" Theodore Grey!" he stops running long enough to give me a cheeky grin one similar to his father's and I feel the tiniest smile nipping at my lips. With my pregnancy my hormones were all over the place and I really didn't want them to be taken out on Teddy, so I took a calming breath sat on the arm of the sofa and spoke again.
"Teddy, you're going to be late for school and i'm going to be late for work if you don't eat your pancakes."
"But I don't wanna." He stops and crosses his arms across his chest another gesture just like his father's. How can I manage the two of them and a baby on the way? Won't I go crazy? Oh, but I love them so much. Laughing to myself I realized that I was already going crazy. Giving up, I place the dish of pancakes on the counter, "Okay, go ahead and get your backpack and please Teddy, walk."
He nods smiling, and as soon as he thought I couldn't see him he sprints upstairs to his room almost running into his father, he ruffles his hair as he passes and stride down the steps in a navy suit and light grey shirt with my favorite tie. Trying my hardest not to salivate I got up putting my stuff together to leave. "Oh shit, my car keys. Have you seen my keys?"
He walks towards me pressing a kiss lightly to my forehead, "I'm taking you to work today."
I look up at him knowing exactly why he was driving me to work. It was two weeks after the whole shebang, it is safe to say we're okay. I had doctor visits that proved that my pregnancy was progressing perfectly and in those few weeks we spoke about the situation with Jack and agreed that we wouldn't allow him to come between us and our family which was for me to be aware of everything in order to protect each other.
" No, you're not." I say, shaking my head digging through my bag. " I planned to take Teddy to school and then go to work, which I haven't done in two weeks."
He sighs when he sees Teddy barreling down the stairs, " Okay, if you find your keys quick enough because it's getting really late." I see him check his watch and involuntarily I check my own, noticing I have less than half hour to get to work and to drop Teddy off at school. Okay, whatever. I could drive tomorrow or any other day.
"Okay, just for today." I grab Teddy's lunchbox and my bag and walk behind them to the door. As soon as we're out Teddy runs to the Audi SUV.
"Teddy, walk."
"Christian, tell him to walk. I can't bare it if he falls."
He chuckles and kisses my shoulder, " He'll be okay, Ana." Trying to calm my speeding heart I walk around to the passenger side and sit while Christian buckles Teddy in his car seat, hearing him giggle I turn to see Christian tickling him beneath his chin. I smile to myself, we're gonna be okay.
*************************************************
" Thank you , Taylor."
"Thanks, Uncle Taylor."
Stepping out of the car I grab Teddy's bag while he ran calling Ms. Jones. I don't know what else to do but to pray that he doesn't fall while running. "He's growing up so fast, isn't he?"
Smiling, I look over at Taylor as he watches the path Theodore just took. "He is. It's kinda scary to watch knowing he won't always be my baby boy."
Taylor smiles in one of his rare smiles, " He'll always be your baby boy no matter how old he gets."
" I sure hope so."
Silently we walk inside. Taylor heading to his own wing of the house while I head into the living room to see Teddy spread out on the rug watching TV, I place a kiss on his forehead and went upstairs to put away his stuff and to get changed. A bit tired from my first day back at work I sit on the edge of the bed my feet sore from standing in heels. Slowly, I take them off not wanting to cause anymore pain and then my clothes, now in my underwear I press my hand to my still flat stomach.
"Hey baby, I hope you're a girl and not a running, stubborn boy. "
As soon as I utter the words I hear the little feet padding up the stairs. Speak of the devil.
Teddy runs in as soon as I pull my robe on. "Mamma, can I please have my bike?"
"Sure baby, but could you wait a bit I need to get dressed."
At four, almost five, he was becoming more and more like his father and I saw him give an impatient stomp. I give him a sharp look, "Patience, Theodore."
He pouts and sit on the chair near the door while I looked for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I quickly don them and grab my favorite pair of flip flops, holding out my hands to him.
" How was school today?" I ask him , walking down to the garage level.
" It was great, we had popsicles at recess," explains the excessive energy I thought, rolling my eyes. " and we sung songs."
Smiling, I asked " Mind singing one for mommy?" He nods his heads yes and bursted out singing his own rendition of Itsy Bitsy Spider . Laughing to myself , I leave him to his cute little dance moves and open the garage door. As soon as the door is open I hear his little feet coming.
" Where is it mommy? Daddy says he put in here."
" Just wait a minute while I look."
Switching on the lights, I head to the back knowing Christian would've probably placed it behind his collection of Audi's not wanting his 'babies' to get scratched. Scoffing, I circle his black Audi R8 a smile playing on my lips from the faint memories. Oh, the days.
"See it, Mommy?" Teddy asks, unbridled joy and frustration in his voice. " Yes, baby."
Grabbing the blue bike, I start to push it forward when I noticed something behind it. Stooping, I took a closer look. Feeling the scream rising in my throat I lodge it down , not wanting to scare Teddy. Quickly grabbing the bike , I push it towards him trying to appear calm, my heart frantically beating in my chest. Rubbing my hands through his long hair , I give a quick kiss on his forehead.
" Can you go get Taylor for mommy?"
" Sure, I'm gonna ride my bike."
Knowing he's already ridden off to the house, I turn back to the garage as I feel myself shudder, silent tears streaming down my face.
