The Baby Favor

6.

Michael had awoken the next morning back on the pull out sofa in the playroom. He hadn't asked him to leave the night before, but the speed at which he had fled their bed made it obvious that he regrets over what had happened. He had a few of his own, although they hadn't been enough to stop him from sleeping with him again.

While Jason had been downstairs with Luna, he had gathered up his clothes and carried them back to the playroom with him. Jason hadn't come looking for him. He hadn't even heard him come back upstairs. Instead, he was awakened by the sunlight and the sound of Luna squeaking with laughter.

He knew he needed to go downstairs and talk to Jason about what happened. They were adults, married adults at that. He was supposed to be able to tell him anything, but he was dragging his feet because he wasn't sure what kind of conversation he wanted to have with Jason.

Michael opted for a shower instead to gather his thoughts first. As he stepped into the streams of the steamy water, he was reminded of the warm oblivion he'd found in Jason the night before. He'd missed it. That much had been obvious. Their physical relationship had been passionate and nearly overwhelming. That hadn't changed even as their circumstances had. But was it the right thing for both of them? Especially Jason?

Leaving him had been hard. Walking out of their home with luggage in his hands had been one of the most difficult things he'd ever done. He never thought he and Jason would divorce much less that he would be the initiator. The only thing that had propelled his concrete-files shows down the driveway to his car was the knowledge that this was the best thing for him. Jason didn't believe that, but it was true.

They'd both survived the separation. Like riding out a rough withdrawal, they'd made it through to the other side only to backslide. Now he had to decide if he was going to continue to indulge in something he knew he shouldn't, or it he was going to put himself through hell of getting over Jason a second time.

If he'd actually gotten over him the first time. He'd fallen into his bed so quickly it made him think otherwise.

Once he was dressed and made it downstairs, he found Jason in the nursery painting again. He was back on the ladder in one of his old t-shirts he'd long ago claimed and a pair of yoga pants smeared in blue and orange paint. Luna was laying on the baby jungle activity mat on the floor, alternating between laughing and chewing on a toy hanging from the bar overhead.

"Good morning," Jason said without turning away from his work. His voice was frustratingly neutral, giving him no clue to which outcome he was going for today.

"Morning," Michael replied with the same noncommittal voice," It's liking great."

"Thanks, I should be done today or tomorrow depending on how much Lulu lets me work."

An idea came to Michael's mind, "I was actually thinking of taking her to see Jay today before heading to the office. That would give you a couple of hours to work uninterrupted," And give us some time apart to think, "Carroll should be back soon, right?"

Jason sat down the brush and nodded, "That's what she said, but I told her that if she's still feeling bad that she should stay with her brother. She may not be contagious, but she'll be miserable and that's not good either. I'm not worried about it, although you taking Luna to see Jay is a great idea. She's fed and dressed for the day. You'll just need to pack a diaper bag to take with you. There's a bottle in the fridge already made."

Micheal hadn't thought that far ahead. Running an errand with a baby in tow was a completely different scenario. It was something he'd managed to stay ignorant of when they had Elijah. Jason had stayed home with him while Micheal was at work. This time, it would be just him and Luna. He had to remember the diapers, the wipes, the toys, and the food. He had to know how to set up the stroller and how to change a diaper without it sliding right off.