A/N: Hey look who's back to updating this story. I hope you all understand I had some other A/B fics I was trying to wrap up and those are nearly done as well, but I couldn't leave you all hanging for so long. Thanks again to Terriejane and A-Lady-To-Me for helping me with this one and I appreciate all your reviews (even in other fics :D ) that were reminding me to update this one. Please enjoy and review :)
Chapter 18
John had been sitting in a meeting for a while when he felt his phone vibrating against his hip he quickly pulled it out and looked at the name of the registered on the screen. It was Sybil. At first John didn't think anything of it but thought better of it when he considered that something might have happened to Aidan. He wasted no time in excusing himself and walked out into the hallway to take the phone call. "Hello, Sybil," John answered just as soon as he air the door to the conference room.
"Oh John, I'm glad you answered," she replied.
"Is Aidan alright?"
"That's why I'm calling," she began to explain.
John felt his breath hitch in his chest as he waited for her to get to the point.
"He got into a bit of a scuffle with one of the other boys and he's quite upset. I was going to call Anna but he asked for you," she explained.
"Me?"
"Yes it seems the fight was about you. I can explain it in more detail when you get here. I can call Anna and let her know what is going on of course but I thought it should be you," she added.
"Tell him to sit tight and I'll be right there," John instructed her. He got Robert's attention from the window that looked into the conference room and relayed that he had to go.
Anna had called him as he drove to the school and John told her he had everything under control and would call her as soon as possible. When he arrived at the school he found Aidan sitting in the front office with a tear stained face and red, puffy eyes from crying. John couldn't help but grin when he noticed how much Aidan looked like his mother when he was upset. "Hey little man," John greeted him warmly as he pushed through the door to the front office.
Aidan hopped off the chair and ran over to John as he clutched his leg. The little boy wiped his tears off on John's pants and began crying all over again.
"What happened here?" John asked.
Aidan shook his head and refused to answer him. "Can we go home, John?"
"We can once you tell me what's the matter," John said as he lifted Aidan up into his arms and hugged him tightly. He wiped the tears from the child's face and set him down in the office chair before taking a seat beside him. Aidan still held firm on his vow of silence and John smoothed the boy's hair.
"John, can I talk to you?" Sybil asked once she arrived.
"Sure," John replied. "You going to be alright here?" he asked Aidan.
Aidan nodded up and down as he wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Sybil and John went to the hallway where they could still keep an eye on Aidan, but were far from prying eyes and ears. "Has Aidan mentioned anything to you about you leaving? Or marrying Anna?"
"What?" John asked slightly baffled. Of course the thought about marrying Anna had crossed his mind, but he had thought it still too soon to ask her such a thing.
"Well, we have career day coming up here at the school. The children usually ask a parent to come in. Anna didn't want to come in, I guess because she didn't think much of her career at the restaurant. I suggested to Aidan that maybe his grandpa could come in but he said he wanted you to come in. One of the children in the class began giving Aidan a hard time saying Aidan didn't have a father and this did not sit well with Aidan. I tried to correct the situation and calm them down, but Aidan immediately began shouting that you were his father and jumped all over the boy that spoke poorly about you."
John couldn't help the look of pride that crossed his face, but he quickly put himself in check. "Is the other child alright?"
"Oh yes, nothing more than some pulled hair and hurt feelings. I made both boys apologize, but Aidan still seems upset about the fact that the other boy told him he didn't have a daddy. Thankfully the other child's parents were willing to overlook it as 'boys being boys' and were satisfied with the exchange of apologies. But I think Aidan needs you right now. I think he needs someone to explain to him what your place in his life is going to be," Sybil prompted him.
"And you thought I would be better suited for it than Anna?"
"Well, it would mean more to him coming from you than from his mother," she insisted. "Look," Sybil said as she put a hand on John's shoulder, "I know this isn't the sort of thing you are used to, but you've done brilliantly with him, John. I have every bit of faith in you that you will handle this well."
"You think so?"
"I know so," she replied with a sweet smile.
John looked over at Aidan with a half-smile and worked up the courage to head over and talk to him. "Would it be alright for me to take him for the rest of the day?" John asked.
"I don't see why not. You've picked him up and dropped him off before," Sybil replied.
"John, where are we going?" Aidan asked from the back seat of the car when he noticed they weren't heading home.
"I'm taking you somewhere special. Somewhere my Mum used to take me to talk," John replied.
They arrived shortly after at an ice cream parlor nearby one of the parks that was nearby his mother's house. John took Aidan inside and they picked out their respective flavors before they walked over to the park and sat on a bench next to the lake. John didn't quite know how to start this conversation as it was the most important conversation he had ever had with a five year old. John watched as Aidan swivelled his head back and forth and tried to stop the melting ice cream from falling onto his pants and shirt. His mouth was covered in chocolate and John scolded himself silently for not grabbing more napkins, but he supposed you only live once and he was just a child. The lad ought to be able to enjoy himself considering the rough day he'd had. "Aidan, Miss Sybil told me about what happened today at school," John said.
Aidan looked down at his feet as they swayed back and forth; his feet came to a halt as he recalled the things he did and the words that the other boy had said. "Are you mad at me?" Aidan asked in a small voice. His ice cream slowly melting down his hand now as he'd stopped focusing on the frozen treat.
"Mad? No, I'm not mad," John was quick to soothe his worries. He brought out a napkin and wiped down Aidan's hand and face a little bit. "I wish you hadn't gotten into a fight, your Mummy and I don't approve of you fighting with other children. And I'm not pleased with the things that other kid said to you, but I'm not upset with you, Aidan." John let out a heavy sigh, wondering how Anna would react to the idea of Aidan fighting. He hoped it hadn't been anything to do with what he told Aidan before about standing his ground and giving as good as he got all those months ago.
"You know what he said?" Aidan asked.
"Yes."
"Miss Sybil told you?" Aidan inquired with a big gulp.
"Yes," John replied softly and watched as Aidan's face fell.
"I didn't mean to do it-to get mad," Aidan corrected himself. "I know I'm not supposed to hit, but he made me so angry." Aidan's voice was filled with emotion. "I wish you were my Daddy, John."
John felt his heart ache for the boy sitting before him who sounded wise beyond his years and reminded him so much of a little man. John didn't want to make promises he couldn't keep but he knew he had to say something to help Aidan. Something that he would have liked to hear when he was Aidan's age after his father left. It took him a moment or two to collect his thoughts and think of something that wouldn't cross the line or upset Anna, but he thought it would suffice and cheer Aidan up. "You know Aidan, I love your Mummy very much," he said, "and part of loving her means loving you with all my heart."
Aidan nodded in understanding.
"One day I would love to marry your Mummy and be your Daddy, but that day is not today," John stated clearly. "But I can promise you this, no matter what happens between your Mummy and I, I will always be here for you and I will always love you. You can call on me anytime, day or night, no matter how big or how small. Just like you would if I was your Daddy. How does that sound?" John asked.
Aidan looked up at him with a big chocolate covered smile and leaned in to hug John, "I like that."
"That's my boy," John said as he patted Aidan's back lightly. "Now, I still have some big projects to finish up at work today. So what do you say we finish up our ice cream and you go run around on the playground for a bit, then we head back to the office so I can finish up some work?"
"Can I sit in your office?" Aidan asked excitedly .
"Sure, you can even play on the fancy swivel chair Uncle Robert got me," John added to sweeten the deal.
"John, will you still come in for career day, even though you aren't my Daddy?"
John felt tears welling up in the corner of his eyes as he answered back, "Of course I will."
John had called Anna for the second time that afternoon to let her know that he had handled everything with Aidan and that he would bring him home after they finished up at the office. Anna apologized for the inconvenience, but John assured her it was no trouble at all and that he thought Aidan could benefit from the quality time spent that day. John promised they would pick up dinner on the way home and he would give her all the details later. She let out a relieved sigh on the other end of the phone before asking if she could talk to Aidan for a few minutes. John gladly handed the phone over to Aidan and watched as the boy practically disappeared in the large swivel chair that was much too big for him.
Aidan answered a couple of Anna's questions with 'yes' and 'no' and then he heard him say, "Yes, Mummy, I promise I'll be good and listen to John. Okay, I love you too. Bye." Aidan handed over the phone to John and said, "Here you go," before returning to drawing a picture on the pad of paper that John had provided him with. He said his goodbyes to Anna and laughed when he hung up and saw Aidan with his tongue half sticking out as he concentrated on his latest artistic masterpiece.
"Buddy, I have to go to a conference call, but Daisy is going to keep an eye on you," John said as he gestured to the young woman with fair skin and dark hair. "Will you be alright with that?"
"Ok," Aidan replied.
"Come on Aidan, you can help me make copies for John. I'll let you push the 'copy' button and you can help carry the papers back," Daisy said enticingly as she held her hand out for Aidan. The little boy promptly ran across the room and followed Daisy down the hallway, chattering her ear off about anything and everything that had to do with the copy machine.
John went about his meeting and came back a little later to find that Daisy had let Aidan listen to some music on her ipod while he spun around in the swivel chair. John poked his head back outside of his office and looked over at Daisy's whose desk was stationed right outside, "How did he do?"
"No problems, he was very well behaved. I let him run around in the courtyard for a bit to get rid of some of his excess energy," she said with a smile. "He chased after the pigeons."
"Sounds like him. Any messages for me?"
Daisy thumbed through some notes on her pad of paper, "Robert, said your latest client is running late. He should be in soon. Will you be wanting me to set out some tea or coffee for you?"
"I don't think my body could handle coffee this late in the day. Maybe some tea for me," John said. "I suppose I should get him something to munch on in case this meeting runs late." John handed Daisy some change and asked her to take Aidan down to the cafeteria and get him something to eat. Before she left he stopped to ask, "What's the client's name?"
Daisy glanced down at the paper again, "It's a Mister Green."
Aidan ran down the empty hallway at lightning speed as he imitated the sound of air whooshing through his hair. He ran back to Daisy's desk, a little out of breath, and began rummaging through his backpack until he found his hot wheels and began driving them along the carpet and walls. He pretended to race them, unaware of his surroundings when one of the doors opened and nearly knocked him over.
"What the devil?" the man asked.
"I'm sorry," Aidan quickly apologized as he retrieved his cars from the floor before they got stepped on. The child looked up to find a tall man with brown hair and dark eyes staring back at him. He looked a little younger than John and a little slimmer. His face was almost pasty white and Aidan hesitated to take his hand when the man offered to help him up.
"It's quite alright, little fellow," the man greeted him before extending his hand a little further. He helped Aidan to his feet and asked, "What's your name?"
Aidan looked back up the short distance to Daisy's desk, "My Mummy says I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." He couldn't explain why, but he didn't have a good feeling about this man.
"Ah, well your Mummy would be right about that. I should introduce myself so that we aren't strangers any longer. I'm Mr. Green. And you are?"
The boy stood staring at the man, unmoving, stunned into silence.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" Mr. Green asked.
Aidan shook his head back and forth in a 'no' motion.
Their introductions were interrupted by the arrival of Daisy, "Aidan, I told you not to wander off while I finished up the filing." Daisy looked the boy up and down and patted his bottom to direct him back towards her desk. She turned her attentions back to the man, "I'm terribly sorry about that. You must be Mr. Green."
"I am. I called earlier letting the firm know I would be late. You must be Daisy," he guessed with a charming smile.
The young lady blushed furiously and averted her eyes for a moment. "I am. I'll just ring Mr. Bates for you and get you set up in the conference room."
She set up Mr. Green in the conference room and got the projector warmed up. Daisy retrieved some snacks and ice cold water before asking if he would be needing anything else. When he excused her, Daisy hastily made her way back to John's office and knocked gently on the door. He waved her in. "Mr. Bates, your two o'clock is finally here. He's waiting in the conference room."
"Excellent. How's Aidan doing?" John asked as he shrugged his jacked back on.
"He's fine. I have him working on artwork using the scrap paper from the copy machine," she said.
"Great. Hopefully this doesn't take more than an hour," John said before he walked out of the office and headed into the conference room.
Daisy smiled easily at him and said, "Take your time. We're fine out here."
Charles arrived home from work to find Elsie already sitting on the sofa with her feet propped up over one of the arms as she sipped on some tea she had just made. "Well, don't you look the picture," he commented as he bent down to kiss her cheek and lips. "And how was your day today my sweetheart?" Charles asked as he lifted Elsies feet so he could slide down on the couch beneath her legs.
"It was a busy day, but no worse than usual. Anna has been slowly taking over more and more of my tasks. I think retirement may be in my near future and she just might be the person to take over the business," Elsie reported with an easy smile.
"You think she's ready for it?" Charles asked.
"I think she's always been able to do it. Was she ready for it? That is yet to be determined," she said and noticed Charles shot her a disapproving look. "Don't get me wrong, I've always believed in her. I'm just waiting for the day she'll start believing in herself again," Elsie said.
Charles patted her softly on the leg and replied, "I think she's getting there. Thanks to you."
"And you," she pointed out with gentle nod and a warm smile. "And John," she added.
Charles rolled his eyes slightly, but it hadn't gone unnoticed by Elsie.
"What do you have against that man?" she playfully scolded him.
"I don't know," Charles hated to admit.
"I can't understand it. He's there for Anna and Aidan in every way that it counts. Even today he took time out of his busy work schedule to go down to Aidan's school and pick him up after he got into a fight with some other kid at school," she tried to reason with him.
"He did what?" Charles said, nearly shooting out of his chair.
"It's ok, he had it all taken care of," Elsie said as she sat up and began to calm him.
"I don't care if he had it taken care of. When Anna can't take care of something, the school usually calls me," Charles argued. "Is he alright atleast? Did the other kid get punished?"
"Well I'm sure he's alright or John would have called Anna. As for the punishment, you'd have to ask Anna or John yourself," Elsie shot back. "Are you really upset about what happened to Aidan or that you weren't called upon?"
"Can't it be both?" Charles retorted as he stomped across the living room floor.
"No," Elsie replied firmly. She stood up this time to meet him and face him head on. "Anna is moving on now. Just like you," she reminded him. "Anna has John in her life to be her support and her protector. It doesn't mean she doesn't need you anymore. It just means your role in her life has changed. All you have to do is love her and be there for her. I know that's hard to do given what happened to her, but it's what she needs...what you both need," Elsie said. She extended her arms to me his and let her hand travel the length of his forearm before stopping at his hand. Elsie let her fingers intertwine with his, "What's really bothering you, Charles?" she asked.
"I don't...I don't know. I don't know how to stop caring for her. It's the one thing that Alice charged me with and I failed her."
"You didn't fail her. You couldn't have failed her at something that you weren't aware was happening. She holds no ill feelings against you and you need to stop punishing yourself," Elsie advised. "Charles, you have to let this guilt go. It will only drive you and Anna apart. You should be happy that she found someone like John that loves her the way he does. The way I love you," she added.
He looked up at her and smiled. How could he be mad when she spoke of such sweet things? Truer words had never been spoken. Charles was internally patting himself on the back for having the good sense to ask her hand in marriage when he had because he couldn't imagine a life without her. "Can I ask you a question?" he said sounding unsure of himself.
Elsie was caught off guard and replied, "I'm all ears."
"What are you doing with a fool like me?"
"Well, they do say that opposites attract," she teased.
"That we do," he concluded. "Though I have to point out that there are quite a few things we have in common that we both enjoy. Like this," Charles said as his lips nibbled at her neck and nipped at her collar bone. "And this," he added as his lips traveled the planes of her cheeks. "Oh and this too," he added with a gruff voice that was like music to her ears as he kissed her neck.
Elsie waited silently for his lips to reach hers, the passion building in pressure like a coiled up spring. Every hair on the back of her neck standing up with sweet anticipation. She tilted her had to grant him easy access, but instead he took the road less traveled. The unanswered gesture only made her desire him all the more. Her breathing had become labored and her heart beat quickened; a response she couldn't hide from him if she wanted to as her chest rose and fell with each breath. Deep down Elsie knew she had already waited long enough to have this man all to herself, but she still would have waited a lifetime for him if she had to. Their mouths finally met in a chaste kiss as his hands settled around her waist and brought her closer to him. A surge of love burning and growing between them even in the briefest of encounters. The mouths moved with haste as the kisses became more passionate and the need to be with one another increased. Their muffled moans became more discernable, but the message was clear; they had to have one another. But the momentum came to an abrupt halt as the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be?" Elsie asked as her eyes darted back and forth between the door and Charles.
"Do you really want to know?" he managed to ask between gasping breaths as he tried to regain his composure, but still he kept in contact with her. He was half tempted to tell whoever it was at the door off for interrupting their private moment.
"Well, we don't get visitors often," she reasoned, "it must be important."
Charles rolled his eyes in anguish and reluctantly ambled over to the door before opening it abruptly. "Yes, what do you want?" he nearly shouted in frustration as he opened the door.
"Charles!" Elsie exclaimed in a scolding tone.
He turned back to her and apologized, "Sorry."
Elsie made a gesture with her hand for him to find out who was waiting for him at the door.
As Charles turned back he realized it was John with Aidan in tow, "Oh, this is unexpected, did I forget we had plans?"
"Hi, Grandpa," Aidan interrupted as he pushed his way through and made himself at home.
"Hello, Charlie," John greeted with his hand extended.
The gesture was returned although with some hesitation. Charlie waited for Aidan to run past him and towards the back door to let Jasper in, no doubt. He looked up towards John and noted, "He seems to be doing well."
"He'll manage," John replied with a half-smile.
"Elsie told me about what happened today at the school. Well most of it anyway," he said.
"Yes, apparently another boy said something that didn't sit well with Aidan regarding the boy's father… or lack there of," John said softly in case the boy walked back into the room.
"I see."
"He held his own though," John said with a smile he could barely contain.
"Did he now?" Charlie asked with a similar grin on his face.
"Yeah, I'm almost afraid to admit this aloud, for fear it will get back to Anna. But he defended me to his friends in school and I couldn't be more proud of him for doing that," John said.
"Is that what you came by to tell me?"
"We didn't have plans, this is a rather...erm...impromptu visit. Anna doesn't know I'm here. We were just stopping by on our way home to pick up dinner," John answered back.
"Is Anna alright?" Charlie asked trying to mask his worry.
"She's fine. Still holding down the fort at the cafe," John replied. He leaned his head a little past the small opening between Charlie and the door frame before casting off a tiny wave, "Hi, Elsie."
Elsie smiled back as she straightened out her hair and tidied up her dress, "Hello, John."
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I have something I need to speak with you about," John stated nervously.
"Come on in. Perhaps Elsie could warm some tea up for all of us," he suggested and Elsie made her way to the kitchen in response.
"Will Anna be joining us later?" Elsie asked.
"No. I don't want to take up too much of your time," John replied as he stepped into the house.
Elsie disappeared around the corner and John and Charlie shared a smile when they heard Aidan beg Elsie for a chocolate biscuit. "Very well. What is it you'd like to speak to me about?" Charlie asked.
John looked around to make sure they were the only ones within earshot as he tried to make himself comfortable on the sofa across from Charlie. Charlie had already sat back in his recliner, even while sitting he was a bear of a man and John felt slightly intimidated. John fidgeted with his suit jacket and wondered if he should take it off as he was suddenly feeling very warm and light headed, but settled on leaving it on. He changed his position on the sofa a couple of times before he spoke, "I know this is probably a hard topic for you to speak about being that it's a sensitive subject and so long ago...but...how did you know Alice was the one for you?"
"Alice?" Charlie asked. Obviously, he knew to whom John was referring, but he had never heard that name on John's lips before.
"Mmhmm," John replied with a gentle nod of the head. "I mean you were so young when you met her and she already had a small child, wasn't that a difficult choice to make, or rather a large commitment?"
"Well, no actually," Charlie responded easily. "I met Anna first. She'd gotten lost while wandering around the theatre Alice was performing at and I happened to find her. I told her that I'd make sure she got back to her Mummy safe and sound. She was a talkative little thing, always so inquisitive; much like Aidan," Charlie recalled.
John could see the way Charlie's eyes lit up whenever he spoke of Anna, it was the same look any parent got in their eye when they talked of their child with such fondness and regard. It hadn't mattered how Charlie came to be in Anna's life, so long as the love that was shared between them was genuine.
"We of course eventually found Anna's mother and she was still in costume after having rehearsed a big number on the stage. When I first met Alice, I was a goner. Anna was just the icing on the cake. She made it so easy to love the idea of being a parent," Charlie went on to explain. "I guess you could say that Anna was what brought us together more than fate."
John was already sure of where his feelings for Anna stood, but he had to get some confirmation from someone that understood his circumstances. "Would you change any of it?"
"No. I don't believe I would," Charlie answered. "Alice was one of my greatest loves. I think something brought me into her life, knowing what lay ahead for Alice, so that I could be there to care for Anna. It probably sounds crazy. But I love her like my own."
"That doesn't sound crazy at all," John said as he stared down at his hands. "Can I ask you something else?"
"Well I think we covered the heavy topics," Charlie answered back, "but sure why not."
"Would you give me permission to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage?" John asked.
Anna had been going through some bills at the kitchen table when she heard the familiar sound of John's car pull up into the driveway. Anna set the stack aside and smiled as she anticipated their arrival. It didn't take long for John to get the door open and Aidan came bolting in so much so that he nearly knocked her off balance when he threw his arms around her for a hug.
"Mummy!" he called out as his body collided with hers. Aidan buried his head into the hem of her skirt as his little arms clutched her tightly.
She would never tire of his hugs and even though he was getting too big for her to carry, Anna picked him up and kissed his cheek. Her eyes roaming over him for any sign of injury or distress from the incident earlier. But the look in his eyes told her the encounter had long since been forgotten. "Hello, my darling boy," Anna replied as she covered his head with kisses. "How was your day today?" she asked not wanting to press him for more than he was willing to reveal.
"It was great!" he responded happily. "John, showed me around his office and I got to play with my race cars and color with Daisy. And she let me make copies. I even got to make a copy of my hand. Look," Aidan said as he wriggled for her to set him down. He removed his backpack and opened the zipper to pull out the paper and hold it up for his mother.
"That's fantastic, but what about school my love?" she inquired.
"We practiced our numbers today and got to make reindeer ornaments for Christmas," Aidan said. He dug a little further in his backpack with his tongue half stuck out of his mouth. "Ms. Sybil let us color it however we want. I covered mine in glitter." Aidan held up the tiny, wooden clothespin that was bedazzled with glitter. The only spot not covered in glitter was the eyes, nose, and little antlers that were glued on.
Anna chuckled as she saw a tiny pile of glitter fall from the reindeer and collect on the carpet. "Oh yes, I love glitter," Anna replied with a little less enthusiasm. "Let's pick out a spot to hang it on the tree shall we?"
"Yeah!"
The boy chose to put it alongside the small pile of ornaments that had been clumped together from when Aidan was given free reign of decorating the tree. The tree looked rather amusing as most of ornaments now seemed to be gathered at the bottom; no higher than where Aidan could outstretch his tiny arms. Anna and John had of course put up a few but could do nothing but smile and shake their heads in amusement as they looked at their first Christmas tree shared together.
"Perfect," John commented with his hands on his hips. "Now we have ourselves a real Christmas tree."
"Really?" Aidan asked.
"Really," John said.
"Can we start making the Christmas cookies now Mummy?"
"After dinner love. Go wash your hands," Anna instructed.
"Christmas cookies? You didn't tell me we'd be making Christmas cookies," John said as he leaned forward to kiss her. He could feel Anna's lips curve into a delicious smile before they parted. His still caught up in the taste of her honey dipped kisses from her afternoon tea. John let out a contented sigh as he stared at her in the splendid little Christmas sweater she was sporting. It hung just off the shoulder and drove John mad in the worst way possible, as he stared at that untouched patch of skin that was calling out to him. Her hair was parted to one side and hung in a loose ponytail so that her curls bounced just so with every movement she made.
"It's tradition. My own special recipe. I thought it would be nice if we had something sweet to nibble on later on while we watch some Christmas movies and wrap presents," she added.
"You're something sweet that I'd like to nibble on later," he shot back with a little more courage than he'd shown in previous encounters.
Anna's cheeks turned a shade of crimson as she imagined what a night shared with John Bates would entail. She'd made real progress in the weeks since her confession and had been even more comfortable around him since he'd shared a piece of his childhood with her on his birthday. But the actual act had yet to follow and she knew that was all down to her. "We'll have to see if I can get the little one off to bed without a hitch," she replied.
"Right. Right. What time is bedtime again?" he asked playfully.
Anna laughed at him and playfully swatted his arm. "Cheeky beggar."
They had spent the evening decorating and baking cookies, a past time John had not engaged in since he was Aidan's age. John had forgotten how much he enjoyed baking as he watched Aidan decorating his cookies with no form or regard whatsoever for the appearance of his sweet concoction. It was such a contrast to Anna who poured all her attention into every intricate detail of the frosting and sprinkles. It was like watching Monet and Picasso at work; both so dedicated to their craft, but the finished products standing out distinctly from one another. Anna chided him for eating more of his cookies than he was decorating, to which he smudged a dollop of flour onto her nose. The action resulted in a minor skirmish between the three of them. John had resorted to using Aidan as a shield and Anna had called him a horrible cheat, but it was all in good fun.
Afterward, John helped to clean the kitchen as Anna drew Aidan a bath. John let a grin creep across his face as he heard the laughter the filtered out from the bathroom down the hallway. He could not have dreamed up a sweeter sound. It was one that he wished to always fill his head and his heart at the beginning and end of each day. John considered his conversation with Charles earlier and only hoped that Anna would feel the same way. At least, after the interaction he'd had earlier with Aidan he knew he could easily win the boy's vote.
John made sure that he had some cocoa waiting for them along with the cooled cookies that had just been removed from the oven by the time Aidan was out of the tub and changed into his pajamas. They shared their delectable treats by the fireplace as Aidan watched Frosty the Snowman for the fourth time that week. John was certain the song would be stuck in his head throughout tomorrow's meeting. He did rather enjoy watching the lad jump up and down to the catchy tune as Aidan munched on the extra marshmallows John had snuck into his cup.
Aidan continued to watch his movie as John and Anna wrapped presents together. Once Anna was sure Aidan was very well occupied she leaned forward to whisper, "Are you going to tell me now in full what happened today?"
"I'm not sure I should," John answered back as he stopped cutting the wrapping paper.
"And why is that?"
"I think it was really more of a conversation between us-Aidan and I that is. More of a man to man issue," John tried to explain without revealing the true nature of the fight. He knew that once Anna found out the real reason for Aidan's distress that day she would find some way to take on the blame.
"Oh. Do you and my son have secrets now?" she accused him playfully.
"No, but can't it just be enough that the issue is resolved?"
Anna grew serious but the smile didn't fade, "Oh John, no it can't. It isn't for lack of trust. But you must understand that it has always been my role and my role alone to ensure that my son's worries are my worries. I can accept that it is resolved, but I must know what it was that disturbed him."
John couldn't help but acquiesce to her request, understanding that she did have a point. "Another child in the class antagonized Aidan when he suggested that I might come to career day...one that is meant for parents." He felt a physical ache as the words he had spoken registered across her face. It wasn't as if it was something she could prevent or magically fix and yet she still took it upon herself to be the cause for her son's plight.
"I should have known that this day would come sooner or later," she whispered. "It was so much easier before he was able to talk, before he could recognize what was missing in his life." Anna set the tape down and pushed the wrapped present aside. She kept her tears at bay but she knew that this would be something Aidan would always inquire about in a variety of ways. Who was his father? Where was his father? Why did she leave him? What did he do to make her leave? The questions would never end until he knew the truth and even then she wondered if Aidan would be able to forgive her for her inability to work things out with Henry.
"What he is missing in his life?" John repeated her words back to her. "Anna, I do not see anything that he is missing in his life. Aidan is happy and healthy. He has a roof over his head and food in his belly. You shower him with love and really isn't that what a parent is supposed to do? It makes no difference whether it be a mother or a father," John reasoned.
"You really think so?"
"I know so. It made no difference to me where my father went. My mother's love was always enough," John replied.
"Yes, but you knew what your father was capable of. You saw him for what he really was. Aidan, doesn't know that and when he does he may not ever understand the full extent of the matter."
"What is it that you are worried of Anna? That he'll take his father's side over yours?" John asked and he saw the doubt in Anna's eyes. "He may struggle at first to understand it, but I think at the end of the day Aidan will see what I see. A brave woman that escaped that life and who raised a son all on her own and did everything in her power to make sure he grew up happy."
Anna got up from her chair and sat in John's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck as she looked deeply in his eyes, feeling all the love and warmth emanating from them. She stroked his cheek and smiled when John pressed his lips against the palm of her hand. "I feel like I don't tell you this enough, but I love you, John Bates. There are days when I can't fathom how I went so long without you in my life. You have brought me back from the darkness and I can't thank you enough for that," Anna said as she nuzzled her face against his neck. Her soft hands caressed his cheek and John turned his head to touch his nose with hers before kissing Anna's lips. Their mouths mingled in the most gentle way, before his tongue ran along the seam of her lips silently asking for entry. Anna gladly obliged and could feel her resolve crumbling to his ministrations. His rough hands moved along her rib cage sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Anna could sense the familiar stir of excitement as her body responded to his. She'd almost forgotten Aidan was still in the room, when he called out, "Mummy, my tape is over. Can I watch another one?"
John let out an audible sigh as their foreheads came to rest against one another.
Anna shot an amused glance at John, knowing full well that she felt the same as him. A mother's job was never done and the both of them were all too aware of that. "No, sweetheart. It's going on nine thirty. You should get ready for bed now," she answered back, still settled in John's arms.
"But I don't even have school tomorrow," he argued back.
"I know love, but you'll have to wake up early tomorrow to come to work with me," she replied.
"Ugh," he groaned.
"Believe me, the feeling is mutual my darling," Anna replied. She turned to John and they both chuckled slightly as Aidan marched off toward his bedroom a little more reluctantly than usual. "I should go get him tucked in," she said.
"Can you wait just a minute? I want to finish that kiss we started," John commented. He ran his hand along her thigh and savored the feeling of her body pressed against his in such a delicious way. His other hand looped one of her curls around his finger and he let her take over his senses as their mouths found one another one more. He didn't pull away until he was satisfied, the taste on his lips enough to hold him over until they met again.
Anna slowly got up when they broke apart, somewhat light headed from their kiss that left her reeling. "Are you going to join us for bedtime stories?" Anna asked.
"I think I need a moment to collect myself. You have a very intoxicating effect on me, Ms. Smith," he joked.
"Alright then. Don't be too long," Anna instructed him.
Anna had been reading a book to Aidan for sometime when she noticed her son didn't seem to be paying much attention. In fact, Aidan looked quite thoughtful and reminded her a bit of John, as he too was known for brooding. Anna's words came to a pause and she realized that it hadn't even registered for Aidan that she had stopped. She set the book aside on the small bedside table and snuggled down further into the bed with him, "What is bothering you sweetheart?"
Aidan shrugged his shoulders and he played with the floppy ears of his stuffed bear.
She combed his hair away from his face and scratched his back gently when he rolled over to face the wall. "You can tell Mummy anything you know?"
"I know," he replied softly.
"Well then," she prodded.
Aidan let out an exasperated puff of air as he craned his neck back to face Anna. "Is John ever going to be my Daddy?" he asked.
"Why would you ask such a thing?"
"Because the boys at school said I couldn't bring John to career day. That only Mummies and Daddies can go. John said he'd like to marry you and be my Daddy, but not today," Aidan explained.
The admission from her son had startled her. While Anna had hoped that things would eventually progress towards marriage she hadn't expected John to be thinking that way so soon. Especially since they hadn't even been able to be intimate with one another. She also knew what a big responsibility he would be facing in asking her hand in marriage. While John had been more than wonderful with Aidan, dating a single mum and marrying one were two different things. "Aidan, I know it's hard for you to understand right now sweetheart, but it's complicated."
"Why?" he asked in a voice that cracked. Aidan sat up now to reason with his mother. "You love John. And John loves you."
She could tell there would be no end in sight now. Like his father, when he set his mind on something he couldn't just let it go. "Yes, that's true, but…"
"But what?"
"This is a decision that adults have to make."
Aidan didn't look satisfied with this answer and in that moment he looked even more like Henry than she'd ever seen him; so much that it physically hurt to look at him.
Anna swallowed hard as she tried to regain her composure, he had never been this difficult with her before. Aidan had always been so accommodating, so polite, and good-natured. It wasn't like him to argue with her and be so headstrong. "I know it doesn't make sense, but it will one day. Mummy has to make sure that what she is doing is best for me and for you." Anna tried to wrap her arms around him to comfort him, but he pulled away; an action that pained her more than she was prepared for.
Aidan threw himself back onto his pillow and rolled over with a huff. "It won't make sense," he pouted.
This was foreign territory for her and while she hated the idea of being so harsh with him she couldn't risk Aidan turning out to be like Henry. There had to be boundaries and consequences. Anna turned Aidan over to face her and spoke firmly but calmly with him, "Aidan, that is no way to talk to Mummy. You need to show respect to your elders. Now say sorry to Mummy this instant."
He remained defiant until John came into the room, "What's all this? I could hear you from the kitchen."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be angry with you, Mummy," Aidan said as he burst into tears.
Anna wrapped him in her arms and shushed him until he calmed down. She felt herself coming back into her own and kissed his head. Anna whispered her apologies back to him, "I'm sorry too sweetheart. There is so much I wish I could change for you. But you can't talk to Mummy like that. It's not right. Do you understand, Aidan?"
Aidan nodded his head in acknowledgement as he squeezed Anna tighter. He tried to work up a smile through his tears and his lip wobbled slightly, an unconscious gesture that reminded John so much of Anna. "I didn't mean to make you mad when I told you what John said," Aidan mumbled into her sweater.
John's eyes widened in surprise, unsure of what he had said to Aidan that would have upset Anna.
"No, my love. You didn't say anything wrong. I'm sure it was something he meant to keep a secret between the two of you and he just forgot to tell you," Anna explained.
She looked up at John and shot a smile his way to put his mind at ease.
John stood by in the doorway still unaware of what had happened. He allowed them to have a moment to themselves before he took his turn to say goodnight to Aidan and tuck him into bed.
John wasn't sure how long it was before he reemerged from Aidan's bedroom but he found Anna sitting on the couch in the living room nursing a hot mug of tea in silence. She was staring at the Christmas tree, but her mind was elsewhere. He gently rested his hand on her shoulder; the gesture made her jump slightly but Anna soon smiled when she looked up to see him standing there. "Is he alright?" she asked.
John leaned over the back of the couch and let his arms snake their way across her shoulders and embrace her in a hug. He dropped a kiss into her hair as his words drifted into her ear, "He's not quite asleep just yet, but he will be."
Anna let out a small forced laugh, "I meant about the way I spoke to him."
"You didn't say anything that wasn't true," John responded. "It might have been a little more forceful than your usual nature, but I'm sure you had a good reason for it."
"I hated doing that to him, but…" Anna let out a sigh and let her head fall back to look up at John. "It scared me to see him acting that way. He reminded me so much of his father, and I couldn't let that happen."
John stood up now and frowned at her as he came around the other side of the couch to join her. "You can't be serious?" John eyed her carefully as she stared at him in silence. He took a seat beside her and grabbed her hand before bringing it to his mouth and letting his lips graze her knuckles. He loved how her eyes closed as his lips made contact with her skin, the way she let out her breath slowly as they parted, and how her eyes were almost pleading for him to do it again afterward. "Anna, I may not have known Aidan's father, but I don't think it's possible for Aidan to ever be like him even on his worst day. Not when he is surrounded by so much love. I can't allow myself to believe that he would grow up to have a mean bone in his body with a mum like you."
"You're too good to me," she said with a smile.
"I'm only treating you the way you deserve to be treated," he replied. John lightly patted his chest with the palm of his hand and Anna scooted over to place her head on his chest. He let his free hand rest on her shoulder and stroke her arm up and down. "Watching you with Aidan is a sight to behold. One that I hope I can continue to watch and...be a part of."
"You shall be a part of it as long as you want," Anna said as she burrowed against his chest and hugged him tightly with a knowing smile etched on her face.