The Trap

Chapter 67

"Okay thank you so much, Hunter. Bye."

As Paula ended the call, Simon sat up in bed and kissed her cheek.

"Good morning, Si."

"Morning. Why did you let me sleep?"

"I couldn't justify waking you up yet. I knew you would just need attention and I had to call Hunter."

"Okay so what did he say?"

"He suggested that we spend some quality time with Josh and our immediate family. No one comes over for a week, not even Sydney, just you, me, and the kids. We need to get to know him and he needs to get to know us and to get used to us and um living here."

"I love that idea, love."

"Yeah me too! Let's go wake up the kids!"

During the following week, the family stayed home and bonded with their newest member. Josh was the missing puzzle piece to their family and he fit right in. Josh's new family taught him their names and after just a few days, he knew them. Even though he had a hard time saying their names, his siblings just smiled at him. His sisters were simply all known as 'ithy' and Dylan was either 'Dilwin' or 'brudda'.

Simon wanted to call his youngest son by his new name and he was fed up on waiting for Paula to make up her mind when she was ready to teach it to the little boy. So Simon took on the challenge all by himself. He waited for the four older kids to go out and play in the backyard so that he could have at least the living room to himself. He didn't have to worry about Paula either because she was working in her office. About twenty minutes later, she walked into the kitchen to get some water and before she disappeared upstairs again, something caught her eye.

"What's going on here?"

"Watch this, love. Okay ready to show Mummy, son?"

Joshua nodded with a huge grin on his face.

"All right, is your name Robbie?"

Joshua shook his head.

"What is your name?"

"Jothwa!"

"Good boy, Joshua!"

Simon gave him an M&M and Joshua ate the candy with a huge smile on his face.

"Mommy's proud of you, Joshua! Daddy, can I see you in the laundry room now, please?"

Simon knew that she meant business so he followed her into the room. He left the door open so if Joshua needed anything, he could find his parents.

"Look I'm glad you're teaching our son his new name, but the love of Pete, don't treat him like a dog. He's a human being and should be treated with respect."

"Okay I'm sorry."

She nodded. "I want him to learn his name without expecting chocolate."

"So how should I reward him?"

"Okay come on, let me show you how it's done."

The parents walked back into the room to find Joshua playing with his blocks.

Paula walked over to him and got on his level. "Sweetheart, what's your name?"

"Jothwa!"

"Good job, Joshua! Give Mommy a hug!" she said with a smile and stretching her arms wide.

Joshua leaped into his mother's arms.

"That's my big boy!"

When he let go, she smiled at him. "Thank you for the hug, baby."