I chuckle affectionately as I turn my attention back to the new laptop I’m setting up. After a little pressure, Oliver admitted that his had been on the fritz for a while and he’d been relying on the library computers and confessed that the librarian could be a little intimidating sometimes.
He tried to argue that because he was graduating in only a couple of months, he didn’t need a new one. But when Tallispointed out that pretty much everyone needs a computer for life, not just studying, he sensibly didn’t put up a fight much longer.
I get engrossed in uploading decent antivirus software, so it takes me a while to realize a new outfit hasn’t appeared like I thought it would. Instead, when I look up, I see Oliver standing in front of Tallis who’s on the couch, wearing only the jeans, his feet and torso bare. He’s between Tallis’s knees with his hands resting on my husband’s shoulders, while Tallis has his hands on our baby boy’s hips.
The way they’re gazing into each other’s eyes makes me inhale softly. It’s so breathtakingly tender that I almost feel like I’m intruding. Except then I remember who I’m talking about and know that Tallis would never want to hide anything like that from me. He knows I’m included in this moment even if they aren’t looking my way.
It’s actually probably for me.
And I love it more than I can possibly say.
After a few more seconds, Tallis takes a breath and blinks, like he’s coming out of a trance, and turns his attention my way.
“My darling,” he says warmly. “Are you finished with your task?”
There are a few more things I want to tinker with before I’d be happy sending Oliver off with the laptop, but I’m sure I can find time to do those later. For now, I close it and beam at my husband and our boy.
“I am, Master. Did you have something on your mind?”
He nods and looks back at Oliver. “I was thinking about how our little treat was angling for a punishment this morning with his cheeky behavior. But he’s been so good today letting you spoil him, I’ve decided he deserves a reward instead.”
Oliver’s eyes go wide. “Really, Master?”
Tallis rubs his thumbs against Oliver’s hips. “Yes, sweetheart. But I was wondering if you might agree to one more thing first.You will still get the reward, but I want to see if we can push you just that little bit further.”
I’m not sure what Tallis is planning, so I doubt Oliver does either. Our boy considers his words before responding.
“So I can try whatever the thing is,” he says slowly. “But if I can’t do it or decide I don’t want to do it, that’ll be all right?”
“Exactly,” Tallis confirms proudly.
Oliver nibbles on his lip. “Okay…what is it?”
I move to the sofa beside my husband, intrigued as to where this is going. Tallis glances at me and gives me a quick nod.
“Oliver, I would like you to ask me or your Daddy for something you need.”
Our boy blinks uncertainly. “Anything?”
Tallis nods. “Anything at all.”
We give Oliver several seconds while he bites his lip, looking away with a frown. My husband chuckles and shakes Oliver gently by the hips, making him snap his attention back to us.
“This isn’t a trick, little treat,” Tallis says. “I just want you to be brave enough to ask us for something you need. It can be tiny or it can be enormous. But I want to show you that you can ask for help, for things you deserve, without being afraid.”
Oliver lets out a soft “Oh” sound and flicks his gaze between us. I understand what Tallis is doing now, but Oliver still doesn’t seem entirely convinced.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” I ask him.
“You’ll say no and think I’m a terrible, greedy person for being so selfish,” he blurts out.“You’ve already given me so…somuch.”
“Whoa,” I say with a laugh, reaching out so I can take one of his hands. Tallis moves him over so his thighs are pressed against our knees and then takes Oliver’s free hand, so he’s equally split between us. “There were alotof assumptions you made there, young man,”I say.
“All of which were untrue,” Tallis adds with a scowl.
But I shake my head. “No, not all of them. Oliver, I want you to ask for something completely outrageous. Impossible, even.”
I think he’s still convinced this is some kind of test designed to set him up to fail, when in fact it’s supposed to be the opposite.