Page 17 of Pretty in Pink

The duo quickly got the table set, and took seats right next to each other. They prattled on about toys and TV shows while Amir retrieved drinks from the fridge and I got the casserole out of the oven.

Amir and I filled our boys’ plates, followed by our own, and we all settled in to eat. Henley raved about what a good cook Keegan was, and my sweet boy beamed with pride.

“I have a question,” Hen announced when his plate was about half cleared. Amir sat up straighter to answer it for him, but he turned to Keegan. “You are my dad’s boy…” Keegan nodded. “So does that make you more like my step dad or my brother?”

I nearly choked to death on the drink of sweet tea in my mouth, and Amir coveredhismouth with his hand; whether it was to hide a shocked expression or a laugh, I couldn’t be sure.

Keegan was the only one who appeared unfazed. He simply draped his arm across Henley’s shoulders and replied, “What I’d really like to be is your friend.”

“Yes,” Henley agreed with an exaggerated nod. “My best friend. Well, except for Daddy, of course.”

“Of course,” Keegan giggled, and they went back to their meals, wiggling in their seats.

I slowly panned my gaze to Amir, who was definitely now hiding a laugh, judging by the way he was chewing the shit out of his lip. Around this table was perhaps the strangest, yet most fucking amazing family unit in the world. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

After they’d both eaten all of their dinner, Henley begged his Daddy to let him give Keegan his gift, and he agreed. He retrieved the bag quickly, and practically vibrated with excitement as my boy opened it.

“Aw, it’s a cute doggie!” Keegan exclaimed, pulling out a stuffed yellow lab. “Hey, it looks just like Ruby!” He told Henley all about his canine pal at the shelter as my son listened with rapt attention.

“You can name it Ruby if you want to,” Henley suggested, and Keegan nodded his agreement. “ButthisRuby is extra special; she is a police dog! She can be partners with Officer Bear.” He showed off his teddy to my boy, who fawned over the toy. “There’s one more thing in the bag.” Keegan dug inside until he found a play policeman’s hat, which he promptly placed on his head. “Now you’re an official Deputy.”

“I love it.” Keegan wrapped his new best friend in a hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Want to go play?”

“Yes!”

They both jumped up from the table, but stopped at the exact same time before exiting the kitchen. As if on cue, they both turned and looked at Amir and I respectively.

“Go on,” we both answered in unison, and laughed as they ran out of the room.

The two of us cleaned the kitchen more quickly than usual, wanting to get to the guaranteed cuteness going on down the hall.

And it didn’t disappoint. The pair were on their knees on the playroom floor, both wearing their police hats. The fast white car had been on the run, but Officer Bear and Deputy Ruby were on the case, chasing after the perpetrator. Luckily, they caught the driver before he could do too much damage to the town, and locked him up in jail. My heart melted at the precious scene as Keegan and Henley high-fived, followed by them making their toys do the same.

They were already two peas in a pod; two souls who, while different, wanted the same thing - to be accepted, cherished, and loved. And here, in this room, in this house, surrounded by their family, they had all of that in spades.

I knew I could speak for Amir as well - no harm would ever come to these boys. We would do everything in our power to keep them happy, protected, and adored. This heartwarming sight was pretty damn perfect. The only thing that could make it better was making it last forever.

Epilogue

1 Month Later

Ford

“Shh, shh, settle down,” I told Ruby, kneeling next to her and trying to quiet her excited barking. “You’re supposed to be a surprise.” I laughed as she put her paws up on my shoulders and attacked my face with kisses. “Yes, I know, I love you too.”

How could I not? She was the sweetest dog I’d ever seen. I knew it from the moment I met her nearly two weeks ago, when Keegan took me to the dog shelter for the first time. He wanted me to meet his canine friend, and show me the work he did there. He said they could always use more helping hands, and I was happy to pitch in.

We fed, bathed, and walked the animals in the shelter. Keegan pet and talked to all of them, but his obvious favorite was Ruby. He had a special bond with her; he’d brought her out of her shell and taught her to trust. I could feel the love they had for each other as I watched their interactions.

I knew immediately that I needed to support and nurture that bond, which meant getting the dog out of the shelter and home to my boy. Keegan couldn’t have a pet in his apartment, which caused me to quickly knit together a master plan. I’d spent the past two weeks planning, preparing, and buying items in secret. I was proud to say Keegan didn’t suspect a thing.

“He’s here!” I told Ruby when I heard a car door closing outside. My exclamation sent her tail wagging and knocking against the wall. “No, no, you have to be quiet.” She didn’t understand; her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she jumped around eagerly. “I know, I’m excited to see him, too. But you have to stay in here for just a minute, okay?”

I felt guilty shutting her inside the bedroom, but I knew it was only for a short time. I wouldn’t be able to keep the secret much longer.

But all of my focus ripped from Ruby when I heard the front door close and Keegan’s cry of, “Daddy!” call out to me. His voice was shaky and filled with despair.

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