Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jasha

I n the morning on Christmas Day, Jasha stood, staring out the window at the serene beauty of Lake Tahoe. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the water. It should have been a peaceful moment, but his mind was anything but calm. The pressure to make a decision loomed over him, growing more intense with each passing hour. The ticket to Russia was for an early flight on December twenty-sixth, before the sun had even risen.

Daddy Kaleb was still asleep. Jasha looked at him, noticing the relaxed and peaceful expression on his face, and a stab of sympathy filled his heart for both Daddy Kaleb and his father. Every time he looked into Daddy Kaleb’s eyes, he felt an overwhelming sense of love and adoration. Their time together had been nothing short of magical, filled with ice skating, snowmobiling, and nights out at the bars. Daddy Kaleb made him feel alive in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time.

But then there was his father. He had always been a complicated figure in Jasha’s life, and their relationship was far from perfect. Yet, when his father had written to him, desperate and on the run from creditors, something inside Jasha felt a pull. His father needed him, and despite everything, he was still his father.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The thought of leaving Daddy Kaleb tore him apart. Daddy Kaleb had been his rock, his support system, and the love of his life. But could Jasha live with himself if he turned his back on his father in his time of need?

A tear slipped down his cheek. He had to decide, and he had to make it soon. The weight of it all felt crushing, but he knew he had to balance his heart and his responsibilities.

Jasha dressed quickly and climbed down the stairs, needing some fresh air to clear his head. He zipped up his jacket, laced up his boots, and headed out the door without anyone seeing him. As he stepped outside, the bitter wintry morning hit his face, and he took a deep breath. He had to figure this out. For himself, for his father, and for Daddy Kaleb.

Jasha stood by the lake, the freezing morning breeze brushing against his face. He watched two people skating, trying to find some semblance of calm within himself. His mind was a storm of conflicting emotions.

He thought about his father, alone and desperate in Russia. The man who had raised him, despite their complicated relationship, was now in trouble. Jasha felt a deep sense of duty and guilt. How could he abandon his father when he needed him the most?

But then his thoughts drifted back to Daddy Kaleb. The warmth of Daddy Kaleb’s embrace, the sound of his laughter, the way he made Jasha feel safe and loved. Leaving Daddy Kaleb felt like tearing out a piece of his own heart. They had built a life together in a brief period of time, filled with love and dreams for the future. Could he really walk away from that?

Jasha’s education was another weight on his shoulders. He had worked tirelessly to get to where he was, balancing his studies and his job as a translator. His future depended on his education and leaving it behind felt like throwing away everything he had worked for.

He closed his eyes, feeling the tears welling up. The pressure of making the right decision was overwhelming. He wanted to be there for his father, but he also couldn’t imagine a life without Daddy Kaleb.

Jasha took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew he had to make a choice, but the path forward was anything but clear. The inner conflict raged on, tearing him between love, duty, and his own aspirations.

He pulled his phone from his pocket when he heard the message chime and saw a message from Daddy Kaleb.

Daddy Kaleb: Where are you? I woke up and you were gone.

Jasha was so cold, but he wasn’t going to see or talk to anyone until he made a decision. He got up and walked down the path to the marketplace.

Jasha stared at the snow-covered trees. For two days, he had been torn between the familiar warmth of Daddy Kaleb’s love and the pull of his father’s invitation to move back to Russia. He’d always loved his homeland, but the sad memories of his mother’s death, the warmth of Daddy Kaleb’s love, and the comfort of his new life here pulled at him.

Now, as he watched the snowflakes fall in the winter wind, a decision finally settled in his heart. He would stay.

Grabbing his phone, he typed out a quick message to Daddy Kaleb.

Jasha: Meet me at the coffee shop in 30? I need to talk.

As Jasha walked towards the coffee shop, his mind raced with thoughts of Daddy Kaleb. He remembered the way he made him feel safe and loved. It was impossible to imagine his life without him.

As he waited for Kaleb to arrive, Jasha’s mind raced. How would Kaleb react?

When Kaleb finally walked through the door, his face lit up with a familiar grin. “Hey. I’ve been worried sick about you because you left without telling anyone. What’s up?”

Jasha took a deep breath. “Daddy Kaleb, I needed to get away to make my decision without anyone around… And I’ve decided I’m going to stay with you.”

Daddy Kaleb’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? You mean it?”

Jasha nodded. “I do. I love my father, but this…this is home now. I have you, and I have friends and school. I don’t want to leave that.”

Kaleb’s smile grew even wider. “I’m so happy, Jasha. I was worried you might go.”

“I know. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave you behind.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t. And you know what? I’ll make sure you get to visit your father. You deserve to see your family.”

Jasha’s heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you, Daddy Kaleb. That means a lot.”

“Of course. Now, let’s celebrate. How about a hot chocolate?”

As they sipped their drinks, Jasha couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace. He had made the right decision. And he was incredibly grateful to have Daddy Kaleb in his life.

“Hey, Daddy Kaleb,” Jasha said softly. “I love you.”

Daddy Kaleb leaned across the table and kissed Jasha on the cheek. “I love you too,” he replied.

The End