Chapter Fourteen

I had positively held my breath when I made Lane dinner after we watched The Princess Bride that day, hoping I was doing things right. That the shaped mac'n'cheese I picked out was good for the dishes. I wasn't an expert daddy, by any means, but I was looking forward to learning and grateful for the patience a certain little demonstrated with me nearly all the time. More than I'd have been able to manage, for sure.

Being a caretaker either came naturally or it did not, I believed, and looking back at my other relationships where I'd tried to extend that and been rejected pretty firmly, I wondered how it had taken me so long to get to this point. Could I have had stronger relationships if I'd been with other littles instead of the really independent-anything-but littles I'd chosen? Or was it just a matter of finding myself with one in particular, the right little for me. The one who brought my caregiving instincts to the forefront and made me a true daddy.

I'd probably never know, but what mattered was that I'd met someone who made me wake up every morning looking forward to seeing what the day would bring. I still went about my jobs in the building and all the other things that made up my life, but once Lane was home from work, the real day began. We were eating dinner together quite often now, spending our evenings and weekends together, and some of that time he was big, others little. Life was so much more interesting and joyous with Lane in it.

And with that in mind, I came to the conclusion that our relationship required something a little formal at this point. A special occasion to celebrate and, hopefully, cement the daddy/little side of our relationship. I picked a Friday night when we could stay up late if we chose and not have to worry about getting up early. Or at least Lane wouldn't. My schedule was more flexible than his since I didn't have to go to an office.

On the weekends, he often helped me with my work, and on a couple of occasions, he'd been flagged down by other tenants to help them out with a problem. They just saw us together so much, they assumed it was his job, too, I guessed. I told him he could just send them to me, but he got a kick out of the new skills he was picking up, he insisted.

I spent a whole week planning how I would do it, shopping and watching YouTube videos for recipe ideas before Friday finally arrived. I decided not to use the little dishes or anything like that because it really was up to Lane when that happened, and he hadn't mentioned wanting to be little this weekend so far. And I didn't think it was necessary for him to be when I popped the question.

I had in mind a dinner that was not little, but that had elements of little, and in the end decided to serve a favorite of mine—although not one I'd ever prepared before. So I spent Tuesday down the rabbit hole on YouTube watching one influencer after another make spaghetti carbonara. Wednesday, I learned the art of New York cheesecake, and I figured I could manage a salad and garlic bread on my own. I set the table and bought flowers. I even lit a couple of candles because they said special occasion to me. And then I set the small box with the gift I'd bought him by his place. And waited.

And got a text: I'm running a little late. Be there soon.

Soon was a couple of hours late, and my pasta was a little congealed, the salad maybe shouldn't have been dressed until he got there, but when he walked in and saw the table all set with flowers and candles, he gave me the most satisfying squee. "What did you do? It's not my birthday, is it?" He thought for a second. "No, it's not."

"You really did have a long day, didn't you." I gave him a big hug and kiss. "Want a glass of wine?" Ever since that first night he stayed over and we never got around to drinking the wine, I kept a bottle in my fridge. Neither one of us was a big drinker, but a glass with dinner was a relaxing pleasure.

"Yes, please." He sank into his seat at the table. "Nothing bad at work. It was just busy and I'm wiped out, so if I fall asleep with my face in the soup, try to understand?"

"Good news. We're not having soup." I tousled his hair, something I enjoyed doing. "So we don't have to worry about you scorching those cute cheeks."

"What are we having? Can we eat fast and go to bed?"

I went into the kitchen and came back with bowls of salad and the big enameled cast-iron pot I'd cooked the pasta in. "If you're trying to seduce me, I promise you'll succeed."

I gave him a few minutes to sip wine and enjoy his only slightly wilted salad before bringing in the garlic bread and serving the pasta. "I also made a cheesecake," I told him. "So save room."

"Okay." He set his fork down. "Not that you don't always cook great, but this"—his wave took in the room—"has special all over it."

"Open your present."

He blinked. "I didn't see it." Reaching for the box, he gave me a tired smile. "I really am sorry to be so low energy after you've gone to so much trouble."

"Don't apologize for having a heavy work day. If I'd realized, I'd have saved all this for tomorrow, so maybe I should apologize."

"Look at us being all polite and stuff." He was working the ribbon on the small box. "Coming home to you is the best part of the whole day." With the ribbon undone, he finished unwrapping and opened the little brown box. "What is…ohhh, Daddy!" He pulled out the paci inside. "It's engraved with our initials. All three of us, even Cat-terine." Hopping up from his seat, he came around the table and climbed into my lap. "That's the sweetest gift. Thank you."

"You're very welcome, but you're right about this being a special occasion, at least I hope it will be."

Resting his cheek on my shoulder, he traced circles on my shirt with a fingertip. "What kind of occasion? We haven't been together for a year, so it's not our anniversary."

"I want to ask you something." We already were being daddy and little, so was it necessary to do this? I stroked a lock of hair back from his forehead and knew that it was. "If you're not too tired."

"No, I'm good. What's going on?" His voice was soft, tired. My timing sucked. "Please, Daddy?"

"When can I ever say no to you?" I drew in a deep breath. "Lane, would you officially be my little?"

He sat up straight on my lap, eyes wide and every trace of tired gone from his face. "You are proposing that I be your little? Forever?"

"For as long as you want to be."

"And you'll be my daddy. Forever." His lower lip trembled.

"For as long as you want me to be."

"Then I now pronounce us Daddy and little." Lane pressed that trembling lip to mine and kissed me. "I didn't really think about it before, but it's so wonderful that you did. This is why you're the daddy. You take care of me and give me what I need. And I need to have you be my daddy."

"I love you, Lane."

"And I love you, Daddy."

"Want cheesecake?"

He bobbed his head, riding the line between big and little. "I want a big piece."

"Okay, then." I stood up, bringing him with me, and set him on his feet. "Finish your dinner and then you can have the biggest piece of the cheesecake with a big dollop of blueberry compote that I also made."

"Gee, Daddy, you've got chef skills." He returned to his seat and picked up his fork. "And after dessert, maybe we can seal this deal in the bedroom." He met and held my gaze. "I mean with sex."

I laughed so hard I blew wine out of my nose. One of Lane's gifts was knowing when things were getting too serious and needed to lighten up a little. "I think that's the best idea I've heard all day."

"No, Daddy, it's a good one, but the best idea is that you're my daddy forever."

"And you're my little for just as long."