C3 Dowwyyy
Kei was close to losing his mind. After Chris went to work this morning, Jayden, Jane’s son, was throwing tantrums. The child made a mess of his tidy house. He kept on running around and after they took a shower together, he kept on refusing to wear the shirt Chris bought yesterday.
“That’s it! I’m done!” When he said that, Jayden’s eyes went wide and he started to cry louder. “What is it? What do you want, JD? What?” he asked the young boy with too much frustration.
Moms are the most amazing creature on the planet, he was sure of that. Who said parenting was easy as one, two, three? Jayden made him realize that his patience was as thin as a strand of hair.
“Dowwyyyy…” JD answered while crying and sitting on the floor on his diapers. His tiny hands were pointing at the shirt he was trying to put on him.
“What ‘dowy’?”
“Dowwyyyy…”
“For a two and half year-old, you’re pretty stubborn.” He brushed his still wet hair and tightened the knot of the towel on his waist. “Imma call your dad.”
He scooped JD and went to his bedroom where his phone was. After he dialed Chris’ phone number, he answered in two rings. “Hey, Chris. ‘Busy?”
“No. Is there a problem? ‘Something wrong with JD?” His voice was full of concern and that made him lift his left eyebrow.
“You didn’t even bother to check on me?” he teased him.
“Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not,” he answered in an instant.
“Why? What happened?” Chris sounded alert and it made his heart skip a beat. Why does it feel good that his cold-looking neighbor suddenly showed him affection? He shook his head to clear his mind.
“He doesn’t want to wear the shirt you bought,” he answered after awhile. “Actually, he doesn’t want to wear anything. Right now, he’s on his diapers and I still have a towel on my waist. He was crying and I couldn’t understand what he was trying to say.”
“Give JD the phone.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to him.”
And he did what Chris instructed him. He wanted to wish the guy luck. JD’s tougher than he looks. He wanted to call his Elle and thank her. Nothing in particular. He just wanted to thank his friend and editor for putting up with his hard-headedness.
After he placed the phone on JD’s ear, the child kept on shaking his head. Then, he did countless nods. “Dowwyyyy…” JD said and he stopped crying after a while. He was wondering if the kid really understood what Chris was saying on the other line.
“What the? Did he cast a spell on you or something?” he said as he was looking at his round teary eyes. He took the phone and waited for whatever Chris had to say.
“Give him the shirt he was wearing the other day,” Chris told him. “His own shirt.”
“You mean, the shirt when you guys showed up in front of my house and dropped a bomb?” he said sarcastically. “I just washed it this morning.”
“He wants to wear it.”
Chris didn’t pay attention to the thing he first said and that made him roll his eyes. “How did you know?”
“He said ‘dowy’.”
“What does ‘dowy’ mean anyway?”
“Doggy.”
“What?” he said in disbelief. He looked at JD and his cheeks were still red from all the crying. “How did Chris even understand what you were trying to say?”
“I have a talent,” Chris answered on the other line.
“I’m not asking you,” he replied. “And I’m pretty sure that the shirt’s print was a lion.”
“Whatever it was, we don’t have a say if the kid sees a dog.”
“Excuse me? You need to correct him and that’s how kids learn.”
“Are we really going to argue about this on the phone? I’m even at work.”
He rolled his eyes again and sighed. “What about me? I have a job, too. I couldn’t even—”
“I’ll take care of JD tonight, so you can do your thing.”
“Never mind. By—”
“What do you want for dinner?”
*Italicized* You. *Italicized* If only JD’s innocent eyes were looking at him, he could have said that just to flirt with Chris. Well, maybe he could try next time. “Why? Are you going to buy somewhere?”
“Nah. I’m going to cook.” When Chris said that, his imagination went wild. He’s sure that he would look good in an apron. Or even without it. Maybe even without a shirt or nak— “Kei? ‘You still there?”
He cleared his throat before he answered. He could feel his face burning. It was still early in the morning but he already had those sexy thoughts. “I want to eat beef.” I’m going to rip you off as a payment for the stress I had this morning and for giving me dirty thoughts.
“Beef it is.”
After the wholesome phone call, he was able to put on the shirt to JD. And he finished dressing up as well. He’s now sitting on the sofa while the kid was on his lap and busy watching Paw Patrol.
“JD, those are dogs.”
“Dowwyyyy…”
“That’s right. Good job,” he said and JD clapped his hands. “Now, this one,” he pointed the lion on the shirt, “is a lion. Say ‘lion’.”
“Dowwyyyy…”
“No, that’s a lion. Not a dog.”
“No.”
“What?” He was surprised by JD’s answer that he wanted to check if heard him right. “Did you just say ‘No’?”
JD faced him and took his little hand, put it on his lips and said, “Staaahhhppp.”
“Woah, what an attitude. Are you sure you’re not Chris’ son? ‘Coz you resemble him in a way.”
The kid didn’t even answer and returned his gaze on TV. He wanted to pinch his cheeks but restrained himself. He yawned. He didn’t get enough sleep last night. He was busy thinking what he should do next. But one thing’s for certain, he wanted to give this child a warm family.
He might not know where to start or how to do it but he’s willing to do whatever he could. Chris’ support was something he didn’t see coming and he appreciated it a lot. He just has to constantly remind himself not to show Chris his attraction towards him. It won’t do them any good. He might even find it uncomfortable.
And he wasn’t looking for a relationship right now. He’s busy with his on-going series. He’s too preoccupied with his own life. And now, JD happened. But his biggest concern was Chris’ a straight guy.
*Italicized* PAW Patrol, PAW Patrol *Italicized*
*Italicized* Whenever you're in trouble *Italicized*
