Someone To Stay [bxb]

Chapter 55

                  
                  Nathaniel

" Come on , dad!" Tobias yells out as he runs out of the  sliding door in the backyard with bare feet, still in his pyjamas.

I follow, my body walking with exhaustion from last night's party . After the kids went to bed, most of us stayed up late talking about random stuff . Even Cam joined us , which is a surprise. That guy is always working his ass off to afford Summer's luxurious life she can't get over .

" Look , they have grown like me!" Tobias stops by the small garden him  and I have built to admire the flowers we have planted a few weeks back .

I smile fondly at his glimmering eyes full of nothing but pride . " They are so beautiful" I add, taking the spot besides him .

The wet grass under my bare feet making me shiver a little. It's still a little cold outside, it's 6AM in the morning and this little guy here, woke us up because he wanted to check on the flowers . I mean, I really appreciate him caring but at this time of the morning? I don't think so . However seeing him point out the flowers, giving them names and glancing at me do very often with joy in his eyes is enough to say, waking up this early was definitely worth it .

***

" Dad .." Tobias takes hold of my hand and his eyes look up at me, suddenly full of curiosity. " What is a freak?" .

" Where did you hear that word?" That is my first automatic reply.  Tobias looks at the ground then back at me .

" The kids at school...they say daddy is a freak . " He murmurs. My jaw clenches. I always knew the bullying would start but why do I feel so powerless? I don't know how many times we had to change schools because of this. 

I lead Tobias to the porch, taking me in my arms as we stare at the emerging sun behind the mountains.  " Do you remember when I told you that daddy is different? "

" Yeah ." He nods  

" Well, it means he can do what other mothers can do . Like have babies even though he's a man . Do you understand that?"

" Like swallow babies?" Tobias looks up at me with a terrified expression. I try not to laugh at how cute he looks .

" Something like that . And it is believed that only grown up women can do that.  So your father proved them wrong and now that he has given birth to you . They call him a 'freak ' because he's different, unique like you ."

" So I'm a freak too?"

" Oh nooo, I don't mean like that . I mean, you are different from those assholes at school. " I mumble. I earn a small giggle from him . " Don't tell your daddy that I cursed in front of you . Our own little secret, okay?" I place my finger over my mouth .

" Shhhhhh..." Tobias whispers with a grin on his face. 

" Even if he gives you lots and lots of ice cream." I tell him . He happily nods although I know that he's bad at keeping secrets. 

We both go back to watching the sunset. A nagging feeling starts to stir in my heart and I wish I could push it away but I can't . I hold Tobias protectively to me. Wishing I could hold him like this until he's a man. Shield him from the cruelty of young kids, the constant bullying and more importantly, Tyron . Who's the top of my worries.

" There you two are!" Lucas throws his arms around me, placing a kiss over Tobias'forehead. 

" Slept okay?" I glance over him with a hint of a smile .

" Better than most days. " He sighs . We both know why. We have been stressing over the party being perfect and now that it's finally over, we can have some peace of mind. 

" Can I open my presents now?" Tobias turns on my lap so he's looking at me and Lucas .

" Sure but--" he's already running in the house before Lucas can finish talking. I just chuckle at how excited he is .

" I guess he was dying to finally open them" I say to Lucas . Taking him by his hand so he could take Tobias' spot on my lap .

" You should have seen him yesterday. " Lucas shakes his head with a chortle . Last night was pretty hectic especially after the cake was cut and everything . Tobias was running all over the place . He was up till past his bedtime because of the sugar rush  .

" You looked rather upset last night . What happened with your mother?" I grab hold of his warm hands into my cold ones.  He simply looks at our joined hands .

" Joshua told you?" He asks . I hum in agreement. " Well, she gave me my father's address and said goodbye. "

" Goodbye?" I purse my lips . Wondering why his mother will come all this way for that only.

" Yeah, I guess she's no longer coming back. I don't know. " He leans on my chest , his head laying over my shoulder. " I just wish it didn't have to be like this . I always thought that someday she will realise her mistakes and fix our relationship, you know?"

" I understand." I rub his back gently.  He stuffs his face over my neck and starts to cry silently.  I smoothly rub his back, not saying anything . What's there to say? Even though I grew up without my biological mother. Mrs. Kevens stood up and made sure that I never felt left out . She became the best mother to me . Lucas will never have that, the worst part is, his mother is still alive .

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