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Chapter Seven

Kyler

“Four days. Four days, Mark. Have I lost my fucking mind?”

“Get out of your head, Kyler. You’re like a broken record playing on repeat.” His snippy response said it all. He was ready to smack me upside the head for fighting this.

But was I really?

Hadn’t I readily agreed to living together?

Shit, I was the one who suggested it.

“Have you guys talked about what happens come Sunday?” At least he finally shut his laptop and gave my rant his undivided attention.

“Yeah, I um, I suggested he move into your room.”

His boisterous laughter drew my single-finger salute.

“You have woven quite the intricate web, my friend. Way too late to worry about it now, wouldn’t you say?” Cocky bastard.

“I can’t deal with you before coffee.” That didn’t end his chuckling. In fact it appeared to have fueled it. I filled a cup and leaned against the counter while he calmed his outburst. “Seriously Mark, I’m way out of my league here. What the hell am I doing?”

“You’re making yourself happy for the first time and it scares the shit out of you. Tell me Kyler, how does it feel when you think about Roen leaving?”

“Like a kick to the gut and my heart forgets how to beat.”

“Then you’re making the right decision. Remember that feeling every time you question yourself. I just have one question for you.”

“Dare I ask?”

That evil fucking smile reappeared. “Will it be days or even hours before you realize my bedroom is meant to be a playroom and that sweet boy should be curled up in bed with his daddy at night?”

“Oh *fuck* cough *you* cough .” I pounded my chest. “Sorry, coffee went down the wrong way.”

Mark’s jovial bellows echoed through the forest as he descended the exterior stairs. He had far too much pleasure at my expense.

Jackass.

Shit, now I’d fixated on what Roen’s playroom would be decorated like.

I was well and truly fucked.

But then I’d walk into a room, or in this case the mess hall, and that handsome face smiling brightly just for me took all the worries away. Hmm, hadn’t Roen said something similar to me yesterday?

Maybe part of being a good daddy included listening to his smart boy.

“Good morning, Daddy,” my Sprite bounded toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Kisses please.”

Who was I to refuse this beautiful boy, puckering those perfect pouty lips so sweetly up at me.

“Mwah,” I made the silly sound as I kissed, triggering a fit of giggles. “What are you up to this morning?”

“Coloring with my friends while I waited for you. I want to make a log cabin that looks just like our new home, Daddy.”

And the deal was sealed with those words.

Our home.

“That sounds wonderful, Sprite. Let’s go fill your tummy first.” And get some more coffee into my system.

“’Kay, Daddy.”

While yesterday was mostly spent with big Roen today was shaping up to be Sprite’s Day.

Getting the best of the two worlds that encompassed my boy was enlightening.

Learning the intricate details that molded him into the brilliant man he was today was exciting.

I wasn’t foolish enough to believe there won’t be bumps along the way, but the nerves were subsiding, replaced by excitement and wonder for what the future held for us.

All courtesy of this wonderful boy.

And a vat of coffee.

“Your mother is going to dote on him,” Mark whispered as he passed by.

I couldn’t decide if he was evil or a freaking genius.

It’s crazy how often those two things coincide.

He wasn’t kidding though, my mother would absolutely adore Roen.

I hadn’t dated in such a long time that her infamous question of when are you going to settle down had subsided as well.

Wait until she got a load of this. Suddenly I was excited to share my new relationship with her and the rest of the family.

“Little Sprite,” he beamed up at me and I puffed up, feeling like the strongest man in the world through his eyes. “What do you think about a video chat with Daddy’s family later?”

His eyes widened and he blinked a couple of times. Finally, that adorable grin surfaced. “Really? You want me to meet them? Where do they live?”

“I must apologize for not having shared much of my history with you. My parents have been happily married for nearly fifty years and live in Surprise, about three hours south of us. My sister, Wendy and her husband, Dane are not far from them in Peoria with my two beautiful nieces, Daisy, who is six, and Lexi, who is four.” I paused and took a moment to make sure I got their ages right. “You already know my best friend.”

“True and thanks to him I have a daddy now.”

“You do. Now, let’s get set up so you can make our log cabin.”

We’d chatted for so long that the room had cleared out and Mark was busy setting up for the craft session. Cases of popsicle sticks, glue, and even plastic animals for them to place around their cabin had been purchased, but there was still more to unbox.

“Don’t forget the paints.” We’d chosen specific water-soluble paints for this project because not only were they washable, but they’d stain the wood sticks without problem and dry quickly.

“Daddy, can I collect pine needles for the roofs and the ground around my cabin?”

“I think that’s a great idea, Sprite. Let’s grab an empty box and fill it up together.”

By the time we returned, everyone had funneled in and was seated. “Sorry about that, we got carried away, and pine needles turned into adding rocks and mini pinecones we found for the terrain. Someone has a huge scene created in their mind.” Beside me, my Sprite giggled.

Mark had cut sheets of cardboard in various sizes for them to build their cabins on. It was no surprise when Roen picked the largest piece there was.

They had textures far and wide to choose from.

Cotton balls, tiny pine trees, jewels to bedazzle, the needles we picked up, a variety of plastic flowers, and much more.

Everything we could think of we bought. I may have spent a pretty penny of the budget on this week’s events, but it was worth it watching their excitement as they built away and sang along with the Disney sing-along songs Mark had put on.

They concocted cabins of all shapes and sizes.

Some one story, others two. One was of similar stature to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, though I’m not sure that was the builder’s intention.

Smiling faces grinned as they enjoyed themselves, but it appeared even in little space, my sweet Sprite was a bit of a perfectionist. I swear, this was the most structurally sound popsicle stick cabin ever built.

“Wow, that’s amazing, Sprite.”

“Thanks, Daddy. It looks just like ours.”

“Minus the bear you added in the front yard, it sure does.” To date, I’d spotted no bears in the campsite, but - I was sure it was only a matter of time before one wandered up given they’d been spotted around town.

“Rawr! Daddy,” he giggled as he glued two little deer figures on. “The deer will protect us.” I didn’t have the heart to correct that, so I let it be.

“See that big tree in front of the office?” He pointed and I nodded. “Can we decorate it for Christmas this year?”

Cue in the internal happy tears…

“Absolutely, sweet boy.”

Satisfied with my response, he returned to singing and gluing his pine needle roof into place.

“He’s as meticulous when he works,” Mark stated as he stood beside me. “One of the best hires I ever made.”

“Do you have enough work up here for him?” Don’t take him from me now. I’d just settled into our new reality.

“Not only do I, but you do too. There will always be ongoing maintenance up here. Snow removal to clear the roads during the winter months. Wood to chop for the fireplaces. Winterizing the unused cabins then de-winterizing come springtime. Trust me, he’ll never be bored.”

“Fair points.” I hadn’t even thought that far ahead to realize I’d need a helper. How perfectly into place all of this had fallen.

“Roen is more than an electrician. He’s a general handyman as well.

Has even completed several Habitat for Humanity projects with his father.

A brilliant jack of all trades they both are, with the hearts to match.

” Mark couldn’t sing Roen’s praises enough.

Pride filled me at the amazing humanitarian my boy was, and I couldn’t wait to meet his equally as wonderful family.

“Alright, feel free to leave your cabins where they are to dry and come back to pick them up after your swim. Lunch today is make your own subs and given how lovely the weather is why don’t we eat them outdoors?

” My suggestion was met with a round of cheers.

“Mommies and Daddies, we’ll pass around the wipes to clean those gluey hands off and…

” was that? “Um, faces?” Jamie’s Daddy Timothy shook his head and grinned as he plucked off a chunk of who knows what stuck to his boy’s face.

“Better yet, maybe run them back to the cabins to wash up and put on their swimsuits? They can play on the playground while their lunches settle, then jump in the lake if they wish.” Mark was far quicker on the draw than I was, but I’d get there.

“Obi Wan, you have taught me well this week.”

Mark threw his head back and chuckled. “Yes, my young Padawan, there is much to learn.”

No joke, but I was up for it.

“Alright, Sprite. Let’s head to your cabin and get washed up and changed.” Thankfully, I’d had the forethought to leave my swimsuit there. With no time to dawdle, we returned before most of the others and had first pick at the sandwich fixings.

“I want all of the meats, Daddy.”

“Then all the meats you shall have. I take it subs are a favorite of yours?” Roen’s head bobbed up and down. “Good to know. While I load up our plates, why don’t you grab us each a bottle of water?” He skipped off toward the buckets of ice with the water bottles stuffed in them and dug two out.

“I got the coldest ones,” he shivered. “My fingers are tingly.”

“Let’s get them outside and into the warm sun then.”