A Little Bit Married

Daddy

Gray and I sat outside for a while, just talking about anything and everything. He seemed slightly nervous still, and I would catch him occasioally turn towards the door, like he was scared Kris had women up and we were both outside.

After a while, I stood up, a small breath escaping me. "Let me check in on Kris, okay?"

He nodded, then stretched his hand to hold mine for a second. I met his eyes, and he gave me a small smile, his eyes sincere and intense.

"I really appreciate this."

I gave a smile back, then leaned, kissing his forehead. "It's nothing, I promise you."

He smiled again before letting me go. He watched me leave, and I could feel his eyes on my back as I opened the door. I turned to him one more time before disappearing behind the door.

Kris was luckily stirring awake, and I sat next to him, my smile small. I held his hand, and he immediately woke up, his eyes wide as he took me in.

For a long second that seemed to somehow drag on, he just looked in my eyes, like he was trying to remember who I was. I didn't force it on him and was ready to do this again and again as long as he was as comfortable as possible.

"Mummy?"

I broke into a smile, then nodded. "Yes, sweetheart. Mummy is here."

He stayed watching me for another long moment before he slowly smiled. Even his smile was a little wary, and I wondered just what had happened to a three year old for him to be so wary and on seemingly flight or fight mode.

I leaned forward, my hand gently caressing his forehead and his dark hair. "Are you hungry, sweetie?"

He nodded slowly, then touched his cheek, a wince passing his face.

"I am sorry," I said, then leaned up and slowly helped him sit up, propping a pillow behind his back. "I will bring in some food, a doctor, and a gift for you."

His eyes widened. "Is... today my birthday?"

I laughed. "No, sweetie. But you deserve a gift, right? You did so well by being fine, okay?"

He nodded, but still had that wary look on his eyes, like he didn't quite believe me and was waiting for me to scream, "Sike!" And take him right back to the shelter or whatever the hell Sylvia had assumed would be right for an innocent kid who had extremely well do to parents.

I walked towards the door and opened it, and turned to Gray, whose eyes were wide, just like Kris'. It made me smile, and I stretched my hand towards him.

He slowly took it, then grabbed the brown bag of kiddies food. Neither of us had even bothered to eat at all, but at this point, I could tell the last thing on Gray's mind was food.

Slowly, I brought him behind me and then turned towards Kris, who was watching me keenly, his eyes wide and expectant.

I led Gray in, letting him stay behind my much smaller frame, and knowing he was towering above me, but I guess it added a bit to the entire allure of his dad being a gift to him.

"Are you ready?"

Kris readily nodded, and I slowly moved out of the way, my smile big. His eyes moved away from me and settled on Gray, his eyes blinking slowly, his hands resting on his sides.

"I brought dad, Kris. Dad has been dying to meet you."

For a long moment, there was awkward silence. I could feel the tension on Gray's part, but there wasn't really much you could do when a three year old was staring you down and trying to gauge if you were really their other parent.

"Are you happy, Kris?" I asked, turning to Gray for a second before slowly covering the distance towards Kris. "Daddy is here."

He sniffed, his chest heaving. "D... daddy?"

I nodded as he turned to me for confirmation. "Daddy."

His face dropped, and he sniffed a couple of times before he broke into tears and loud cries, his head slightly thrown back, his eyes closed.

I turned to Gray desperately but then immediately picked Kris up, wary of the attacked drip I'm his arm, and gently rocking him in my arm.

"I am sorry, Kris. I am sorry. What's wrong? Hm? Tell me. Is there something you want?"

He just kept on crying, and I rocked him even more, my eyes looking up to Gray. He was just standing right there, his hand still holding the bag. Gray was a truly unemotional man, but when he did have emotions... they were the most intense emotions I would have ever seen on anyone.

His dark, stormy eyes held a layer of pained tears to them, and his jaw was clenched hard, his chest rising and falling in a very slow, almost unnoticeable rhythm.

"I am sorry, Kris," I said, bouncing him a little, my eyes incredibly apologetic to Gray.

Kris was far tooxyoung to understand the dynamics of their relationship and what had happened to Gray, and he couldn't really be blamed for his reaction.

I felt extremely bad for Gray, however, especially since I had seen just how sceptical he had been, how much he had tried to overcome his demons just so he could do right by Kris, how he already had plans I. place to take care of his child and how nervous he had been for the first meeting.

To be honest, I hadn't expected Kris' reaction, too, or I would have spared Gray's feelings for today. I looked at him again, and he just looked so hurt.

"I will... drop this," he said, his voice low as he walked forward and dropped the bag of food on the nearest drawer.

Kris was only swiftly whimpering now and sniffing, too, while I still gently rocked him.

I nodded, knowing he did need time to process it, and it would be selfish of me to ask him to stay.

"Daddy?" Kris suddenly said, whipping up and turning towards Gray, who had already started to leave.

Gray turned, his eyes wide, and Kris stretched his tiny right hand hand while still holding on to me with his left.

"Daddy!" He said in a low scream and started to cry again.

This time, it was different. He was pushing his body away from me and was so loudly crying for Gray and not because of him.

I have seen Gray rush for something a very, very scarce amount of times, but he rushed towards Kris, his eyes big and wary, as he slowly took him from me.

He turned to me as Kris wrapped his tint hand around Gray's neck, his head resting on the edge of Gray's shoulders and like magic, he was suddenly quiet, saying a few things that didn't make any sense under his breath

Gray met my eyes, and I beamed at him, showing him with my arms how to gently rock him to sleep.

"Daddy is here," Gray whispered, slowly rocking him, a single tear running down his right cheek.