Page 23 of Monster Daddies

I grin. "Okay, fine. I kissedtwosomeones."

He laughs, surprised but seemingly excited for me. "I didn't realize you were leaving much time for yourself to meet anyone in between all the fixing up of the manor and mooning over your fairy godmother."

A giggle bursts from my chest. "Actually..." I say before letting the laughter take over again. It takes me a few minutes to get control of myself before finally managing to focus back on Daddy Drè. "The someonesaremy fairy goddaddies."

His face pulls into a mask of confusion and worry. "Babygirl... are you telling me you kissed some people that snuck into your house to leave you little gifts? Are you safe? Should I phone the cops?"

I nearly fall over with laughter, while feeling all warm and fuzzy over his care.

"Oh! I'm safe, I promise," I rush to tell him. "I just..." I pause. "I don't know if I can tell you. I'll speak to them, and find out what I can tell you, okay? But I needed to tell you that there's a thing and that..."

After taking a deep breath, I push down the sudden onset of emotion. There's so much sadness that I wasn't expecting to feel.

"I love you, Dré," I say, voice thick. "You've been such a steady part of my life. You helped me understand who I am. That it's okay to want care, to need comfort. You made me feel safe when I didn't know how to ask for it."

His eyes glimmer behind the screen. "And I always will. You're my girl. You know that. No matter what changes."

I nod. "But I think it's time. To let you go. At least that part of our relationship." I swallow. "I don't think it would be fair to keep you as a Daddy when they could be my Daddies here."

He's quiet for a moment, then he nods. "I've always been worried this day would come. But I'm so grateful I could be a safe space for you to recoup, until you could spread your wings and fly."

My throat tightens. "You were so much more than that."

He smiles. "No matter what, I'll still be here. Just Drè. Your friend. You don't stop being family just because the title changes."

"Thank you," I whisper. "For everything."

"Now go be happy, babygirl. And come back tomorrow to tell me more, if you can."

When we hang up, I press my forehead to the laptop lid, letting the tears fall. Not sad tears, not really. Just full ones. Overflowing.

My heart is a little cracked open, but it's full of light.

Now I get to plan the dinner I'm going to have ready for my Daddies when they wake up.

I wipe my cheeks with the sleeve of my robe, sniffling a little even though I'm smiling.

It's a good ending. And a beautiful beginning.

The manor seems to agree, creaking softly as I move through it, like it's giving me a gentle pat on the back.

I tell it thank you, because I do think it listens, and I pad my way toward the kitchen with purpose.

If I'm going to have dinner ready for my Daddies when they wake up, I need to start planning now because I still need to fit in a trip to the market.

I grab a notepad from the drawer and begin jotting ideas. Maybe a roast chicken? Do gargoyles eat chicken?

Do they eat food?

Holy shit. I don't know enough.

Ugh!

Fine. Chicken. It's something hearty and homey. Mashed potatoes, green beans, and those soft dinner rolls that puff up like clouds in the oven.

And maybe I'll finally try my hand at making a sticky toffee pudding.

I giggle to myself and bounce a little on my toes. This is going to beamazing!