"Dad?" a younger Noah asks me, "are you okay?" I know he's growing up but all I can see is my eldest son as a toddler driving a car, scary huh? 'He's not ready for this,' I think and shake myself out of my reverie.
"Are you sure you're ready to drive?" I ask him.
"Dad!" he groans, "Not you too! Do you know how many times Mom has asked me the same thing?" I grin stupidly thinking of Donna.
"Of course. I'm sorry Noah."
"It's ok." I look at his face as he concentrates on driving. He looks a little like Donna, but of course he's mostly a Lyman, at least features wise. He's got these dark brown eyes and light brown hair, but unlike mine it's straight. His personality is almost all from my wife. I can't believe Noah's 16 already. It seems like just yesterday he was born and his older sister, CJ, was screaming with excitement. Now this driving lesson is a first for me, Donna insisted on teaching CJ to drive because of some stupid comment I made about women not being able to drive, needless say CJ is an excellent driver.
"Dad?' he asks again, "Does Mom know what you're doing for her birthday?" I think for a moment and wonder if a President can keep any secrets.
"I hope not." I smile. "You know, I realized that I first loved your mother while sitting in the office Charlie occupies now."
"I didn't know that," he replies. I know Noah's not really listening to me but I just continue on anyway.
"I was just sitting in my chair doing my work, it was late and I thought no one was left in the office, but when I stopped to listen for a moment I heard typing coming from the bullpen and I knew it was your mother. That was the moment I realized I loved her. She was still doing her work at 2 AM just because I was still there…"
"Talk about dedication." I grin at him. "She deserved a raise Dad." I let out a chuckle.
"Oh don't listen to her, she got raises and after awhile I just bought her whatever she wanted."
"Dad?"
"Yeah."
"I'm glad you married Mom."
"Me too."
The End
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