Hey guys, I know I have two other fics I'm supposed to be working on and if I keep this up I might lose track as the count grows, but I had this idea floating around in my head for a while and just wanted to see what you all thought. If you like it then I'll continue it though on a lower priority level than my other fics.

This chapter is from Helen's point of view.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do you know the kind of trouble I'd have to go through to simply see Mr. Horowitz much less talk ownership rights with him? I'm content with this.


Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

"Mummy, Mummy, I'm four now, I'm four."

My little one is so enthusiastic about everything, especially his birthday. I get up from my morning reading in the sitting room to meet him at the bottom of the stairs.

"Be careful Honey, you might fall." I tell him as he thunders down the steps. He leaps from the third to last step and looks up at me with his innocent little face.

"No I won't," he says "'cause I'm four now."

"Really? I thought you were three yesterday."

He is so cute when he frowns like that; just like his father.

"I was, but now I'm four." He frowns "You AND daddy told me I would be today."

I laugh, if both John and I tell him something at the same time let it be far from him to forget it, he has such good memory.

"I know darling, I was just testing you." I lead him by the hand into the kitchen for his favorite breakfast.

"You make weird test Mum, Daddy's are better." After a pause he adds "But I still like yours."

I ruffle his hair affectionately "I know you do. Now, how about some gingerbread French toast and eggs?" I prepare for the shriek that I know is about to come when I mention that food. It is his absolute favorite, I only have it once in a while; it's the most richly indulgent breakfast I've ever had. Sure enough, there was the shout.

"Yeeaaah! With cheesy scambled eggs?"

"Definitely" I answer taking the rich ginger bread brioche loaf out of the refrigerator preparing to slice it.

He pushes a chair to the counter and climbs up for a better look. After he watches me slice the whole loaf he asks,

"Since I'm four now, can I make the cheesy eggs, instead of you?" In that quiet way of his.

"Alex dear, I know you're growing up but…" I'm forced to trail off, when he gives me that sad little wide eyed look I just can't say no to. John says he has me wrapped around his pinky finger and he's probably right.

"Oh alright, you can help" I surrender "but only because it's your birthday."

"Thank you mummy!" He exclaims giving me a kiss on each cheek. He leaps off the chairs, drags open the refrigerator, and extracts a carton of eggs. Then he carefully lays it on the floor and takes out the cheese too.

"Okay mom I need a bowl." He says importantly climbing back to the counter with his ingredients.

"Don't you need an apron too little chef?" I smile at him while I tie the white apron that John sometime uses around his waist, twice.

"Oh yes, that too. Thanks mum"

I give him the whisk and a bowl and then I step back to watch him. "You're welcome son."

He looks at me and then grabs an egg from the carton and raises it to the side of the bowl to crack it like his father does.

"Wait a minute little one. Try using the handle of the whisk instead and hold it over the bowl." I stand behind him and take hold of his hands, guiding his movements.

Once we have one egg in the bowl he insists to do the next one himself. By the third egg he's grinning like a maniac and by the time I finish battering the slices of bread, he has a bowl of seven eggs with only a little bit of shells in it.

"Okay, I think we have just enough eggs for everyone." I say taking the bowl and whisk "I had no idea you were such a good cook." I suddenly notice the horrified look on his face

"Mum what are you doing? I'm making all of it." He says firmly "You said I could."

'But Alex," I start know that you're asking for a mess if you give a four year old a bowl of eggs and a whisk to beat it. But I don't get any farther because someone interrupts me.

"That right son, you make sure mummy keeps her word." John says from the kitchen doorway grinning.

"Daddy!!" Every time that boy makes those sorts of leaps off the furniture my heart jumps, but he always lands perfectly. I watch the two of them; the most important people in my life, as they greet each other in their funny way.

First they stand at attention like soldiers and then Alex suddenly tackles his father to the ground and they tickle each other until John picks him up and they hug. I always laugh when I see it; it has that sort of effect on you.

"How about we let mommy alone so she can make breakfast in peace huh?"

"Okay" Alex says slowly "thanks for letting me crack the eggs mom, but I'm gone with daddy now." He calls after me as John takes him into the living room to see his uncle whom he just picked up from the airport. It's rare when we're all free for an occasion like this. I intend to make today very special.


Well what do you think?