Human

Chapter Four: The Season of Giving

The Season of Giving

I kissed the top of Geoffreys' head before turning and exiting the room as quickly and quietly as I could. A small grin played on my face as I made my way down to the kitchen, finding the smell of cinnamon floating in the air. Entering the small room, I spotted Charlie by the coffee pot with two cups in front of him and a bottle of cinnamon to the side.

"Morning, dad," I said, shuffling the yawn that wanted to escape me.

"Morning, Lilies." He said, giving me a quick one arm hug before pulling back. "Happy birthday."

I nodded, taking the cup so that the warm liquid could wake me up.

Today was September thirteenth, mine and Bella's 18th birthday. Today marked the day we officially became adults and were allowed to do things we couldn't before. Not that it really stopped me even though it did with Bella.

Today also marked the two months mark since the accident happened. Two long months passed since Geoffrey lost his father and I became completely responsible for him. For those two months, I've struggled to find some safe routine that helped me figure out if I was doing the right thing.

"Your mom and I go you something." He said, seeing the curious look that appeared. "We knew you'd love it."

Nodding my head I took the packages out of his hand, my smile widening slightly.

"Let me guess, you and Renee decided to get me and Bella matching gifts this year?" I asked, finding a camera inside one package and a scrapbook in the other.

It wasn't hard to guess which one Charlie got me and which one Renee did.

"Sorry, kiddo." He said, looking at me.

I shook my head. "I love it, dad." I lied, hugging him. "Really, I do. Now I'll be able to take pictures of everyone with a valid reason and make better memories."

I couldn't blame my father for not realizing how much I've changed in the last few months. Even I wouldn't notice the change if I wasn't looking for it. With all the fake smiles that I was becoming rather good at and all the lying that even I was starting to fall for, of course, he wouldn't notice.

It just was impossible for him too.

"Good." He mumbled. "That's good that you like it then."

Nodding, I placed the two items in my bag. "Bella should be up shortly and I'm sure she'll love the gifts as well. Geoffrey is still asleep so when the babysitter gets here in," I glanced at the clock to see the time. "The next five to ten minutes, she'll just have to make him breakfast. I already laid the clothes out for him to wear today."

"Don't worry," Charlie said, patting my shoulder. "He'll be fine."

I nodded, knowing my dad was right.

"You've said that since I started my senior year. I can't help but worry." I said, glancing at the stairs. "What if something happens while I'm gone? What if he gets hurt? Or get's the flu?"

"Relax, hon. You'll only be gone a few hours and be right back before you know it. He'll be fine." He said, bringing my attention to him. "Geoffrey will survive the day. Now hurry, I know how you like to show up early."

I nodded, tightening my hand on the bag.

"Love you, dad." I said, biting my lip as I left the house.

Of course, I knew there was nothing to worry about. Nothing was going to happen to my son in those few hours that I was gone. He wasn't going to get kidnapped and sold on the black market or anything.