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“Close your eyes and hold out your arms,” Phil instructed, smiling warmly.
Giggling excitedly, Tommy extended his arms outwards and shut his eyes. He loved surprises.
Phil placed something in Tommy’s arms. Something unbelievably soft brushed against his bare arms, and it was probably the softest thing Tommy had ever felt in his whole life.
“Open your eyes,” Phil said.
A stuffed cow sat in Tommy’s arms, looking up at him with dark beady eyes. He gaped at the cow with wide eyes, turning it carefully over in his hands, examining it like it was an alien.
A cow. His cow. His very own cow to love and take care of and raise as his own. Tommy tried (and failed) to stop an excited squeal from escaping his lips.
“So?” Phil asked, peering down at Tommy with his lips curled upwards and his eyes crinkled with happiness. “Do you like it?”
Tearing his eyes away from the cow, Tommy looked up at Phil. Then back at his cow. Then back at Phil.
Finally, Tommy clutched the cow tightly and threw himself into Phil’s arms. His dad chuckled as he wrapped his arms around Tommy's small frame, cradling him close to his chest. Fingers gently ran themselves through his soft blonde hair.
“Yes,” Tommy breathed out, burying his head into Phil’s chest. “I love it. Thank you, dad.”
“It’s no problem, mate,” Phil reassured. “What are you gonna name it?”
“It?” Tommy gasped. Tommy pulled away from the embrace, his cheeks puffed in a pout. “Henry’s not an 'it', dad! He’s a real cow with real feelings! Which you just hurt!
Phil chuckled at his outburst; much to Tommy’s dismay. He ruffled Tommy’s fluffy blonde hair.
“I’m sorry, Toms,” he said. “Henry is a great name, and he’s very lucky to have you.”
Tommy’s chest felt all weird and fuzzy. He buried himself deeper within his dad’s warm arms.
“It’s okay, I guess,” Tommy grumbled. Then, he smiled brightly again. “And he is! I’m gonna be the best friend ever to him.”
Phil pressed a kiss to Tommy’s forehead. “Glad to hear it, mate.”
His dad pulled out his phone and smiled widely at Tommy. “Pose with Henry, hm? So I can show Wil and Techno their new replacement.”
Tommy giggled. He imagined how jealous it’d make his brothers, and tucked Henry securely underneath his chin, where his friend’s soft fur tickled the base of his neck. He smiled toothily at the camera and hugged Henry like he was his most prized possession, because he was.
The camera snapped, and Phil pulled Tommy in for another hug. Tommy puffed out his cheeks and pretended to hate the affection.
“Dad,” he drawled exasperatedly. He clutched Henry tighter in his arms. “Henry might get jealous!”
Laughter bubbled from Phil’s lips. “That’s okay! He can join us,” he explained, wedging the soft toy between them.
Tommy smiled. Now Henry was a part of the hug, and they were a big happy family. Without Wil and Techno, but they could join in later.
Tommy’s heart swelled at the idea.