He changed into a pair of faded jeans and his old team jersey before heading out back. As he got closer to the tent he noticed that the fire pit had been moved from the patio and now sat in front of the tent area. There was a clay tagine suspended over the fire that emitted some delicious smells.
He pulled back the flap to the tent and poked his head inside.
Gabi and Conner were sitting on a mound of sumptuous-looking pillows in a scene that was straight out of The Arabian Nights.
“Daddy!”
Conner scrambled to his feet and ran over to him. He scooped his son up and kissed the top of his head before setting him back down.
“I told Conner he couldn’t have his playdate tonight because you wanted to surprise him with this campout,” Gabi said.
Kingsley looked at her and saw fire in her eyes. He was beginning to suspect that the other parents wouldn’t let their kids play with his son once they’d learned who he was.
“I did. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. We’ve been reading about knights. But these are different than the ones I learned about before,” Conner said.
Conner took Kingsley’s hand and led him over to where Gabi was seated. When they were both settled onto the pillows, Kingsley noticed an old-fashioned illuminated book on Gabi’s lap. There were illustrations of knights with curved swords.
Conner climbed onto Kingsley’s lap and Gabi went back to finishing the story they were reading, which was the tale of Aladdin.
“That was so exciting. I wish we had a secret cave,” Conner said when she was finished.
“Me, too,” Kingsley said.
“For tonight we do. In the trunk over there is everything you will need to go on an adventure like Aladdin. Go and check it out, Conner,” Gabi said.
His son jumped up and ran to the other side of the tent. He opened the trunk and exclaimed excitedly as he started pulling out costumes, toy swords and a map.
“Why did you do all of this?” Kingsley asked.
“Because Conner deserved it,” Gabi said.
“What about the playdate?” Kingsley asked.
“It didn’t work out. The timing was wrong,” she said, getting to her feet and walking over to Conner.
“What’s this?” Conner held up a gossamer-thin piece of fabric.
“That’s for my costume. I’m going to be one of those dashing ladies we read about. You and your dad are Aladdin and his band of thieves. Put on your costumes and meet me by the steps leading to the beach,” she said. She took the pieces that made up her costume.
And Kingsley pushed aside his worries for the night and went to help his son get into costume. Conner talked excitedly the entire time. Once they were both dressed they went outside to find Gabi in her harem-girl outfit wearing a veil over her face.
Kingsley’s breath caught in his chest as he looked at her. And he was struck with the realization that he wanted her in his life. Forever.
He wasn’t sure he could have her. He’d never really had a chance to figure out how to make things work in a relationship, and he suspected it might be due to the fact that he’d screwed up with her.
“You’re gorgeous.”
“So are you,” she said. “Both of you. Conner, let me take your picture with your daddy.”
“With our swords out,” Conner insisted. They both drew their swords and posed next to each other as Gabi took a few pictures with her phone.
“Now all three of us,” Conner said.
Gabi came over to them and Kingsley wrapped his arm around Gabi as she lifted Conner up between them. Kingsley extended his arm and got them all in the frame before snapping the selfie.
“Let’s look at it,” Gabi said. They stared down at the picture of the three of them.
“It’s like we are a family,” Conner said.
It was like that.
“But I’m just your nanny,” Gabi reminded his son.
He could tell Conner didn’t like that—and truth to tell he didn’t, either—but tonight wasn’t the time to get into it.
“Did you bring the map?” Gabi asked, changing the subject.
“I did,” Conner said, pulling it out of his pocket.
They followed the map down the path to the beach and then got to a stone circle with a big X drawn in the sand.
“What now?” Kingsley asked.
“Now we dig,” Conner said.
They all dug until they uncovered another chest, and when Kingsley removed it he wondered what they’d find inside. Conner opened it and exclaimed. It was full of toy gold coins and trinkets just such as the ones the book had described.