Parents.. with different treatment

Daddy can we get that bear?

It was a typical Saturday afternoon, and the mall was buzzing with families enjoying the weekend. Colby, Valerie, Xander, and Xavier were out for a family day, something they hadn't done in a while. Colby was pushing the stroller while Xavier, filled with excitement, kept pointing at the store windows as they passed by.

"Daddy, I want that!" Xavier exclaimed as they walked by a toy store, his little finger pressed against the glass, staring longingly at a large, expensive race car set.

Colby chuckled, amused by Xavier's enthusiasm. "Alright, buddy, let's go take a look," he said, pushing the stroller toward the entrance.

Xander, walking beside Valerie, quietly observed the exchange. He wasn't one to ask for much—he often got overwhelmed by the noise and chaos in the mall—but he didn't mind watching his brother's excitement. Still, there was a small part of him that wished for something special, too.

Inside the store, Colby and Xavier spent a good ten minutes looking at toys before Colby finally gave in and bought the race car set. It was expensive, but Xavier's joy was contagious, and Colby loved seeing his younger son's face light up.

As they continued walking, Xavier pointed to more stores, each time asking for something new—a truck, a puzzle, a stuffed animal. Each time, Colby gave in without much hesitation, filling the stroller with toys.

Xander walked alongside them, still quiet, holding Valerie's hand. He didn't ask for anything, even though he occasionally glanced at the displays with some interest. He had always been more reserved, preferring to watch and wait rather than speak up. His ADHD made it hard for him to express himself when he really wanted something, especially when he saw how easily Xavier got whatever he asked for.

Eventually, they passed by the Build-A-Bear Workshop, and for the first time that day, Xander tugged on Valerie's hand and stopped in front of the store.

"Mommy... Can I get a bear?" he asked softly, his voice almost drowned out by the mall noise.

Valerie looked down at him, surprised. Xander rarely asked for anything, and she knew how much it took for him to speak up, especially in a public place like this.

She smiled warmly, kneeling down to his level. "Of course, sweetie. Let's go ask Daddy, okay?"

Xander nodded, feeling a little hopeful. He held her hand tightly as they walked over to where Colby was standing with Xavier, who was now playing with one of his new toys.

"Hey, Colby," Valerie began gently. "Xander would really like to get a bear from Build-A-Bear. Do you think we can get one for him?"

Colby glanced down at Xander, who was looking up at him with wide, expectant eyes. But Colby, already feeling like he had spent too much money that day, frowned.

"We've already bought a lot of toys today," Colby said, sounding a little exasperated. "I don't think we need to get another one right now."

Xander's heart sank. He had watched Xavier get toy after toy without saying a word, but the one time he finally asked for something—something small, something he really wanted—his dad said no.

"But Daddy, I didn't ask for anything else," Xander said, his voice barely above a whisper, but the sadness was evident in his tone.

Colby, still focused on Xavier and trying to keep the day moving, didn't notice the depth of Xander's disappointment. "I know, Xander, but we can't get everything we see. Maybe another time."

Xander's eyes filled with tears, but he quickly blinked them back, not wanting to cry in front of his dad. He dropped his gaze to the floor, his small shoulders slumping. All he had wanted was a bear—a simple, soft bear to hold, to feel like he was special too, like his brother.

Valerie, sensing Xander's hurt, knelt down again, pulling him close to her. "Hey, it's okay, Xander. We can come back another time for the bear, okay?"

But Xander didn't say anything. He just nodded quietly, feeling the weight of the rejection in his chest. It wasn't just about the bear—it was about being noticed, about feeling like he mattered as much as Xavier.

As they continued walking through the mall, Xander stayed unusually silent. Valerie noticed how he kept his distance, no longer holding her hand, and how his eyes stayed downcast, never meeting anyone's gaze.

It wasn't until they were nearing the exit that Colby finally picked up on the shift in Xander's mood. Glancing down, he saw his son trailing behind, his little face still looking hurt. Colby suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He had been so caught up in keeping Xavier entertained and happy that he hadn't realized how much Xander had been left out.

"Hey, Xander," Colby called softly, stopping and kneeling down to his level. "Come here, buddy."

Xander hesitated for a moment but eventually walked over, though he still didn't look up.

Colby gently placed his hands on Xander's shoulders. "I'm sorry, buddy. I didn't mean to make you feel like you weren't important. You're just as special as Xavier, okay? I should've listened when you asked for the bear."

Xander finally looked up, his eyes filled with sadness and a quiet longing for reassurance.

"I just... I really wanted the bear," Xander mumbled.

Colby's heart broke a little hearing the vulnerability in his son's voice. "I know, and you should've gotten it. How about we go back right now, and you can pick out any bear you want?"

Xander's face brightened slightly, but he hesitated, unsure if his dad really meant it.

"Really?" Xander asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Colby smiled softly, nodding. "Really, buddy. Let's go."

Valerie watched as Colby took Xander's hand, and together they walked back toward the Build-A-Bear Workshop. She could see how much Xander needed this moment, not just for the bear, but for the validation that he was important, too.

As they stepped into the store, Xander's eyes lit up, and for the first time that day, he seemed truly happy. He carefully picked out a soft brown bear, and Colby helped him stuff it, choosing a special heart to place inside.

When they were done, Xander hugged the bear tightly, a small but genuine smile spreading across his face.

Colby knelt down beside him once more, giving him a gentle hug. "I love you, Xander. You're my big boy, and you deserve good things too, okay?"

Xander nodded, hugging both his dad and his new bear. Finally, he felt seen, and that was all he had wanted all along.