Page 55 of A Daddy to Love

This man ran this huge house. It was obvious he’d always been protective of Kairo. I couldn’t politely refuse him. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even have my car.

“Please, sir. I’ll see to him.”

I balked at his choice of words. See to him. That was my job. But without Kairo’s consent insisting I stay, I was the intruder.

To avoid any undo drama, I got up and left the room. But I had no intention of leaving. Kairo needed me. He’d see that very soon. They could call the cops if they wanted, but my first priority was Kairo. I had to make sure he was all right.

I moved slowly down the stairs. Remembering everything Kairo had shown me on our tour, it was easy to make my way through the maze of halls and rooms to the big living room. I found a plush chair by the fireplace and sat, phone in hand. There was no one to call. I wasn’t going home so I didn’t need an Uber. Yet.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. My poor baby. He had misinterpreted so much. I’d never said the three big words, I love you, to anyone. He was the first. But he didn’t know that.

Just as I was about to go back upstairs, not caring what anyone said, I heard hurried footsteps. Sorel was headed to the front door when he saw me.

“Sir. Good. You haven’t left. Please come. Kairo is inconsolable. He’s curled up on his floor and doesn’t hear me at all.”

I jumped up.

“He started calling for his daddy but he’s never had a daddy. At least not one who knew him.”

My poor baby boy.

“I can help him if you don’t send me away.”

“It’s you he’s been seeing these past six weeks?”

“Yeah. My name’s Truce.”

“My name’s Sorel.” He held out his hand and we shook. “I’ve never seen him happier, sir. Until this moment.”

“He never told me where he lives until today. He thinks he wronged me. But that’s not true. I don’t care where or how he lives. Just know that I love him. Very much.”

Sorel nodded. “He wants you, then.” He gestured to the stairs.

I jogged up the steps two at a time. The door to Kairo’s room was still open and I rushed inside. He lay on the floor by the side of the bed all curled up, hands over his head. Sniffles filled the room.

I knelt by his side and put my hands under his shoulders. “Baby, I’m here. I’m here.” When I pulled him to me his limp body fell into my embrace.

I picked him up and placed him on the bed, then grabbed Shrek and Donkey and put them in his line of sight. As I got on the bed beside him, the toys between us, I said, “Look. Your favorites. They don’t want to see you cry.” I leaned over him and kissed his head. “Why are you crying, baby?”

Finally, his eyes opened. “Daddy? Where are we?”

Startled at the question, I gripped his shoulder. “Your room, baby.”

He gulped. “But you left.”

“No. I’d never leave you, sweetheart.” All the love I’d ever had came surging up. If it wasn’t so ecstatic, I might have called it painful.

“But you hate me now.”

“What?”

As he started to relax, his fingers closed over Donkey’s tail. “I lied.” Tears began to well again. “I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t lie. You just didn’t offer anything on this subject.”

“Grandfather says omissions can be lies. Especially in business.”

“Honey, this is between us. But you and I? We’re still getting to know each other. I want to keep getting to know you. Don’t you?”