Absence

1

Have you ever heard of the parental 6th sense? That gut feeling that something is wrong, and you don't know what, but something is definitely wrong? Kinda like your stomach dropping on a roller coaster? Yeah, well, as stood at the island of the kitchen preparing dinner, I got that feeling.

"Paxton?" I asked, even though my 3 year old would not answer me, walking towards the play pen where my son had been playing. When it came into view, a sudden rush of panic washed over me. "Paxton!" I called out louder this time,  rushing around the kitchen looking for the sight of him. As I passed by the pantry, I caught sight of a powdery mess on the floor, and in the midst of it, sat my son.

"Paxton Woods!" I scolded the baby, picking him up out of the mess of flower. He gave me a look representing a smirk almost, as if it say 'you caught me, but what are you gonna do about it?'

"You almost gave me a heart attack! You cannot do that to me,  pumpkin." I said kissing his flowery, soft, brown hair that resembled mine uncannily.

"I sorry daddy" he said giving me the puppy eyes... This kid knows all the strings too pull too make my heart melt.

"I know pumpkin but you made such a big mess. I have to give you a bath now, but you'll have to wait till I clean up the mess. Don't even try and leave the play pen because I'll find you, ya little punk.'' I said with a sigh.

He let out a long , dramatic, sigh and flopped down on my shoulder. "No daddy!" He whined which turned into a pout.

"This is your own fault, little man. It will only be two minutes or so, then daddy will come get you and give you a bath, okay? I asked.

"Otay!" He said with a  smile as I sat him back into his play pen.

I smiled at his toddlers language before, going to go clean up his mess. He's a messy boy just like his other dad, -who's name shall not be mentioned-. Thankfully, he had my hair, nose and face shape. Except his crystal blue eyes are a trait from the other.I heard the song of my phone go off as I dumped the last bit of flower into the trash can.

"Dadaaaaa!!" Pax cried, hearing the timer go off.

"Im coming pumpkin!" I called out to the baby, making my way over to his playpen.

I dusted my hands off, getting rid of the flowery mess as he began to cheer when he saw me. He lifted his arms up motioning for me to pick him up, and I did, resting him on my hip.

"Hi baby, lets go take that bath I promised you!" I smiled, tickling his belly.

"Otay!!" He giggled, as I continued my way upstairs.

I walked into the bathroom, careful not to get any flour on the bath rug as I attempted to dust some of it off his clothes. "Mosic!" He started to chant, pointing towards the small radio that was sat on the counter. 

"One minute, Pax. I'll turn it on once we get you in the bath." I said, pulling off his messy shirt.

"Otay." He said once again as I continued to undress him. I grabbed a couple of his toys from his little bin hanging from the door before checking the water, making sure it was a perfect temperature for him, before sitting him down in the bath.

He let out a giggle as the warm water hit his powdery skin. I did as I promised the toddler and turned around to turn the radio on before rolling back my sleeves, preparing to wash his hair when that song began to play. It was the song that was written about me. I couldn't help roll my eyes at the disgustingly catchy tune as I continued to bathe my son.

"And the way their green eyes just light up the room," I heard Luke sing softly to the strum of a guitar.

"It's nothing i've ever seen before-" I heard Casper sing. "so baby take my hand and we'll keep dancing."