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Chapter 23
Playing Daddy
Tobias' POV
I stand awkwardly with my hands in my pocket. I feel their eyes on my back without even needing to look at them. Instead, I give my attention to the small rock that sits near my right foot. Refusing to look up and make eye contact with the dozens of other moms that sit outside the school waiting for school to get out.
After the rush earlier at the bakery, Tris asked if I wouldn't mind picking up both Junior and Emily at school for her and Chris. I was surprised when Chris actually agreed to this, but with the afternoon staff calling out and Tris needing to still fill out orders, Chris needed to work on the books. They seemed to be in a bind. Chris was just about to text what I would assume is the next one in line to help, when Tris suggested I be the one to get the kids. Honestly the thought of being in charge of two kids is terrifying. But after everything… I'm honored that Tris and even Chris would trust me so easily with Emily and Will Jr. The bakery is open till 5 with a planned hour to clean up and to close the place. Tris and Chris aren't expecting to be home at least until after 6.
Of course, Tris being Tris gave me an out. If I wanted to, I could pick up the kids and I could easily drop them off at the bakery where they could play in the back until closing. It's an out that although I appreciated it, I wouldn't think about taking it. No. I wanted this, want this, to prove that I am here for the long haul for everything.
"Come on, Four." Emily says, tugging my right hand. Junior on the other hand, just runs off towards the swings.
"Junior, stay where I can see you, alright." I called out.
"Okay." He says back, not looking over his shoulder as he swings his backpack off and drops it on the ground beside the swing.
I climb the colorful large steps up to the second floor of the playground set, staying behind Emily as she giggles climbing up. She only stops when she reaches the very top slide.
"I dare you to go down the slide, Four." She laughs out, gesturing for me to go first.
"Oh yeah," I say, trying to sound more like an 8-year-old would than someone my age. "You're on." I announce as I grab a hold of the handrail and swing my legs into the hole. I kind of push with my arms and pull with my legs to get myself through the damn thing. Obviously, whoever built this thing didn't think of a male in his late 20's going down it. But a dare is a dare. Later we had a race with Junior, who at first wasn't so into it, but easily is persuaded when Emily grabs a hold of his hand and begs him to join in.
Emily, Junior, and I both set our feet in the position near a tree. Emily points out to what tree we are to run to. Junior rubs his hands together telling Emily she is going down. I of course jumped in, "yeah, you tell her Junior."
"Boys, please. Girls got this race." She says, so sure of herself.
"We'll see about that." I responded. For a moment I see more of Tris in her than me.
"Ready, "Junior says.
"Set." Emily says right after him.
"Go." I scream out, pushing myself forward. I pretend to fall on the root of a tree that somehow got in my way, having trouble getting back up on my feet. Screaming "No," as they both get closer and closer to the finish line that Emily created. When I finally somehow make it to my feet, I hear them both scream out "We won! We won!' Emily of course is quick to correct Junior where he stands. Making sure that he is more than aware that she, who is a girl, won the race. Junior rolls his eyes, hating the thought that he obviously lost to the opposite of sex. Little bro, you have no idea.
"Alright, loser buys ice cream." I scream out, fisting the air like I was the winner.
"Silly, Four, you lost the race." Emily laughs.
"Well good." I say, I pick up Emily first, throwing her over my shoulder as I scoop up Junior with my right arm swinging both their little bodies in the air and towards the right direction. "Now where is that ice cream place?" I ask, as if I don't know where it is and begin to stumble off.
"Mmmm, I want chocolate, please." Junior points out through the glass. I laugh, as I watch him just about drool over the glass case.
"Nice choice, any toppings?" I ask.
"Duh, sprinkles." He says, like it's the obvious choice in the world.
"Oh of course." I responded. Jeez what was I thinking? "And how about you, Ms. Emily?" I ask, turning towards her on my left.
"MMMM... Strawberry." She says, her eyes sparkling. "With chocolate syrup." She announces.
"Good choice." I look back at the case announcing what I am dying to have, "Rocky Road with caramel."
"Can we get Mommy and Aunty Chris some?" Emily asks, always the kind one like her mother.
"Of course, we can," I say, "What flavor do you think we should get them?" I ask. Letting the kids pick out what kind of ice cream to get for their mothers. I'm impressed at how easily and good they both know their mother's favorite ice cream.
It doesn't take long after I knock for the door to swing open. The kids happily run into their mother's arms.
"Did you three have fun?" Tris asks, looking over both kids.
"We did." Emily starts. Junior chimes in just as they both rant on about what a great afternoon they both had at the park.
"Oh, you did?" Tris asks, smiling up at me. "And did Four make it down the slide, okay?" Oh jeez, they had to tell her that.
"I think so." Emily answers, a little confused why Tris would ask such a thing.
"I had to maneuver a little…but I did alright," I answered. Tris laughs in response.
"We got you some ice cream, Mommy. Your favorite." Junior announces.
"Oh good." Chris says, placing her hand over her heart for a dramatic effect. "I would just be heartbroken if I didn't get any ice cream."
"Hey, what about me?" Tris asks, pretending to be offended.
"We got you some too, Mommy." Emily says kissing Tris' cheek. I hold up the brown paper bag, showing that I indeed have ice cream in my hand.
"Well, that's very nice of all of you. I'll put that in the freezer till later." Tris says, taking the bag from me. "I hope you guys didn't spoil your dinner too much. It's all done." She says, moving deeper into the house and into the kitchen. "Stay for dinner, Four?" Tris asks, glancing over her shoulder. For a moment, I wonder if she is just being polite or really wants me to stay. I ponder whether or not I should stay. Knowing that she has had a long day and obviously wants to finish the night as soon as possible.
"Umm," I begin.
"No buts, you are staying. You deserve to have a nice dinner." Chris says, not really giving me any other choice. I press my lips together, nodding with appreciation for a home cooked meal.
I'm surprised at how easy dinner is. Without even being asked Junior and Emily both got to work in setting up the table. Junior got the utensils out, while Emily got the placemats and plates. I was left amazed at how two little kids could be so helpful. Tris served lasagna, which I swear I could eat by the barrel full, along with a garden salad and breadsticks. Again, I was surprised, remembering at that age I hated the thought of eating anything green. Yet, here are these two little kids having no problems eating it first before the good stuff. A habit that Chris and Tris obviously taught them to do. There was a lot of small talk during the meal. Which again surprisingly was pleasant. Both Chris and Tris asked the kids about their day at school, and what was the good and bad that happened. I was intrigued by their answers. Junior loved his recess time, however hated math. Emily, on the other hand, had all good things to say, especially about lunch time. On the other hand, she expressed how much she hated her time in the classroom, period. But she was thankful that the teacher allowed her to sit on the bouncy ball at her desk today. Of course, Tris had to explain what in fact Emily meant by a bouncy ball. Seeing that I had no fucking idea what in the world that was. Afterwards, the kids were sent to wash up and change for bed, seeing that they already had their dessert before dinner. Although they pouted, they did exactly what they were told after clearing the table. Again, Tris and Chris have done an awesome job…. They are great kids.
"I dry, you wash?" I insist, placing my hands on Tris' hips as I gently push her to the side. I hear the gasp in her throat as she feels my hands on her. I swallow past the lump in my throat feeling exactly what she does. But I come to my senses, clearing my throat as I grab a clean towel. She hands me a wet, but clean plate for me to get to work.
"Thanks. You don't have to, you know. I got this." She says smiling, as I take the plate from her.
"You probably do. But still…You cooked. The least I can do is help with the clean up," I say, as we fall into a comfortable rhythm.
"I gotta hand it to you, Tris. The bakery… Emily… You really are amazing." I say, feeling the need to express to her how proud I am for her handling all of this. I don't think I would have been able to handle it all if the shoes were on the other feet. "You are an amazing mother."
"Thanks. She's an amazing kid. Really. I can't take all the credit." She says, her cheeks reddening as we speak.
"Goodnight, Mommy!" Emily says, coming behind us. We both turn, seeing Emily just about jumping up and down.
"Goodnight, my sweet girl." Tris says, bending over to kiss her cheek. "I'll be right up to tuck you in."
"Okay," she says, turning towards me. "Goodnight, Four." She smiles, as she wraps her arms around my legs tightly. "Thanks for the ice cream."
"Anytime, Princess," I say, patting her back. I feel my heart swell with love for this little girl. Wishing one day I wouldn't have to say goodnight to her. "Goodnight." Emily quickly detaches herself from me, as quickly as she did.
"I'll walk you out." Tris says, leading the way to the door. My heart breaks thinking about the sudden distance between me and the two girls I love most in this world.
"Thanks for helping out today." Tris says, opening the front door.
"Thank you… for trusting me with her," I appreciate it.
"Of course. You are her father, Tobias." Tris says, warmly.
"Do you think she will ever know that?" I ask. Wishing she could already know. The overwhelming need to be the father that she has always wanted.
"Soon. I promise. I just need some time." Tris answers, leaning her head against the door frame. We stand just in between the doorframe. Not in or out, the irony doesn't strike me. I nod, wishing for more time, but knowing that my time is ending faster than I can hope. I finally step outside, wishing Tris a goodnight. I wait until she closes and locks the door behind me before I even begin to step away. My eyes catch on to the same black car that I saw the other night at Chuck E Cheese. Could that be the same car? What are the odds? Are they visiting? Or do they live around here?
As I continue to step closer, I see the silhouette of a person inside, in the driver's seat. I swear the shape is a man, he is tall, well built like me. My feet move without thought, closer to the car. Wanting to ask the billions of questions that are streaming through my head. But before I can even get close enough, the car engine turns on and the car squeals out of its spot, leaving me in its dust, while I'm pondering on what in the world is going on.
A/N
Words can't express how i felt reading all those supportive comments last week. Thank you all for understanding and supporting me and FDFobsessed on this wacky journey called life.
Till next week.
revised by: FDFobsessed
Like always Happy reading everyone, be safe and stay healthy,
Trini
