Whole

Chapter 31

Photobomb of the century! >.<

Masato's POV

I relaxed against the edge of the pool as I watched Kat help Nao learn to swim and play with him in the water. I was still in a state of disbelief that she'd done this for me. Despite the fact I'd made plans to head over to Seattle for a week after new years, there was a part of me that was saddened I wouldn't see them over Christmas. However, she brought them out here, to me, and I could hardly believe it.

They only had today left with us, the time was short, but I was learning with Kat not to take even an hour for granted. Any additional minute you got with the people you loved was exceptional and couldn't be wasted on worries or the negatives.

Kat had a way of bringing out the best in me, helping me see things in ways I hadn't before, and each day I only fell in love with her more. I found it hard to believe someone like her could exist, especially with the way things were these days, but yet there she was. Holding Nao's hands as she helped him learn how to move his feet, carefully pulling him through the water.

She was a natural with him and besotted, much like I was. The past couple of days, it only set in stone that this is what I wanted with her. To one day have our own nugget to take to the park, to scream with on rides and teach how to swim. I knew above all other things; I had to give them the best life I could because she and whatever kids we had, would deserve nothing less than the best.

I no longer focused on the now, on the present, living in the moment. My eyes were opened to the kind of future that laid out before me as I watched the two begin to splash water at the other. Their laughter was filling my ears and turning me into nothing more than goo inside. I honestly thought music was the best sound I could hear until I listened to the two giggle together. No sound in the world existed that could be sweeter.

My cheeks ached from the permanent smile I've had since she walked through our door with them, but I didn't care. All the events of the past few days, my birthday, playing the song, moving in together, and this, even if I didn't want to smile, it would be impossible not too.

"Look what I can do now, uncle Masato!" Nao called, pulling me from my thoughts.

I watched Kat let go of Nao's hands, and he began swimming on his own, without a floatie. Kat stayed close, her hands hovering under the water underneath him before catching him after he made it a few strokes on his own.

"That's amazing, Nao! Look at you go; I know you could do it, buddy." I closed the small gap between us and offered him a hi-five as Kat kept him steady in the water.

His small hand slapped mine as his innocent face grinned, "That's because I have the best teacher."

"Well, I promise, every time I see you, I'll take you swimming and show you everything I can." Kat smiled, pulling Nao into her and kissing his cheek softly.

"All right, buddy, I hate to have to be the one to burst the bubble; however, I promised you dad we'd only be a couple of hours." I sighed. I could've honestly spent all day watching them, but as I looked at the clock, time was up.

"Aw, but I don't want to go!" Nao whined as his bottom lip pouted. It was hard to believe the boy in Kat's arms was the same nephew I loved. Before now, he'd been petrified of the water, but now, he didn't want to leave.

"I know, buddy, but we got to do see Baba and Jiji. If they don't get to see you before you go, I'll never hear the end of it. Then we need to tuck you up tight in bed because your flight is early in the morning."

"I don't want to leave, though." Tears pooled in his eyes, and my chest hurt.

"I don't want you to go either, buddy, but you got to go home to see your mama and sister. You'll see me in a couple of weeks, I promise."

"Are you coming, auntie Kat?"

Kat sighed sadly as she shook her head, "I'm sorry baby, I can't, I have to work, but I'll come out and see you soon, okay? I'll be coming over to America soon to see my family, and I'll come to see you while I'm there, okay?"

Nao turned and wrapped his arms around Kat's neck as small, childlike sniffs came from him, "You promise?"

"I promise. It won't be long, you focus on being the awesome big brother you are, and you'll see me soon."

"Okay." Nao lifted his head, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Let's go see Baba and Jiji, they always give me sweets, and I like sweets."

His words caused both Kat and me to laugh, "Oh, I'm sure they have plenty of sweets for you, and Christmas presents too."

"Presents!" Nao cheered, throwing his hands up and nearly swatting Kat in the face, which only caused me to laugh harder.

"Oi you cheeky monkey, if you knock me out you won't be getting any." Kat chuckled, as she nuzzled his cheek with her nose.

"Sorry, Auntie Kat! Let's go!" With a kiss to her cheek, Nao held his arms out to me.

I took him gladly, ruffling his wet, black hair before I pressed my lips to Kat.

"Thank you, baby, for everything. All this, it's so much more than I could have asked for."

"You're welcome. Now come on, the boy needs his presents!" She grinned widely as Nao nodded his head quick enough to make me flinch before I was headbutted.

"Okay, let's go!"