Dad's Club

Stray Children

I wish I could think of a meaningful dedication but I can't...

Wednesday mornings were always hard. Chris was almost always gone before I woke up, leaving me to get the house ready to be invaded by the five hooligan girls he called children.

I scrunched up my nose in distaste.

All they did was tear up the spare bedrooms and make my precious Coraline cry.

Sabrina should have never been allowed to keep them, she's turned them all into a lot of brats who demand to be waited on hand and foot.

I placed a hand on my bloated stomach with a sigh, remembering when I was pregnant with Coraline.

Back then I'd imagined a man like Chris would never even consider me in a serious relationship. He was the head of an up and coming production agency with an award winning film already under his belt. The man was married and had a child, but that hadn't stopped him from fucking every actress he deemed worthy.

I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I suppose, to get a taste of what his wife was taking for granted.

It never mattered how much attention I gave him, or that I cared about more than just his fame. Chris had only turned to me because I was convenient.

I watched him chase after Sabrina knowing I had his child in my womb.

"Mommy, I need help!"

Graham's squealing brought me back to reality, and I quickly rolled out of bed to see what was the matter.

I waddled as fast as I could down the hallway and up the stairs to my son's room, praying that I wouldn't have to call the ambulance.

Pushing open his bright red bedroom door, I let out a relieved sigh and went to sit next to Graham on his bed.

The four year old was only wearing his underwear, clutching his favorite stuffed puppy dog to his chest with a pout in his tired face.

I rubbed a hand on his bare back with a chuckle. "Baby, where are your jammies?" Graham scowled. "Daddy doesn't wear jammies."

Here we go again.

"Baby, you're going to freeze if you don't at least put some pants on." He shook his head, and I pinched my nose in irritation. "What did you need help with, my stubborn child?"

Graham leaned over so he was laying on top of my bump. "I lost my blankie, Mommy. The monsters took it." He pointed under his bed with a trembling finger, and I kissed his cheek with a hum.

"If I grab your blankie and get rid of the monsters will you put your jammies on?"

He huffed, but we struck a deal, and I got down on my knees to retrieve his precious blanket.

Graham smiled when he got it back, and I helped him back into his spiderman pajamas. He pouted, but his pout faded as soon as I scooped him up and tickled his teeny belly.

"You wanna come help me make breakfast?" Graham nodded and glued himself to my hip as I exited his bedroom. I bit my lip, knowing I shouldn't be carrying his extra weight, but I didn't dare let his little feet touch the ground. I couldn't bare to see my baby cry.

He hugged his little arms around my neck and I smiled. "Can we make pancakes, Mommy?" I nodded and sat him down on the counter to grab everything for breakfast.

"Can you help me stir, baby?" I held his hand on the spoon and helped him stir together everything for the batter.

He started singing while he stirred, and the sound of his tiny voice made me smile. He was the miniature version of his father in every way.