We had breakfast, including a Starbucks blend coffee from the new coffee machine, then decided to have a walk as it was such a lovely day. Dan was eager to introduce us both to Mr. and Mrs. McAdams as well, so he went up to get Oliver and completely melted my heart when he came down the stairs having dressed him in one of his new outfits, with a little baseball cap, then suspended him from some kind of baby harness he was wearing. Oliver had already fallen asleep in it, with his little cheek pressed against Dan’s white t-shirt. We held hands as we took a slow walk around the island on my old running track, while I asked Dan loads of questions about his business and what he was working on at the moment. I couldn’t believe the difference in the views being on the island in summer, it was even more stunning than in winter. Oliver woke up and spent the remainder of the walk gurgling as he gently bounced and tried to clutch Dan’s t-shirt in his little hands.
‘Be thankful he hasn’t tried to latch onto your nipple,’ I advised with a laugh.
‘I plan on latching onto yours later,’ he winked.
‘That’s so not right,’ I objected.
‘So just because you’re lacerating I can’t suck on your nipples anymore?’
‘Lactating, I don’t want you lacerating my nipples thank you. I don’t know, it’s just weird.’
‘Weird or not I’m game. Damn, let’s stop talking about nipples as I’ve gone hard already.’
‘Doesn’t seem to take much,’ I winked.
‘Not with you around. Come on, they’ll be waiting for us with lunch no doubt,’ he grinned as we headed up to their cabin. He showed me his gym first, which contained the sauna and I felt my cheeks flush. ‘What?’
‘I just had a few happy visuals of you sitting in here with a small white towel and all dripping in sweat during my time here that December.’
‘Really? Well save that fantasy and I’ll ask them to babysit at the house, so we can come and live that one out.’
‘Ok, now I’m getting all hot and wet, can we go and see them before I end up with a wet bra as well as knickers.’
We were welcomed with open arms by the lovely older couple, they were so excited to meet me, let alone Oliver. Mrs. McAdams sat him on her knee while we were fed with some hot delicious Scotch pies, similar to a Cornish pastie, then Clootie dumplings, a suet and fruit pudding with double cream and a dash of whisky. She winked at me as Dan had seconds of pudding, after already having eaten three of the pies, I smiled and shook my head and moved to sit by her while Dan took Oliver and he and Mr. McAdams argued about getting an electric chainsaw for the logs this winter.
‘You’ve got yourself a bonnie wee baby here,’ she confirmed, as she smiled at me.
‘I have haven’t I? I think he’s going to be a looker, just like his dad,’ I nodded. She reached over and squeezed one of my hands resting on my knee.
‘He’s so happy to have you back in his life. He was insufferable while you were apart after your stay in the hotel last time.’
‘Really?’ I laughed.
‘It’s no laughing matter, lassie. He even went off his food for over a month, and you know how much he loves his food. I’ve never seen that happen. I had to slap him to knock some sense into him,’ she confirmed. I covered my mouth as I tried not to laugh even harder at the thought of this mild mannered small old lady slapping Dan. ‘He’s been happier than I’ve ever seen him since he came back on Monday. I had to be his baby advisor to tell him what items you’d need to be comfortable while you stayed.’
‘He dragged you shopping?’
‘Well he didn’t have to twist my arm, I was as excited as he was. He chose all the colours himself, that lamp, moved all of the furniture out and did all the painting. I never thought I’d see the day he was so animated and excited. Look at him, he’s a natural with him.’
‘He really is,’ I sighed and grabbed a tissue from my jeans and dabbed my eyes. ‘I feel so bad that I deprived him of Oliver’s first three months.’
‘You did what you thought was best at the time, don’t beat yourself up. The way he’s shut himself off for so many years, it was obvious that he wasn’t ready to let go of the past. Leaving you in London was his rock bottom. Maybe going there was what he needed, so he could realise what a blessing you having this baby was.’
‘I hope so, he’s had such bad luck he really deserves to be happy.’
‘Trust me, he’s happy, Miss Baxter.’
‘Please, call me Ellie. From the way Dan speaks about you you’re as good as his family.’
‘Don’t make an old woman cry,’ she chastised as it was her turn to dab at her eyes. ‘So I don’t want to tread on any toes, he tells me that you’re a wonderful cook, but if ever you need the night off, just let me know and I can step in.’
‘That’s so kind of you and I hope that I’m not doing you out of a job?’
‘No, not at all. He’s too generous, he’s insisted that we stay living here with a salary even if he has no work for us. We had six children and all our money was spent bringing them up, we couldn’t afford pensions, so we’re incredibly grateful to him. He’s like our seventh child, I’d do anything to help keep him this happy, but don’t you be telling him that,’ she warned with a pointed finger. ‘Best to keep him on his toes.’
‘I’m sure it is,’ I smiled and leaned over and kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for looking after him so well. We’ll have to do some cooking together and exchange recipes and tips.’
‘Now you’re talking, lass,’ she beamed. I looked around as Oliver started crying and Dan looked at me horrified.
‘I didn’t do anything,’ he uttered.
‘That’s either his I need a nappy changing or I’m hungry again, cry.’
‘How do you know which?’ he asked.
‘Hold him in the air and smell his bottom.’
‘Seriously?’ he looked at me aghast and we all started laughing. ‘Are you taking the piss?’
‘No. You don’t want to go to all the trouble of undressing him and undoing a perfectly good nappy if he’s just hungry.’
‘Here you do it,’ he uttered, as he held him at arm’s length and walked over to me.
‘Last night you offered to help and be hands on, sniff his butt,’ I ordered, enjoying the rare power exchange.
‘If I was in the office and someone farted I wouldn’t go around sniffing their backsides, out of concern for follow through,’ he scowled, as Oliver just dangled from his dad’s large hands with his eyes wide.
‘You’re not in the office and this isn’t an employee. It’s your son. Are you telling me you don’t love your son enough to sniff his clothed bottom?’ I asked trying to keep a straight face.
‘Can’t argue with that young Daniel,’ Mrs. McAdams chuckled and gave me a high five.
‘Wade in here will you?’ he ordered, as he looked at Mr. McAdams for support.
‘Never argue with a mother, you’ll learn that very fast,’ he shrugged. ‘And if you don’t she’ll keep popping out more until you do learn.’
‘O poor Dan,’ I giggled as his face turned to one of utter mortification. ‘So come on sniff.’
‘Trust me, sniffing his bottom’s not the worst thing that could happen to a father while looking after his son,’ Mr. McAdams nodded.
‘What’s worse?’ Dan asked, as I marvelled at his arm strength to still be holding Oliver out stretched like that.
‘Some things are best learned on the job,’ he chuckled.
‘Fine,’ sighed Dan, as he gingerly lifted Oliver up and sniffed and immediately screwed up his face and tried to pass him back to me. ‘Jesus christ, take him. That’s definitely a nappy issue.’
‘Then you need to learn how to clean him up and change him,’ I nodded, as I opened a small bag with a pack of wet wipes and a couple of nappies. ‘Do you mind if we use the dining table?’
‘Not at all,’ grinned Mrs. McAdams. I flicked my head for Dan to carry him over and lay him down on a wipe clean foldable mat and watched
as he undressed him. Oliver giggled and waved his arms in the air so I leaned over and blew a raspberry on his tummy making him do it again. I watched as Dan undid the tabs on the side, opened it up and recoiled in horror to see the mess.
‘Ok, hold his ankles and lift him up a little, so you can wipe his bottom with these and then you can drop them on the nappy and slide it out from under him,’ I instructed and Dan groaned as he did as he was told, as I heard the McAdams chuckling behind me. Dan lay Oliver back down and quickly scrunched up the nappy and I handed him a bag to tie it up in. ‘Right here’s a new nappy, you lift him up again and position it under him.’
‘I’ve never smelled anything like that,’ he uttered as he shook his head. When Oliver gurgled again, Dan smiled and bent down to kiss his stomach, just as he started to pee. Dan yelled in surprise as he got hit full force in the face and all over his t-shirt. Mr. and Mrs. McAdams and I burst out laughing and Oliver giggled his head off as Dan’s mouth opened and closed as he tried to wipe it all off his face. I handed him a wipe, as I tried to remove the tears of laughter running down my face. ‘Did you plan this?’
‘Plan?! He has a mind of his own, but he does seem to prefer to pee when the nappies are off.’
‘You could have bloody warned me,’ he muttered as he tried to wipe himself down.
‘Aye, that’ll be one of the things you learn on the job, laddie,’ chuckled Mr. McAdams.
‘O stop fussing, it’s just pee. You’ll soon get used to it. Look how happy you’ve made him, he can’t stop giggling,’ I smiled as I reached up and wiped Dan’s face for him and dabbed at his t-shirt. He shook his head and let out a chuckle as he saw our son loving all the laughter going on and wiped him clean.
‘You’re so in for a punishment later for that,’ he advised me with a knowing look, as he tried to do up the nappy. I gulped and felt my pussy clench. Other than spanking me when I was over his shoulder those few times, I’d never been punished. The thought of Dan all in control though was intoxicating. I realised we were just staring at each other, heat shimmering off us both and our thoughts probably obvious to our onlookers, so I hip bumped him over and showed him how to do a nappy up properly.
‘I hate to leave, but I really ought to feed him and put him down for his afternoon nap,’ I sighed as I packed up his bag.
‘You must come up another day, it’s been so lovely to have you all over,’ Mrs. McAdams advised.
‘I’ve loved meeting you both and thank you so much for your hospitality. You’re going to have to show me your recipe for those pies and dumplings. Dan couldn’t get enough of them.’
‘He has an appetite that’s for sure,’ she smiled with a knowing look that made me blush. She headed over to the kitchen and came back with a foil parcel. ‘Here’s some spare pies for him in case he’s worked up an appetite later.’
‘I’m sure I will carrying this one around,’ Dan responded, totally missing her insinuation. I gave them both a hug and a kiss. Dan opened the door for me and I stepped back out into a beautiful summer’s day and breathed in the amazing air. I heard Dan laughing behind me and saw Mrs. McAdams patting his shoulder. We waved goodbye and started making our way down the track towards the house.
‘What was that all about?’ I asked.
‘They concur that I picked a good one.’
‘A good one? Like I’m some cow at a farmers market? Besides it was me that made the first move, not you.’
‘I beg to differ. I fondled your backside getting you in the Land Rover.’
‘I looked at your erection at the airport.’
‘I think you’ll find that it was me making the move every single time, while you looked and panted.’
‘Now you’re comparing me to a dog?’ I gasped, pretending to be all affronted, but I couldn’t be, I was panting when I looked at him all those times, I still panted.
‘Trust me, I was panting too. You have a direct line to my cock, I can’t get enough of you. In fact I want you again now.’
‘Me too,’ I sighed. ‘But I need to feed Oliver and put him to bed first.’
‘Don’t worry, whenever you want sex I’ll provide,’ he smiled as he put his arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple.
I came downstairs with the baby monitor and found him out on the deck, in one of his new all-weather arm chairs, sipping a bottle of non-alcoholic beer.
‘You’ve showered,’ I smiled as I saw his damp hair. He was in a pair of knee length black shorts and a white short sleeved shirt, his square jaw line free of that stubble I found so sexy, but he was still devastatingly good looking whatever facial hair he did or didn’t sport. His golden biceps rose from the edges of his sleeves and reminded me how they’d held me up in the shower this morning. He smirked, he knew exactly what I was thinking and patted his lap. I climbed on and put my arms around his neck and kissed him, savouring the taste of him on my lips again. ‘I’m falling even more in love with you every day,’ I sighed, as I pulled back and looked into his beautiful green eyes.
‘Tell me about it,’ he replied with another tender kiss. ‘You on your own is bad enough, but seeing you with him too, it just slays me every time. You’d better not change your mind about me, Ellie Baxter. Because there’s no way I’m ever walking away again, or letting you push me away.’
‘Then promise never to keep things from me ever again, open honest communication, even if it’s on stuff we don’t agree on. I’d rather argue and clear the air, than us hide things that will come between us.’
‘I’m not hiding anything anymore, I know you may still need time to fully trust me, but you have to know that you and Oliver are so important to me.’
‘You didn’t go and see Moira today,’ I observed, as I ran my fingers around his soft lips.
‘I thought you were all for me not seeing her anymore?’
‘When you’re ready to let go yes, but equally I don’t want you feeling resentful or pressured to spend time with me.’
‘I’ve decided to not go on a Saturday, weekdays only. I have something to show you.’ He lifted me up and deposited me back in the chair as he disappeared back inside. I bit my lip, he still wasn’t happy about cutting back his visits. His mum had told me that he’d been having therapy all the time we were apart, but while it may have helped with his demeanour, it didn’t seem to have helped with his guilt. He returned with another chilled non-alcoholic beer, which he handed to me, and a large rolled piece of paper which he spread across the rectangular table.
‘What’s this?’ I asked, as I shuffled my chair forwards to look.
‘Architect plans, for the house. You said it wasn’t suitable, I’m hoping this will work for you.’
‘You had architect plans drawn up in a week?’ I looked at him amazed.
‘Money,’ he shrugged, before pulling up his chair to show me what extension ideas they’d come up with. It would add at least another fifty percent to the house. He planned to build to the right of the house as you stood looking at it. The ground floor was given up to two generous sized bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bathroom between, situated at the rear of the house. They’d have special privacy glass for the main interior wall, so they could see the view of the loch, or flip a button and make them opaque for privacy. Between the bedrooms and the glass front of the house would be a large open plan room with another log burner, which could be used as a games and playroom, so the pool table in the current house could be moved out and a dining table put in, with an opening made into the main house. Upstairs would be a brand new huge master suite, with its own stairs accessed from the playroom, taking up the entire top floor, with the bed facing the view again, a walk through wardrobe behind and a large master bathroom. The current nursery would be changed back into a guest room, with no upstairs access to the new extension. The enormous master bath would be converted into another guest bedroom and en-suite.
‘Wow,’ I uttered, stunned at the scope. ‘What about the current open plan master bedroom?’
‘You’ll need an office and it can be a private reading area for you as well. Oliver and I will be busy watching movies in the cinema room, so I’ll have custom bookshelves made for you and we can move all your books up here. Oliver can move into one of the bedrooms downstairs and we have two guest rooms totally separate from the new wing and a second one next to Oliver’s if it’s needed.’
‘You’ve thought of everything.’
‘I want you here with me Ellie, both of you. They’ll be so much space for him to run around, not to mention the clean air and it’s safer than the city. I don’t want to miss anything being away from you both. I want to hear him call me daddy, to help him walk, to have him run to me to be thrown in the air. I can’t do that if you’re down in London all week and I only get to see you at weekends.’ He shoved a hand through this hair and looked at me intently. I took a deep breath as I considered my options. I’d been worried about work and that had been solved, so had the crossing of the loch given that the new boat felt more secure, and we had a backup with the old boat if there was a crisis. The house would have so much room for Oliver to play and there’d be three rooms for guests plus the boathouse. ‘What’s holding you back?’ he frowned.
‘I guess just two things. If I was up here all the time I’d miss Brooke, Molly, John and Edward, plus I’d like Oliver to spend time with your family.’
‘I’ll fly them up whenever they want to stay. Until the extension’s built there’s the boathouse and I’ve got my room at the hotel, or I’ll book extra rooms there or at the pub. There won’t be any expense for them to incur.’
31 Days of Summer (31 Days #2) Page 26