One of a Kind - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 40

It was just over an hour later when Kath and Max sat down at the bottom of the bleachers at the public pool to watch the swimming lesson, other parents sitting around them. Kath had received a lot of 'congratulations' from those who recognized her since as she wasn't hiding her bump anymore and she thanked them all, but she was grateful that they were leaving her and Noah alone at the pool.

"He looks fucking terrified," Kath mumbled to Max, who couldn't help but nod in agreement. There were about a dozen children Noah's age all gathered together by the young-looking man who was going to be teaching them and he had a younger woman assistant. Everybody looked eager and excited to get in the water, but Noah was stood at the very back of the group, not even wanting to be near the edge.

"You can do it, buddy." Max breathed, rubbing Kath's back since as he knew the bleachers were extremely hard and the lack of support wouldn't be helping her back pain.

"Come on, Noah... you can do it, monster," Kath whispered, giving him a thumbs up when he looked in her direction and he edged closer to the side of the pool as the children got into the water one at a time, but Noah refused when he was encouraged to get in.

"I'll be right here, I promise you nothing is gonna happen. You can stand at the bottom, see?" The young man said, motioning to the other kids who were all standing in the shallowest end of the pool and the assistant was watching over them to make sure they weren't doing anything dangerous as they played together.

"I don't want to," Noah mumbled, letting his fear show.

"Okay, how about we go to those steps over there and do this a step at a time?" The teacher encouraged and Noah looked over to where the steps were that led into the pool and he hesitated before slowly nodding his head. "Good boy, come on." Noah followed the teacher to the steps, biting his lip as he looked down at the first step even though the water would only just cover his feet. He looked back at his Mom for a moment before looking back at the steps and he very slowly stepped into the pool. He couldn't help but grin when he heard the parents all clapping and cheering for him, but nobody was cheering for him louder than his Mom and Uncle Max.

Kath met Noah after his class in the changing rooms to help him get himself dry and dressed again and she beamed, hugging him tightly and not caring that he was soaking wet. "I'm so proud of you!" Kath praised, kissing him all over his face and Noah giggled shyly, but he hugged her back just as tight.

"I did it, Mommy! I swam like a doggie." He giggled, making Kath smile and she kissed his head again before pulling away from him, wrapping a big towel around him so he wouldn't be cold.

"I saw the whole thing! And Uncle Max recorded it, so you can show Daddy later." Kath said with a smile and Noah smiled impossibly wider. "But come on, let's get you in a shower here and get you changed." Kath took his hand, grabbing his shampoo and conditioner before leading him to the showers.

"Where's Uncle Max now?"

"He's waiting in the lobby, monster, but don't worry about making him wait because Mommy makes him wait all the time." Kath teased, making him laugh and she helped him to shower. She was getting her clothes drenched, but she didn't care. It was a hot day outside, so the cool water was somewhat of a comfort. "He's coming to the Mall with us, though, then he'll go home when we go home," Kath said and Noah's eyebrows creased in confusion even though his eyes were closed.

"Why are we going to the Mall, Mommy?" He asked before keeping his mouth shut to avoid getting shampoo in it as Kath rinsed it out of his hair.

"Because you've been so good, monster, you deserve a treat! And we'll grab some lunch whilst we're there because I don't know about you, but your little sister is very hungry right now." Kath said, making Noah giggle and he nodded his head.

"I don't know what I want as a treat, though," Noah said, rubbing his face and Kath couldn't wipe the smile from her face - she was so proud of him.

"We'll have a look around, then! You'll know when we're there, monster." She assured him, turning off the shower once she was done and she wrapped the towel around him again before leading him back over to where his clothes were.

"I can't wait to tell Daddy I got in the water," Noah said, giggling and Kath kissed his cheek.

"Well, we can call him when we get home and you can tell him all about your class and what we got at the Mall... he might be busy working, but he'll call us back," Kath said, pecking his cheek and Noah nodded his head, his excitement contagious. He was beyond proud of himself and that just made Kath overjoyed for him.