If We Fall Again

Chapter 8

The weekend came quickly. Elise spent the morning cleaning the house and preparing snacks for Noah. She’d even picked up a few toys and set up a cartoon movie to keep him entertained. The knock at her door startled her from her last-minute preparations.

She opened the door with a smile, expecting Julie, but to her surprise, it was Nate and Noah standing there. "Where’s Julie?" Elise asked, glancing behind them.

"She couldn’t make it," Nate said, his voice low. "It’s just us."

Noah, ever the energetic one, bounced into the house before Elise could react. "Whoa! Your house is like one of those haunted mansions but way cleaner!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement as he looked around.

Elise laughed at his enthusiasm. "Well, no ghosts here, I promise."

Nate stepped in more slowly, looking awkward as he stood by the entrance. "Sorry it's just me," he muttered.

Elise waved him off, smiling. "It’s fine. Really. And you don’t have to be so... tense. I’m just happy Noah likes spending time here." She glanced at Noah, who was already checking out the toys she had laid out. "I guess that means I’m doing something right."

Nate gave a small nod, his expression softening slightly. "Noah tends to get attached quickly to people he likes."

"I’m glad I made the list then," Elise said with a grin, watching Noah excitedly pick a toy car.

They settled in the living room, with Elise putting on the cartoon she had prepared. Noah sat between them, talking non-stop about his favorite movies and toys.

"This one’s my favorite!" Noah pointed at the screen as the opening credits played. "Dad likes it too, even though he pretends not to."

Elise glanced at Nate with an amused smirk. "Oh really? Didn’t peg you as a cartoon fan, Nate."

Nate, still serious, glanced at her and gave a tiny shrug. "Noah picks what we watch."

Noah giggled, his eyes bright. "Dad just pretends not to like it, but he always watches with me."

Elise chuckled, enjoying Noah’s company. The kid was definitely a ball of energy, and she found herself feeling completely at ease with him around.

As the movie played, Noah kept talking, explaining every scene in detail while Elise nodded along. Nate, on the other hand, stayed quiet, though she noticed how he smiled faintly at his son’s excitement.

After a while, Noah turned to Elise. "Hey, Elise! Can you come to my birthday party next week?"

Elise smiled warmly. "I’d love to, but I’ll have to see if I’m working that day."

Noah’s face fell slightly, and he turned to his dad, tugging on his sleeve. "Dad, you have to make sure Elise can come!"

Nate looked a bit taken aback by his son’s insistence but nodded reluctantly. "I’ll see what I can do."

Satisfied, Noah beamed and turned his attention back to the movie. Elise tried to hide her smile, finding the whole interaction amusing.

When the movie ended, Elise got up to offer them some food. "I made some snacks. You guys hungry?"

Noah’s eyes lit up. "Yes! Dad, can we eat?"

Nate, still looking serious but willing to oblige, nodded. "Sure."

They moved to the dining area, and Noah immediately started talking again, telling Elise about all the things he wanted for his birthday. "And we’re going to have cake! A big one!" he said excitedly, holding out his arms to demonstrate the size.