BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 26

We make our way to the park and watch as Oliver bound ahead with uncontainable energy. "Daddy Jimmy, Lewis! Mummy! Watch me!" Oliver shouted from atop the slide—a bright blue beacon against the lush green backdrop. He perched there for just a moment before launching himself headfirst down the smooth surface, his laughter

"Look at him go!" Jimmy exclaimed, clapping his hands along with Lewis, who wore an ear-to-ear grin. "He's such a joy," Lewis said warmly, his eyes sparkling as he watched Oliver bounce back up to conquer the slide again.

"Yeah," Jimmy replied softly but proudly. "He's a great kid." As he leaned back on the bench beside me and Lewis, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of contentment wash over me this was family; this was happiness. "Daddy! Can you push me on that swing?" Oliver called out as he raced toward it like a rocket fueled by pure delight. "Sure thing, buddy," Jimmy chuckled as he rose from his seat. "One way to knacker him out."

"I have to say," Lewis began cautiously while watching Oliver swing higher and higher under Jimmy's watchful eye, "you and Jimmy have done a fantastic job with him." His voice carried admiration mixed with something else—an eagerness tinged with uncertainty about being accepted into our little world fully.

"Thank you," I smiled warmly at him but sensed an edge in his tone. "When can we tell him?" Lewis continued hesitantly. "A part of me is excited for him to know... but another part is making me really nervous." His brow furrowed slightly as if wrestling with ghosts of self-doubt—the fear that maybe Oliver wouldn't embrace their bond or see Lewis as anything more than just a friend. "We'll get ice cream first," I suggested gently, "Oliver, shall we go and get an ice cream and then go see The Ducks?." I ask

"No ducks! That's mine and Daddy's days when we go feed them!" came Oliver's impetuous retort as if taking ownership over cherished moments shared between Jimmy and him "Oh dear—my bad!" I laughed sarcastically while stealing another glance at Lewis's face—his smile faltered ever so slightly at our little one's words; it painted sadness across features. "It'll be okay," I whispered reassuringly though uncertain myself how this would all unfold once truths were spoken aloud.
"Okay then," Jimmy said cheerfully, patting Oliver on the back as they turned toward us again after swinging rounds had exhausted some energy away from tiny limbs brimming over with excitement. "A walk and ice cream it is!" "Daddy!" shouted Oliver again while bouncing impatiently "Can I have a really big one? All colours of the rainbow!" "I don't know about all colours in one scoop," Jimmy replied teasingly while ruffling his hair playfully;

"But three different colour scoops topped off with chocolate sauce sounds pretty good too." He winked conspiratorially at Oliver who nodded vigorously in agreement—his innocent delightful smile.

A vibrant ice cream van stood at the edge of a grassy knoll, "Come here, buddy," Jimmy said, lifting Oliver up to peek into the window of the colourful van. "Tell the man what you would like." Oliver's eyes sparkled with excitement as he gazed at the vendor—a tall man with tousled hair and an apron dusted in sprinkles. The man's mouth fell slightly open in shock as he recognized Jimmy—and me.
"You're... you... you're..." The man stuttered, caught between disbelief and admiration. "Can I get my ice cream first please?" Oliver interjected with an innocence that melted hearts around him. "Then I'm sure my daddy Jimmy and my mummy will be happy to have a photo with you!"

Laughter erupted among us — the vendor chuckled nervously. "I'm so sorry; I'm just a bit gobsmacked! Am I daydreaming?"
"Nope," Jimmy replied playfully, nudging Oliver gently. "What can we get for our little star?" With utmost seriousness, Oliver declared, "Can I please have a cone with three big scoops? The pink one, the brown one, and the yellow one—with lots of yummy chocolate sauce!"

As if enchanted by Oliver's enthusiasm, Jimmy added cheekily, "I'll have exactly what he's having! Winter?" He turned towards me expectantly. "No thanks," I replied softly
"Lewis?" Jimmy asked "I'll have what you two are having! Please."

After placing their orders—three towering cones dripping with colour—the vendor stepped out from behind his counter to snap a quick picture between me and Jimmy. "Don't you want a photo with Lewis?" Oliver asked innocently as he watched everyone pose together under soft afternoon light. "He puts out fires and saves cats! Don't you know?" The question hung in playful air until laughter broke it again.

We thanked the man profusely for the ice cream and photos before walking away toward a shady spot beneath an ancient oak tree. Settling down onto lush green grass adorned by fallen petals from above—a carpet fit for royalty—they took their first bites into creamy delights. "How's your ice cream, Oliver?" Lewis asked curiously while wiping chocolate drips off his own chin after indulging greedily in dessert bliss. "It's so good!" came Oliver's enthusiastic reply; his face smothered in swirls of chocolate sauce.

"Baby," I began softly, my voice trembling slightly as I gathered courage. "Mummy and Daddy Jimmy need to tell you something about Lewis."   Oliver turned towards me with wide-eyed innocence. "Are you okay, Mummy?"  "Yes baby," I assured him, though uncertainty flickered behind my eyes like candlelight in a drafty room. "Do you remember when me and Daddy Jimmy explained that your real daddy was lost? And how Daddy Jimmy is going to be there for you as another daddy?"  "I know Mummy," he replied earnestly. A smile tugged at his lips—the same hopeful expression he wore whenever we spoke about finding his real daddy one day. "Lewis said we will find him soon." I exchanged glances with Jimmy—his strong frame leaned against the tree while emotions swirled within him like autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind.  "Well..." Jimmy started slowly before continuing with newfound resolve amidst his wavering voice. "...we found him."  The words hung in the air like delicate glass ornaments waiting to shatter under pressure; excitement flared in Oliver's eyes while sorrow etched deeper lines into my heart as I watched my son's reaction unfold.  "Really?" Oliver exclaimed, bouncing on his bumans clapping as if trying to leap into this newfound reality.  Jimmy nodded solemnly but couldn't mask the sadness creeping into his gaze; tears threatened but never fell—a storm held back by sheer willpower.  "I'm your real daddy" came Lewis's voice a warm baritone, and laced with tenderness.