Chapter six – Toby
Toby dragged himself back into the living room after finally convincing Carlton it was time to go to sleep for the evening.
Lily was going over her lesson plans on their stiff pea-green sofa, her parents had given them for Christmas.
He thunked down next to her. Toby hated the sofa. It looked terrible and felt worse.
She let out an exhausted sigh.
"You don't have to come with." Toby reassured her again.
"I want to." Lily said.
Toby looked at her doubtfully.
"I really do."
"I appreciate it and I would love you there, but I also understand it is not convenient timing for you."
"Can I be honest?"
"Always." Toby said taking one of Lily's hands in his.
"I actually miss America." Lily confessed reluctantly.
Toby touched the back of his other hand to her forehead to check for a temperature.
"Haha!" Lily said swatting his hand away lightly, "I wish we were going back for a better reason but I do want to go with you."
Toby took both her hands in his and bought them to his mouth kissing her fingertips. "I like you." He said.
"Of course you do, I'm wonderful!" Lily said in mock arrogance.
"Yes." Toby agreed sincerely.
Lily smirked, "I like you too."
"Would you care to show me how much you like me Ms. Summers?" Toby asked wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Lily laughed. "Maybe…" Lily leaned over and kissed Toby on his lips.
He pulled her closer to him as he kissed her back wantonly.
Lily pulled off Toby's shirt breaking from their kiss for just a moment as the shirt went over his head.
"Right here on the sofa?" Toby pretended to be scandalized as he unbuttoned her blouse. Maybe he could learn to like this sofa after all.
Lily laughed, "Actually, I would prefer the floor. This sofa is so uncomfortable." She said as she threw off her shirt.
"You really are wonderful." He said pulling her to the floor on top of him.
Lily reached for Toby's belt buckle just as Carlton screamed from his room.
Both parents took in a breath.
"Hold that thought. I'll be right back." Toby said as Lily climbed off of him.
Lily nodded smoothing out her ruffled hair.
Toby threw his t-shirt back on and went to sooth his son.
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Toby was on his third song when Lily came to check in on him.
"Sorry." He mouthed.
Lily shook her head to assure him it was okay.
Toby had always thought he was pretty good at a few things, like music. But there was nothing he had ever been as good at as being a dad, he now realized.
"And now we go to sleep." Toby finished the last line to one of the songs he had written for his son.
Carlton squeezed shut both his eyes as tight as he could. He sneaked a peek with one eye to check and see if his parents were still there.
"Both of them." Toby said in his dad voice.
He loved that he had a dad voice. Firm yet still full of warmth.
Carlton obeyed and snuggled down into his covers.
Toby looked over to Lily who was watching him admiringly.
She motioned her head towards the bedroom.
He planted a soft kiss on his son's forehead and followed after Lily to do one of the other things he was good at.