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Lewis cherishes every day he can spend with George. He loves his boyfriend and he loves little George, but despite loving him so much, there are days when they cant be together. Today Lewis has to fly to Italy, Ferrari has some boring event for boring sponsors and that’s no place for little George so Lewis must go there alone. Lewis manages to catch Alex before he made different plans and Alex is always happy to look after his best friend. Alex loves George, but little George is even more adorable. At least he has believed George is the cutest little ever, but now George acts like a little demon.
“Daddy! You promised the beach!”
Lewis knows what he promised and breaking his promise makes his heart ache but Ferrari re-scheduled the whole thing when George was sick and Lewis can’t stay at home.
“You will have fun with uncle Alex.”
Once in a blue moon, something annoys or stresses George enough for him to forget how to be daddy’s good boy and he throws a tantrum. Of course that he isn’t a bad boy, little George just doesn’t know how to express all the big feelings bubbling inside him. And right now one of his infamous tantrum hits with full force.
No! No uncle! Daddy stay!”
His sudden outburst is completely unexpected and Lewis is taken aback. George almost never acts like this. Fergus is tossed at Alex, getting hit right in your face with a stuffed toy full of little beads is no fun. George screams and throws himself on the floor where he curls and uncoils while pounding the floor with open palms. Lewis actually considers taking George with him but he knows dragging George to Italy would only make things worse. Alex is almost yelling to shout George down, he promises Lewis they will be alright and the Ferrari driver finally leaves.
George doesn’t even notice it, he is busy shaking with hard sobs as his breathing is fast and uneven. Nothing exists for him when he feels like this, the world shrunk into a swirl of fury and exhaustion and the only way to get rid of his big feelings is screaming. Alex is surprised, you don’t witness meltdowns like this one every day. Suddenly the energy drains out of the little one, his cries soften into breathy whimpers and George reaches out for comfort. His long lashes are wet with tears, they stick to his cheeks as Alex kneels down in front of his friend. George uses the sleeve of his T-shirt to wipe off the snot running from his nose before he wraps his arms around uncle’s neck. Alex is devastated, he hates seeing George like this, but their work can be demanding. He strokes George’s hair and holds the hiccuping little in his arms for a long time until George chokes a bit and vomits. Alex cringes, the bit of sick doesn’t land on him, but right on the carpet.
“Lucky me …”
George hiccups and looks up at uncle as if silently challenging him. Alex gets some cleaning supplies and takes care of the stain while George runs in his playroom. He doesn’t want to be with uncle Alex and the only solution is hiding. Luckily for George, daddy didn’t destroy the blanket forth they built yesterday. Now he crawls inside together with Fergus and his stuffed puppy and sulks. Daddy said they will go to the beach! Daddies shouldn’t break their promises! George wanted to try surfing again, it’s always fun because he can sit on the surfboard and daddy gently rocks it when there are no real waves.
After Alex cleans the carpet, he goes to find his friend. He hears George angrily mumbling something inside the blanket forth so he decides to trick the little.
“Oh my God, where did Georgie go?”
Alex knows George is watching him and he walks around the large playroom stomping and digging in the large pile of stuffed toys, he even peeks in the cabinets of the play pretend kitchen before he stands up and shakes his head.
“Okay, I will go alone and I am going to buy a big, really huge ice cream. God, my tummy will ache if I eat so much ice cream, but who could help me?”
Ice cream? George loves ice cream! He looks at his frog and puppy, he knows he said they will stay in the blanket forth, but ice cream? He crawls out of the forth and sits on his heels: “Me?”
George shyly smiles at uncle who looks proud that his trap worked. Alex holds George’s hand in his and leads him in the bedroom, he must dress George and pack a bag with essentials. This proves to be harder than Alex thought. Diapers, snacks, some toys and spare clothes and then he still has to carry George’s neon pink kick scooter with light-up wheels, his helmet with little ladybugs and the heavy backpack. He feels like George’s servant, Alex wonders how does Lewis do this. How can he work, take care of George and do everything he does without falling straight on his face?
George isn’t happy when Alex takes his worn out T-shirt off, the little whines when uncle forces him to wear bubblegum pink T-shirt with a cartoon dinosaur and he gets really mad when uncle forces him to wear pants. The pale blush dungarees is soft and comfy, Alex has no idea why the little hates it so much. Alex closes the golden buttons and sighs. Staying at home would be easier…
George runs away to get Fergus and Alex gets a pair of sneakers. George quickly curls his toes to stop Alex from putting the shoes on. Alex is a very patient man, especially when it comes to George, but damn … it’s a good thing Lewis rarely leaves George in someone’s else care, not everyone is so patient and saint like Lewis.
“Georgie, you are wearing shoes. End of discussion, shoes on.”
The little is really testing his patience, George is pouting and huffing until Alex gets an idea. He is quick, he quickly grabs George’s left ankle and tickles his toes until the little squeals and laughs. Poor Alex is tired and they haven’t even left the building yet.
George is a good boy, for now … the promise of ice cream is making him behave. They stop in an ice cream parlor on their way to a park - Alex grimaces when George asks for the Smurf one, he doesn’t know why blue ice cream looks appealing to the little. Once he pays for their ice cream, they head to the park. Alex licks his chocolate ice cream and when he finds an empty bench near the large playground, he drops the heavy backpack and George’s kick scooter. George is messy like usually, blue ice cream is smeared around his lips and Alex’s chuckles.
“Ichiban, lipstick for men.”
Alex laughs but George only blinks at him in confusion. Alright, little George doesn’t get his Friends reference. Alex uses a wet wipe to clean George’s face and sticky hands before putting the helmet on him. He fusses with the small strap, George is squirming and Alex doesn’t want to pinch his skin, but after closing the small buckle, George is free to ride his kick scooter. There is a path which looks like a road for cars only this one is much smaller but it has road signs and small parking lots where littles can park their bikes or kick scooters. Alex rolls his aching shoulders and sighs in relief. George is having fun, they had ice cream and riding the scooter will definitely exhaust him - that’s a good thing because Lewis has no idea when he will get back and Alex might be taking care of George tonight. Alex takes a few long sips of water from George’s water bottle with penguins.
Today is a nice day. The weather is getting warm, sun is shining and birds are chirping. Alex relaxes, he swears he closed his eyes for a second when a sharp kchkk pulls him out of his thoughts. Alex opens his eyes but it’s late, little George is already sprawled on the ground. Another caregiver who is in the park with her little is trying to help George back on his feet but George is already making the shaky little cries that sound more frightened than loud. George must have hit a crack in the pavement too fast and all his speed pitched him forward. His breath is hitching between sobs while Alex examines George’s scraped palms. Tiny beads of blood are welling up and Alex thinks they should clean the dirty as soon as possible. He guides George back to the bench and gathers their things. Getting back home with a crying and bleeding little is harder than the hardest race and by the time Alex is unlocking the front door, small streaks of sweat run down his back. He drops everything on the floor in the entry hall and guides George in the nearest bathroom. First he washes George’s palms grey with grit before checking the little’s arms. One elbow is also scraped and Alex gets the first aid kit from under the cabinet underneath the sink.
“Okay, gumdrop. This will burn a bit, but later we can have ice cream.”
George chokes on his sobs while Alex quickly cleans the small wounds and gently covers it with band-aids. One with Pepa Pig goes on his left palm, another one with Sponge Bob covers the wound on his right palm and a large one with smiling avocados is placed on the ugly wound on his left knee. George keeps sniffling despite Alex offering all the hugs and kisses he can. In the end Alex opens the freezer and scoops three big scoops in George’s bowl with dancing bunnies. Alex lifts his eyebrows in surprise, finding Ben and Jerry’s churros ice cream in Lewis’s freezer is unexpected but he is sure this is George’s treat. Together they sit down in front of the TV and Alex plays My Neighbor Totoro. George doesn’t eat a lot, he is mostly sucking on his soft silicone spoon and makes a mess everywhere. In the middle of the movie, George climbs in Alex’s lap and they cuddle. His fall at the park was scary, Alex’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Babysitting his best friend is great, but God, seeing George in pain or crying is agonizing. George ends up falling asleep in Alex’s arms and eventually even the older driver falls asleep.
Lewis is drained. It’s nearly dinner time when he finally gets back to Monaco and he stops at their favorite Thai restaurant to buy dinner. After arriving home, he finds the penthouse silent and dark. Lewis finds the mess in the guest bathroom and immediately gets worried. When he finds them sleeping in the living room, he quickly checks on his baby. There are so many band-aids, he knew George will end up hurt thanks to the stupid kick scooter. To hell with you, Kimi Raikkonen! You and your stupid gift!
George is still sleepy. After crying so hard he is exhausted but also thirsty so he gets a sippy cup full of orange juice and slowly drinks while sitting in daddy’s lap. Alex and Lewis eat dinner, Lewis occasionaly coaxes a bite of warm noodles in George’s mouth. George is always cuddly when he is sad or hurt, tonight is going to be a long night, George will cling to him like second skin. The little ignores his uncle until Alex stands up. George lifts his head from daddy’s shoulder and frowns.
“Whoa, George, what’s up with that angry face?”
Alex chuckles and ruffles George’s soft hair. George threw a tantrum and now he doesn’t want Alex to go? Alex kisses George’s cheeks before quickly slipping out of the penthouse. He enjoyed spending the day with his most favorite little, but he needs some time to recover before he will agree to take care of George again.