"Have you picked out a story?" John asked as he rounded the door and into his son's small room, just large enough for a bed, set of drawers and a tiny box of books.
John didn't know why he bothered asking anymore as, like always, Hamish was sat in the middle of his bed with the chosen book in his hands. As per usual, the child was peering at the words, trying to decipher them. He really was a curious little boy. John thought that staring school next year couldn't come soon enough!
"What've we got for tonight?" He waiting for Hamish to shuffle over before he lay on half the small bed. The boy leant on his father's bad shoulder but John didn't tell him. "Mucky Mable?" He chuckled, "This is your favourite."
He looped an arm around his son and pulled him closer so his grey eyes could look up at the pictures. He smiled sadly at the eager child.
"This is the tale of Mucky Mable, who had no manners at the table." John began the book like always. Hamish himself could probably recite it off by heart by now but it was a good book that reminded the 3 year old of his table manners so John read it almost every night without fail.
By the end, Hamish's eyes were drifting closed and he yawned every few minutes. John gently shifted his son off his shoulder and rested the boy against the pillow. He tucked the blanket up to his chin before leaving a kiss on this hairline.
He smiled down at his son before leaving and switching on the light outside in the hallway to ensure he'd not be scared if he awoke in the night.
"Papa!"
That was the only warning John got before a little body jumped on him. He gasped as Hamish winded his father. John grabbed the quick boy to stop him escaping.
"Oi, you monkey!" He lifted the toddler up above him, being in the air was Hamish's favourite thing. "What you doing waking up papa on a Saturday!" He teased the boy to hide his actual tiredness.
"I'm hungry!" He cried in defence. The boy's laughter echoed around the room when John proceeded to tickle him. "Papa, no!"
John released him and watched as the troublemaker disappeared under the blanket next to him. He could see the lump moving around on the usually empty side of the bed. It was only a second later that a little head popped up by the pillow. The duvet covered his mouth and nose, only revealing his sparkling eyes and blond hair, static from rubbing against the blanket.
"What are you doing, Ishy?" He laughed, "I thought you were hungry, not sleepy."
Grey eyes shone as he shook his head dramatically. He made a humming sound to emphasise his point. He'd picked that up from his Daddy. John swallowed.
"What's up then, baby?" Hamish's daddy always scolded John for still calling him a baby when he was only a couple of years away from school. John ignored him though; Hamish would always be his baby even if nursery school loomed even closer now.
"Papa sleepy, Hamish sleepy too!" The young boy noticed his father enjoyed his bed.
"What if papa is hungry?" He lied with a slight smirk.
"Then I eat!" The blanket was heavy, still equipped for winter despite the heat, so it took a few moments for the child to free himself and toddle off the double bed. He smiled as he watched the figure disappear in the direction of the kitchen.
He sighed, knowing he'd have to get up. After all, Hamish can't quite reach the toaster.
Saturday was always a good day for John. It gave him time to spend with Hamish instead of leaving him in daycare for several hours. They usually went to the park together before picking up shopping for the next weeks worth of lunches and dinners.
Today was different.
They were walking towards their usual playground when John's mobile began to chime in his back pocket. His heart dropped when he saw the number.
"Hello," He answered quickly.
"John! Thank God, we reached you! There's been a huge traffic accident so we need your help!" The nurse from St Barts spoke rapidly, clearly in the middle of chaos. "Can you make it?"
John glanced down at his son, holding tightly to his hand, peering around unaware of the inevitable. The doctor sighed, "Sure, give me half an hour."
"Thank you so much! You're a life saver!" Literally, John thought with mild bitterness.
He hoisted Hamish onto his hip so he could speed walk to the daycare, just around the corner. Plus, he was now on the perfect level to talk with him.
"Ishy, there's been a problem at work and papa has to go." The boy's hand wrapped around his father's shirt material, "You'll be going to Ellie for a few hours, okay?"
Ellie was the sweet woman with wildly frizzy hair that ran the childcare centre. Hamish loved her but would have rather spent the day with his papa. Saturday was their special day together.
"Papa!" He cried out, unhappy. "but we going to park." He tried to remind his papa as though that could somehow change his mind.
"I know baby but it's only for a few hours while I work." He reassured the child as he pushed open the door to the centre. The woman on front door duty smiled kindly.
As he left, he looked over his shoulder to see Hamish watching him go with large watery eyes. Sometimes, John hated being a single parent.