I’m standing in Everett and Jillian’s backyard, surrounded by goblins and ghouls, and it’s the best party ever. The sun is shining, Sam is cooking the barbecue, and every time I hear a glass clink or a shout from the cricket game taking place in the corner, I’m reminded how much I love the Australian way of life. The great outdoors is something I’ve missed for a long time now. I just didn’t realise I was missing it. Contentment was a feature of my life, up until a year ago, but now everything has changed. Now I want to be home. I want to spend time with my friends, instead of chasing new business deals. I want to enjoy long summer days and cold winter nights snuggled under a blanket watching television with the people I love.
I want to spend all my time with Ashley and Zeke.
The baby in my arms twists, his face contorting like he’s having a fascinating dream. He wiggles and throws an arm over his head, before settling back against my chest. His pram is right beside me but I don’t want to put him down. I’d hold him all day and all night if it were practical. I love how he smells, and his noises are the cutest sounds I’ve ever heard. The mewling that passes for crying is adorable and, even though I’ve only known about him for five days, I’m starting to understand what he wants when he lets fly with his various crying tones.
Ashley is a champion. It’s like they share a secret language, just for them. He just has to breathe differently, and she knows he needs a change, or he’s cold. Me? I need a little more practice before I develop that sixth sense. That’s why I’m holding him now. Every minute we spend together helps me become the Zeke whisperer.
He’s dressed in green for the first time all week. Ashley made him his own costume. Zeke is making his Halloween debut dressed as a pea in a pod. I’m not even ashamed to confess that I’m dressed like a banana, while Ashley sneakily didn’t dress up at all. I begged her to wear the bunny outfit, but she insists that’s for after-hours only. It’s probably for the best. If the other ladies got a look at her cleavage in that pink velvet bikini top, she might be exiled to the kitchen.
"Kent, my man.” Danny, with fake blood dripping from his chin, leans over to inspect little Zeke. “You have taken to this like a duck to water. I think I can safely say you are besotted with that baby. And with Ashley.”
“They’re everything I've ever wanted but didn't know I needed. I'm happy to have an instant family. Sad that I missed his birth, though. Or his first kick when she was pregnant.” We both watch Ashley across the yard. She’s wearing a canary sundress and a bright pink cardigan. I can hear her laughing from here at something Jillian said to her. She has my heart, more than even she realises. I can’t decide whether to shower her with gifts or tear off her clothes and show her my love in other ways. I’ve settled for somewhere in the middle, since she’s banned me from buying anything else for Z.
Danny nods at the same moment Tina appears from the house. “I don’t know how I’d cope if I missed those things. Tina says we should feel kicking any day. She says she can feel it already.”
We grin at each other and I see my own joy reflected on his face. I’m shocked that he’s so into fatherhood, but I’m more shocked at myself. I’ve never even come close to that happening and now here I am, a beautiful son of my own.
“So, will you sell your house in New York?”
“Probably not. We’ll want to use it at some point.”
“You’re not keeping it as a backstop, are you?”
I frown and face him. “No. Why would you ask me that?”
Danny raises his hands. “I’m just checking. Making sure you’re sure.”
“I’m so sure. So, so, sure. I had plans to start a new venture early in the new year, but I’ve cancelled them. I’m not going anywhere unless they can come with me. I lost her once. That’s not going to happen again. It’s not like I need the money.”
Everett shouts and we both turn our heads, just in time to see Jack catch a football. His wheelchair shakes with the force and he laughs when he throws it back. “Don’t go easy on me, new Dad. I can take anything you dish out.”
“Those two are getting along well. I can’t wait until we go on holiday. Sylvia has booked the greatest escape ever.”
“Typical that you made your assistant do all the hard work.”
“I did my bit. She didn’t find the underwater hotel on her own. That was all me.”
“Hey, you two. What are you nattering about over here by yourselves?” Wyatt saunters closer and hands us both a beer. “Here. Try these. I had them shipped all the way from Mexico.”
Danny can’t resist a dig at our friend. “We were discussing the chances of you meeting a woman who’ll put up with you.” Danny taps his watch with the beer bottle. “Time’s ticking.”
“If you two can do it, then I definitely can. I’ve got plenty of time. Don’t apply pressure too early.”
“I hope you’re right. Big bucks if you’re wrong.”
“I’ve already resigned myself to parting with large amounts of cash since you cheated and changed the rules. I don’t think even I, with my magnetic attraction to women, could meet one this late and manage a wedding. Isn’t there some minimum for a marriage licence?
“Thirty days,” I say, and Wyatt laughs.
“You’ve checked?”
“I have applied for the licence. The minute I have it we’re getting married.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. I asked her. She said yes. Danny reversed my transfer. Ball’s in your court now, man.” We clink our beers and laugh again. “I’ll be a married man before you even go on your date.”
“You’re moving fast. Really fast.” I hear Ashley laugh across the yard and I ignore Wyatt to stare at her. I can’t tear my eyes away. His words barely register. “She seems lovely. I hope it’s everything you wished for. I really do.” His tone is wistful and for the first time I really look at him. The signs have been there for a few months that Wyatt is ready to settle down. He’s ready for the secrecy to be done with. He wants us to be outed so he can relax and go about his life. Of all of us, he has enjoyed keeping our secret the least.
“Your time will come. Don’t rush into anything just because this guy,”—I wave my beer at Danny—“bullies you into it.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll keep that in mind.” Wyatt chuckles, then moves away to join the cricket game. His tiger tail drags on the grass behind him.
Danny makes his excuses, too. “I have to go around to the pool and hide Halloween candy for the kids. Tina got that weird candy corn stuff and packed it into dozens of tiny bags. Catch you later.” I nod and watch my vampire friend wander across the perfect lawn. I should help him, but again, I don’t want to put Z down. I want to hold him and stare at him as long as I can.
“Hey, Dad.” Ashley appears next and kisses my cheek.
“That’s daddy to you.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so. That’s off limits.”
“Damn. You’re killing my fantasies.”
“You need fantasy?” She feigns outrage, putting both hands against her cheeks and opening her mouth. “Even now?” One hand drops to the top of her blouse and her fingers slide the fabric apart. “Any fantasy you’re in line for means putting down that cute-as-a-button pea you’re holding.” She waggles her eyebrows and I look down at Zeke.
“Hmm. That’s a tough one. Maybe I need a bit more of a sample of the reward for tucking him in his pram. I don’t surrender him for just anyone, you know.”
“Is that right?” She smirks and then taps me on the nose with her pointing finger. “That’s the right answer. Maybe later I’ll call you daddy.”
Excitement flares in my belly, our grins becoming carbon copies of the other. We’re oblivious to my friends in the yard. “I’ll hold you to that.”
She nods and I finally relinquish my grip, bending down to place my treasure gently into the pram that could double as a tank. Ashley already had a pram, but I insisted on upgrading to this beast with its big tyres and 5-point safety harness. The shop assistant laughed outright when I insisted we wanted the 6-point safety harness. Apparently, there’s no such thing in the baby world. Race cars use a 6-point harness, but there’s no way our baby will be racing anything.
I pull Ashley against me and wrap my yellow banana arms around her waist. She folds her arms in front of her and snuggles in.
“You know you’re the sexiest banana I’ve ever seen, don’t you?”
“I’m actually allergic to real bananas. There’s something for you to keep in mind.”
“Really? Is it life-threatening allergic, or just uncomfortable?”
“Mostly a rash that seems to get into all the tightest places. Trust me, you do not want to be intimate with me after I’ve eaten a banana.”
Ashley laughs. “What a tempting picture you’re painting for me. I’ll definitely steer clear of them when you’re around. Except for today, of course.” She bobbles my yellow costume. “You’re super cute. I love that you dressed up.”
“It’s Halloween. One year I’ll take you and Zeke to the States and you can have the full experience.” I look around the yard at the plastic pumpkins and the Halloween themed streamers. “We don’t quite do it justice here.”
“I’d like that.”
Our eyes meet and that smouldering message flits between us again. She licks her lips and makes a suggestive sound deep in her throat. We have hours before we’ll leave this place and make the long drive home. Hours for her to tease me until we’re alone and I can peel off her clothes and beg her to put the bunny costume on.
I made her promise not to return it to the club. Slav can buy new costumes with my two million bucks. I plan to get my money’s worth from the most expensive costume purchase in the world.
Because, Ashley might be the mother of the child, and the holder of my heart.
But she still owes me four lap dances…
The End