Page 100 of Just A Little Fling

With Babbo’s help, I climbed out of the booth. He kept my hand in his, and maybe it wasn’t intentional, but it felt like a show of solidarity to the world and our spectators that we didn’t require a production with hearts and flowers. We could handle our business the way we wanted during the current installment.

EPILOGUE

NICO

Late Summer

“Babbo, do you think we’ll have enough food for the picnic?”

The food wasn’t outside yet, but all the food stations were already set up on the back porch. The overhead fans kept most of the flies away, and Owen had suggested hanging bags of water from the roof to handle the rest. I had no idea if it would work, but it was worth a try since there was still a little bit of time before everyone got here. I was worried that between Rory, Jakob, and Anders, plus all of their Daddies and us, we’d run short.

“Sweet Boy, you ordered enough food to feed an army and their enemy. There’s enough,” Babbo reassured me as he came up behind me and laid his hands on my shoulders.

“I know, but I just want it to be perfect.

“Even if it’s not, no one will notice,” Babbo reassured me.

“You’re right. And I know she won’t see it until next week, but do you think Nonna will like the new garden setup too?”

“Yes,” Babbo added, “everyone will love.”

Babbo hadn’t been joking about stealing Nonna from me. Since we’d officially started dating, they’d become thick as thieves, and I might’ve been replaced as her favorite grandson. It was hard to be jealous because it was obvious how much they liked each other. Occasionally, he’d pop over to her assisted living facility if he was in the neighborhood to share lunch or take her out.

They’d spent hours and hours pouring over his new garden plans that they put in for this summer, spending a lot of time digging up his perennials and rearranging them around the yard. He did the digging and she supervised like she used to do with PopPop. The far back section had been fully enclosed. All they’d say is that it was a secret garden. They’d been giggling about it for weeks and had refused to tell me anything more about it. Today would be the first time I saw it, and I hoped I got to play in there too.

When I continued to fuss with the food, Babbo asked, “Why are you worried? Even if it’s the worst get-together ever, the boys are still going to love it, and they’re still gonna love you.”

“I wish you’d let me see what’s behind the new fence.” The fence around the secret garden area was closer to seven feet with cutouts along the top, so I couldn’t even see over the top for a sneaky peek. Babbo promised I would love it, and I was trying to trust him.

“If wishes were horses, blah blah blah.”

“After all that time with Nonna, you’re even starting to talk like an old man.”

“You’re just jealous ’cause she’s my best girl.” Babbo slipped his hands around my waist and pulled me back against his tightly muscled body. “But you’re always gonna be my best boy.”

I leaned back against his warmth and sighed. I didn’t know any other men who would put up with my nonsense and my weird commitment-phobic reasons that even I didn’t understand. He’d embraced my family like they were his own and had even taken over some of Nonna’s care. Shockingly, Copy and Paste had become slightly more tolerable. But only slightly.

“Babbo, you know I love you, right?”

“I know, baby, and I love you too.”

“But don’t get sappy about it.”

“Mr. Bossy Pants is angling for a spanking if he keeps talking like that.”

“You don’t have time.”

“Oh, is that a fact? We can make time.” I pulled away from Babbo and turned around so he’d be sure to see me clearly when I stuck my tongue out at him. “And we’re done here.”

Babbo closed the space I’d made between us, grabbed my hand, and yanked me forward. I landed against him again, but this time, he didn’t give me a hug but a sharp smack on my butt instead. “If a spanking is what you want, then I’m happy to provide.”

“You can’t with company coming.” Without a response, Babbo turned on his heel and headed directly back into the house with me in fake-reluctant tow. He dragged me through the kitchen, down the small hallway, and into the living room. Once there, he headed directly to the couch and pulled me across his lap. I squirmed but didn’t try to get away. I’m not sure how, but he managed to undo the straps of my overalls.

“Sassing me wasn’t needed. You could’ve just said you wanted one.” Without delay, he yanked my overalls down and pushed my Under-Roos over my butt. My bottom was still a little sore from this morning’s round and he didn’t give any warming swats. Instead, he jumped into the main event and rained smacks down on me. It wasn’t long before my entire backside went from smarting to stinging to aching. The more achy my butt, the more centered I was, and the more I dropped into little space. He remained silent and let me float without interruption or distraction.

When my tears streamed freely, Babbo switched from swats and rubbed circles on my overheated flesh instead. Now that I was firmly in an altered space, I weaved and bobbed through the centered, muscle-heavy relaxation that always happened from a spanking. I loved it. Babbo was here, and he’d make sure I was protected and taken care of. The only thing I had to worry about was following him with only a smidgen, barely a dash, of snarkiness.

Babbo moved me so I was upright in his lap. With gentle hands, he wiped away my tears. My magenta overalls fell around my waist and bunched around me.

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