Page 6 of Saving Little Clark

The final number was a show-stopping extravaganza, the dancers leaping and twirling in a dizzying display of athleticism and artistry. The final notes faded away and the audience erupted into thunderous applause.

Soon, a tender reunion unfolded before us as Elijah's Daddies arrived to collect their beloved boy.

I watched, transfixed, as the two Daddies swept Elijah up into a fierce, adoring embrace, their faces alight with pure, unfiltered affection. Oliver ruffled Elijah's hair and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, murmuring words of praise and pride that made Elijah beam like a miniature sun.

"There's our perfect little prince!" he cooed, bouncing Elijah on his hip like a giggling, wriggling bundle of joy. "Did you have fun tonight, my love? Did you dance and sing and play to your heart's content?"

"I did, Daddy," Elijah chirped, nodding so hard his curls bounced. "I had the best, most fun time ever. And I made a new friend too."

He pointed to me with a grin, and I felt a flutter of nerves and excitement as Oliver and Lance turned their warm, appraising gazes on me.

"Well, any friend of Elijah's is a friend of ours," Lance said, extending a hand for me to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you enjoyed the show as much as this little rascal did."

"Oh, we definitely did," Alex said, grinning impishly. "In fact, I think Clark here might have enjoyed it a little too much. I caught him drooling over those fancy fairy costumes more than once. I think we might have a budding fashion diva on our hands."

"Alex!" I yelped, swatting at him with a mortified laugh. "I was not drooling, you brat. I was just appreciating the craftsmanship and attention to detail, that's all."

"Sure," Alex said, rolling his eyes fondly. "And I'm sure your sudden interest in bedazzling and glitter has nothing to do with all the Daddies you've been making heart eyes at all night, hmm?"

Oliver cut in with a knowing chuckle.

"Ah, young love," he said, winking at me conspiratorially. "Is there anything more magical and wondrous?”

"Daddy!" Elijah giggled, burying his face in Oliver's neck with a happy sigh. "You're so silly. Everyone knows that pillow fights and bubble baths are the most magical things ever."

"Oh, of course, how could I forget?" Oliver said, slapping his forehead in mock-chagrin. "Forgive me, my little prince. I bow to your superior wisdom and expertise in all things whimsical and wonderful."

As the three of them dissolved into a fit of giggles, I felt a pang of wistfulness and longing pierce through me like a bittersweet arrow.

When Elijah left with his Daddies, Alex turned to me with a mischievous, expectant grin. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and nodded with a determined smile.

"Alright, you win," I said, holding up my hands in laughing surrender. "Where do I sign up for this whole membership thing? Because if joining this club means more nights like tonight, more chances to let my Little flag fly, then sign me up for a lifetime pass, baby."

Alex let out a whoop of joy, pumping his fist in the air like a victorious gladiator. "Yes! I knew you'd come around eventually, you big softy. Didn't I tell you this place was pure magic? Didn't I say it would change your life in all the best ways?"

"Yeah, you're a regular fairy godmother," I said, rolling my eyes fondly. "Now come on, let's go make it official before I change my mind and run screaming for the hills."

Hand in hand, giggling like the overexcited boys we were, Alex and I crawled our way to the back office of the club, where Uncle Nick was waiting with a warm smile and a stack of paperwork.

"Well," he said, leaning back in his chair with a knowing twinkle in his eye. "If it isn't the dynamic duo themselves. To what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night visit?"

"Oh, nothing much," Alex said breezily, plopping himself down in one of the plush armchairs in front of Uncle Nick's desk. "Just a little matter of officially inducting my dear friend Clark here into the hallowed halls of Little-dom. He's finally seen the light and is ready to pledge his eternal allegiance to the cause of cuteness and cuddles."

I snorted, shaking my head at Alex's dramatic proclamation. "What he means is, I'd like to apply for membership.”

Nick's smile widened, a look of genuine pleasure and approval spreading across his face. "I had a feeling you'd say that," he said. "From the moment I saw you walk in tonight, all wide-eyed and wondrous, I knew you were one of us.”

As I worked on filling the forms, Uncle Nick listed off the various rules of the club. No running with scissors, no eating paste, no starting food fights in the snack room. I found myself relaxing more and more into the easy, playful atmosphere. It was clear that this was a place where laughter and joy were the highest priorities, where the only real rule was to have as much fun as humanly possible.

Chapter 4: Clark

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my pirate hat and practicing my exaggerated accent. Alex had convinced me to attend the themed costume day event at the local Little-friendly park, also owned by Uncle Nick.

When I heard the doorbell ring, I made my way to the door and opened it, only to be greeted by a burst of colorful feathers.

"Ahoy, matey!" Alex exclaimed, striking a dramatic pose in his parrot costume. "Ready to set sail for adventure?"

"I didn't expect to see you so early. What's the occasion?"

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