Daddy, Daddy, Me Read online

  "Yep." Jeff winked. "Although, I guess if Robin washed his hands and face, I could make his scrambled."

  "That sounds like a very good deal." Donny grinned down at the little boy. "What do you think, Robin?"

  "Yay!" Robin's bare feet padded into the downstairs bath, and Kimberley was put into her swing.

  "Morning. Do you eat eggs?"

  "I do, thanks." Donny went to the cupboard and started pulling out plates.

  "Excellent." Jeff turned on some music, grabbed the eggs out of the fridge and a loaf of bread from the bread box.

  Donny set the table, familiar enough with the kitchen now that he didn't get into Jeff's way.

  Robin came back just as Donny finished and dragged his new stool over to the counter by Jeff, climbed up it. "Me help!"

  Donny held his breath, Robin was used to helping him in the kitchen -- he'd let the boy do something, even if it was just tiny, right from the start -- but Donny'd seen the professional chefs on the television...

  "Sure. You want to butter some bread?"

  Donny blew out his breath in relief. Good job, Jeff. The man really did have good instincts; he just needed a bit of sleep for them to kick in.

  A dull knife was handed over along with a piece of bread and some soft butter. "Make sure you smooth it out for me."

  Jeff worked quickly, making eggs, taking the bacon out. A little fruit salad was created, along with slabs of toast. It was pretty neat, watching the man in his element; everything seemed like second nature, and the food looked and smelled great, too.

  "Okay, Robbie. Table. Does your sister need a bottle before we eat?"

  "Nope, she'll let you know when she does, though." Donny grabbed the milk out of the fridge and grabbed a seat.

  Jeff served easily, eggs over toast with this super little sauce, the bacon crumbled over the top, fruit salad over on the side.

  "Damn. This looks amazing." He could get used to this.

  "Thanks." Robin got eggs, toast, and fruit and milk.

  As soon as Jeff's butt hit the chair, Kimberley started crying and he chuckled, grabbing her. "Is it time to eat, Beanhead?"

  "Babies always seem to know just when you're starting to eat yourself or relaxing." Donny'd noticed that Kimberley seemed especially good at timing diaper changes.

  "I remember Bethy saying that." Jeff bounced her gently. "Should I feed her, you think?"

  "Check her butt first."

  "I changed her before we came down." Jeff peeked, gingerly. "Woo! We're safe! Bottle it is!"

  Donny laughed and dug into his food. It was nice not having to take charge of the kids. Not that he didn't love doing it, but it was nice to have a break while they were still up. Jeff was whistling, bouncing Kimberley, laughing. It was like seeing a whole new man. A very handsome new man.

  He went back to his eggs. He couldn't think those sorts of thoughts about Jeff. It just wasn't cool. The man was his boss. And a damn good cook.

  "So good," he muttered around another mouthful.

  "Thanks." Jeff fed Kimberley, burped her, put her in the swing.

  Donny grabbed his toast and used it to wipe up the last of the sauce on his plate.

  Jeff ate his, nodded, smile. "I need to go to the market for supper."

  "If you wanted to take the kids I'd be happy to help out." He would be at loose ends otherwise. Not that there was anything wrong with getting to lounge about and watch movies or something, but he genuinely liked the kids and figured not only could Jeff use the help, but it would be good for Robin to have both adults in his life around at the same time.

  "I know you had shopping for me, too. We could make a day of it."

  "That works for me." It would be nice to spend some time with Jeff in this better mood.

  "Good deal." Jeff smiled at Robin. "Would you like to go on an outing?"

  "Can we see Mommy?"

  Jeff sighed. "No, Robbie. Mommy's in Heaven."

  "We're going to go and get you some new clothes and a proper stroller for Kimmie and maybe even some new toys. And I bet Daddy Jeff would love your help with choosing what to buy for supper."

  "Bananas!"

  Jeff chuckled. "He's obsessed."

  Given it was about the only fruit Robin seemed to ever ask for, Donny figured there wasn't anything wrong with that. "Hey, at least he can say 'bananas', that's not an easy word to master." He'd spent the week gently correcting Robin and the boy had been so proud the first time he'd said it right. "And what's not to be obsessed about? I bet you've got a wicked banana bread recipe you could do up." Or did chefs not do dessert?

  "Actually, yes. I do." Jeff grinned, started doing dishes.

  "Cool. You should teach Robin to make it. Wouldn't that be fun?" he asked, turning his attention to the little boy who was running for his stool and pushing it next to Jeff.

  "Me help!" Robin stepped up onto the stool, putting him high enough to reach the counter.

  "I'm doing dishes, Robbie."

  Robbie nodded. "Me help."

  Jeff looked panicked. "I... Baby, the water's hot..."

  "Let him hand you the dishes and once they're washed you can dry and he can put them away," Donny suggested. Robin never needed a big job; he just needed to feel like he was contributing.

  "Oh. Okay. Hand me a plate."

  Robin picked up one of the plates and handed it over, looking as proud as could be. "Me help Daddy Jeff."

  "You do. You're a good boy, Robbie."

  "He is." Donny brought a last fork over from the table. "He just wants to help, and there are very few things you do where you can't find something for him to contribute."

  "Contribute. What a yucky word, huh?" Jeff winked at Robin.

  Donny laughed and went over to make faces at Kimberley, working on getting some laughs out of her.

  It didn't take Jeff long to get the dishes done, then Jeff stretched. "Okay. Clothes. Robin, pants and underwear, a sweater. It's chilly outside."

  "We'll have to wrap a couple blankets around Kimberley, unless you've got clothes other than the onesies hidden somewhere I haven't found them yet." Clothes for both kids were on his list, but Kimberley especially needed a bigger variety of outfits.

  "I just got what I could remember Beth putting her in."

  "I didn't mean it as a dig." He knew how much stuff kids needed and how out of his depth Jeff had been, still was, really.

  "I know. I just... It's crazy. The world is crazy."

  He went over and gave Jeff's shoulder a pat, though what he wanted to do was hug the man. "I know, man. I'm really sorry."

  He'd been very focused on making sure Robin got to a good place, he'd almost forgotten that Jeff had just lost a very good friend as well as had full time fatherhood thrust on him.

  "Yeah. I mean, I saw them once or twice a month, but..." Jeff shrugged. "I need to get them dressed."

  "You do. And I should grab non-slobby clothes to put on. Meet you back down here in half an hour?"

  Jeff nodded. "That works."

  Kimberley was scooped out of her swing, and Jeff headed up the stairs.

  Donny ambled up to his own room more slowly. He was not watching Jeff's ass. Not. Even if it was a gorgeous one.

  ***

  They stumbled into the house with ten thousand bags and more being delivered. He was exhausted and the kids were in hysterics and Jeff knew that it was Donny's fucking day off so he couldn't even ask for help, but Jesus. If Robin screamed one more time, he was going to lose his shit.

  "You want Robin or Kimberley?" asked Donny, dumping his bags on the kitchen table.

  He looked over. Oh, thank God. "Kimmie?" Her issue might be solved with getting mostly naked, having a blanket and a bottle.

  "Works for me." Donny gave him a smile, patted Kimberley on the cheek and then went to Robin. "How about a glass of milk and then a bath, Robin?"

  Jeff grabbed a bottle and headed for his bedroom, Kimberley screaming the entire way. "Hush, you. Let's have a snuggle."


  Her extra layers came off, her onesie deal, and he changed her, her wails intensifying. He pulled off his sweater, toed off his shoes and grabbed her off his bed, settling in the big chair, and popped a bottle in her mouth.

  She settled almost immediately, suckling like she was starving, her little eyelids beginning to droop within seconds.

  He could hear Donny with Robin now, the man's tones staying soft and calm, even as Robin fussed. His eyelids drooped, too, exhaustion heavy on his shoulders. The sounds of water running made a backdrop to Kimberley's breathing, the sound of the chair rocking underneath him.

  Robin wasn't crying or fussing anymore, though the usual bath time joy was conspicuously absent. It didn't matter. It was quiet.

  He must have dozed off again, because the next thing he knew, Robin was at his chair, wanting a goodnight kiss.

  "Hey." He leaned over, kissed his boy, hugged him one-armed. "You want a story?"

  Robin nodded.

  "I can read it to him if you want. Or I can put Kimberley down while you do the honors." Donny gave him a tired smile.

  "I can. You look like you need a pre-supper nap." He'd found some lovely meat at the butchers.

  "I might just indulge in that. Is it still called supper if it's after eight?" Donny took Kimberley from his arms, hands warm where they slid against him.

  "You know it." He nodded and took Robin's hand. "Goodnight Moon?"

  "Yes, yes, Daddy Jeff!" Robin climbed up onto his lap and Donny slipped from the room with Kimberley.

  He held Robin close, grinned. "How am I supposed to read to you with you in my lap and the book in your room?"

  Robin's little eyebrows moved together as Robin really thought about it, then his face brightened. "Carry me."

  "Oh, is that it?" He chuckled, hefted himself and Robin up, heading toward what had been Mitch office.

  Robin laughed, little arms winding around his neck.

  He held on, wishing, not for the first time, that either one of the kids had looked like their mom -- blonde with eyes the most interesting color, part whiskey, part sherry.

  Donny passed him in the hallway, heading downstairs. "G'night, Robin."

  "Nigh-night!" Robin waved and grinned. "That's Donny."

  "Yes, son. I know."

  They found the book, got Robin settled.

  "Are you gonna go now?" Robin asked before he could start the book.

  "Go where, son?"

  "Away. Where Mommy went." Big, serious eyes looked up at him.

  "No." He didn't care that he should say something about how he didn't know for sure but he was going to be around a long time. He'd fight God himself to make sure these kids had a parent. "No, Robin. I am not. I'm staying right here with you and your sister."

  Robin wrapped those little arms around his waist and buried his face in Jeff's abdomen.

  "I have you. I promise. I'm here." He rocked gently, tears slipping from his cheeks. Poor babies.

  "Donny staying too?"

  "I hope so, very much." Donny was a good man, solid, and knew kids.

  "'Kay." Robin held on tight for a few more minutes and then curled up into him. "Book now?"

  "Yes, Robbie. Book now." He rested one arm around his son, held the book in the other and started to read.

  He headed downstairs after he'd finished reading and tucked Robin in.

  Donny was in the kitchen, going through all the bags, sorting them. It looked like the groceries were already put away.

  "Hey, thanks." He didn't know how he'd do without Donny, even after just a few days.

  "No problem. Everything that needed to be fridged is; the rest of this stuff I'm just organizing. It's not like we can put the kids' clothes away while they're sleeping anyway."

  "Yeah. Kimberley's going to need a whole extra room."

  Donny laughed; the guy looked good happy. "I believe the time that comes into play is when she turns into a teenager. My mom said my sisters each needed a whole wing to themselves, but especially their own bathrooms."

  "Hopefully by then things will be different." One day he'd have his own restaurant.

  "By then you'll be old hat at being Daddy Jeff and you definitely won't need me anymore." Donny had a sweet smile.

  "Are you only interested in little kids?" He hadn't thought of that, if nannies had... specialties.

  "Not at all, I was really hoping to find a family where I could get in on the ground floor and see the kids through to the end, if you know what I mean, but I suspect once kids hit the mid to late teen years, they're not so eager to be nannied."

  "No, but that's when they need adults the most. God knows I did."

  "Not that they know it." Donny laughed, still sorting all the crap they'd bought into piles.

  He shook himself, started helping, then began working on supper. He put the beef into a simple marinade, created a salad dressing.

  "You should have included the perk of incredible food in the ad for your nanny." Then Donny shook his head. "No, wait. You shouldn't have. I wouldn't have gotten it if you had."

  Jeff chuckled. "I love to cook. I mean, honestly. It's all I ever wanted to do." Ever since he was a young boy, he'd known.

  "That's cool. Kind of how I felt about kids. And I'll never be a daddy myself, you know?"

  "You don't think you'll adopt?" He started putting spices away, organizing them quickly.

  "A single gay man?" Donny shook his head. "The odds are pretty long against me."

  "You're young. You won't be single forever." The thought made him chuckle. Donny was cute.

  "Hopefully not."

  "You won't be." He would. No one wanted a man with two kids.

  Donny ducked his head, cheeks actually darkening a bit.

  "So, tell me stuff about yourself so we can make small talk over supper." He winked, doing his best to chill Donny out.

  "Stuff about me?" Donny gave a little laugh. "I love baseball and figure skating -- I know, go figure, but I do."

  "Do you play baseball?"

  "I know how, yeah. I used to play pick up with whoever showed up at the park back in college." Donny folded all the plastic bags, putting them in the recycle bin.

  "Cool. Do you miss university?"

  "Not now that I'm working. I did while I was looking for work, you know? I love working with kids."

  He nodded, then grabbed some cheese from the refrigerator. Parmesan crisps would be a good starter, maybe with some apple.

  "You interested in getting Robin into any sports? He's coming up on that age. There's swimming courses at the Y and stuff."

  Jeff pondered that. "Beth hated sports, but I want him to swim and... it's going to be hard, having a gay dad. He needs places to fit in..."

  "The Y's got some great programs, and it would be good for him to know how given the pool out the back. I like swimming, so I can go in with him. I'll try and find a time when you're home so you can look after Kimberley. Out-Reach has some great programs, too."

  He nodded, brain working over his schedule. How was he going to do this?

  "I'll get the schedules from the Y and Out-Reach and see what fits in with us." Donny started setting the table.

  "How do you like your steaks?" The parm went in the oven along with two oil-rubbed sweet potatoes.

  "Medium rare, please. Man, this is the sweet side of living with a chef."

  Jeff chuckled, nodded. "Good man. So, do you come from a big family?"

  He pulled out the steaks to warm up, the spinach, mushroom, onions.

  "Yeah. Four older sisters, four younger ones."

  "Jesus Christ." He actually stopped, stared. "Honestly?"

  Donny laughed and nodded. "Yeah. Can you believe it? I was the only kid with dark hair, too. The milkman jokes were legendary."

  "Jillian and I are the only two." They had been together in foster care for most of their lives. They'd gone through three foster homes before Angela and Jim had taken them in, kept them. Loved them both.

  "Yeah? I had m
y days where I wanted to be an only child, but it wouldn't have been the same with just two. Are you two very close?"

  "Yes, very. She's my best friend, now." He smiled, started chopping mushrooms. He had a lot of good friends, actually, and he'd be well served to remember that.

  "That's great. I met her my first day." Donny gave him a rueful grin. "She seemed a little overwhelmed by the kids."

  "She isn't maternal. Not compared to Beth."

  "You wanted kids too, though, huh?"

  He stopped chopping, looked at Donny. "I love the kids, but I was supposed to be their godfather. Beth wanted children. I saw them twice a month for an hour, brought presents, had a glass of wine with Beth."

  "Yeah? So what made you decide to keep them when she passed?" Donny frowned suddenly. "If that's none of my business..."

  "I didn't decide. It's what she asked for. It's in her will, and it was her last wish. I was with her at the end." Holding her hand. Her poor, blistered hand. Fuck. Nobody should die like that. Especially not Beth.

  Donny shivered. "I'm really sorry, Jeff."

  "I am, too." He got back to work. "I don't regret taking them. I love them. I just... My life is very different than it was a month ago." Mitch had left almost immediately, and then there were the kids themselves and the lack of sleep...

  "I bet. And this is a long term change."

  "Yes. And I think I might still be in shock, sometimes." There were times where none of it seemed real, like it was a bad dream and all he needed to do was wake up.

  "It's going to be okay. You're doing great with the kids and it will get easier. Most people have time to prepare, you didn't. Plus you've got two at once, different ages. Hell, I'm not telling you anything you don't know." Donny had warm eyes, sweet, kind. Sexy.

  "I know. Do you like onions?"

  "I do. I'm not really picky. Comes from having to eat the 'cooking lessons' of eight girls."

  Jeff grabbed a red onion, started heating the pan for the steaks.

  There was a cry from the baby monitor. Donny got up and put a hand on his arm. "Just wait a minute, she might settle back down. It's good for her."

  "You sure? Do you think she misses Beth?"

  "No. She's never going to remember her. Hell, Robin will only remember what you tell and show of her. You're going to love them and they're going to be okay. Kids are resilient. Way more than people think."