Chapter 9
Abby stared into the chilly November morning. Clad in black tights and an oversized gray cowl neck sweater she nursed he cup of hot chocolate while she waited for Sam to return their son from his weekend visit. The last three months had been a pleasant surprise for Abby. Sam had been a dream...and a tremendous help. He did everything from pick up Ethan from day care (which provided much needed eye candy for Ethan's teachers) and even enrolled him in pee-wee soccer. Sam even argued with Abby about taking money for Ethan. She was against it, but Sam quickly made her see the light. He explained she shouldn't pay for everything on her own and it wasn't Mr. Earl's responsibility to take care of his child. She finally agreed to splitting day care and taking 150 a month for food and extras, until they both graduated and got better jobs. She hated to admit it, but having Sam around made things easier and less stressful.
Sam smiled as he looked at Ethan through his trucks rear view mirror.
"Your mom is gonna kill me...we are so late, and you have had way to much candy." he smirked
"You sound like uncle Noah after he sends me too many games mom says I don't need or uncle Blaine when he buys me shoes mom says cost too much. Mommy is scary to all of you." he smiled
Sam winced a little at the affection Ethan had for Noah, but quickly recovered. He was silent and just studied his son. Ethan's hair was getting longer by the day and his blonde locks were getting darker and thicker. His eyes we still unevenly colored, with one hazel for mom and an emerald green for dad. To Sam that was better than any DNA test. Abby however insisted on a real test just so no one could ever call her a liar. Of course Ethan was his, and he had the results in a frame hidden under his bed to prove it.
"Sam?" Ethan whispered
"Sup bud?" Sam asked
"Noah isn't my dad and neither is Uncle Blaine."
"Ho...How...how did you know?" Sam stammered
"Because mommy told me." The little boy simply stated
"I see."
"She never said that about you." he squeaked
"I see."
"Are you?" he continued
Fuck Sam thought. He and Abby agreed to have this conversation together. But then again if he put the question off Ethan might think he did something wrong. Sam ran his hand through his now short hair and took a deep breath.
"Yes Ethan, I'm you father. Does that make you feel happy or sad bud?"
"HAPPY...well if it makes you happy...and mommy."
"It makes us the two happiest parents that ever lived. Being your mom and dad is the most amazing thing and we love being your family. Don't ever forget that buddy ok?" Sam finished
"OK."
Sam didn't realize his heart was beating so fast. That was the talk that he had known was coming. Surprisingly it was as simple as breathing. If only talking to women were so easy.
Minutes later they pulled up to their destination to see Abby patiently waiting for them on the front porch swing.
"Ok bud lets go see your mom!"
"Sam?"
"Yes Ethan."
"Is it ok to call you dad?" she asked sheepishly
"That would be awesome son."
Ethan beamed that was the first time anyone called him son. For his part Sam blushed and quickly got out of the car to retrieve Ethan. He gave Abby a quick waived and noted how peaceful she looked. She was really cute with her hair like that. She had let it grow out into wild kinky spirals. Cute? Did Sam just think that? He hadn't thought of Abby like that in a while.
Abby looked at father and son approaching her up the side walk. She let out a bright smile she couldn't hide as she studied their matching idiotic grins. She noted Sam wouldn't make eye contact which signaled he let Ethan have too much candy. As she studied Sam she couldn't help linger on his handsome features. Even though it was cool veering on the cold side Sam had on a thin white pocket t shirt with out a coat. His black sweat pants were baggy and hung so low Abby could make out the jokers crooked smile on his batman boxers. Sam was just sinful and even more so because he didn't realize how perfect he really was.
"Mom dad got me the new JUST DANCE Wii game! Can I go play?" Ethan asked breaking her out of her thoughts
did he just say dad. He couldn't have said dad Abby contemplated. She and Sam were supposed to cross that bridge together
"mom...dad...game can I go play" Ethan pursued
Yep...he said dad.
"30 minutes kiddo. You still got to have a bath." Abby recovered
"An hour mommy? Daddy already put me in the tub."
"45 minutes" she said sternly, tired of arguing with a 3 year old
Ethan hurried and turned to say his goodbyes to Sam before his mom could change her mind then hurried into his house
Once gone Sam spoke before Abby could bombard him.
"Before you start Abby-Rae, Ethan asked me flat out was I his dad. I know we said we would explain together but I didn't want to put it off and make him feel like he had did something wrong."
Abby sighed as she sat back down on the porch swing. Sam hesitantly joined
"Was he upset?" she whispered
"No, he was happy Abby. I mean really happy. It's like he already knew he just wanted confirmation."
"Why didn't he ask me Sam, I'm his mother."
"Abby I know it may seem weird, but he was trying to protect you. In case the topic made you sad." Sam stated
"Huh?"
"He may only be 3' but he is sill a boy. And boys protect their mothers. It's a guy thing Abby-Rae; just take my word for it. Ethan is happy and fine." Sam smiled
Abby didn't speak. Instead she turned to Sam with happy tears in her eyes and hugged him. For his part Sam returned the hug. The first time they had been so close in ages. He could smell her familiar scent of Dove soap and coconut oil. Her flesh was warm and soft against the cold day. Slowly put painfully he pulled away and rose to his feet, Abby followed.
Without thinking Abby took her hands and ran them up and down Sam's bare arms that were now at his side trying to create some sort of heat to warm him up.
"Aren't you cold?"
"I'm so warm right now you have no idea." he smiled his thoughts returning to his son. "Well I better get out of her, another pizza shift."
"Ill walk you to your car."
"Thanks. Oh before I forget, since I didn't get an invite to thanks giving I figure I'd just invite myself. Ill bring that cherry cobbler you love so much." Sam smiled
"Geeze...thanksgiving. I completely forgot." Abby grimaced
"what's wrong?"
"Sam, Ethan was supposed to go to Chicago for holiday, we go see my aunty Rell its kind of tradition."
"I see." Sam stated trying not to sound too put out.
"I can cancel."
"God no, don't do that. Ethan has great family we can't deny that to him. As long as you guys are sticking around for Christmas it's not a big issue. You two go and have fun." he said as he scooped her up in a side hug.
"As far as Christmas goes, Ethan is already making your stocking to add to ours. And he's already planned on you going with him and dad to get the tree. So yeah you might as well on planning to stay the whole Christmas break at our house. And I'm not going to Chicago. Its just Ethan and dad. I'm using Thanksgiving break and literally my break." Abby grinned
"Not a bad idea, I've only been daddy for three months and a break sound nice. So I know you need one. Maybe I can keep you company a little while mini-me is away."
"Su..Sure Sam." She smiled. Why the hell was she so flustered by the small statement? "I know this weekend is supposed to be mine, but if you want more time with E before he leaves, you can take him."
"Really? Thanks Abby." Sam tightened the hug that he wasn't aware they were still in.
"Just have him home by 7:30 am. Dads flight leaves at 9:30 and he hates airports as it is."
"You have my word mother." he snicker
"Well get going so you can make me some money!" she joked
"Yes mam! I love you guys!" Sam said as he finally made it into his truck
"Ethan loves you too Sam...and so do I" she smiled shyly.
With only a head nod Sam drove away. And he was very much fucked. It had been a while since either he or Abby had used the L word to each other in the present tense. And as predicted it made his heart jump.
