Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“That’s right. Just play.” The playroom wasn’t done, but with the new shelves painted a bright white and a big teddy bear in the middle of the room, it was clear what the space was going to be. “Now we’ve got a special room to put a crib or changing table or more toys in, and no one will see. It’s completely private and that door even has a lock on it.”
“I gotta room, Daddy.” The awe in his voice had me swallowing hard around something in my throat.
“Look.” I nodded as he pointed to the shelves. “I get more books? More toys?”
“Yes.” Glad that I’d sounded almost normal, I swallowed again and cleared my throat. “We’re going to put another big chair in here and lots of books and toys.”
“Wow.” Finally moving again, Milo slowly walked us around the room, looking at every wall and shelf. “So pretty, Daddy.”
“We’re going to make it even prettier once we figure out how to decorate it.” Milo hadn’t given me enough hints about that. The closest thing to an idea had been his love of birds but I wasn’t sure if that was just a big Milo thing or not. “We’ll get some pictures and lots of new toys.”
“Baskets.” Nodding like he was in awe at the thought of getting to buy more baskets, he squeezed my hand. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome.” Kissing his head, I pulled him closer and wrapped my arms around him. “I wanted you to have your own space where you don’t have to worry about anyone coming in or anyone seeing your stuff.”
One of the things he had mentioned about his own apartment was that it was his own space and he didn’t have to share. Milo didn’t need an office in this house and it didn’t seem like he needed his own den, but this seemed like a wonderful way to give him privacy and a place to be himself.
“I want you to think about how we should decorate it and what kind of toys and furniture should go in here.” I chuckled as Milo turned in my arms and leaned back against my chest. “We’ve got lots of options and I can’t wait to hear your ideas.”
His ideas and my budget was the plan, but I figured I could point that out later.
“Can Dally help too?” His whisper made it sound like he was slightly overwhelmed, but nothing said panic. “It’s big, Daddy.”
A big room?
A big job?
“Yes, I think Dally would love to help you.” Either way, I’d expected his best friend to be in on the planning, if not the decorating.
“Help us, Daddy.” Milo patted my arms over his chest. “Us, Daddy.”
“Us.” Kissing his head, I nodded. “That’s right.”
Milo stayed there quietly, studying his room for several long moments before humming. “My blanket, Daddy?”
It took me a second to realize he was talking about the blanket downstairs on the shelf in the living room. “Do you want to bring your blanket up here? Should that be the first decoration?”
“Second.” Holding up two fingers, he pointed to the bear. “One.”
Chuckling softly, I nodded. “You’re right. I thought he looked like he’d be good to cuddle with when you play or when we read a book.”
Our schedules didn’t always align perfectly, so I was hoping he’d have a recharge space where he could be little if he wanted to, no matter if I was home or not.
“Cuddles.” It seemed to be decided that the bear would be good to snuggle with because Milo pulled away and grabbed my hand again. “Blanket.”
Since decorating had to start first thing, we headed back downstairs—thankfully at a safer speed—and picked up his blanket and two books from his basket. “All done, Daddy.”
“Perfect.” Holding the blanket and one of his hands, I let him take us back upstairs. “Where should it go?”
That was the million-dollar question.
It went in the corner.
Nope. That wasn’t right.
It went in the other corner.
Nope. Still not good enough.
Think.
Think.
Think.
It went under the bear.
Perfection.
“Picnic, Daddy.” Giggling, Milo ran around the bear before setting the two books down right in front of him. “Book picnic.”
Happy with his scene or maybe room staging, Milo skipped over to me and snuggled against me. When I wrapped my arms around him, he let out a soft sigh and rubbed his face against my chest. “Cuddle time, Daddy?”
“That’s a great idea.” I wasn’t sure he was bedtime tired yet, but it was clear he wanted some Daddy attention and downtime. “We’ll cuddle and you can nurse. Then we’ll get a bath or a shower. How does that sound?”
He nodded, his fingers coming up to pet my chest. “Special cuddles and bubbles and book snuggles?”
The soft touch and nuzzles were making me ache in multiple places and I had to push back a moan. “Yes, that sounds like a perfect night.”