Shattered

Happy Birthday Ethan

The flight back home has been relaxing. And now here we are going back to my house. I somehow convinced Gem to come spend the weekend with me.

I must admit that I've never enjoyed being at Paris as much I did this time.

I walk into the home with a smile while pushing our bags in. Gem is also all smiles.

Charlotte and Mom are waiting by the door. I glance at the little watch on my wrist, eleven am.

Ethan's bubble bath time.

I have to admit that I never really thought about having kids and everything. But I rather enjoy having Ethan here, the thousand baths. The million snack times.

The 'he shouldn't eat too much sout food's to 'dont give him sugar in the morning" I love it, I love learning.

I give the bags to Charlotte.

"Where's Gemma?" She asks. I stare at the car.

"Shes sleeping ." I say and from my perpetual vision,  I see mom smiling.

I walk back to the car and I carry her in my arms. She is not that heavy. There is light snoring coming from her slightly parted lips.

Shes absolutely beautiful.  I realise that I've been standing here, staring at her and mom and Charlotte probably saw.

I take her upstairs, to my room. As I lay her on the bed, I'm careful not to wake her. She needs the rest after I made her walk around Paris.

I kiss her on the forehead.

I dont know what this feeling is , but I want to act on it. To kiss her forehead like that all the time. Out of impulse.

"I'm not asleep." She surprises me by saying.

"Oh? Then why'd you let me carry you?" I ask smiling at her. I plop next to her.

"Who would pass on a free ride?" She asks. And we both laugh.

"I'll be downstairs, you get your rest." I say patting her shoulder.

"Thank you Nate, for Paris." She says.

I nod and walk out.

Downstairs in the ballroom, there are a bunch of things that need to be set up for Ethan's surprise party. So I get right on with it.

I'm not the best at decorating but I attempt my best. When I stalk a little backwards. Im proud of my work.

"Nate the kids we invited are here." Mom says.

Charlotte got the bright idea to invite some of the orphans that are Ethans age, who would also be getting some things .

"Bring them in here to hide." I usher.

Soon the entire place is set up. I tip toe over to Ethan's room and I find Gemma brushing his hair.

"So mommy, am I ever going to go back and live with uncle Jeremy?" He asks.

"No baby, I'm going to get a house then we're going to be far away from your dad." She says.

"But I dont want to be away from Nate." He says. My heart warms.

"No honey, I mean your real dad." I hear her say.

"But uncle Jeremy is bad guy. He does bad things." He says.

"Your dad... your dad is a great man, he just made poor decisions." She says. I could hear her fighting the lump in her throat.

I turn and walk to Charlotte's room to call them.

"Its time guys." I tell them and they're all in the great room.

I text Gemma to bring him and she says okay.

"When he comes in we yell surprise . You got it?" I ask the kids and the all nod.

True to their word, Ethan walks in and they yell the word.

"Surprise!!!" We all say.

He jumps up and down.

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Look, spiderman!" He says pointing at all the decorations.

He runs and plays with the kids. Especially the little blond haired girl Natalia.

"This looks great. Tell Charlotte she did a great job." She says plopping next to me on the kitchen island.

"I did it." I say and she smiles.

"Thank you Nate." She says again.

Soon we sing happy birthday and eat the cake. Charlotte drives the little kids back and mom has to go to her bakery.

"That cake was delicious Mrs Hart." Gem says as she leaves.

"So what do you usually do for his birthday?" I ask.

"Well nothing much, I buy a cupcake and out a candle on it. We sing for him, he blows it and he eats it.

Then I give him his gift, I get to watch that priceless moment when a gorgeous smile spreads across his face when he sees that it's something he always wanted. Then I head to work and him to his daycare." She says smiling at her reminiscences.

"Okay, get your shoes." Is all I say.

"Ethan!" I yell.

He comes charging into the room.

"We're going out come on." I tell him and smiles.

We all huddle in my car as we drive to a little market just of 6th.

"Are we there yet?" He screams from the back.

"Mommy? Are we there?" He asks Gem.

"Baby, I dont know where he's taking us." She says chuckling.

"What if his kimaping us mum?" He asks.

"Kidnapping? No baby, he wouldnt do that. Would he?" She directs the last question to me.

"I'm kimaping you." I say mimicking Ethan. Both of them break into playful screams, I laugh.

I park the car. The short Mexican man behind the little kiosk .

"Okay. Berto, can I have three tacos." I ask the man.

"Nathan, I havent seen you in months. And who is this lady?" He asks.

"I'm Gemima." She says smiling at him. He nods.

"I like this one. She's not like the rude miss. Would you like it spicy as usual?" He asks adding a sauce.

"Yes. I dont know if the lady would like it spicy as well. " I say . She nods.

"Yea, I can speak for myself. I'd like it extra spicy." She says to the man.

Berti laughs so loud.

We stand there watching Ethan dance around.

Two old women pass by and coo.

"What a beautiful family. Its good to know that love still exists." One says. The other nods in agreement .

"Oh we are not-" Gem begins.

"This is my mommy and this is my daddy." He says holding my hand.

"Your food ." Berto says saving us from having to answer to the child's words.

"Thank you." We all say.

As we eat the tacos. Gem moans. I'd be lying if I say it doesnt turn me on.

She doesnt know but I switched her extra spicy one with mine. Its killing me right now, but it's worth it.

"See I told you I cold eat it, its not that spicy anyway." She says smiling.

"You'd think you know." I say laugh.

Ethan sits ontop of me and snuggles in my arms . I realise that he's fallen asleep.