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Relieved, I charged back in. “There are online programs where you can work on typing skills and learn to use Word and all that stuff proficiently. There are even ones that give you certificates you can put on your resume. I know this because one of the only functional, though distant, branches of the family does a lot of homeschooling and they complain about completely different things than anyone else in the family.”
Milo barked out a laugh, looking bigger again. “How did you get stuck talking about homeschooling?”
“A wedding.” I sighed as he laughed again. “I think I pissed off the bride and groom, and being stuck at that table was supposed to be my punishment, but they’re lovely and not insane at all.”
Grinning, Milo curled into me again, looking lighter. “You think I could do that? Get certificates and stuff and then have more stuff to put on my resume?”
“Yes.” Kissing his forehead, I tried not to sound nervous. “But can I give you a caveat to that?”
Milo tensed but nodded bravely. “Yes, Daddy.”
“You don’t have time for it. I think you are incredibly smart and those are skills you caneasilypick up. But you’re working two jobs and I’m not even sure how you had today off.” That seemed like a miracle.
“Um, well, I get a couple of days off at the same time once or twice a month?” Snuggling closer, he curled into me like he needed cuddle time. “I took off work for our date night last weekend, but most of the time, I try to schedule days off to go have dinner with Dally’s family.”
Ah.
“So you’re going to understand when I say that we need to look at your schedule? And you’re not going to argue with me too much when I say I think you need to let me help?” That had me holding my breath but after a few seconds Milo sighed and poked me. “Hey. I’m being nice. I didn’t even demand you let me help.”
He did his best not to laugh but he wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his delight at my drama. “Yes. You did very good and you asked instead of telling me.”
“That means you have to reward me. Dally said so.” He’d also said to use that to make sure I got my way. “He also said toremind you that complaining about not having to pay rent is looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
As Milo shook with barely suppressed laughter, I huffed. “I’m not sure which of us is the horse here, but I don’t want a tail.”
And the laughter escaped.
“He also said to remind you that you already told me you loved me, so that meant I got to keep you.” He had interesting logic, but I wasn’t going to argue with him since it worked in my favor. “It’s a finders keepers kind of a thing but with love.”
“Finders keepers, huh?” Milo shifted again, rubbing his cheek on my shoulder and petting my chest. “Dally knows all the dating rules and the BDSM ones too. So we probably shouldn’t argue with him.”
“You shouldn’t argue with Daddy either.” I tried to sound stern but his giggles made it hard. “And I’m saying finders keepers and I’m keeping you.”
“Because I love you.” Blushing, Milo tried to hide but he looked very pleased with the way our conversation had turned out.
“That’s right. And I love you, so there’s nothing you can do about it.” Shrugging, I decided I liked the logic. “Dally said so.”
“Yes, Dally probably did say that.” Kissing my cheek, he settled back against me. “And taking care of Daddy is a lot of work.”
“I am high maintenance.” There was no arguing with that. “I keep getting teased with the idea of homemade noodles too. Someone has to learn to do that.”
Giving me an adorably dramatic sigh, Milo nodded. “Yes, I have to take care of you, Daddy. There’s no way around it.”
“Love comes with a price.” Dally said that too. “But I’m going to appreciate being taken care of and buy you lots of toys, so I think that will make up for it.”
Milo sat up, wrapping his arms around my neck and giving me the sweetest kiss. “I love you, Daddy.”
“Enough to take care of me forever and ever? Crazy family and all?” I knew the answer but the wait for his smile to peek out again nearly gave me a heart attack.
His tender smile and the sweet cheek kiss he gave me were worth the wait, though. “Forever and ever, Daddy.”
Epilogue
Elias
“Three minutes.” That Dally thought he could claim five said he had a screw loose. “Three. And if another relative tries to give me a baby and tells me to smile, I’m coming to find you.”
I didn’t care what they had to do in the bathroom.
