whole New Year’s Eve thing, but this year I was all in. After seeing the little Christmas party, I was ready to be part of the fun.

The Christmas party had been such a success, Miss Lily decided to add tonight’s event to their schedule, and unlike the Christmas party, I could come to this one. I wasn’t an employee this time; I was simply a guest. And I was thrilled.

Papa even got us another fancy dressing room. On such a busy night, it wasn’t one of the over-the-top ones, but it had a private space for us and was designed for littles and their caregivers, and that was enough. I didn’t need a changing table or a daddy-and-me rocking chair. I just needed help getting ready. The real fun was going to be the party itself.

We checked in, and Miss Lily showed us to the room. Papa had picked out my clothes for the night, and I still didn’t know what he brought, but I was excited to see what he wanted to dress me in to show me off to his friends.

I had met most of them and their littles before, but I didn’t know most of them very well—at least, not yet. I was hoping tonight would help change that.

“Have a seat.” He tapped the lounge chair.

I obeyed, and he set the backpack on the counter and opened it up.

“It’s New Year’s Eve, and you know what that means?”

I had no idea and told him as much.

“It means sparkling like the sun—”

“Glitter!”

He nodded.

“Did you get me the kind that goes on your face?” I’d seen it on the internet, and it looked like tons of fun.

“We’ll get to your face later. First, I want to show you your fabulous clothes.”

The first thing he pulled out was a pair of itty-bitty shorts that sparkled like they were made of glitter but were somehow still soft. I didn’t know what sorcery went into that, but I was there for it.

Next, he pulled out thigh-high socks with a similar vibe, only they were blue and sparkly. I was going to be the cutest little at the party.

Then came my thick underwear. Nothing special there, but I was still waiting for the shirt. Was Daddy going to put me in a onesie? Had he bought me a different kind of top? Would the glitter be on my chest with no shirt, or maybe he planned to leave me bare?

All the possibilities rolled through my head, and each one sounded good to me.

I was surprised when he pulled out a gift bag and handed it to me.

“I got you this, but know that if it’s not something you want, I have other clothes in here. There’s zero pressure. But I saw it and… Just open it.”

He seemed nervous, which caught me off guard.

I pulled out the tissue paper, reached inside, and pulled out what looked like a normal T-shirt—until I unfolded it.

It was anything but normal.

The skin-tight crop top was pretty close to the same design as my Daddy’s Boy shirt. Only this one said, Papa’s Boy .

He’d told me once that I’d always be Daddy’s boy, and that he was glad for that because that time in my life had made me who I was now. Seeing him give me this…it had me tearing up.

I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him.

“Is that an I like it hug, or a Why did you do this to me hug?” he asked.

I reached up, grabbed his cheeks, pulled him close, and kissed him soundly. Then, mumbling against his lips, I said, “It’s an It’s perfect kiss and hug. Put it on me.” I held my hands up, and he pulled the shirt down over me.

It was snug, and, when I looked at it in the mirror, paired with the rest of my outfit, I knew I was officially the best-looking little in the house. I didn’t need to see any of the others to know it for a fact.

He helped me into some sneakers that also sparkled and gave me glitterific freckles and we were ready to go. The last time we came, I picked out all my own clothes, but this time, he’d asked if he could surprise me…and I was so glad I said yes. We walked out of the dressing room hand in hand to find our friends at the party.

Miss Lily greeted us warmly. “It’s so good to see you!” She handed me a little book. “Remember last time when I had the scavenger hunt?”

I nodded. I hadn’t participated, but I remembered it.

“It was such a hit that I decided to do another one. This is your sticker book. When you find one of each of the stickers on the list, you put it in your book. When your book is filled, you can hand it in for a prize!”

I clutched it close to myself. “Or I can keep all the stickers in my beautiful book.”

She laughed. “That’s true.”

There was no prize worth giving up a full sticker book. She’d learn that soon enough.

Papa and I looked at the list then went around the room finding the different stickers. They were all themed for the holiday: Baby New Year, the ball drop, a clock, etc. Even though they were thematic, they were cute. I loved finding one then another. There was something so satisfying about putting them in my book.

We ran into friends along the way, saying hello and talking stickers. But we were on a mission, and we succeeded. I wasn’t sure if we were first or not, but we made good time. Miss Lily discovered pretty quickly that those sticker books were coming home with us. I didn’t see one little who wasn’t clutching theirs for dear life. It was the perfect party favor.

With time to spare before the big countdown, I played with cars with my new friend Hudson while his daddy talked to Papa. We had snack time, listened to a couple of books, and played some games—all before the timer on the wall lit up, letting us know midnight was near.

As it reached ten, we all counted down together.

“Ten…nine…eight…”

When we hit one, Daddy brought his lips to mine.

We kissed, a kiss so filled with promise, hope, love. We kissed until the cheering slowed and both of us were breathless. It was the perfect way to bring in the new year.

He pressed his forehead against mine. “Happy New Year, my sweet boy. I’m looking forward to spending it with you.”

“Happy Birthday, Papa.” I kissed him again, unable to stop myself. How could I not after he said something that sweet. “I love you.”

“I love you, Bobby.”

“Take me home and show me how much?” I nibbled on his bottom lip.

“I’d love nothing more.”

Everyone around us started shouting, “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Eve is when everything begins again. People have plans and goals. New things start—new classes at the gym, new crafts at the hobby shop. New beginnings are everywhere.

But for me, it wasn’t January.

My new beginning wasn’t tonight.

It was at the little Christmas party at Chained—the one where I met Daddy. The one where I began to allow myself to live again. The one where I first began to open my heart.

The one that changed everything.