Game Over: Life's Over

Important Questions

I was excited for Christmas to come. It had always been one of my favorite holidays growing up. I was mainly just happy to spend time with Mom since she couldn't work the few days around the holiday because the office was closed.

It forced her to spend time with me.

But this year, things were different and I felt like she was looking forward to spending time with me.

My head was swimming with both versions of myself. Some moments, I was my normal self. At other moments, I blinked and was a baby. It kept flitting back and forth like my head waiting for a good moment to pick a side and stick with it.

For once, I wasn't mad about the baby side of me coming out. It was Christmas and, considering my size, I was sure I was going to be getting baby toys and clothes. I hadn't asked for much since I had everything I needed, thanks to Eric and Theo using the monthly stipend to get me things in a timely manner.

I just hoped it wouldn't linger too long.

The Christmas tree was put together and lit up in the living room. Theo and Eric put it in the corner of the room. Theo had decorated around the room, hanging tasteful pictures on the wall and putting up lights on the front porch. Everything they decorated was up high enough that I couldn't get to them.

We put Christmas movies on all day. It helped get me into the Christmas spirit. Theo spent most of his time baking cookies. I tried to help but I didn't know how to do anything in the kitchen. When my head switched to 'baby me', I just wanted to eat the cookie dough rather than actually help.

So Eric had to keep me occupied in the living room and away from the cookie making.

I fell back against the throw pillow on the couch with a groan. "When can I have one of Daddy's cookies?"

"Once they've cooled down. You can't eat a hot cookie. It'll burn your mouth."

"Why are they hot? Why can't I just have one cold?"

He chuckled. "That's not how it works, Jake. You have to bake the cookies so they aren't raw."

"Raw?"

"The ingredients look like playdough until you bake them. Then when they bake, they turn into cookies. They aren't raw anymore."

"Can I just eat the raw cookie then?"

"Nice try, Jake. You still have to wait."

I groaned.

A knock sounded on the front door, instantly making me forget about the cookies.

I looked at Eric, unsure of who was on the other side of the door. Were we expecting guests? Mom wasn't supposed to get me until Christmas Day so it couldn't be her.

Eric got to his feet and headed for the door. "I got it!"

I turned around and got onto my knees, leaning on the back of the couch to see who it was at the door.

Eric opened the door and smiled. He opened his arms to hug whoever stood outside. "Mom, it's so good to see you again."

Mom? I thought he didn't talk to his family anymore. Why would they be coming to visit if they knew he was still gay and married to a man?

Eric stepped aside and let an older couple walk into the house. The woman was tall and thin with curled white hair that stopped short of her neck. She wore a red turtleneck sweater and black dress pants. The man had a green sweater and khaki pants on. His hair was more grey and cut close to his scalp.

"Where's Theo?" The woman asked.

Eric jerked his head behind him. "Kitchen. You know him, everything has to be perfect."

The woman smiled before turning in my direction. She smiled even bigger when she saw me. "Hi, sweetheart. You must be Jacob."

A whine escaped my throat and I ducked down onto the couch so she couldn't see me as easily.

"Someone's a little shy," The man said with a laugh.

"Jake's not used to visitors."

I whined louder and reached out for Eric as he walked around the side of the couch to where he had been before the couple arrived.

He picked me up and held me on his hip. "Jake, it's okay. Lisa and Garrett just came to see you."

I hid my face in his chest.

"We brought presents for you," The woman said.

Slowly, I lifted my head. I kept a tight grip on Eric's shirt as I looked at the woman.

"Don't open any presents until I come in!" Theo yelled from the kitchen.

"Well, hurry up. We want to give them to Jake," Lisa called back.

Eric nodded at the couch where I had been sitting. "Go ahead and have a seat. Make yourselves comfortable."

Eric sat down on my couch, keeping me in his lap.

"When did you get that?" Lisa asked, eyeing the couch we sat on.

"A few months ago. We got it for Jake after he graduated."

They both raised their eyebrows.

Garrett spoke. "He graduated? I didn't think he would have been able to due to his illness."

"He couldn't do it with his peers but he was able to finish a homeschool program."

"And he still received a high school diploma?"

Eric nodded. "Yes, it's the same as one you would get from going in person."

"Well, that's great."

Lisa raised an eyebrow at Theo as he walked into the room. He carried a plate of cookies with him, which I had my eye on. "You didn't tell us Jake graduated. How long ago was this?"

Theo sighed. "It was a few months ago. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. We've just been busy with Jake."

Lisa pursed her lips. "If you would tell me what was going on, I could help you. Jake's my grandson and I want to see him more than once a year."

"Mom, you know he's not our son, right? We're only his caregivers."

I sat up on my knees as Theo approached the coffee table with the plate of cookies. My eyes were practically bulging out of my head just looking at them. "Daddy, can I have a cookie now?"

"Yes, you can have one. I'm cutting you off after two. If I let you eat anymore, you won't eat dinner."

I frowned. "Nuh uh."

Theo gave me a look.

I didn't want to test my luck so I quickly grabbed two cookies and sat back in Eric's lap once more.

Lisa watched Theo as he sat down on the couch beside her. "He called you Daddy."

"He told us once that being there for him matters more than who is biologically related to him. He's been calling both of us Daddy since he got sick."

She smiled at Theo and then turned the smile to Eric. "That's sweet. You two are lucky to have him."

Theo looked at Eric and I could tell Theo was starting to get emotional. Still in my childish state, I put an end to the emotions by asking the second most important question on my mind that day.

"Can I open presents now?"

---

What do you think of Lisa and Garrett? While it hasn't been said out loud in the chapter, they are Theo's parents. Eric doesn't have a good relationship with his parents so we won't be seeing them in this book. We're only a few chapters away from book 2 so stay tuned! Make sure you're following me so you get notified when I post the second book!