Surprise

When I get back out to the living room, I see Everett humming to himself as he dances slightly. He is swaying his hips as he cooks and hums. I smile as I watch. It's the small things that make me love him. I would never say that out loud for reasons but he just looks too cute not to want to cuddle close while giving him little forehead kisses. I have to remind myself that not only is he my right hand man but my childhood best friend. But I can't help but want to hold him sometimes. Or well most of the time but just looking at him, how can I be blamed? Plus, he's straight. He has only ever dated women so he probably doesn't like me back.

I end up getting so lost in thought that I didn't realize that Everett called everyone to dinner until Hope and Luckus came running out to get food. I snap out of my thoughts and I head to the table. I sit down next to Luckus. Everett is sitting next to Hope. Everett has already set the table. Everett's table has two chairs on the longer sides and one chair on either end of the table so there are 6 chairs at his table. Everyone starts eating. It isn't long before Hope speaks.

"Thank you dad for a delicious dinner today."

"It is really good, Everett." Lukus adds on.

"Thank you two for the compliments on the food." 

Everett smiles at the two kids. We are quiet for a few seconds before I remember something that Hope said earlier.

"So Hope what were you and Lukus doing in your room before dinner was ready?"

Hope looks over at Lukus, who isn't paying attention as he eats. Lukus seems to have a big appetite but I guess for a 12 year old boy, that is relevantly normal. Hope looks slightly annoyed but looks back at me to answer my question.

"We were making something."

"What was that something?"

"I can't say. It is a surprise."

I chuckle slightly at her answer. "At least I know you are good at keeping secrets."

Hope seems very proud of herself at my comment.

We all keep eating, making small conversions while we eat just so it isn't completely silent. Once we finish, I wash the dishes as Hope starts cleaning up the table with Everett. I have asked Lukus to sort out the dirty dishes but he did that quite quickly so he's in Hope's room doing something but I trust him so I let him do what he's doing.

When everything is finished, Hope rushes into her room, probably to go back to Lukus to play with him. After a few minutes, Hope and Lukus comes out with a box. They both seem really happy. Everett speaks first.

"What's in the box, honey?"

"A surprise for everyone, but me and Lukus knows what it is."

"Can you show us?"

Hope opens the box and inside there are homemade bracelets with seem to sparkle slightly that are a little cold. There are four bracelets. They look to be made out of yarn or string, I can't tell but I also don't work with either often. Lukus grabs two of the bracelets and Hope grabs two of the bracelets. Lukus put on a blue and white bracelet. Hope puts on a pink and orange bracelet. Lukus goes to put a red and blue bracelet on my wrist, so I let him. Lukus ties it around my wrist but he makes sure that there is still some wiggle room and not super tight. Hope goes up to Everett to put on a green and black bracelet. Everett lets her. Hope does make it a little tight but Everett doesn't seem to mind but I think that is just because he is used to doing things to make Hope happy that isn't too out of the ordinary or extreme. 

"Thank you kiddo."

"Thank you honey."

Hope gets really happy that Everett likes the bracelet. Lukus hugs me.

"I'm glad you like it dad." Lukus kind of whispers, it is still clear what he is saying to the other two next to us,

Everett looks at me and Lukus, a little surprised but Hope just seems to think this is normal so she isn't shocked.

"You weren't lying when you said that he had called you dad. I thought you were joking or just trying to mess with me. You really are a father."

Before I could say anything, Hope speaks, "Well Uncle M is a great uncle and Lukus seems to like me a lot. He won't tell me about his mother but he talks about Uncle M a lot."

Everett seems more surprised but now he has a small smile on his lips. "Good job on being a father."

I chuckle slightly at the whole interaction. "I am glad that Lukus talks so well about me, even when I am not around, but honestly, there isn't much to say about me. I have only been your official father for less than a day."

Lukus looks up at me. "You have been a better father than anyone else. Plus, you have been letting me call you dad so why wouldn't I treat you like such?"

"I guess you do have a point, kiddo."