“Hi baby,” I smiled, pushing Arlo’s hair out of his face, “how are you feeling?”

“Sleepy. My tummy feels better though.”

“That’s great. It’s probably the medicine they gave you. You’re going to have to lay here for a bit but we can go home today okay? But you can’t be running around being silly until I tell you. Do you want to sleep with daddy for a few days?”

“Can I?” he smiled, “yes!”

“Okay,” I sniffled.

A nurse came in, checking Arlo over and making sure that he was able to breathe on his own, and took his mask off before giving him some water.

“Thank you, ma’am,” he smiled at her.

“Oh, you’re so welcome. You have such good manners,” she nodded before turning to me, “Dr. Oslo said he’s free to go home in 2 hours. We just have to keep an eye on him for a bit after anesthesia. All he’ll need is ibuprofen, and make sure he eats gentle foods. His stomach might hurt when he swallows, so soups, pudding, jello, and things like that. But he did so well. If you have any concerns, just bring him back.”

“Thank you,” I nodded and she left the room.

“Daddy?” Arlo yawned.

“Yeah, bub?”

“I’m sleepy.”

“I know. It’s the medicine. I think you can go back to bed if you want until it’s time for us to go. I’ll stay right here.”

“Okay,” he smiled.

I tucked his special blanket around him and climbed onto the bed, letting him cuddle into my side and he quickly fell asleep.

I’m so glad you’re okay Arlo.

You scared the hell out of me.

Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I went to my family group chat and texted my mother and Jeremiah.

-E: Arlo is doing good. We’ll be home in 2 hours. He fell back asleep but he’ll be okay to go back to school on Thursday.

-M: Tell him Grammy loves him and I’ll see him tonight okay?

-E: Sure mom.

-J: I’ll bring you dinner after work. Holly wants to come too. Will he be up for the bbq this weekend?

-E: Probably but he’s just going to have to rest. He has stitches.

-J: We’ll set up that double outdoor bed thing he likes under the tree. I’m sure he’ll be okay.

-E: Sounds good. Thanks. Love you both I’ll see you tonight.

-M: Love you too son.

-J: Love ya pumpkin.

Since I was 14 Jeremiah had called me pumpkin and when I asked he finally explained that it was because my eyes were orange and in the right light they were the exact same shade as a pumpkin pie.

Switching to Wesley’s contact, I chewed on my lip before finally deciding to text him.

-E: Arlo is doing well. He woke up but fell back asleep. I’ll take him home soon. I figured you were asleep but I thought I should tell you.

-W: I’m awake. Rory wakes me up at 5 or 6 every morning. I don’t want to be.

-E: You get that little sleep?

-W: Mhm.

-E: Hm…

-W: What is it?

-E: It’s probably inappropriate because we just met, but if you ever need me to watch her so you can rest, I’m happy to. Arlo would love it.

-W: Seriously?

-E: I don’t see why not. She’s a sweet kid. Arlo has already said she’s his best friend. You were a savior for me last night.

-W: I’d appreciate that actually. When are you going home?

-E: About an hour or so. Just waiting to see how he’s doing.

-W: Do you need me to bring you anything for him? I know you won’t be able to take him grocery shopping or get medication.

-E: I’d feel bad…

-W: You just offered to watch Rory so I could nap lol. We’re friends now Eli. It’s okay to lean on me for help. So if you need something, please tell me.

-E: I could use more ibuprofen. Some pudding and jello. Instant mashed potatoes. He won’t eat soup.

-W: Neither will Rory. Text me when you’re home with your address and me and Rory will go do some shopping for Arlo. What’s his favorite color?

-E: Pink.

-W: Got it. Get him home and we’ll come by for a visit. I think seeing a friend will help cheer him up.

-E: You’re… really sweet Wes.

-W: You’re easy to be sweet to.

My entire face flared as I read his message, my heart racing and I debated how to reply.

Is he flirting?

Or just being kind?

-E: You’re making me blush in the hospital.

-W: That was my goal. Alright really. I’ll see you soon.

-E: Okay.

Arlo was released an hour later and I carefully loaded him into the car, heading home quickly.

“Where do you want to be right now? Daddy’s bed or the couch?” I smiled, carrying him into the house.

“The couch!”

“Alright,” nodding, I set him on the couch and went into his room, grabbing his pillows and his favorite blanket and propping him up on the couch, “movie or tablet?”

“Tablet please.”

“You got it.”

Running to my room, I grabbed his iPad and brought it back, a small smile on my face, “daddy is going to change real quick. Call for me if you need me,” I softly kissed the top of his head and went to my room, changing into joggers and an oversized lavender shirt, before going into the bathroom and throwing my hair into a ponytail.

God, I’m tired.

He better nap today.

Sitting on the end of the couch, I pulled some of Arlo’s blanket onto myself and took my phone out, texting Wesley to let him know that we were home and give him the address.

After turning the TV on, I leaned against the side of the couch, watching Arlo out of the corner of my eye.

There was a gentle knock at the front door about half an hour later and I climbed out from under the blanket, jogging over to open it to find Aurora holding a small pink teddy bear and a single pink flower, an excited smile on her face. Wesley was slowly coming up the porch stairs, holding a grocery bag, an exhausted smile on his face as well.

“Hey, you two! Arlo is laying on the couch, Rory, but you can’t hug him hard okay? Watch out for his tummy.”

She nodded and I moved aside to let her into the house and she went running, her red curls bouncing in her pigtails.

“She was beyond excited to come over here. She’s never been to a friend's house before,” Wesley smiled again.

“You look so fucking tired,” I laughed, letting him in and closing the door behind him.

“I slept all of an hour. I’m barely on my feet,” he groaned, following me to the kitchen, “but it’s okay. I’m used to it at this point.”

“That’s not good for you, Wes,” I sighed, looking through the bag he handed me, “I’m not kidding. Bring Rory over whenever you want. Arlo and I do nothing but sit here or play in the backyard. I had to buy him his own playground because he hates going to the park. So she’d probably enjoy it as well.”

“Right. Thank you, Eli.”

“Are you hungry at all? I haven’t eaten since last night. I was going to make huevos rancheros for me and originally scrambled eggs for Arlo but he can have pudding. Will Rory eat scrambled eggs if I make her some?”

“Yea. That… sounds good. You don’t have to cook for us though.”

“It won’t take me long. I like cooking for people. The only people who come over are my mama and brother. So it’s nice to cook for someone who hasn’t tried my food,” I smiled and his cheeks turned a gentle pink.

Cute.

Grabbing ingredients from the fridge, I peeked into the living room to find Arlo and Aurora leaning against his pillows together and sharing his blanket, taking turns playing a game on his tablet.

“Oh,” I whispered, smiling.

“What is it?” Wesley leaned over to look into the living room and his eyes grew wide, “they’re so cute.”

“They really are,” I nodded and started making breakfast.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. I have no secrets.”

“You said Arlo’s mom is in New York?”

“Mhm. She left when he was 2. Decided being with me isn’t what she wanted anymore. She had weekend visitations but always canceled, never came to pick him up, and never talked to him when she wasn’t here. He still asks about her. I don’t know that he really remembers who she is. He just wonders why other kids have two parents he doesn’t.”

“What do you tell him?”

“That someday a person will come along that can love daddy for who he is and we’ll be a family,” I shrugged.

“What do you mean by who you are?” Wesley joined me at the stove, watching me cook.

“Ah. Yeah, Ashley didn’t know I was bisexual. When she found out, she suddenly assumed I’d cheat on her with a man or something. Not that I ever would have. She’s the only person I have ever been with. I cared for her deeply. But as soon as she found out, she was gone.”

“What the hell?”

“She was really closed-minded. I just didn’t notice it. She kept harping on me to tell her where my family was from and when I would tell her they were from here, that she knew my mama and papa, she’d call me a liar and ask about my birth parents. I genuinely have no idea who they are. I was born in a hospital in Tijuana and immediately placed in an orphanage. Mina adopted me a few years later. I was 3. I know no different than the love Mina and Levi gave me. They’re my parents. I figured out I was adopted when I was 12 and they explained it to me. Kinda hard to deny it when Jeremiah is my brother and we look…”

“Entirely different?” He laughed, playing with the bottom of my hair.

“Yes,” I snorted, “but my brother loves me, adores me, so that’s all that matters.”

“I’m glad. I’m an only child. It's been just me and my dad since I was 10. My mom passed. Breast cancer. He was terrified when I joined the marines, scared he’d lose me too. But I came back after my 4 years, and I live next door to him so I know he’s okay.”

“I lost my papa a few years ago. Just before Arlo was born. That’s why his middle name is Levi. We were both named after my papa.”

“That’s sweet. Aurora is named after my mom. Aurora Rosaline Sterling.”

“That’s an absolutely beautiful name,” I smiled at him over my shoulder as I finished cooking and plated for us, before carrying a small plate with scrambled eggs to the living room for Aurora and a pudding for Arlo, apple juice boxes in my pockets, “hi kiddos. Are you having fun?”

“Yeah!“ Arlo shouted as Aurora nodded excitedly.

“Good. Rory, I made you some eggs if you’re hungry. Your daddy said you like them.”

She signed thank you and sat on the floor, and I opened a juice for her, setting it in front of her plate.

“You have to stay on the couch, Lo, but I brought you pudding and juice. Rory, can you do me a favor and hand Arlo his juice when he needs it? Your daddy and I are going to eat in the kitchen.”

She nodded and smiled as I set the juice down and I handed her the TV remote.

“Arlo, I’m going to let Rory pick the movie because she’s our guest, okay?”

“Okay daddy,” he smiled, taking a bite of his pudding.

Heading into the kitchen, I went to the fridge and looked at what I had to drink.

“Let’s see. I have orange juice, apple juice, iced coffee, and water,” I smiled at Wesley over my shoulder.

“Coffee please,” he nodded.

“I think I will too.”

I got us both coffee and set the glasses down before sitting across the table from him, stifling a yawn, “god. I need to eat and drink this coffee. I am so tired.”

“Me too,” he yawned, his eyes growing wide as he took his first bite of food, “this is amazing Elijah thank you.”

“I make better food than this. If I cook. I don’t eat much.”

“Just like my lack of sleep isn’t good for me, your lack of food isn’t good for you,” he sighed softly.

“There was a time when Arlo was first born that I couldn’t afford to feed myself often to make sure he’d have what he needed. So I got used to eating one meal a day. Now that I can eat more, I feel guilty if I do. I still worry that there will be a day I can’t feed him anymore.”

“I’d never let that happen,” he shrugged, “even if it meant bringing you guys food. But you have a good job don’t you?”

“First. You’re nicer than you need to be to me. You barely know me. Second. I do and I love my job but life was hard after Ashley left us. She made more money than me at that time and just up and left. Jeremiah helped a lot at first, and my mom, but it just… I don’t know. I don’t like being dependent on others.”

“I can get that. I don’t either. That’s why I let myself lose so much sleep if it means that Rory is doing well.”

“Okay, so you go to work from 3 pm to 3 am, right? How many days a week?”

“4.”

“What days?”

“Monday to Thursday. I have weekends off.”

“Do you live near me?”

“I think my backyard bumps against yours. Why?” he looked at me confused.

“Well. If you’re that close, I can take Rory to and from school for you so you can rest. I don’t mind. I can come to get her at 6, she can eat breakfast with me and Arlo, and then I’ll bring her home. I can just drop her off at your house. I really don’t mind. If you don’t have time to make her lunch, I can do that too. All I’d have to do is text Morgan or my mom and have them add me to your pickup list. It’s really not that hard and we could both use the help. Arlo needs a friend and clearly, he and Rory are now attached at the hip. I could use the company, you’re easy to talk to and with us both being single parents I understand how hard it can be.”

Wesley stared at me in shock, my offer clearly more than he was prepared for, and he wiped a tear away with his napkin.

“That… that would be so helpful. My dad is getting up there in years and he has a hard time with her. Not that she’s a hard kid or anything, but he’s wheelchair-bound, and getting up to get her ready for school is starting to get hard for him. If… if you could do that then I… I can pay you if you want.”

“Nope,” shaking my head, I grabbed his empty plate and my own and carried them over to the sink, rinsing them off, “you said it yourself. We’re friends now. I don’t think I’ve ever had one of those. I’ll be there Thursday to get her at 6. If you need to just send her in her pajamas that’s okay too. I always do Arlo’s hair, so I can do hers too. I don’t care. Let me help.”

Wesley came over to me and chewed on his lip for a moment before wrapping me in a hug, our size difference meant that I had to lay my head against his chest.

When was the last time I hugged someone who wasn’t Arlo or Jerry?

He’s so warm.

He smells really good too.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed him tightly, and I realized he had started to cry.

“Wes? Hey, what’s wrong?”

“It’s just… a lot. I didn’t think finally putting Rory in school meant that I would finally make a real friend. I didn’t know that her teacher was going to be so sweet. You’re… such a good man Eli. Jerry wasn’t kidding,” he laughed, resting his chin on the top of my head.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“You were engaged when you had Rory right?”

“Mhm. But my ex isn’t listed on her birth certificate as her other father. He didn’t want anything to do with a child and moved to be with his ex. So it’s been me since the day I brought her home. Other than my dad, we haven’t had help or anyone I could ask to watch her. Jerry offered a lot and told me he’d be happy to help but I couldn’t do that to him.”

“Well, you don’t have a choice now,” I laughed, “let me help you okay?”

“Okay,” he squeezed me tightly and finally let go, “but only if you let me make sure to buy groceries sometimes to cover her being here.”

“Fine fine,” I laughed.

We walked into the living room and both of us froze.

Arlo and Aurora had cuddled onto the couch under his blanket, both of them fast asleep.

“Shit,” he whispered.

“Why don’t you go take nap in my room? I’ll stay here with them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm,” I smiled.

“Thank you.”