Page 48 of To Protect
“Does it remind you of Georgia?” Atlas asked.
Bazel shook his head. “No. This is home. You are home, and the life I had before I come here, nothing like that. But Grace say he look like me.”
Atlas smiled. “He does. Maybe this is supposed to be your wish life.” He looked closer. “Or the one you deserve.”
“No one gets a wish life. We get what we make and earn and work for. I don’t want wish life. I want what I have now.” Helifted the piece out of Atlas’s hands and set it on the table before plopping himself into Atlas’s lap. “You are my wish life. Well, that and whatever papers we wait on from immigration.”
“The immigration officer we’re working with says that everything is on track.” He hated that Bazel worried almost constantly about being sent back home. On the application, they had included pictures and even a copy of his business plan and a list of clients to help show that he was being productive.
Bazel nodded. “So you like it?”
He nuzzled Bazel’s neck. “I love it. It’s beautiful.” Atlas didn’t have an eye for art or things like that, but it seemed Bazel did. His eye for beauty was deep and wide and seemed to extend far beyond their home.
“Good.” He leaned against Atlas, who pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent a quick text message, then got one in response. “What you doing?”
“There’s one more gift, and I wanted it to be a surprise.” He was so pleased.
“Where is it?” Bazel peered under the tree. “Everything is open.”
He had gotten a message from Chris that she was on her way, so Atlas wasn’t surprised when the bell rang and then the door opened. “Are you ready?” Chris called, and before Atlas knew it, a small cockapoo puppy bumbled into the room, his tail wagging. Evie hurried over to sniff the little guy just as Bazel lifted him into his arms.
“Is he for me?” Bazel asked.
“Yes. Evie has already met him, and they got along well.” He smiled as Bazel cuddled the little one up under his chin. “Do you like him?” Atlas asked.
Bazel held the puppy out. “Just look at the sweet face.” He held the puppy close once more.
“All his things are in out on the back porch. I got him puppy food, his own dish, a leash, a bed, and a carrier for when he’s in the car. They’re all out there for you.” He held out his hand, and Evie came right over. She sat next to him, and he petted her gently while Bazel held the newest addition to their family.
“Thanks, Chris, for bringing him by,” Atlas said.
“No problem. He was good last night.” She waved. “I need to get to my family before they start calling me again.” They said goodbye and she was gone, closing the door behind her.
“Did you have a nice Christmas?” Atlas asked. “Did Santa bring you what you wanted?”
“Santa,” Bazel chuckled. “I got everything I wanted, but it had nothing to do with Santa and everything to do with you.” Bazel turned enough so that they could partially face each other.
“Good. I’m glad.” He kissed him. “Me too.” He hadn’t even realized until this moment that Christmas, New Year’s, and his birthday had all come on the same day in June, when he’d opened the back of a semi-truck and found the greatest gift he had never expected to find. His heart was as full as he could ever remember, and Atlas figured with Bazel in his life, it was only going to get fuller by the day.
