Chapter 26 Daddy Shamus

They were finally alone in Miguel's hotel room, giving them a sense of privacy and peace. Shamus noticed how worn-out Miguel looked. Poor guy had never enjoyed his birthday over the years. If Shamus had known, he would have postponed their birthday plans, or at least, asked if he wanted to celebrate. He'd seemed happy at Seaside Sips at midnight when he turned twenty-one.

"Miguel, I can't express how proud I am of you," Shamus said.

"I love you too much to let you slip away."

"I love you more each day," Shamus exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and disbelief. He thought Miguel's mother was a tough woman. It was clear in the strong, assertive way she spoke. Despite growing up surrounded by a gangster parent and other relatives, Miguel appeared unscathed and unaffected. In the small town where Shamus was raised, gangs were unheard of. The thought crossed his mind that Miguel's father's involvement in gang activity could have made him a target in Brooklyn. No wonder his mother wanted to move.

"Is something wrong?" Shamus asked, noticing a sudden shift in Miguel's expression to one of sadness.

Miguel nodded. "I forgot to return the motorcycle. I told my uncle about it on the phone, and he said he'd take care of it."

"He did take care of it." Shamus cradled Miguel in his arms, feeling the softness of his hair and the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

"He did?" Miguel looked up at Shamus, his eyes meeting the towering figure before him.

"I like your Uncle Javier. He said to keep it. He gave Bently the money for it and the insurance." Shamus playfully tugged at Miguel's bouncy curls.

"I can't believe he did that. Uncle Javier is like a father to me."

"So, it's yours, a gift from Uncle Javier."

"I have to thank him. I'll call him later when he gets home and write him a thank-you letter."

"You have other presents on your bed." Shamus pointed to the bed, where four brightly wrapped gifts and a large envelope sat.

Sitting down on the bed, Miguel couldn't help but grin as Shamus snuggled up next to him.

The first present he opened was a beautifully wrapped gift from his sister. She'd bought him two pairs of jeans and three casual shirts. "I love these! Maria always picks out great clothes." Miguel read her birthday card, then showed Shamus.

The second one he opened was from his cousin Sara. Inside, he found a vibrant green sweater that perfectly complemented his eyes. "I love this sweater. Sara and I are very close."

"I can't wait to see you in your new clothes," Shamus said.

Shamus handed him the largest present. The card was from his mother. He recognized her handwriting on the envelope. Inside was the brand-new leather jacket he had wanted to replace his cousin's hand-me-down. "I can't wait until it's cool enough for me to wear. This is the exact one I told Maria about."

"I think they spoil you, Miguel."

Miguel's face lit up with a smile as he nodded. "They do."

Inside the large envelope, he found a heartwarming surprise—a handwritten note signed by all his cousins, aunts, and uncles, along with a check for five hundred dollars. Each of them had contributed to his birthday gift, showing their generosity and love.

Among all the opened gifts, there was one last present from his mother.

While unraveling the blue paper, a note slipped out. He read it aloud so Shamus could know what was written.

Miguel,

This is your papi's watch. He wore it the last day we both saw him alive. I think you deserve to have it now that you're older and can appreciate it. You became the man of the house when you turned six years old.

Love, Mom

Tears filled Miguel's eyes as he gingerly lifted the gold watch from the box.

"That's a very special gift," Shamus said.

"I'll wear it forever." With tears streaming down his face, Miguel delicately fastened his father's watch onto his wrist.

The value of it could never be measured; it was truly priceless. Shamus glimpsed Miguel's mother in a whole new light when he saw the memorable gift she had given him for his twenty-first birthday.

"Let's pack you up."

"For one night?"

"No! Not for one night. Pack everything and move in with me," Shamus said.

"In your apartment over the bar?"

"Yes, I talked to your uncle about it. He thinks you'll be safer living with me. He's going to keep your hotel room in case you want to be alone, and he plans to come back with the girls for a week."

"Wow! So many things are happening. I'd love to stay with you for the summer."

"Who said just the summer?" Shamus asked, his voice laced with tenderness and care.

"What do you mean?"

"I meant what I said. Move in with me. I want you to move into my Princeton home, too. It's so close to the school, you can walk there. And I can't stand to be away from you."

"That's a big move, Daddy Shamus. Can I think about it first? I don't want to rush into things. I can't see that far right now."

"No rush. I want you to feel secure. I'm not going anywhere. You're mine."

The sound of Shamus's phone ringing echoed through the room. A notification appeared on his phone, and he saw it was from the Art History chairperson, so he answered immediately.

"I sent you an email and didn't hear back from you. We're having a meeting tomorrow morning. I need you here," Professor Moretti said.

"What time?"

"Nine in the morning in room 422."

"I'll be there." Shamus ended the call.

"The Dean of the Faculty has called a meeting tomorrow morning. Why don't we go to my home, and you can see where I live? I'll only be gone for a couple of hours. Then, we can go out for dinner. Would you like to go with me?"

"Okay. What should I pack?"

"Everything. I'm moving you out today. Park your motorcycle where I park my car."

"Having a motorcycle seems crazy. I've never owned my own, but I have New York driving licenses for a car and a motorcycle. Uncle Javier made sure I learned how to drive. My mother doesn't know how to drive. She doesn't need to while she's living in Brooklyn."

"You have one hell of an uncle."

It didn't take them long to pack up all his belongings and gifts.

"I remember you walking into the lobby with your uncle. I'm so lucky to have you with me."

"I'm so lucky to have you supporting me. You're the perfect daddy for me."

"And you're the perfect boy for me."

Once the car was packed, Miguel followed him to the bar, riding his new motorcycle. He parked it where Shamus told him, then jumped into the car.

Shamus sent Finn a message.

Shamus: Need to go to Princeton for a meeting. We'll be back on Monday.

Finn: No problem. Jimmy is already here working. The new guy works fast.

Shamus: Thanks

"Is everything okay?" Miguel asked.

"More than okay. Guess what?"

"What?"

"I checked my email and there's a kitty party for daddies and their boys on Saturday night. I think you will love it. So, it's a good thing I packed everything we bought at the adult store."

"Oh, I can't believe such good luck. Where is the party?"

"It's in Stoney Brook, not too far from the campus, but far enough. We'll go to the party, then we'll spend Sunday there and get you back Monday so you can begin work."

"That's right. With all this going on, I forgot I have a job. I begin at three in the afternoon. It should be fun, but I really loved the job in the city translating."

"I can imagine. I think things are working in our favor."

"I loved riding my motorcycle, even if it was only for a short distance."

"I have one in Princeton so we can ride together."

"You're full of surprises, all good ones. How come you never mentioned you could speak Spanish?"

"I'm not as fluent as I would like to be."

They stopped for hamburgers and fries, then returned to driving. Pulling up to his home in Princeton, they were greeted by the sight of a beautiful home surrounded by a charming white picket fence.