"Are you brooding again, Mrs. Bates?"

Anna hadn't heard John come in and jumped as his strong voice filled the kitchen.

Sitting down the mug of tea she had been absent mindly steeping for the last ten minutes, she turned and said, "John, you gave me a fright!"

"Sorry love," he replied, now standing in front of her.

Anna flicked her gaze to him and then shifted it to look at the floor.

"And yes I was. Which is all your fault by the way."

"My fault?" He replied as he pointed a finger towards his chest.

"Yes, I've watched you brood for years ,and now I find myself doing it."

"It is about Patrick again?" John asked directly.

Anna had been upset for over a week about their son's reaction to having to wear glasses. When he had first mentioned it was hard for him to see the dry erase board at school, Anna had immediately made an appointment with the optician. At first Patrick seemed relieved to be able to see better, but as the days passed Patrick was becoming more and more withdrawn and quiet.

"It just bothers me that he won't tell me what is wrong. He's not been himself all week," Anna began as John pulled her into his strong embrace.

"I only want to help him. He knows that right? I mean I'm his mother. I only want what is best for him and for him to be happy."

John pressed a kiss into her lavender scented hair before saying, "Of course he knows, and he loves you more than anyone in this world."

He could tell she was calming down by the way her limbs relaxed around him.

"He does until his superhero Da comes home," Anna replied as she craned her neck up to give him a tantalizing smirk.

Looking down, he smirked back, "Hmmm... But mummy makes the best Batman pancakes."

"Thank God for Amazon. That pancake mold is one of the best things I've ever purchased," she giggled.

John smiled proudly as Anna was now laughing and smiling.

He loosened his arms around her as he said, "Speaking of superheroes, I think I'll go talk to ours. Is he upstairs?"

Stepping completely out of her husband's warmth, she replied with a sigh, "He's in his room. He went straight there after school like he has all week."

"Everything will be just fine," John said as he made his way out of the kitchen and towards the stairs.

"John?" Anna called out.

"Yes?" John replied before ascending the stairs.

"Aren't you going to take off your coat?"

"I'll speak to Patrick first and then I will."

John turned and then slowly climbed the stairs. He usually never used his cane around the house. He would hang it up by the front door as soon as he got home.

Anna thought it was odd he didn't take off his coat but shrugged it off and went back into the kitchen.

"Hey, son," John said in a light tone as he entered his son's room.

Patrick looked up at the sound of his father's voice, but looked back down at his Lego set as he replied, "Hey, Da."

John had had a gut feeling that the other lads at school had been making fun of Patrick or bullying him because of his glasses. He hadn't mentioned these feelings to Anna however because he knew if he did her mama bear instincts would kick in and she'd be down to the headmaster's office having a word. Anna would say she was only protecting their son, but John knew Patrick needed to handle this on his own rather than the headmaster giving the lads a talking to.

Taking a seat on the side of the bed, complete with a Justice League character duvet and pillows, John spoke again.

"Did you not have a good day at school?"

Patrick just shrugged his shoulders in reply as he put more Lego pieces together on the floor.

"You can tell me anything son. Whatever it is I won't tell anyone," John said, trying his best to encourage him to open up to him.

Patrick looked up quickly and with a serious face replied, "Not even mummy?"

When Patrick was born him and Anna were the epitome of happiness. He had added so much to their lives that neither knew they were missing until he arrived. They had tried to give Patrick a sibling, but as years went by with no result they were content with giving their one and only son all their love and attention. It had truly been the best eight years of their lives.

John felt he needed to tread lightly here. If it was something serious he would have to tell Anna no doubt about it, but he wanted his son to tell him what was going on.

"No. Not even mummy."

Patrick got to his feet then and came to sit next to John on the bed. He fidgeted with his hands in his lap for a moment before lifting his now teary eyes saying, "Is it uncool to wear glasses Da?"

He knew it. He knew the other children were picking on him, and the thought of that was enough to make him both angry and sad at the same time.

"No it's not uncool. I wear glasses too," John replied as he draped an arm around his son's shoulders.

"But not all the time. Only when you are working or reading bedtime stories," Patrick said as he lifted his glasses to wipe his eyes.

"You're right I don't wear mine all the time, but I think you look smart in yours."

Patrick lowered his head and said quietly, "Everyone says I look stupid."

John could feel himself starting to rile up, but he needed to stay calm for his son. He watched as Patrick wiped his eyes again and sniffed to hold back from crying.

"Everyone wouldn't be Chad, Greg, and Felix would it?"

"How did you know?" Patrick asked as he snapped his head back up.

"Just a guess, but guess what?" John asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"What?" Patrick asked as his curiosity was now piqued.

"I had a feeling you needed a pick me up today, and we're going to show Chad, Greg, and Felix who the cool one really is."

"How?" Patrick asked as he shifted on the bed now excited to know what his Da had in mind.

John removed his arm from around Patrick and reached inside his coat pocket. He took out a brown paper bag and handed it to Patrick.

"Reach inside," John said, nodding towards the bag.

Patrick reached inside as his father said and took out one multi-coloured block laying it on the bed and then another.

After sitting the bag to the side and looking down at the blocks, Patrick said with a scrunched up face, "What are these?"

"These are Rubik's cubes!" John said excitedly as he picked up one of the cubes up.

"What are Rwoobricks cubes?" Patrick said, trying to pronounce the word.

"They are like a puzzle and not many people know how to solve it, but I'm going to show you how," John replied as Patrick picked up the other one and held it.

"I don't know Da. This doesn't look very cool," Patrick stated as he turned the cube in his hands.

"It may not look cool now but wait until the lads see you solve it. Come on let me teach you," John encouraged as he nudged his son's shoulder with his arm.

"So, you think this will make me cool?" Patrick replied more eager this time.

"You are already cool. This will just make you a legend!"

"Okay Da! BUT," Patrick said with the most serious face.

John was having a hard time not laughing at the serious look Patrick was giving him.

"We can't let mummy know."

John cocked his head to one side, "Son, first you didn't want mummy knowing why you were feeling sad, and now you don't want her to know about the Rubik's cube. Why not?"

"Well... mummy said that I'm a young man now, so I can't let her know why I'm sad. I have to protect mummy, and letting her know I'm sad will make her sad. I don't want mummy to be sad. Not ever."

John's heart swelled with pride at his son's caring words, and he was very proud of him. His mates probably saw him as an easier target because of his kind demeanour, but John knew his son would grow up to be a gentleman because of his words and actions.

"But mummy cares about you and loves you so much. You're right we need to protect mummy, but you not letting her know how you feel only makes her worry. Do you understand?"

"So, telling her when I'm sad will still make me a young man?" Patrick asked innocently as he was trying his best to understand.

John smiled, "It will make you an even better young man. We don't want mummy feeling left out."

"No!" Patrick said back quickly. "But us blokes can have a secret right?"

John chuckled, "The Rubik's cubes can be our secret yes."

"Wouldn't it be awesome to surprise mummy once I know how to solve it?" Patrick asked as he held up the cube and stared at it with wide eyes.

"Yes, it would be awesome."

It wasn't too much longer John and Patrick were making their way downstairs. Anna was putting the finishing touches on their tea as they both entered the kitchen.

"Hey, you two," Anna beamed as Patrick came running over to her, wrapping his small arms around her waist.

Anna gave John a curious glance, and John just shrugged his shoulders with a grin.

When Patrick pulled back, he said, "I'm sorry Mummy for not telling you when I was sad, but Da is helping me at not being sad anymore."

"Thank you love bug, and how is Da doing that?"

"It's top secret," Patrick said as he brought his hand up to the side on his mouth to make it sound more secret.

Anna's eyebrows shot up, "Well, in that case you better find your seat tea's ready."

The following morning was Saturday morning, and Anna woke up to John's side of the bed empty. She was making her way out of bed when she heard giggling coming from Patrick's room. Wondering what was going on, she pulled on her robe and tided it around her waist securely before stepping into the hall and walking to her son's door.

She stopped when she saw a piece of computer paper taped to the door with navy blue writing on it which read, Blokes Only.

She smiled briefly at the note but was curious as to what was going on behind the door. She knocked after a few seconds.

"Mum! Don't come in!" she heard her son say as he came to the other side of the door.

"What's going on in there?" she said in a sing song voice.

"It's a secret surprise mum. If you come in it's all ruined forever!"

Anna put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. He sounded so serious, and it was completely adorable.

"Yeah mum, ruined forever!" she heard John echo.

At this she couldn't help but let some of the laughter out.

"Okay! Okay! I'm not coming in. Will you two be down for breakfast?"
"We already ate. See you later!"

"Bye love," John said through the closed door.

"Okay then bye," Anna said before stepping away from the door.

Two more weeks had passed and neither John nor Patrick had told Anna what was going on. Anna had of course asked John on more than one occasion what the two of them were up to, but John wouldn't give up their secret. Anna couldn't really complain. Patrick was back to his old self and even more happy from what she could see. That was all that really mattered.

It was now Friday and Anna and Patrick just got home from Anna picking him up at school.

"When is Da getting home?" Patrick asked as he threw his school bag on the floor.

"Patrick, you know better than to just throw your school bag on the floor. Please, take it to your room," Anna said as she removed her coat.

"Sorry mum. I'm just really excited for Da to get home!" he replied as he picked up his bag and ran to the stairs.

Anna watched as her son disappeared upstairs and was still wondering what in the world was going on. John had mentioned this morning there may be a surprise later, but he wouldn't even give her a clue as to what the surprise was. Maybe she was going to finally find out what they had been doing.

An hour and a half passed before the sound of John unlocking the door could be heard. When he stepped inside, Anna called out," Da's home!"
"He is?!" they both heard Patrick say as he raced down the stairs and over to his father.

John's cane clattered to the floor as he scooped up his son in his arms.

"Da! It worked! They said I was awesome!" Patrick said with a beaming smile.

"I knew they would! You are so awesome Patrick Bates!" John said as he moved him to his left hip and high fived him with his now free right hand.

"You are the best Da!" Patrick said as he wrapped his arms around his neck.

Anna watched the scene before her and her eyes began to fill. Whatever it was that was going on she couldn't approve of it more. This was a moment she would always remember.

"You are the best son. I love you so much," John said as he held him tighter.

"I love you too, Da."

John's knee was beginning to act up, so he slowly put Patrick back on the ground.

"Can we show mummy now?" Patrick asked as he jumped up and down with excitement.

"Yes, I believe it is past time we show mummy," John replied with a grin towards Anna.

"I'll get yours Da. I know where it is," he said as he ran towards the stairs.

"Son!" John called out.

Patrick stopped just at the bottom of the stairs, "Yeah?"

"Mix them both up really good."

"Okay!" he replied and then continued up the stairs.

"Mix what up?" Anna asked as she came closer to John.

Taking off his coat and hanging it up, he replied, "You'll see. Let's go to the sitting room."

Anna took a seat on the settee as John remained standing in front of the fireplace. John gave Anna a wink as they both heard their son barreling down the stairs.

Patrick walked into the room with both hands behind his back and was trying to catch his breath as he now stood beside his father.

"I'm afraid I can't take the suspense any longer," Anna said as she smiled at her light brown haired little boy.

Patrick looked up to John asking permission to reveal their secret. John nodded, and then Patrick looked back at his mother as he brought forth both Rubik's cubes.

The look on Patrick's face excited Anna more then the actual cubes. He looked so proud and accomplished. It melted her heart instantly.

"Oh, Wow! Rubik's cubes!" Anna cooed as Patrick reacted to his mother's words.

"Yeah! That was our secret. Da has been teaching me how to solve his ancient puzzle!"

Anna pulled in both lips, trying not to laugh at her son calling the Rubik's cube ancient, therefore calling John ancient.

John gave Anna an unamused look before Patrick was holding out a Rubik's cube for him to take.

Taking it in hand, Patrick said to Anna, "Want to see us solve them mummy?"

"Of course! Let's see who's the fastest!" Anna said as she leaned forward slightly.

"Okay Da on the count of 3 we start."

"Okay."

"1,2,3!"

Both John and Patrick set to work on solving the cubed puzzle. Anna watched as both of them focused intently on their task and was quite amazed at how well Patrick was doing. To tell the truth, she didn't even know John knew how to solve a Rubik's cube. He had never mentioned it before.

"Done!" Patrick said, holding the know completed Rubik's cube.

John finished not too far behind him.

"My own son beating me at my own game," John said as he winked at Patrick.

Patrick giggled with delight as he threw the cube up in the air and then caught it.

"Both of you are certainly full of surprises. That was amazing," Anna said as she stood up and hugged Patrick tightly.

"Sorry we couldn't tell you our secret mum, but I have something for you to make up for it."

Anna let him go and looked at him, "You do?"

"Yeah, I just have to go get it."

As Patrick left the room, Anna said, "You never told me you knew how to solve Rubik's cubes."

John shrugged, "I was alone for a number of years. You pick up strange things to keep your mind off things."

"Well, I've never seen anyone solve one like that and you teaching Patrick is great. He seems to love it."

Before John could reply, Patrick was making his way back into the room with a medium sized flowery gift bag.

Anna sat back down as Patrick handed her the bag.

"It looks nice already, and I haven't even opened it," Anna said as Patrick sat next to her.

"Go ahead. Open it," Patrick said as he leaned closer to his mum.

Anna took the tissue paper out of the bag and then took out what was inside. It was a picture of Patrick in a nice shirt dress and tie. His hair was combed just right and of course he had on his new glasses.

One of Anna's hands flew to her mouth as she took in the sight of her baby boy looking so grown up.

"I decorated the frame myself mummy."

The frame had several superhero stickers, a few different foam pieces in the shape of animals, a few hearts in green and blue colours, and a few random buttons.

It was the most beautiful picture frame she had ever seen.

"This is beautiful. I love it so so much," Anna said as tears started rolling down her cheeks.

"No mummy, you can't cry. That's why Da taught me his puzzle because I was sad, and if I'm sad that makes you sad. Please don't be sad," Patrick said in a tone so sweet it would melt any heart.

"I'm not sad, love bug. I'm very happy. You and Da both make me very happy," she said as she embraced her son and placed kisses into his hair.

When she pulled back she looked at John standing there with his arms crossed in front of him, tears glistening his eyes. She gave him a big smile, which he reciprocated, and then turned her head back to look at her son.

"Can you tell mummy why you were sad?" she asked softly as she wiped her tears.

"The lads at school said I looked stupid with my glasses."

Anna was two seconds away from going into defense mode when Patrick spoke again.

"I was sad that they thought I wasn't cool, but Da showed me the the cube puzzle and I took it to school and solved it in front of the lads. They had no idea how I did it and thought it was really cool. Everyone wanted me to show them."

"Sounds like Da really is a superhero then doesn't it?" Anna said as John took a seat on the coffee table in front of them.

"Yeah! Da has always been a superhero mum," Patrick said like she should know this by now.

Later that night after Patrick was sleeping soundly, Anna found John in the kitchen finishing up the tidying from dinner. She crossed the room and snaked her hands around his middle from behind.

John hummed his appreciation as she pressed her front up against his back.

"You are one marvelous man, Mr. Bates," she murmured.

"Am I?"

"Yes, thank you for doing that for for him. I should have caught on that his mates were giving him a hard time, but I guess I just didn't want to see it."

John turned in her arms then and held her close to him.

"He was feeling embarrassed about the whole thing, and he said he wanted to protect you from being sad."

"Like father, like son," she teased good-naturedly.

"I really love the picture though. When did you have it done?"

"We swung by Gwen's one evening. She took it."

"Gwen? She did mention she was taking up photography a few months back. Why do I forget how good your memory is?" she said, recalling the conversation with Gwen.

John chuckled as he placed a soft kiss into her hair.

"Did you have any plans for the rest of your evening?" Anna asked as she looked up at him.

"Hmmm... why do you ask?" he said back playfully.

"Because I have a puzzle that desperately needs to the solved," she replied before taking him by the hand and leading him upstairs.