Published: November 22nd 2021, 6:21:19 pm
Ch. 1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5 Ch. 6 Ch. 7 Ch. 8 Ch. 9 Ch. 10 Ch. 11 Ch. 12
Note: Here is an example of what revision can do. The first write-up I did of this scene had Colt kneeling on the couch beside a prone Robbie and taking him through a relaxation exercise. It just didn't feel right. I rewrote it like this and it felt much better. I have run into several scenes where this sort of snag happened in this story. One scene went through at least three different re-writes. Sometimes after a few days, it just comes together. I feel good about this version. What do you think?
With Halloween out of the way, the Thanksgiving worries were back. Halloween had just been a temporary distraction, but now the dreaded family visit was closer than ever, and Robbie didn't know what to do. He sat in his playpen stacking Brickos into a more or less even block, just thinking about all the things that could go wrong at his older brother's house.
"Hey, Kiddo," said Colt, drying his hands on a dish towel as he peeked into the living room to check on Robbie. "How is your Bricko set going?"
"I don't know, Daddy. Okay, I guess."
Colt immediately came into the room, tossing the dish towel over his shoulder and crouched down on the outside of the playpen.
"You still worried about that trip, tiger?" Robbie looked up at Colt with his famous puppy dog eyes.
"What if they get mad at me? Or laugh at me? That's going to be so awkward." Colt sighed and reached into the playpen to get Robbie out where he could hug the boy.
"C'mere, kiddo. Put down those Brickos for a sec, okay? You're gonna make yourself sick worrying about this trip, baby. I told you, Daddy's got it covered." Robbie hugged Colt tight.
"What did you tell her?" asked Robbie, as Colt led him over to their favorite couch. Colt sat Robbie in his lap and they lay lengthwise as they continued to discuss the issue at hand.
"I told her exactly what she needed to know, lil dude. All you need to know is they know about our relationship, nothing naughty," added Colt with a chuckle when Robbie began to squirm, "and no one is going to give you a hard time. And if they do, I'll be right there and we can go straight home if they aren't nice."
"Really?" asked Robbie, looking back at Colt, who gave him a squeeze of reassurance.
"You know it kiddo." Colt leaned forward and kissed Robbie on the cheek, following up with some nuzzles and more kisses until Robbie began to giggle. "There's" my happy boy..."
Robbie breathed in the scent of his Daddy and Colt felt the boy's body release all its tension as Robbie let out a big breath with a sigh and nuzzled into his chest. As far as either of them were concerned, they could stay like this all day, and they did stay there for quite a while, Colt lightly petting the boy, rubbing his hands over Robbie's back and occasionally patting his diaper or tugging up the waistband. This always relaxed Robbie, just like the first time they did this on pizza night. Colt held Robbie and spoke softly.
"Little dude, little dude. You're a baby. Don't forget. This isn't for play, you really and truly are my baby boy. Isn't that right?" Robbie smiled and nodded without opening his eyes or lifting his head off his Daddy's belly."
"That's right, kiddo. You're my little guy, and nobody else's. No matter where we are or who we're with. Isn't that right, baby boy?"
"Mmm," said Robbie, nodding again.
"No matter what, I'll be with you. And I'm not gonna lie, there will be some awkward moments, but all you have to do is focus on us. You can give me a big hug whenever you need to, like you are now. And if we need to go, we'll go. But nobody can touch you when you're with me. That I promise. Alright baby boy?"
Robbie nodded again.
"Because you aren't meant to grow up, are you?" Robbie shook his head. "No, you're not. And you don't want to. I think we both know what's best for you. You need to stay a little boy, and after the holidays, there will be nothing to stop you, because you will have done all there is to do as yourself, and anybody who knew the old Robbie will learn better, and everyone who meets the real Robbie... the baby Robbie... will know just who you are, and love you for it. Does that sound good to you, lil dude?"
Robbie nodded and smiled. He was now looking up at Colt with his eyes open, and Colts words had reassured him.
"Yeah, Daddy. It does. It's gonna be tough, but I think I can do it..."
"We can do it, kiddo. Together."
"Yeah," said Robbie, smiling back at his Daddy. It was hard to worry about anything when Daddy was holding him in his arms. Then he became aware of a fleshy tube pressing against his side and blushed.
-Written by ChampTehOtter