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A thousand knives stabbed his heart. “Of course not, Ethan. We’re a team. You’re having a sleepover with your new friend, Graham, and I’m going home.”
“My mommy went to the store, but she didn’t come back.” Tears filled his eyes and he started sobbing all over again.
Prescott hugged him. “I’m not leaving you, Ethan. I promise. How ‘bout we go home and you can have a sleepover with Graham another time?”
Ethan nodded. “Okay,” he said after he stopped crying.
“Why don’t you say goodbye to Graham, then we’ll grab your bag?”
“I’ll get it.” Providence said, and retreated into the house.
Prescott put Ethan down.
Graham hugged him. “It’s okay that you don’t want to stay. We can play at your house next time so you can be with your daddy.”
Prescott’s eyes blurred with tears. Unexpected and sudden, he couldn’t stop the emotion that constricted his throat. Dakota nodded, a silent bond between two savage men whose hearts had been softened by the strong bonds of family.
Prescott cleared his throat. “That’s a great idea, Graham.”
Providence returned with Ethan’s diaper bag.
Graham slipped his hand into Dakota’s. “Bye, Ethan. Bye, Uncle Prescott.”
Prescott tossed Dakota and Providence a nod. “Thanks again for dinner. I’ll talk to you next week.”
“Good luck with the case,” Providence said. “Work fast. I’ve got a team on hold until they get cleared to work.”
“We’re doing our best,” Prescott replied.
On the ride home, Ethan was a complete chatterbox, his meltdown long forgotten.
While Prescott gave him a bath, Ethan peered up. “Will you leave me like my mommy did?”
His heart clenched.
“No, Ethan, I’m not leaving you,” Prescott said. “I promise. It’s you and me, buddy.”
“Graham said you’re my daddy. Are you my daddy?”
Prescott grew quiet, unsure how to proceed.
In silence, he dried him off, then helped him into his pull-on diaper and jammies, all while ruminating his answer. He set the hair dryer on low and dried Ethan’s hair.
Then, he lifted him into his arms and brought him back down to the family room. Together, they sat on the sofa. This was such a big moment. Ethan was looking for safety and security. He wanted to know that Prescott would be there, day in and day out.
An unexpected calmness washed over him.
“Ethan, I’m not going to leave you, but I know it feels like I was going to tonight.”
Ethan climbed into his lap and snuggled close.
“Are you my daddy?” he asked again, before slipping his thumb into his mouth.
Prescott’s lips tugged up in a smile. Ethan was a smart little boy who wanted an answer to his question. He was also persistent, just like his uncle.
“Right now, I’m your Uncle Prescott. I would have to adopt you in order to become your daddy.”
“Okay, we can do that tomorrow.”
