One of a Kind - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 15

DJ drove to JC's house, unable to wipe the smile from his face and his phone lit up with a notification just as he pulled up into the driveway. He grinned when he saw it was an Instagram post from Kath, and he immediately saw a selfie of her showing off her new tattoo after washing it for the first time, with the caption:

'My new ink courtesy of @supremo_dp and I love it so fucking much. Each time I look at it, I change my mind about what my favorite part of it is and I love that you designed it just for me - you're insanely talented, Daniel and it's an honor to have your artwork on me for life. x'

DJ couldn't help but tear up, taking a deep breath to calm himself down before commenting:

'I'm the one who should be honored. You sat like a champ and I can see why my son loves you so much - you're his favorite person! I'm overjoyed you love the ink so much, I dread to think what post you'd put if you hated it. x'

DJ was about to get out of his car when his phone beeped again, his heart hammering against his chest when he saw that Kath had immediately replied to him:

'I just wouldn't turn up for our plans. ;) x'

DJ couldn't help but burst out laughing, knowing she was making a joke about standing him up at the date. He knew if things went well, dating her would come with the baggage of her career and the paparazzi and how busy she was all the time, but he was more than willing to deal with all of that because just a moment together felt like hours, in the best possible way. He couldn't wait for Saturday when he'd get her all to himself for a full day - he just had to decide what they were going to do.

He got out of the car, heading to the front door and he knocked before letting himself in. "Hello?" He called.

"Daddy!" Noah screamed, running towards him from the living room and he threw himself at DJ, who lifted him up and gave him a tight hug before setting him back down.

"Hey, monster! Were you a good boy for Uncle JC?" DJ asked, holding Noah's hand as he led his son back into the living room where JC was still sat on the couch, the cartoons they were watching frozen on the screen because JC had paused it for Noah.

"Yes, but you're supposed to be calming down for bed!" JC jokingly scolded, poking him and Noah giggled, jumping up and down still in excitement for DJ coming back.

"You gave him dinner already?" DJ asked almost through a sigh, cleaning up and locking up the shop had taken longer than he expected.

"Yeah, just some chicken tenders and some vegetables, but he ate all his vegetables!" JC praised and DJ smiled proudly down at his son as Noah beamed up at him.

"I'm very proud of you, monster!" DJ said, dropping down onto the couch beside his brother and Noah dived into DJ's lap, picking up Leo from JC's lap since as he'd quickly handed his uncle the toy when DJ came through the door. He hugged the toy close to his chest. "You have two of Kath's jackets now, monster since as you left with the one she threw at you today," DJ said, raising an eyebrow and Noah's eyes widened.

"Is she mad? Does she hate me?" Noah's bottom lip wobbled and DJ quickly shushed him, giving him a gentle squeeze.

"Of course she doesn't hate you! She could never hate you, it's just a joke, monster. She's gonna have no jackets or hoodies left at this rate!" DJ teased and JC couldn't help but chuckle, Noah, cracking a smile as he cuddled into DJ again.

"She really doesn't hate me?" Noah asked and DJ shook his head.

"Never, kiddo," DJ assured him, before pulling his phone out as it started to ring and he smiled when he saw the name light up on the screen. "In fact, why don't you answer this for me, monster?" DJ asked, handing him the phone and Noah, although confused, answered the call.

"Hello?" Noah said, putting on his best polite tone of voice and DJ chuckled when he saw the happiness spread across Noah's face. "Kath!" He exclaimed, making JC laugh and DJ just smiled as Noah got off his lap and started walking around the living room as he told Kath about his afternoon with JC, asking her a lot of questions too, listening to her answers and giggling.

"It's like she's his Mom," JC whispered to DJ, chuckling and DJ's smile faltered slightly because he was sure it was the same thing. Noah didn't have a crush on Kath as Tony had joked about all morning, DJ was sure it was much deeper than that. Noah didn't know any better than to not have his Mom around, but Kath was the first person besides his grandmother to care for him, the way a mother should. All he could hope for was that Kath didn't mind Noah's fascination with her, but judging by all the attention she was giving him through just the phone call, she loved him too.