Page 47 of A Little Christmas! 4: Song

“I wonder if he likes the boy, and that’s why he smiles at him,” Song said as they closed in on their Daddy and Papa. “Maybe that’s what makes him sad, that he’s with another Daddy.”

“I guess we can’t help that, huh?” Zachy said, hoping that wasn’t the reason.

“No, that would just land us in trouble, and not the good kind.”

He was right, and yet Zachy couldn’t help but look up at all the stars twinkling on the tree and the lights around them as the song played and feel like everyone deserved to have a wonderful, magical season. Hoping it would be considered a proper wish, even if he wished it on a different kind of star, he threw one out there into the universe for the grouchy daddy at the club to find love in the upcoming year and never feel the need to be grouchy or snap at anyone again.

Chapter 18

(Song)

“You’re here! You’re here!” Song chanted, bouncing in the doorway of the house as snow swirled around Solo and Suede.

“And brought us more snow, I see,” Daddy chuckled, one arm around Song and gently drawing him backwards so his siblings could come in. “Come on in out of it before you freeze.”

“Thanks, man. I’m Suede; it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Gage,” Daddy said. “Good to meet you too. Song has been so excited about tonight that he’s already pulled down all your favorite games and insisted on teaching us how to play Exploding Minions in case you wanted to.”

“Awe, kiddo, you didn’t have to do that,” Suede said, tugging him into a hug just as soon as the door was closed behind them. “I’m just happy to have time off to enjoy playing anything.”

Song stepped back to let him get his winter gear off and to hug Solo, who’d set down the gift bags she’d been carrying to remove her boots. Song sent her sprawling when he tackle-hugged her and got tickled for his efforts.

“Menace,” she said, shaking her head at him as he sprawled on his back beside her, giggling.

“Always.”

“Where’s Zachy?” she asked as she sat up and shrugged off her jacket.

Giggling from around the corner told Song exactly where Zachy was.

“Right here!” Zachy said, popping out from his hiding spot and waving. “Peek-a-boo!”

Laughing, Solo covered her face with her hands, then flipped them apart like window shutters. “Peek-a-boo!”

Zachy giggled more and ran to hug her.

“Awe, look at you in your fuzzy Grinch outfit,” Solo cooed, hugging Zachy.

“You like it?” Zachy asked.

“I love it. You look so adorable,” she replied, holding him on her lap as he looked up at Suede, who was grinning down at them.

“Are you Song’s brother?” Zachy asked.

“I am,” Suede said as he knelt and held his hand out to Zachy, who shook it. “And Solo is right, you are adorable.”

Zachy beamed at that and vacated Solo’s lap, arms open. “Can I have huggies?”

“You sure can,” Suede said, sweeping him into a big hug.

Seeing his siblings extend their love and acceptance to Zachy just added to the warm, fuzzy feelings that had been fluttering around in Song’s belly all day.

“Wanna see our playroom?” Song asked, wanting to show Suede since Solo had not only seen it but also spent an hour in there playing with them one morning after dropping Song off.

“Of course,” Suede said, letting go of Zachy, who happily took Solo to the kitchen where the cookies and the cocoa were.

Some of the changes that had taken place in the playroom since the first time Song had seen it still left him feeling completely blown away by the effort Zachy had gone through to transform it into a shared space for both.