Falling In Love

VI. Amias's Daddy

Chapter Six...Amias's Daddy

I watched as Demi, with her playful energy, compared Amias to me. "You know Charm's little boy, Amias, reminds me of you. The friendliness, hyperness, and that goofy cute smile."

That smile—yeah, I'd like to think I had something to do with that. I grinned at her, the warmth spreading through me as I thought about how even without spending much time together, Amias seemed to have picked up some of my mannerisms. It's funny how kids can do that, almost like they inherit bits and pieces of their parents' souls.

Just then, Jeyce walked in, cradling Amias in his arms. "Daddy!" Amias exclaimed, flailing his arms with an enthusiasm that made everyone stop and look. I swear, my heart skipped a beat.

You know, there's something surreal about being called "Daddy." It's a word that carries so much weight, yet it rolls off the tongue so easily, especially when it's coming from a little voice like Amias's.

Jeyce's smirk turned into a full-on grin as he handed Amias over to me, and I nestled him against my shoulder, feeling the warmth radiate from his small body.

"Amias, you haven't been giving your big brother a hard time, have you?" I asked, teasingly.

He just giggled, burying his head against me, making it hard to keep a straight face. Then, I turned to Jeyce, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Y'all have fun eating all that junk food?"

"Yeah, but Charm said if we let Amias eat any more candy, then he has to stay with us," Jeyce replied, his tone light, the playful nature of siblings shining through.

"Go get him some more candy," I said, laughing.

There was something about these moments, about the silly little traditions we created as a family, that filled my heart to the brim. Jeyce dashed off, a spring in his step as he made his way toward the snack table.

"Am I missing something?" Luis asked, eyebrows raised, a little puzzled by the dynamic unfolding before him.

"Yeah, Amias is my son. Long story, maybe one day I'll tell y'all all about it, but for now, say hi to your nephew," I said, feeling a swell of pride.

Amias snuggled close and rested his head against my shoulder, his small hand clutching my shirt.

"Wow, seeing you two together, the resemblance is astonishing," Demi remarked, her eyes sparkling as she watched the scene unfold.

"Daddy, I want juice," Amias chimed in, his voice sweet and innocent.

It was like a little siren call that made my heart melt. "Okay, buddy, we'll get you some juice once your brother comes back," I promised, knowing how important it was to keep the little guy happy.

"This one has you wrapped around his finger, doesn't he?" Luis teased, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, clearly amused by my fatherly instincts.

"Listen, all my sons do, but this one has that extra cuteness that could make me rob a bank to give him the world," I replied, half-joking.

The truth was, I would do anything for Amias. The love I felt for him was a fierce kind of protective energy.

"Does Charm have that same effect on you?" Demi wiggled her eyebrows, and I couldn't help but smirk at the playful jab.

"We're just co-parenting," I replied, keeping it light.

"Sounds like you want more," Demi teased, and I felt a warmth creep up my neck. Was it that obvious?

Before I could respond, Jeyce returned, a handful of candy in each hand, eyes wide with excitement. "Look what I got!" He held them up triumphantly, and Amias's eyes lit up as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.

"Juice first, then candy," I said, trying to maintain some semblance of parental control.

Amias looked at me, his expression a mix of betrayal and hope, but I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Okay, but only a little!" I added, knowing full well that a few pieces wouldn't hurt.

We headed over to the refreshment table, and I grabbed a small cup of juice, watching as Amias bounced in anticipation. His energy was infectious. As he drank, I could see the little bits of juice dribbling down his chin, and it took all my willpower not to laugh.

"Dude, you look like you just got out of a juice fight," I joked, wiping the remnants off his chin with my thumb.

"Juice fight!" Amias repeated, giggling, and I knew right then that he had stolen my heart completely.

"Hey, maybe we should do that sometime," I suggested, throwing a glance at Jeyce, who raised an eyebrow, half-serious, half-amused.

"Just make sure it's outside. Wouldn't like that mess in the house," he replied, shaking his head, but I could tell he was on board with the idea.

As I watched them interact, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. These were the moments that made everything worthwhile—the chaos, the misunderstandings, the challenges. Every laugh, and every joyful exclamation from Amias, reminded me why I fought so hard for family.

"Do you ever think about what it'll be like when he's older?" Demi asked, leaning against the table, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"Honestly? All the time," I admitted, feeling a strange blend of excitement and anxiety at the thought. "I just hope I can be the kind of dad they need."

"You're already doing great, you know that?" she said, her tone encouraging. It was nice to hear, especially coming from someone who had been around to see the evolution of my journey as a father.

Amias suddenly tugged on my shirt, pulling me down to his level. "Daddy, I want to go play!" he announced, his face alight with eagerness.

"Okay, little man, let's go find something fun to do," I replied, lifting him onto my hip.

The world felt lighter, and I could see the other kids running around, laughter echoing through the air.

As we stepped into the chaos of the play area, I couldn't help but feel grateful. I watched Amias run off, laughing with his brother, and I felt the warmth of family wrap around me. It was a beautiful mess, one that I wouldn't trade for anything.

"Hey, Josh!" I turned to see Luis calling from the side. "You coming over to play too?"

"Maybe in a bit," I said, glancing back at my sons. "Right now, I just want to soak this in."

Demi smiled, and I could see the understanding in her eyes. Sometimes, it wasn't about doing it all perfectly; it was about being present and cherishing the little moments that make life worthwhile.

In that instant, with laughter surrounding us and Amias beaming with joy, I realized I was living a life filled with love—messy, chaotic, but so, so beautiful.