“Let’s get youse settled.” I bent down and grabbed two bags, and Camden stayed plastered to me as I tried to get everything into the entryway. “I’ll take your jacket, ciccio.”
Camden felt that was the best time to start rambling. “I bet you’re wondering why we’re here, and it’s because Daddy finally understood that I know what’s best for us, and it’s to be together,” he said. “I know you have lots of work, and so do we, but we can work from anywhere right now. So, I was like, we should go to Anthony in New York and live with him and continue to fall in love and so I can call him Daddy too, cuz I really want to. And Daddy hesitated at first—he said we should give you space and not crowd you, but I told him he was wrong and that this was what we needed. This is what I’ve been dreaming about for so long, and, I mean, yeah, my original plan was to just see where things went and hope for playtime with a third partner, so Daddy could get used to the idea, but you turned out so perfect for us, you know, and—”
“Jesus Christ, breathe, my sweet goofball.” I cupped his face in my hands and grinned down at him.
He took a long breath. “This is important stuff! I have to continue.” He didn’t waste any time. He went on as he shrugged out of his windbreaker. “I was so focused on finding a good partner for Daddy that I forgot my own feelings at first. I just knew it said click, click, click, and everything was perfect. But then you left, and it kinda broke me. I couldn’t stop crying. Something was suddenly missing. And Daddy was sad too, but he mostly gets quiet and broody and worried—”
I silenced him with a kiss, because I couldn’t hear another word right now. It was too much—in the best way, and I wanted to savor the moment. The bliss that rolled over me was something I’d never felt before. It spread warmth through me and gave my future color.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I kissed him again, softly, then shifted my attention to August.
He was a lot more patient than his boy. Our boy.
“We’re done thinkin’,” he murmured. “You belong with us, Anthony. I’m not sure there was ever an alternative. And we flew out because we’re hoping we can figure things out—together. Not apart. Not with us in Nashville and you here.”
My throat closed up, and he must’ve noticed I’d become too overwhelmed, because then he was right there, hugging me to him, and I screwed my eyes shut.
Deep breaths. Deep, unsteady breaths. There was something I had to get out.
“I’ve spent every waking hour since I left Nashville trying to make my work more flexible.” I had to clear my throat. “I can’t leave New York altogether, but I’m gonna free up some time.”
“We wouldn’t ask you to leave, sweetheart.” He inched away and palmed my cheek, and he brushed his thumb under my eye. “Flexible is nice—but we happen to like New York too. I hope we can find a way to split our time in both places.”
That would be the dream. “I’ve worked things out with Nicky a little already. He told me to cut my summer classes—leave them for other instructors. And just a few hours ago, Gideon… Actually—” I exhaled a breathy laugh, getting ahead of myself. “We’ll work it out. We can talk about this whenever.”
“We have time,” August agreed with a warm smile. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too.” I kissed him chastely, then peered down at Camden, who was sort of trapped between us. He wore a happy but sleepy smile, and it made me think of my wandering thoughts from earlier. Now it might actually become my reality. We could turn the second bedroom into another Star Wars and Marvel haven for him.
We were done counting down till Monday.
Like August said, we had time.
Epilogue
A few hours later
I was gonna be dead on my feet tomorrow. I just couldn’t find it in me to care.
At four AM, Camden was asleep in my bed, wearing a pair of Deadpool pajama bottoms and one of my T-shirts, and I was showing August my rooftop terrace.
“We could make cooking tutorials up here in the summer.” He eyed the plants I’d killed.
I didn’t have much space up here. In fact, it was tiny. There was just enough room for a small seating area and a grill. I’d tried but failed miserably at keeping avocado, tomatoes, herbs, and lemon alive. I thought I’d been smart; I’d made my own concrete flower beds, solid and heavy, thinking they could stand on the brick edge where they’d get more sunlight, but maybe it was too windy there.