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CHAPTER TWELVE

LEVI

“Levi, there’s a Gabe Alves on the line for you. He said he’s not a client but that it’s important he speak with you right away,” Jack said through the intercom.

“Yeah, I know him. Go ahead and put him through, please.” I waited impatiently for him to come through, and as soon as I heard the buzz, I jumped in. “Gabe, it’s Levi, what’s going on?”

“Hey, Levi, sorry to bother you at work, but I was hoping you could help me with something.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course.”

“Your new tenant, Nico, is my assistant. Do you know who Babbo is?”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

“I don’t want to give too much of his personal business, but the only emergency contact I have are his parents, and I don’t think they are the kind of help he needs right now. He said he needed Babbo.” The potential implications of what Gabe had said crashed through my brain. “Any guesses who that could be? I thought maybe he’d introduced a friend to you by that name. I feel terrible that I don’t know any of his friends. He says he likes to keep his private life out of the office, so he always meets them away from the office.”

I only made noncommittal noises. “Does he need someone to come get him? He’s at work?” Before I even finished the sentence, I was signing out of my files and looking around for my jacket. If Nico was in trouble, it would be me who helped him.

“Yes, he’s here. It’s not anyone from his family, is it?”

“No. Text me your address?” I provided my number and my phone pinged almost instantly.

“How long do you think it’ll be before Babbo can get here?” Gabe asked.

“I’m taking care of it right now.” I glanced at the address, and it wasn’t too far away. I could be there in ten minutes if traffic and parking cooperated. Whatever was going on with Nico, under no circumstances would I sit in my office and not go to him if he needed me.

After he left the house on Sunday, he’d been MIA except for one-word responses to my silly memes. They were viewed right away rather than leaving them to sit. I knew he was hiding in his bungalow. He wanted someone to prove to him he was worth the effort.

Yes, he denied wanting commitment, and I could accept that, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t be his friend. And from what I could tell, he didn’t have many…maybe even any…that he thought he could depend on. It was up to me to change that. I slammed my laptop shut, stuffed it in my bag, shrugged on my jacket, and headed for the door. I’d gotten no farther than opening it when Mrs. Wellington-Chaumont swept into my office.

Goddammit

“Levi, I’m so glad I caught you.” The impervious tone grated on my nerves, but I schooled my features and projected a neutral expression. If I was lucky, she wouldn’t notice the clenched jaw I knew I couldn’t hide.

“I’m so glad to see you, but we don’t have an appointment, and I’m on my way out.” There was no reason to beat around the bush. I wasn’t staying.

“I’m well aware that we don’t have an appointment, but as your client, I expect my attorney to be available to me when I need him.”

“Unfortunately, I have a family emergency, so I won’t be able to stay. However, Jack will be happy to make an appointment for you tomorrow.” I turned to him and said, “Move anything around tomorrow that can be to accommodate Mrs. Wellington-Chaumont.” Jack nodded and turned to his computer to look at my schedule.

“Ma’am, what time would be most convenient for you?” Jack called from his desk in a bid to distract her.

“I won’t be pawned off on your assistant.” I barely remembered to turn my head before rolling my eyes. Jack, however, saw it and quickly hid his responding grin behind his hand.

“You’re not being pawned off on anyone. I’m asking my legal assistant to look for an appointment that will accommodate you tomorrow. I am unavailable right now.”

“And as I just explained to you, I need to speak with my attorney today. You are my attorney, are you not? Yes, you are. Turn yourself around, go back to your office, and we can have this discussion in there.”

“Ma’am, that’s not what is happening. I’m leaving. At this point, you can make an appointment or not. In fact, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you with Jack because he doesn’t get paid enough to put up with you. I’ll call you tomorrow and set up the appointment with you myself at my convenience. Do we understand each other?”

My words hung in the air, and I knew I was skating close to the line. There would be a consequence for this, and I hoped like hell it wouldn’t be one Jack paid along with me.

Mrs. Wellington-Chaumont attempted to stare me down with a look of disgust and disdain. I gave exactly zero fucks. The urge to get to Nico ate away at my insides.

My sunshine needed me.

* * *

After parking my car in the garage, I headed to Gabe’s office. His vagueness on the phone had me concerned something was seriously wrong for Nico to use the word Babbo in front of other people. I wasn’t even completely clear if Gabe knew Nico was a middle. He certainly didn’t know he was little.

“Levi, thanks for coming,” Gabe said when I pushed open the door.

I glanced around. The waiting room in the office was empty, including the reception desk.

“I got here as soon as I could.” I tried to be settled but gave up after a beat or two. I glanced around the room, but there was no sign of Nico.

“Is Babbo parking their car?”

Well, shit. During the quick drive over from my office to this one, I went over all the possibilities of how I would handle the non-appearance of Babbo.

Gabe didn’t even know that Nico and I knew each other beyond tenant and landlord. I knew he only called me because he thought maybe Nico had introduced me to someone visiting and given me a name. That Gabe was sure Nico wouldn’t want his family involved had me a little worried. Was there such a thing as a little emergency?

Explaining to someone who wasn’t involved in the age play community what exactly it was and why it was a perfectly healthy thing to do wasn’t a quick conversation while their relative was in a regressed state. My mom was pretty open-minded, but I wouldn’t want that conversation with her either. And given how much Nico prized his independence, he likely wouldn’t want anyone to see him in such a vulnerable state.

“No, I’m here alone.” Was it a lie by omission ? I glanced around the room, looking for some clue as to where Nico could be hiding.

“Who’s Babbo?” Gabe looked perplexed.

“Gabe, I appreciate you calling me rather than his folks to ask that, but I’m going to be as honest as I can and say that I’m not comfortable answering.”

Thankfully, Gabe accepted my non-answer, walked over to the closed door to the side of the room, and pushed it open a little but blocked my view.

“Hey, Nico, Levi is here. Is it all right if he comes in?”

I didn’t hear an answer from the other side of the door, but it must’ve been an agreement because Gabe stepped into the room and opened the door far enough for me to walk through. I quickly followed behind them and saw Nico on the couch.

He and Rory sat at the coffee table with coloring books and crayons spread out in front of them. They looked happy enough sharing a book while each worked on one side. Nico was dressed in his typical suit. Today, it was deep purple, while his collared shirt underneath was lavender with white eggplant flowers. I smothered a chuckle because, well, read the room, but I’d never been so grateful my mom used to make me work in the garden with her. One of the things I liked best about Nico was his ability to be cheeky even when no one but him was aware of it.

“Hey, sunshine, how’s it going?”

Nico and Rory broke their concentration and looked up. Rory gave me a confused smile since it was likely he had no idea who I was, while Nico’s face registered his recognition and gave me a relieved smile.

“Me and Rory are coloring. Wanna see my picture?” Nico attempted to project confidence, but I heard the wobble in his voice and uncertainty in the question. The smile plastered on his face was bright, but his eyes were clouded. Whatever had happened today had thrown him for a loop.

“Yes, please.” Rory took his hands off the book, which allowed Nico to hold it up so I could see it. “I love it. Boys, you did a fantastic job, but, Nico, I think it’s time to go home for the day, okay?”

Gabe hustled in with Nico’s messenger bag and handed it to me.

“Nico, he’s right. We’re closing up shop early today, and everyone is going to take the afternoon off.”

Rory jumped to his feed and rushed over to Gabe. “Does that mean we go to the zoo, Daddy? I love the zoo. ’Member you said we were gonna go, and if you don’t have to work, then we gotta go today. I wanna feed the ’mingos. I like their feet.”

“Are you sure it’s their feet you like and not their feathers?” Gabe chucked Rory under his chin when he asked his question.

“Maaaaaaybe I like both,” Rory answered with a sly smile.

“I can’t take the responsibility for you not seeing flamingos, so I guess we can go to the zoo today.” Rory did a happy dance that reminded me very much of his friend, Jakob.

“You wanna go to the zoo with me, Nico? We have fun and look at the animals and we all have popcorn and ice cream and soda and cotton candy.”

Gabe stood next to Rory with his arms folded over his chest. He had a stern look on his face, and he shook his head.

“Bunny, if you eat all that, you’ll make yourself sick.”

“But, Daddy, I like all those things. I won’t get sick. Me and Nico are gonna share.”

Gabe shot me a concerned glance. “Bunny, today isn’t the day for Nico to come with us. I don’t think he feels very well.”

Rory grew concerned and glanced at Nico. “You sick?”

“Wanna go home with Babbo.”

With that cleared up, I stepped forward and said, “Today he’s too tired, but we can make sure you go together soon.”

“You gotta promise,” Rory said stubbornly.

“I promise you and Nico will go to the zoo together soon. And if your Daddy’s okay with it, I’ll buy you the first treat.”

Rory gave me an abrupt nod. He walked over to Gabe, unfolded his arms, and snuggled up closer to him while wrapping his arms around Gabe’s waist. Gabe reciprocated the hug. “You hear that, Daddy? He promised.”

“I heard, Bunny,” he answered, followed by a kiss on Rory’s nose, “and I’ll buy the second.”

With that settled, I helped Nico put on his jacket. I kept his bag in one hand and clasped his own with my other. “You ready to go home?”

Nico didn’t answer but gave a quick nod. Good enough for me, and we headed out the door while Rory tried to negotiate more treats from his Daddy. Before we even made it to the elevator, my phone pinged with a message.

Gabe

Please let me know how he’s doing this afternoon.

Levi

No worries. I’ll give you an update later.

Gabe

Thanks, Babbo.

* * *

I was still unclear about what had happened in Nico’s office today. It was so unlike him to be anything but the consummate professional. Whatever triggered his regression must’ve been something unexpected. Owen had told me when he started working with Nico how over the top he was with his organization and ensuring everything was precise. None of that was evident in the boy standing inside my front door with a lost expression.

“Are you hungry, sunshine?”

“Yes, grilled cheese.”

“Manners?”

“Babbo, can I have grilled cheese, please?”

I booped his nose and said, “Yep, you sure can.” Nico fiddled with the cuffs of his outfit. No little should be confined to that when in little space. “Before we eat, you need to get comfy.”

I took his hand and led him through the house and out the back door toward his own. Nico kept up with my strides at first, but his footsteps slowed as we reached his place.

“I gotta go home?”

Oh shit, I forgot to tell him what we were doing. “No, Sweet Boy. Babbo’s gonna take care of you. We have to get your comfy clothes on is all. I’d never make my boy make his lunch. That’s a Daddy’s job.”

“You wanna be my Daddy?”

“Of course I do. I’ve always wanted to be your Daddy. Did you not know that?’

“You gonna be my Daddy today.”

“I’ll be your Daddy today, tomorrow, and the day after that if you’ll let me.”

Nico giggled but stopped dragging his feet as we made our way to his house. After a few tries, he managed to give me the entry code. As usual, it was a little bit of a mess, but I could tell he had made some effort to keep it tidy. Within a few minutes, we had his clothes gathered and were ready to go back to my place.

“Do you have a stuffie you want to grab?”

Nico slowly shook his head. “I don’t gots a stuffie, Babbo.” Nico’s tone was downright mournful.

“Silly boy, you do have a stuffie. It’s at my house.”

Nico’s entire vibe shifted from morose to excited. “Babbo! You got me a stuffie? I see it?” Nico clutched his clothes close, grabbed my hand, and headed for the door.

I barely had time to close and lock the door before he was dragging me across the yard and back into my house.

“All right, you, let’s get you changed, have lunch, find your new stuffie, and then quiet time.”

“No, Babbo,” Nico pouted. “I want stuffie now, and no quiet time.”

Nico punctuated his demands with a stomped foot, crossed arms, and a surly expression. Absolutely not. I loved it when a boy pushed back, but there was a limit. And as it turned out, that limit was having a breakdown in his office. The last thing he needed was to be allowed a tantrum. Whether he recognized it or not, Nico needed time for his brain to catch up with his emotions. I couldn’t say for certain what had triggered him today, but obviously, something had, and his emotions had gotten away from him.

“Nico, stop sassing me. You’re not getting your stuffie until you’ve changed.”

His sullen expression was at odds with the tiredness in his eyes. In hindsight, I should have said he could hold it while he got changed, but that ship had already sailed. When all else failed, a little bribery did wonders. “Nico, I bet your stuffie is lonely. He’s been so excited to meet you, and now he’s not gonna get to because you’re not listening.”

“My stuffie excited?” Nico stopped scowling at me.

“Yeah, that’s what they said.”

Nico took a few moments to weigh his options before finally putting his hand back in mine. “I ready get changed.”

“Thank you for being a good boy, sunshine.”

Nico visibly relaxed at my praise, and we got on with it.

Once I had Nico in lounge pants and a T-shirt, we went back downstairs so I could start his lunch. Nico bounced around with barely contained excitement, waiting for his present. I installed him in the kitchen and made him wait at the breakfast table. When I returned with a box wrapped in brightly colored paper, Nico made gimme hands toward the box. I pretended to give it to him a few times before swiping it away. He laughed each time, but I didn’t push my luck, given his earlier stress.

“Have at it, Sweet Boy,” I said to Nico when I handed him the box.

That was all the invitation he needed to start ripping up paper to get to the box inside. Inside the box were his presents wrapped in tissue paper. He tore through that just as quickly, tossing it over his shoulder like confetti. When he reached the inside, his mouth formed an O in surprise.

“Babbo, I love it. She’s so pretty.” Nico gingerly lifted the plush sunflower in a pot. Bright yellow petals surrounded its happy face. He hugged it close to him and gave her a sweet kiss, then rubbed his cheek against the soft petals with a small smile. The tension I’d seen earlier around his eyes and the lines on the sides of his mouth seeped away as he played with the stuffie.

“I’m glad you like it, sweetheart. Are you ready for lunch now?”

Nico nodded happily and shoved the paper off the table onto the floor.

“Hey, that’s not how you pick up things.”

“Babbo, I play with my stuffie.”

“You can play with your stuffie without shoving trash on the floor. Please pick it up and put it in recycling where it belongs.”

Nico’s attempt at pouting was squashed when I gave him a raised eyebrow and a stern look.

“I clean.” Nico sighed dramatically, as if I’d asked him to sweep the bottom of the ocean. He was a drama llama, but I wanted him to be mine.

“What did you want for lunch again? I forgot,” I teased.

“Grilled cheese,” Nico shouted.

“I think it’s time to try something new. How about a peanut butter, tuna fish, and tomato sandwich? That sounds good to me.” Nico looked disgusted at my suggestion.

“No, silly. That’s yucky,” he giggled.

“All right, fine. A mushroom sandwich with strawberry yogurt sauce is my final offer.”

Nico got up from the kitchen table and came around the island to where I stood with the bread in front of me. He reached out and took both my cheeks in his hand before pulling my head down and bringing it close to his face.

“Babbo, grilled cheese. I want the yummy kind.” With his hands still on my cheeks, he rose on his toes and kissed me on the mouth. “Pretty please.”

“If you’re gonna ask me like that…”

Nico gave a decisive nod and returned to the kitchen table, but before he sat down, he made a detour to get crayons and a coloring book from the sideboard. He arranged his stuffie so it could supervise his coloring while I worked at the stove. Nico gave a running commentary to his supervisor about his choices and the coloring book. Every once in a while, he would make an offer and give them a choice of which color to pick. It seemed they always picked the brightest, most colorful option. Within a few minutes, I had his sandwich ready, along with some sliced apples. I’d made a few purchases for the kitchen, and I was hopeful he’d like them.

“Eat up, Sweet Boy.” I set the divided plate in front of him, along with the matching adult-size sippy cup with a two-sided handle.

“Babbo, for me?” Nico traced the ridges and edges of the plate. The cup had a worm in a hard hat reading some kind of job site plan, and an ant on the matching plate was driving a bulldozer.

“Yep, it’s for you. Do you like them?”

Nico stayed silent for a moment before he whispered a barely audible, “Yes.”

I dropped a kiss on his forehead and ruffled his hair. “I’m glad to hear it. Eat before it gets cold, and then we’ll have a lie-down.”

“All right, Babbo. I be a good boy.”

“You’re always a good boy, sunshine.”