Dayton

Chapter 18

By the following weekend, I am absolutely exhausted between school, homework, my job, and waking early every morning with my son. None of these would I exchange for more sleep, but these just make me exhausted. I cannot wait for school to be done, so I can knock off two things off of what is making me exhausted. Then once I graduate and find a job in my field, I can trade my night job for a day job, and sleep "normal" hours.

Ajax is moving in completely this weekend of what he has left from his place. He has been here every night since he watched Darien for me, and he has watched him every night since then. Darien and Ajax seem to be enjoying their bonding time, and I love that for them. Sadly, I will not be home tonight to help him unpack what he brings from his home that he placed up for sale since I will be at work.

While Jax is still at work, Darien and I arrive home after my class, and I picked him up from daycare. I decide to text Dakota; 'Hey, this is Dayton. I, uh, am wondering if you would like to meet on Sunday at the cafe on 8th and Main for lunch, and discuss the things between us? If you agree, how about meeting there at 11 a.m.?'

I know the three of us here have no plans for that time on Sunday, and Ajax has told me that if and when I decide to meet Dakota, he and D would join me, or stay home - whatever I wanted. As I am in the kitchen grabbing a bottle of orange juice while D is napping in the pack-n-play in the living room, my phone on the coffee table dings from a new text.

Wandering back into the living room, grab my phone to read the message that is from Dakota; 'Hi Dayton. Yes, we can meet at the cafe at 11 on Sunday. Thanks for being willing to speak with me. How have you and Darien been?'

'We are fine, thanks for asking. How are you and Arabella?' I send back.

I know my response may seem short and to the point, but since I reached out first, I want to get out the pleasantries out of the way before Sunday.

'Bring Arabella if she wants to come, and if you want her to be there. I am not sure yet if Ajax and D will be joining us or not,' I sent, wanting to put this out there to him, so he does not feel weird about asking.

'She probably will come, I am not sure yet either. Why would Ajax come along, and why would Darien not be joining you? Who would watch him if you did not bring him with?' he sends back a minute later.

Sighing, I decide now is the best time to inform him about Ajax and me; 'Ajax and I are dating, and he lives with D and I in the house Darien and I moved into.'

When he does not respond, I toss my phone on the couch next to me with a mental shrug. Deciding to text Ajax to let him know what is going on after picking the phone up again. He answers back with a text stating that my brother was texting him about what I had told him about us. Rolling my eyes at Dakota's behavior as I send Ajax an apology for whatever offensive thing Dakota sent.

When my phone vibrates with Ajax's call, I answer quickly; "Hey. I am sorry if he is being a pain in the ass. I thought it was a good idea to be honest with him before meeting him on Sunday."

Ajax softly laughs, easing my nerves some; "That is fine, my love. You were being honest with him, and telling him about us to prepare him for what is going on in our lives. I am not upset about this or angry. You did the right thing, baby."

Letting out a soft sigh of relief; "Thank you, babe. I feel better knowing that you are not upset with me. I love you."

"I love you, too, baby, and Darien. I will be home soon," he promises, making kissing noises through the phone, and I return the sound.

We end the call as Darien starts to wake, and I smile while climbing off the couch to walk over to him, and pick him up when his eyes open. Grinning at him as I settle him on my hip, and kiss his cheek while rocking us side to side as he snuggles into my body.

Murmuring to him with a kiss on the side of his head; "I love you, bub. I hope you had a nice nap? Papa will be home soon."

"Yesh!" he mumbles into my chest as he sucks on his left thumb. "Luve dada."

"I love you too, D. Do you want to potty?" I murmur while rubbing his back with my left palm.

"Yesh," he mumbles around his thumb, and I carry him to the bathroom, so he can do his business and wash his hands before we head to the kitchen to grab him a snack and drink.

While he eats his puffs, I dust around the living room with music playing off my phone - children's songs. The living room needed this, and it keeps me awake. Ajax arrives home as I finish my task.

"Pa!" Darien squeals when he hears Ajax enter the house after unlocking the door.

Ajax calls back with a chuckle; "Hello, my sweet Darien! I missed you and dada!"

Ajax enters the living room, and D latches himself around Jax's left leg with a loud giggle while sitting on the older man's foot.

"Hello, my love," I murmur, gently kissing him on the lips as I give him a side hug that he returns.

"Hello, baby. How was your day?" he whispers against my lips, and I can feel him smiling against my lips.

"My day has been good, but I am exhausted," I whisper with my own growing smile. "How was your day? I am sorry about Dakota messages."

"How about I cook us dinner tonight?" he asks, giving me a gentle squeeze before bending down to pick Darien up off foot. "My day was fine, and do not worry about your brother, he was fine, I promise."

"Pa!" Darien squeaks while patting Ajax on the shoulder, gaining the man's attention, and Ajax smiles down at the toddler resting on his forearm. "Hungwy, p'ease?"

"Do you want to help me make dinner?" Ajax asks him, and D shrieks in happiness; Ajax chuckles as he places a gentle palm on my lower back to guide me into the kitchen so he can make us dinner.

"What do we want?" he asks Darien with a small bounce of his arm.

"Um, I am okay with anything you make," I say with a soft smile. "Your cooking is amazing, and I do not know how D and I survived before you started cooking for us."

Ajax smiles at me in appreciation as he closes the distance between us to tenderly kiss me on the lips while D plays with the collar of Jax's black suit jacket. Lightly biting Jax's lower lip before pulling away from him with a playful grin. He raises an eyebrow at me with a grin of his own as he asks if chicken alfredo is okay for dinner, and I agree to this.