Page 19 of Our Little Sebastian
“Not on your life, sweetheart. You and Papa can have all the fun, and I’ll have the hot chocolate ready for you both.”
I wrapped my arms around Daddy leaning forward until our foreheads touched. “You and Papa have given me the best night of my life. Thank you.” I kissed him softly, then tipped my head to see Papa smiling. I reached out with one of my arms, calling Papa forward to join in the cuddle, and kissed him the same as Daddy.
“The night isn’t over, sweetheart, and I feel like it’s us who need to thank you for taking a chance with us.”
Papa’s deep voice rumbled. “Agreed.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
SEBASTIAN
“Are you ready to go back inside, baby?” Roman’s voice carried across the back patio to where Papa and I were busy building a snow castle. Papa had helped me build the best snowman, and then we’d made snow angels.
“In a minute. I got to build the moat,” I yelled as I dug more snow out around my castle.
“No, baby boy. Now. It’s getting late and you are going to get too cold.” I looked up to see Daddy standing outside by the double glass doors, his hands on his hips.
“No, just five more minutes.” I just had to do a little bit more. I wasn’t being naughty on purpose, but I couldn’t leave a job half done. My dad had drummed it into me every day that you should never leave a job unfinished. I’d spent lots of nights working all night and skipping meals to finish school projects, and I justcouldn’tleave my snow castle unfinished.
A large warm hand landed on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw Papa frowning. “Sprite, your Daddy told you it’s time to get inside. Are you purposely not doing what you’ve been asked?”
“But I have tofinish.” I felt tears threatening. I slapped at the snow and let out a soft sob before I stood up. “I don’t want to stop. If I stop I won’t finish and then I’ve not done it properly.You have to finish what youstart,” I yelled, stomping my feet in the snow. I saw the shocked look on Papa’s face, and a sick feeling of dread took over now the quick-fire anger had fled. I was doing it, I was ruining our perfect night, and they were going to make me go home.
“I’m sorry. I should—I should go home. I’m sorry I ruined tonight.” I started to walk towards the house, feeling foolish and embarrassed. I’d really had so much fun building in the snow. Everything tonight had been perfect, and now I’d gone and acted like the spoiled shit my dad had always accused me of being.
“Hold on there, sprite.” Papa grabbed my arm and pulled me against him.
I let out a sob.
“I’m sorry, Papa. I probably shouldn’t call you that anymore.” I started shaking and crying. I didn’t know what had come over me. Papa wrapped an arm around me and shushed me gently.
“Of course I want you to call me Papa, baby boy. We can take you home, but is that what you really want?” Blinking, I looked up. There was no anger in his face, only concern.
“I—I don’t want to go home. But I was naughty.” I let out a loud breath. I couldn’t stop shaking.
Papa lifted me up into his arms, holding me against him as he strode towards Daddy. “Roe, babe, I think I need your help.”
Daddy looked between me and Papa. Then he reached out and stroked my face before opening the back doors and leading us inside.
“I think we need to head upstairs, get him warmed up and feeling safe,” I heard Papa murmur. Daddy gave a nod of assent and disappeared further into the house.
“Where did Daddy go?” It came out sounding more of a whine than I wanted, but right now I needed both of them close, to know I hadn’t already messed things up.
“He won’t be long. He’s just going to make sure the house is locked up and the security system is set.” Papa set me down on a padded bench near the stairs and started to untie my boots, setting them to one side. Then he helped me out of my gloves and jacket.
“Wait here. I just need to hang these up and wipe down those puddles I made. Daddy has opinions on puddles on his nice floorboards.” I looked down and saw some small puddles on the floor from when Papa had carried me inside.
I almost smiled when he booped my nose with his finger, but I was still too nervous about my outburst. I wanted to hope they weren’t too disappointed in me, and I knew disciplining naughty littles was part of what Daddies do, but how I’d just acted? Perhaps that was beyond being naughty.
Papa came back and made quick work of the puddles, and I gave him a shy wave when he smiled at me. When we were ready to head upstairs he lifted me up again like I weighed nothing, and I allowed myself to relax into his hold. Daddy joined us as we climbed the stairs and I noticed the lights on the lower level were all dimmed. Daddy saw me looking and he showed me his phone and the special app he had on it to dim the lights about the house. I nodded, still not trusting myself to speak, although I did let out a soft sigh when I felt Daddy’s hand join Papa’s on my lower back.
Their private sitting room was down the same hall as the bedrooms seemed to be and it was larger than my whole apartment. A thick Turkish rug lay in the centre of the room and on it sat a dark leather sectional sofa. The lights in the room came from half a dozen ornate lamps, some tall and freestanding, others sitting on side tables. The whole house was opulent, almost something out of Downton, but this room also had a warm, lived in feel like the kitchen. It felt like this must be where my Daddies spent a lot of their time.
Papa sat down on the sofa, positioning my legs so they stretched out sideways with my head resting on his shoulder. Daddy switched on a light at the far end of the room. Double doors opened into what looked like a small kitchen space. Daddy moved back and forth before he came back holding a tray with three steaming mugs.
“Hot chocolate to warm us all up.” He took a seat alongside Papa, placing the try on the coffee table in front of us.
I went to move my legs so Daddy could sit but he just lifted them up and placed them back on his lap once he sat down, one of his hands resting on my socked ankle.They seemed to have no problem picking me up and holding me as if I weighed next to nothing and the action affected my head space, making me feel small and safe.
