Fairy Tale of New Lawke (NaNoWriMo)

Chapter 30 - Adaline

Ethan had grown so much in the four and a half months since Adaline and Elliot left the hospital. She sat at the dining table watching him bounce in his chair watching her as she tapped her pen on a piece of paper. Elliot sat to her right head down doing the same. It was a tradition Dottie had shared with Adaline. A letter to your child to be opened when they turned eighteen. Mary and Dean had already written theirs, Joshua and Bonnielola scrawling their own letters with big pictures of people they claimed were their family.  She didn't know what she wanted to write.

She thought of her own letter, tucked away in a shoebox at the bottom of her wardrobe. It contained her mother's hopes and dreams for her in beautiful cursive writing that Adaline envied. From the corner of her eye she watched Elliot scrawl on the paper, tongue poking out in concentration. She tried to peek but his arm wrapped protectively around the paper.
"Nuh uh, you focus on your own woman," he smirked.

Closing her eyes she thought. What did she want her son to know? What did she want him to achieve? Bringing pen to paper, she began to write.

My sweet, darling Ethan,

If you're reading this it means you're finally eighteen. Happy birthday my darling son.

Meeting you has been the biggest blessing I've had. In a single moment you wrapped my heart in your tiny fingers. It is yours to keep. You've not had an easy life so far and for that I'm so sorry. Your father and I fight every day to make sure you have all you need and are happy. That's all we ever want for you. Eternal happiness. No matter what job you go for, who you date or what you wear. Your father and I only want what is best for you and what makes you smile the brightest. Though, right now I do wish you'd let us sleep a little more.

You've no doubt read your other letters. I hope you can appreciate the drawings Bonnielola and Joshua made for you. I think they're pretty good for a three and six year old. You really are so very loved. None of us can imagine a life without you now.

There's one letter I wish was in your pile, your amazing grandmother Dottie. If she were here you'd have at least three pages from her and she'd be demanding you read it first. Aloud. She would have absolutely adored you, just as I know you would have her. My only wish in life is that I've been as good a mother to you as she was to me.

As I write this, you sit beside me babbling loud and clear to anyone who will listen. You've defied everything the doctors thought possible and your father and I couldn't be prouder. I know without a shadow of a doubt that you have become a wonderful young man and I'm so truly grateful to have you in our lives.

As I end this letter to you, I want you to know that I wish you the strength to face challenges with confidence. Along with the wisdom to choose your battles carefully. I wish you adventure on your journey and hope you'll remain safe. I hope you help those who need it as I would expect others to help you. I hope you always listen to your heart and take risks, though I pray you do this with caution. And most importantly I want you to always know you are loved and that I am so very very proud of the man who stands reading this letter.

All of my love.
Forever and for always.
Mum xx

Placing the pen down, Adaline stretched her fingers. Elliot carefully folded his letter, placed it in an envelope and licked it closed grimacing at the taste before reaching for their son. Gathering the letters Adaline stored them in a green folder she'd purchased especially for this occasion. It would remain in her bedside table, always to hand should there ever be a fire or flood. She watched as Elliot bounced from foot to foot singing to Ethan who cooed loudly up at him. She loved watching the two of them go about their day as though no one else existed.

It was just the three of them, Bonnielola with her mother until the weekend. Exhausted from Ethan's sleep regression, neither of them felt much like cooking and so had ordered a pizza. Adaline jiggled Ethan on her leg as she ate a slice, mozzarella stringing down her chin. Ethan's mouth opened and closed as he watched her intently.
"Not for you sweetheart, you're too little," she cooed. His face became red and contorted as he screamed and cried loudly. Dropping the pizza slice into the box Adaline fumbled for a bottle of formula. Teat in his mouth, Ethan silenced instantly.

She smiled as Elliot held her pizza to her mouth as he had done every mealtime since Ethan had come home. She couldn't deny how much she relied on his support. Nor could she deny how amazing he was as a father. Whilst other dads refused to change nappies, Elliot sung to their son laughing any time pee sprayed his chest. He made sure Adaline napped if she'd been up all night, taking care of Ethan so she could recuperate. She'd tried to coax him out of the house, to get him to have a lad's night with Dean or one of his friends but he refused.
"I'd rather cuddle up with you and watch a movie," he had said pulling her in for a kiss.

Ethan slept soundly in his Moses basket, baby monitor on. Adaline curled next to Elliot, the receiver end of the baby monitor in her hand. Vin Diesal and Paul Walker chatted amongst themselves on the television screen, Elliot having chosen the original Fast and Furious. Though she wouldn't admit it aloud, Adaline secretly loved the film. For the plot of course. The plot being a group of handsome men fiddling with cars. Elliot often teased her about her lust for male actors, pretending to be distraught that the dad body he was developing couldn't possibly match up to the ripped men she ogled on screen. Every time she would seat him and tell him he was her cover up until they swept her off her feet. And every time their taunting would become play fighting until they became a tangle of limbs breathless and naked on the sofa enjoying the short lived peace until Ethan screamed for their attention.

Elliot had managed to sleep through the entire movie and it's sequel before he demanding a feed.
"My turn," Elliot sighed before trudging up the stairs. His footsteps descended the hall until he reached their bedroom. The crying ceased. Closing her eyes Adaline listened to Elliot sing through the baby monitor.
"You are my sunshine,"
Whispering to herself Adaline sung along. If she tried hard enough, she could see Elliot swaying to and fro as he sang, Ethan drinking hungrily staring back at Elliot with his large brown eyes. His father's eyes.

Exhausted, Elliot still upstairs tending to Ethan, Adaline made her own way to bed. She stood at the doorway saying nothing as Elliot gently placed the sleeping Ethan back into his Moses basket. He turned and smiled.
"You ready for bed?"
Adaline nodded, yawning loudly as she pulled back the covers.
"You mind if I stay up a bit longer? I'm not that tired yet,"
"No of course not. Come to bed when you're ready,"
She watched him flick the light off and close the door leaving her in the blackness of the night. Dropping her head against the pillow she smiled into the darkness. Yes she really was lucky. She calculated that  she had roughly four hours before Ethan would wake again. Sleep came easily, her body completely drained of energy.