Page 21 of Leo

“This is Mimi, and I’m Ash,” the blond added as an afterthought. “My husband is holding Carter, But I don’t know if they’re full of joy or poop.”

“Both?” Ash’s husband, Jefferson, asked with a small grin for his spouse. I detected an accent, and wondered if he was Mexican American, like Cam and I. “Who knew they could piss and shit like projectile weapons?”

“Been there,” I laughed and Cam joined in beside me. “My nephew was a crash course in the range of body fluids.”

“And you still wanted to complete a degree in early childhood education,” Cielo pointed out. “Brave man.”

“We’re back,” the couple I met at the door came back in, unleashing their dogs.

“Dinner’s ready,” Isaac called out, setting the carved turkey on the loaded table. He scooped Dezi off the floor right as the four dogs started to wrestle. “Everyone find a seat and dig in!”

The table looked bigger than the last time I was there, and was covered in a pretty red tablecloth. I noticed Dezi was fighting her dad on going into her high chair, and I was by his side before I realized what I was doing.

“Wee-O!” Dezi squealed and made grabby hands at me. She was adorable in a velvet dress, and I hoped it was easy to wash.

“Here, let me,” I offered, holding my arms out for Dezi. “You have hosting duties.”

“Thanks,” Isaac handed her over without hesitation. “I really appreciate you.”

Our eyes met and time stood still. Did he appreciate me because he wanted me there or just because I helped with Dezi? Hisexpression was soft, but I didn’t know if I was reading too much into his smiles.

“Isaac, do you have a corkscrew?” Ash interrupted, and I moved to get Dezi in her chair. I didn’t need to be staring longingly at the man while everyone else was around.

After taking a seat beside Dezi’s chair, I ended up right next to Isaac at the table. I would move, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to be next to him, even if we were acting like awkward teens.

When everyone had waded through the chaos of dogs underfoot and settled into a seat wherever they fit, Isaac raised his glass. “Thank you all for coming, your friendship is what I’m grateful for.”

“Aww,” everyone cooed and teased Isaac for his sappiness, but the man only chuckled.

“Instead of us all saying what we’re thankful for, I’d like us to all say what we want for Christmas or going into the new year.” Isaac waited until we all quieted down to continue, “I only want for Dezi to be happy and healthy as we approach one year since she came into my life.”

We all “ahed” again, but more sincerely. Who could tease a man for caring about his kid?

“I want the twins to sleep through the night,” Ash commented from the couch where they were eating between giving the babies their bottles.

Jefferson nodded, “Same.”

“I want to take a cruise with my–” Cielo started, then darted a look to my sister and nephew at the breakfast bar. “Partners. A cruise to somewhere tropical.”

“Then I want the same thing, Blue,” Q said with an affectionate smile for his boy. A nodded and said he wanted to make Q and Cielo happy.

My sister said she wanted her new startup to take off, and my nephew stole the show, asking for, “World peace! And also, maybe some new games for my tablet.”

We all laughed at his precociousness, but then all eyes turned to me. We’d done a circle around the room, and I was at the end of it beside Isaac and Dezi.

Looking around at all the happy couples, and one throuple, I wanted what they had. More specifically, I wanted what I knew Cielo had but only suspected the rest did with their partners. A Daddy to love them. To let them be the little in the relationship.

Instead, I only admitted, “I want a partner.”

Chapter fourteen

Isaac

My first ever Friendsgiving went off without a hitch. The turkey came out moist and every item my friends contributed was delicious. Dezi didn’t throw any tantrums, and the dogs didn’t get into any food to make them sick.

Having Leo in my space again only felt weird when I thought about what we’d done with our clothes off. Not because I disliked anything, but I did feel uncomfortable getting horny thinking about him.

Before Leo and his family arrived, I’d told my friends about my newfound attraction to the man, leaving out the details. Q seemed most concerned I was interested in someone who wouldn’t get my Daddy kink. When I admitted Leo was into it, my friends had cheered loud enough to make the dogs bark.

---