'Come on Mia, you need to hurry. Mom is on the phone and you wanted to talk before me.' Matty says as he races down the stairs.
'Hey buddy slow down, you'll end up falling.' I say to him.
'Are you talking to mom Christian, you can go before me if you want.' Matty says kindly.
'No it's ok, you can share my turn with Mia.' I say and he grins at me.
'Did you hear that Mia? Christian says we can share his time so that means we can speak for longer.' Matty says excitedly.
'Yes Matty I heard, you don't have to repeat everything.' Mia says.
'I know that Mia but I'm excited.' Matty says. 'Christian you can share my time with mom but I'll do the talking.'
'How does that work buddy?' I ask.
'You just sit with me while I talk.' Matty states as if I'm stupid.
'How boring.' Mia says.
'Mia.' I say and as I look at her she looks away. 'Matty I'll sit with you if you want.'
'Yes I want you there Christian. I hope dad hurries up cos I need to ask mom something?' Matty says as he hops from foot to foot. I hear dad tell mom he loves her and then he gives the phone to Mia. She speaks for a few minutes and then turns to hand the phone to Matty.
'Here you go Matty, it's finally your turn.' Mia says and smiles at him.
'Thank you Mia.' Matty says as he takes the phone. 'Gracie.' He whispers.
'Hello darling boy.' I hear mom say.
'Gracie.' Matty whispers again.
'Matty are you OK?' mom asks.
'Yes I just wanted to hear your voice.' Matty says. 'Gracie I need to ask you something important.'
'Fire away darling.' Mom says.
'Gracie I love you and if you're going to be my mom I'll love you but can I still love my mommy as well?' Matty says.
'Oh darling boy, yes of course you'll still love your mommy.' Mom says.
'And Gracie I know you said yesterday that there's paperwork we have to wait for but can I call you mom so that I'm like the others?' Matty asks.
'Yes darling, I'd like that.' Mom says emotionally.
'Thank you, I've had a good morning with Wick but I'll tell you all about it later cos you're at work but I'm going to knock on his study door and ask him if I can call him dad. Do you think he'd like that mom?' Matty now asks.
'He'll love it.' Mom says.
'OK I'll go and ask now and I'll let Christian talk. Bye mom. I love you.' Matty says and then kisses the mouthpiece before handing the handset to me giving me no choice but to speak.
'I love you too darling.' Mom says unaware that Matty has already gone.
'It's me mom.' I mutter.
'You know I love you too.' Mom says.
'I know.' I say uncomfortably.
'How are you feeling now?' mom asks.
'Fine, though I was a bit slow at kickboxing. Oh no Matty has just barged straight into dad's study.' I say.
'Has dad said anything?' mom asks.
'No, Matty hasn't given him any chance to, he's just told him he wants to speak to him about something important and it's urgent.' I say.
'Go and stand by the door so that we can hear him.' Mom urges.
'Mom.' I exclaim.
'Please darling.' Mom pleads.
'OK, I'm stood by the door now.' I say.
'And so Wick, I was wondering if I could be like the others and call you dad but I would still love my daddy as well as loving you and I don't want to wait for the paperwork. I just asked Gracie and she said I can call her mom and that I can love her and still love my mommy as well just like you and daddy and sometimes if I make you happy can you call me son like you do with Elliot and Christian.' Matty says in a rush without pausing for breath.
'Ah, how sweet.' Mom says.
'Sshh mom, dad's going to reply.' I say quietly.
'Yes I would like that son.' Dad says.
'Really.' Matty says in surprise and proceeds to walk to the other side of dad's desk before climbing on his knee to hug him. 'I love you dad.'
'I love you too son.' Dad says.
'I'm sorry I forgot to knock on the door and wait for you to tell me to come in but I was just thinking about what I wanted to say to you.' Matty says.
'Oh I wish I was at home.' Mom says as I move away from the door.
'You'll be back in a few hours.' I say.
'I know but I miss you all when I'm here and Matty seems more like his old self.' Mom says.
'He's had his ups and downs today. Dad found him asleep in your closet, that's where he went to hide. He was a little monkey whilst I was trying to get him in the car and Mia has been arguing with him again but he answers her back.' I say.
'And the ups?' mum asks.
'He had a great time with dad this morning, he ate all his lunch though he disappeared for a couple of minutes to talk to Simon and Sue and he has plans to keep me busy all afternoon.' I say as mom laughs.
'Has dad spoken to you about last night yet?' mom asks.
'No, we've only just finished lunch.' I say. 'Do you want to talk to dad again before I hang up?'
'Yes please, I'll see you later darling.' Mom says.
'OK mom.' I say as I knock on the study door.
'Come in.' dad and Matty say together and as I enter Matty is still sat on dad's knee and he's giggling.
'Mom wants to talk to you again dad.' I say as I hand him the phone.
'Me as well.' Matty says.
'No buddy just dad, shall we go and look for a kite in the garage.' I say.
'Yes yes yes please.' Matty shouts excitedly and dad looks at me gratefully. 'Let's go Christian.' He adds as he jumps down and runs into the hallway.