The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

Chapter 24: Legally

Zayn had been looking forward to this day. He had planned to take Arlo to the local gymnastics center, where he would sign him up for classes. Arlo had been bursting with excitement, jumping around the house and telling everyone that would listen that he was going to be a nastics.

As Zayn parked the car and unbuckled Arlo from his car seat, he couldn't help but smile at his son's enthusiasm.

"Come on, buddy," Zayn said, holding Arlo's tiny hand as they walked towards the gym entrance. "Today's the day you become a little gymnast."

Arlo giggled, his eyes shining with joy. "Gonna flip, Baba!"

Zayn giggled to himself at how cute and smart his son was.

Inside the gym, the sounds of children laughing and the rhythmic thumping of feet on mats filled the air. Zayn approached the registration desk, where a kind-looking woman greeted them.

"Hello! How can I help you today?" she asked with a warm smile.

"We're here to sign up Arlo Styles for gymnastics," Zayn replied, lifting Arlo so he could see over the counter.

"Wonderful! I'll just need his shot records and a sign-off by his legal parent or guardian," the woman said, her fingers poised over the keyboard.

Zayn felt his stomach drop. "I'm his father, but I don't have access to those documents," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

The woman's smile faltered. "I'm sorry, but we need the documentation to complete his registration."

Zayn's heart sank. Harry was out for the day with Anne and Gemma, enjoying a well-deserved break. He had no way to get the necessary paperwork without him. "Is there any way we can get started today and bring the paperwork later?"

The woman shook her head apologetically. "I'm really sorry, but we have to follow the rules. Once you have the documents, we'd be happy to register Arlo."

Arlo, sensing the change in the mood, tugged on Zayn's sleeve. "Baba, I want flips," he said, his voice trembling.

Zayn knelt down to Arlo's level, trying to keep his own disappointment in check. "We will, buddy. Just not today. We need to get some papers first."

"But I want flips!" Arlo's eyes filled with tears, and his bottom lip quivered.

Zayn picked him up, holding him close. "I know, little man. I know. Let's go home and we'll figure it out, okay?"

As they left the gym, Zayn's mind raced. He knew how much this meant to Arlo, and it broke his heart to see his son so upset. But there was nothing he could do right now. The rules were the rules, and without Harry, they couldn't move forward.

———

The drive home was filled with Arlo's quiet sniffles and Zayn's attempts to comfort him. Once they arrived, Zayn hoped a distraction would help, but Arlo's disappointment was too deep. The little boy's tantrum began as soon as they walked through the door.

"No! Flips baba!" Arlo screamed, kicking his little legs and flailing his arms.

Zayn tried to calm him, but nothing worked. He had never seen Arlo this upset. "Arlo, we can't do it today. We'll go back soon, I promise."

But Arlo was inconsolable. He screamed and cried, his face red with frustration. Zayn had to put him in the thinking corner, something he rarely did. "Stay here for a bit, okay? Think about calming down."

Not convinced himself that Arlo would calm down but it was worth a shot.

Zayn felt his heart breaking as he watched Arlo's little shoulders shake with sobs. He hated seeing his son so upset, and it pained him to enforce the thinking corner. He wanted to scoop him up and make everything better, but he knew Arlo needed to calm down first.