Chapter Twenty-Six: Boys Will Be Boys

Robb's Point of View

I wake up with Meera in bed beside me. She spent the night. Her parents don't really like her spending the night on school nights but we moved date night to last night and we don't have school today. Its conferences all day.

Meera is snuggled beside me. I kiss her cheek as I throw my covers off me. I stretch as I look for clean clothes to wear after my shower. I dry my hair in front of the mirror. I should shave, but I will wait a couple more days.

I brush my teeth for ten minutes before I check on Tor. He is wide awake and chewing on a plastic toy. I pick him up. He smiles at me. I check his diaper before I give him a bath in the bathroom sink.

Meera is coming out of the guest bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. I kiss her.

"What are you going to dress my stepson in?"

"This," I say holding up an outfit. Meera nods. I kiss her again after I dress my son. "He's the cutest baby ever."

"Like his daddy," says Meera.

"Meera, I've been thinking."

"Don't pull a muscle."

"I want to wait three years to have a baby with you."

"Why?"

"Because I can't get into college for being an unwed single dad and I want you to be able to go."

"You're so sweet."

I carry Tor into the dining room where Grey Wind is waiting with the newspaper. I pat his head. Meera puts food out for Grey Wind as I get ready to feed Tor.

"Robb, I don't need college. I just need you."

"No. I want you to go to college. For me. Do it for me."

"Okay. I will. Robb, what's bothering you?"

"I have to quit school."

"Why?"

"Because my nanny quit."

"Why did she quit?"

"Because I can't pay her. I don't have a job. I can't get a job because I don't have a babysitter for my son. I need to stay home with him."

I didn't want to tell her. I am top of my class and have worked hard only to have it taken away from me. I haven't told my dad yet, but I am sure he will disapprove. Its another disappointment to add to the list.

"If I had any money, I would give it to you."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes. This is my life too. You're my boyfriend. We are promised to each other. We will be married in two years. Your problems are my problems."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Meera holds me. I have never felt this way before. She has changed my life for the better. She is my star.

"I am getting a job."

"Ok. But that doesn't solve the nanny problem."

"Well Loras is coming over. You should talk to him about it."

"He'll only offer me money."

"Then suck up your pride and accept it. Do it for me."

"Okay."

Meera cooks breakfast. I feed Tor a jar of mashed carrots. He doesn't seem to like it. Tor makes a big mess. I clean him up and lay him down in his crib in the living room.

"Here is your breakfast," say Meera sitting a stack of pancakes in front of me. She places a plate of bacon on the table.

"Thanks."

"So do you have everything I need for Tor this weekend?"

"Yes. He only wakes up twice now during the night. Thank you for doing this, Meera."

"No problem, sweetie. You need to hang out with Loras."

"I decided I am going to ask him for money."

"Good."

Meera kisses me. We eat. Every so often she squeezes my hand or leans against me. I don't mind. I wouldn't mind if she crawled right in my lap. She leaves with my son after breakfast.

I get ready for Tor's arrival. I take Grey Wind for a walk around the block, and I clean the house. Gtlrey Wind helps when he can. Finally my dog and I kick back on the couch and wait for Loras.

He is right on time for lunch. I am going to let him decide if we stay in to eat or go out. Illyrio drops him off. Loras has his backpack over his shoudler. He greets me with a smile.

"Hi, come in."

"You realize, lad, that he is your responsibility and if anything should befall the prince its on your head?"

"Yeah," I say. Loras receives a lecture from Illyrio. He rolls his eyes and finally he lets him go, no security, no perks, just a normal teen at a friend's house.

"What's for lunch?" Loras asks.

"You decide."

"I want burgers. Illyrio won't let me have them."

"Burgers it is."

I grab my coat. In the car on the way to get burgers, I think of a way to ask Loras about money. This isn't easy.

"Oh look a duck," says Loras looking out the window.

"I need money," I blurt out.

"Okay. How much?"

"You're not going to ask what I need it for?"

"No."

"You're just going to give it to me no questions asked?"

"Yes."

"Can I tell you anyway?"

"Yes."

So I tell him about my nanny and about school and about how I can't get a job right now.

"I'll hire you," says Loras.

"To do what?"

"Drive me around. You should be getting paid."

"I do that because I want to."

"Okay. Then I will hire your nanny. She will be under my employment. I pay her and you can still go to school."

"Thank you. I owe you."

"No. No, you don't. All I want is your friendship. Don't start thinking you have to pay me back. I won't hear of it."

"But, Loras," I say.

"No. End of discussion. You don't owe me a thing."

"Thanks."

I would feel better if he would let me pay him back. This is a big favor I want from him. We order our burgers to go and take them back to my house.

After burgers we spend a little time doing homework from the week. Loras wants to have a Christmas dinner here in my house since the Ambassador is throwing one for his political friends and the Targaryen children.

"I don't the money for that."

"Don't worry. I will handle everything. Its not a party, its a dinner with all our friends. We will do Secret Gifter."

"What is Secret Gifter?"

"We put all our names in a hat and pick one and buy a gift just for that person. Fun, right?"

"Cheap," I say.

"I knew you'd like it."

"Okay. So who are we going to invite?"

"Me, you, Arya, Sansa, Gendry, Renly, Meera, Margaery, Dacey, Jojen, Willas, Jon, Bran, and Satin that's everyone I think."

"Satin isn't part of our circle. Also, my house isn't that big."

"He's hot. You're friends with me, I can make it work."

"I can't cook."

"We can ask Renly to do it."

"Ok. If that's what you want."

"You're the best."

"You like hosting parties."

I am not sure about this Christmas party but Loras seems happy so why not? Maybe I will draw a guy's name and not have to spend much. Loras hand writes the names on slips of paper and puts them in a shoe box. Now to get everyone to draw names.

Loras wants to go door to door. I have a better suggestion. We make a list alphabetically and draw the names at random for each person and include them in the invitation.

I reach in the box and take out a card. I really want to draw Loras's name because I have an idea for a present for him. But I draw Renly. You've got to be kidding.

Loras looks thrilled with his selection. He moves on to Arya and draws a card at random. He checks it to make sure she didn't get herself then folds it and puts it in an envelope with her name on it.

"Isn't this fun?" Loras asks.

"Not particularly."

"Then we're even from the toy store incident."

"You're evil."

"Only today."

"Who drew me?" I ask.

"Not telling."

After Loras finishes that we move on to videogames. I kick Loras's butt on gane after game. He wants to spar, so we go a few rounds. He pins me twice. I get tossed on my back.

"Wait. If you are capable of this why did I have to save you from Quentyn?"

"Promise you won't laugh?"

"I can't make that promise."

"I like being rescued. It turns me on."

I laugh. If I tried to hold it in, I would explode.

"That's the dumbest thing I ever heard."

"You don't have to make fun of me."

Now I feel like a total ass for making fun of him. I call truce. Loras and I go another round. This time I win. This is going to be a fun weekend.