18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Stanley

Epilogue

Shortly after we rang in the New Year, Jobe moved in the rest of his stuff but opted to leave his furniture behind. Renting fully furnished in this market was ideal. Many were looking for a place in Vegas to occasionally visit and not necessarily live in full-time.

“Daddy?” he called out when he got home.

Home. Our home.

What a wonderful ring those words had to them.

“There you are.” He found me in the study, I’d spent the morning on call after call assembling a team to get to work on the new app Crispin had previously mentioned. My sassy boy came in and plopped down on my lap.

“Oomph.” Once I caught my breath I gave him a kiss.

“Guess what?”

“Um, the rest of your boxes were just delivered?” He’d been in a meeting with the condo management team to see how to go about renting his condo. He was one of a handful of tenants that outright owned theirs and weren’t renters.

“Duh, silly. I watched as they loaded them in the moving truck and drove away. But, I got my place rented and they want to move in the first of February.”

“Wow, that didn’t take long.”

“No. It’s a prime area and it helped that the management team had a list of vetted potential tenants who wanted to be in the building. Well, and the fact that it was furnished helped, too. The cleaning crew is coming in next week to do a top-to-bottom scrub and the property manager is putting the lease together for me to review.”

“That is fantastic news. We are off to a very happy New Year, aren’t we, my love?”

“Yes we are, but now we have something even bigger to plan.” Jobe fiddled with the buttons on my shirt. “Our wedding.”

“I can’t wait. What did you have in mind? We still need to get rings made.” Adrenaline coursed through me and the words came out in a rushed tumble.

“Excited much?” My boy’s face was lit up like the Vegas strip. He was just as excited as I was. “For sure we are not having a Vegas wedding.”

“Agreed. We see the strip every day. Destination wedding then?” I was game for just about anything.

“I would love that, but I only have one person to invite and to be honest, I haven’t met anymore of your friends so how many will you be inviting?”

“I have acquaintances. Really Crispin is my only friend.” Was that sad? I was more than happy with it so to me it wasn’t. There were some you just didn’t want to mix business and pleasure with.

“Actually, that’s perfect. How about the four of us spend ten days in Aruba for Christmas this year? We get married on Christmas day, may cost a pretty penny to pull off but we can handle it. Then honeymoon there and Crispin and Beck can do whatever they want the rest of the time.”

“That sounds idyllic, and I bet they’d enjoy it. Why don’t you run it by Beck, assuming you’re asking him to be your best man?” Given what he already said it wasn’t much of an assumption.

“Yes, of course.”

“And I’ll do the same with Crispin.” Just then my phone rang. “Ah, speak of the devil,” I answered as I put him on speaker phone.

“My ears are burning, and I have a favor to ask.”

“Same. You go first.”

“I have to dash off to Europe to save a big account and fire the idiot who nearly lost it for us. I’ll be gone a week, and I don’t want to leave Beck alone. Would it be possible for him to stay with you guys?”

Beck. The one person I’d forgotten would now be alone since Jobe moved.

I glanced at Jobe who’s head bobbed much the way Beck’s did when he was excited.

“Absolutely. When should we expect him?”

“I have an early flight tomorrow, but I’ll deliver him tonight and sleep at your place with him. I’ll call him each night to read him his bedtime story. He’s grown to love that, as have I.”

“We’ll be here unpacking the massive boxes filling our entryway.”

Crispin laughed. “I imagine most if not all are filled with designer clothing?”

“You assume correctly, Daddy Crispin,” Jobe replied.

“Oh, and a second to that favor, would it be possible for one or both of you to usher Beck to and from work? That club is not in the best part of town, and he doesn’t drive. I hate that he takes the bus in the middle of the night. It makes me nervous.”

“If we can’t get him we’ll send a car service,” I assured him. “But it’s only four nights a week so I can promise that your boy will be well cared for in your absence.”

“Thank you, my friend. Now, pray tell, enlighten me as to why my ears were burning.”

“Don’t tell Beck because Jobe wants to, but we set a date and would like the two of you to be our best men.”

“Absolutely honored and delighted to. Just tell me where and when.”

“Aruba for Christmas. Our treat. Ten days of beach and crystal blue waters. What do you say?”

“You had me at Aruba,” Crispin laughed. “We will be there.”

“Excellent. Must go and dig a path to the door. We’ll see you tonight.” I disconnected the call and watched my boy squirm.

“Daddy, I’m so excited.”

“I can tell. But there will be time for naughtiness later. For now, we need to get organized before that adorable tornado arrives.” I hadn’t thought of keeping any of the little stuff I had given Jobe’s reaction to it but now I wished I’d have kept some of the toys at the very least. “Do you think we should consider buying some toys to keep here for when Beck comes over?”

“I think that’s a great idea. You’re better at that stuff than I am so why don’t you get whatever you believe he needs, and it can stay in the sewing room since I’m sure he’ll be in there with me and if I don’t keep him busy it’ll be hell.”

“Ha-ha, understood and on it. Now, get to hanging up those clothes and fill our closet.” The smile on my face was likely permanent given how happy I was. My life had been filled to the brim and I couldn’t wait for our new chapter to begin.

I was able to get a few toys for Beck delivered same day and the rest would arrive throughout the week. The soon-to-be very spoiled little would be over the moon. Then I joined my boy in breaking down boxes. Our place had been a revolving door of deliveries and boxes. Maintenance kindly picked the empties up for recycling and as the last were hauled away, Crispin and Beck arrived.

“Hey, guys, glad to see you,” I greeted our friends. Beck wore the rabbit leash backpack Jobe got him for Christmas and it was packed to the brim. Crispin pulled an oversized piece of luggage along with a smaller one and had a gift bag in hand.

“I think my boy will be set for a week, or for life given the size of his luggage. Are you planning to move in, sweet boy?” Crispin asked him and Beck rolled his eyes.

“Silly Daddy, of course not. But I couldn’t leave all my stuffies home alone.” His eyes darted from the gift bag to Crispin and back again. “Who’s the prezzie for, Daddy?”

“It’s for you. I wanted you to have a new friend to cuddle while Daddy’s away.” Crispin handed him the bag as we all watched while he tore into it.

“A new teddy bear and he’s in a suit like Daddy wears.” Beck cuddled it tight. “I’m calling him Daddy Bear. Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, sweet boy. I’ll stay here with you tonight, but Daddy has to leave bright and early when the car he ordered comes.” Beck teared up. “Please don’t cry, little one. I’ll be back in a week, and I’ll call you every night for story time.”

“Promise, Daddy?”

“I promise and we can text, too, don’t forget. Anytime you feel sad or miss Daddy, text me and I’ll either call you or text back as time allows, but know that I’ll be thinking of you all the time and I love you.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

“This is so sugary sweet I may vomit,” Jobe broke the spell cast upon us, though I knew his words held no malice. He was truly happy for his friend. “Save it for Aruba.” Ah, his segue in.

“Who’s going to Aruba?” Beck asked, still gripping his bear.

“We all are for our wedding. Oh yeah, you’re my best man.”

“I’m what?”

Jobe played it up, rolling his eyes and striking an attitude-filled stance. “Who else would I ask? You are, after all, my best friend.”

“Oh. My. Gawd!” Beck squealed and attacked Jobe. “I’m so excited. When do we get to go? Congrats, Daddy Stanley!” While those two hugged, and Beck came back down to earth, Crispin and I stood off to the side grinning like a couple lovestruck teens watching our boys.

“Thank you, Beck. We have some boxes we need your help with after dinner.”

“Okay, Daddy Stanley. I’m a good helper.” His cheery disposition was a pleasure to be around.

“I bet you are, little one. Let’s eat and then we’ll get to it.”

“You just won Daddy-Uncle of the year with Beck,” Jobe whispered as we gathered everything to set out for dinner.

“That’s the fun part. It’s like having nieces and nephews. We can spoil Beck when he’s here then we send him home for Crispin to handle.”

“That is freaking brilliant,” Jobe kissed my cheek and spun off to deliver our friends their food.

But yeah, I’d been told I was brilliant a time or two but it’s always sweeter coming from someone you love.

“All right, dinner is done. Shall we convene to the living room and get to work on those boxes?” I couldn’t wait to see the confusion on Beck’s face as he opened each one.

“Beck, help me with the big one first,” Jobe suggested, and they got to work while I grabbed a screwdriver.

“Huh, these legs seem short for this table.” Beck’s confusion made it hard to keep a straight face. “Daddy Stanley, I think they sent you the wrong box. These chairs are way too small for you.”

“Could be. Let’s double check the rest of the order.” I’d filled Crispin in, so he was in on it, too.

“A tea set?” This just got better with each package. Beck’s face scrunched up like he thought I’d lost my mind, or the shipper had really messed up.

“Play food? Okay,” he stood, hands on his hips. “What is going on here?”

I nodded to Jobe for him to tell. “Well, with you coming over here more and me working on my designs, we thought it would be fun if you had a play area in the sewing room, too, so we could still be together.”

Blink. Blink . Understanding dawned and tears welled.

“You guys did this for me?”

And full-blown happy tears. At least, I hoped they were…

“Yes, sweet boy. You’re a part of our life and we want you to have your own toys when you’re here.” My affirmation seemed to cement the reality of it for Beck.

Beck bowled Jobe over with a bit of an aggressive hug, but Jobe laughed it off. Then it was my turn. Had I not been prepared for it I’d have likely fallen over, too.

“Thank you, Jobe and Daddy Stanley,” he wiped his eyes as his Daddy hugged him tight. “I love you guys.”

“We love you, too. Let’s get it set up in the sewing room.” Jobe helped him carry the food and tea set back while Crispin and I finished attaching the legs to the table and chairs then carried them into the sewing room.

“I can’t wait to play tomorrow,” Beck squealed.

“It’s time for Daddy to say goodnight, sweet boy. The car will be here early. Did you want to stay up and play for a bit?” Crispin rubbed Beck’s shoulders. I loved how whenever Beck was near, Crispin lovingly touched him.

“No, Daddy, I can play with Daddy Stanley and Jobe tomorrow. I want to have as much time with you as I can before you leave.” Beck’s bottom lip jutted out and I feared tears would again ensue.

“Goodnight and thank you both for what you’ve done for Beck.” Crispin nodded then the two of them headed toward the guest room.

“We did good, didn’t we, Daddy?”

“Yes, my love, we did, but it’s important Beck feel comfortable in your new home.”

“Crispin, how’s Europe?” He’d only been gone four days, so the call surprised me.

“Going well. In fact, I just landed and am headed over. I want to surprise Beck.”

“Great. He and Jobe have been holed up in the sewing room for the most part. He’ll be ecstatic to see you.”

“Thank you again, I’ll be there within the hour.”

I finished up a few emails until Crispin texted he was headed up in the elevator and met him in the foyer.

“The boys still in Jobe’s room?”

“They are. Jobe is currently making clothes for Beck’s bears who oddly enough are in the middle of having a tea party.”

Crispin laughed. “I hope you took pictures and will text them to me.”

Before I forgot, I sent them to him.

I peeked around the door, into the boys’ room. The scene, albeit a familiar one, still warmed my heart to witness. The boys were putting the new clothes on Beck’s bears.

“Hi, Daddy Stanley,” Beck said when he spotted me and sighed.

“What’s the matter, little one?” Crispin stood beside me just out of sight though he could hear our conversation.

“Did I make my Daddy mad?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“’Cause he didn’t call me last night to read me a bedtime story.”

Crispin came around the other side of me so Beck could see him. “That’s because I wanted to do it in person.”

“Daddy!” Beck launched himself at Crispin who thankfully caught him midair. “Daddy, I missed you so much.”

Crispin kissed him and squeezed him tight. “I missed you, too, sweet boy. But it’s time for us to go home. Daddy has lots of prezzies for you.”

“You do?”

“I do. Tell Daddy Stanley and Jobe thank you for everything.”

Beck hugged Jobe. “Thank you for everything. My bears love their new clothes.”

“You’re very welcome. Now that I have patterns made I can add to their wardrobe.”

“You’re the bestest best friend.”

“Right back at cha, BFF.”

Beck gathered his bears and handed them to Crispin then hugged me. “Thank you, Daddy Stanley.”

“Any time, little one.”

They gathered Beck’s things and headed down to the car Crispin had waiting.

“That was a lot of energy,” Jobe sighed and leaned into me. “But he’s so much happier now, as am I.”

“My goal in life is to ensure your happiness.”

“That you do, more than I ever thought possible. I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too, Jobe.”

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball by way of a boy whose needs meet yours and you find your forever.

Even if it is a bit sassy on occasion, don’t overlook what could be yours.

If you enjoyed Jobe's story, check out the other books A Daddy for Christmas series

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