Ok, here's the plan. We arrive at Heathrow. We take the train to London's King's Cross. We…. probably get something to eat cause Sasha will be hungry. Then we….. we… I'd had three days to come up with a plan and still, nothing. Sasha didn't remember his house's address, which perhaps may not even matter anyway since the Bridgertons might not have purchased it yet. I could call Edwina; she's staying in London somewhere. But we haven't talked in years and I don't know where I'd begin explaining Sasha's presence there with me. Nugh, I had no idea what to do! How does one go about finding some hot, young millionaire in the United Kingdom? That's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I studied the locations that all of his siblings' public photos were taken at, or seemed to be taken at. At least that's something…. I guess.
I anxiously nibbled on my thumbnail while Sasha glanced about all excited. Well, at least one of us wasn't constantly sitting on pins and needles about this trip. We were waiting in the ticket line at Toronto Pearson Airport. Honestly, I held my breath when the lady called us up and scanned our passports; first mine, then Sasha's. A little, VERY thankful prayer slipped through my lips when it wasn't flagged. True to the creep's word, it was a legitimate passport. Briefing a heavy sigh of relief, I took them as she handed them back with a grin.
"Here are your boarding passes, Miss Sharma." "Thank you," I tucked those away too. She then smiled at Sasha, who hadn't really been paying attention. "Are you excited for your flight?" "Uh huh," he still wasn't paying much attention, entertaining himself with the stretchy luggage tags. "You're a very lucky boy. England is such a nice country. Is this your first time going to London?" The lady inquired and my son shrugged. "No, I live there," he responded truthfully, and I had to resist wincing my eyes shut as the lady then gazed back at me confused. I tried to brush it off with a mild chuckle. "We're uh, looking at some boarding schools out there for him. He'll be starting grade one soon," I had no idea if this was true or how old kids usually are in specific grades. Yet again, she thankfully bought this, though her customer-service grin didn't return. I grabbed Sasha's hand and hurried him over to the security check.
Once onboard, I gave Sasha the window seat. His seatbelt was done up first before mine. And let me just add here, I know they say you should always secure your own air mask first in case of an emergency. And I know why they say that BUT let me tell you, that's not my first instinct. His mask would be going on before mine, which is something I probably shouldn't say out loud lest I get kicked off the flight. I did up our seatbelts and looked back at my son, still trying to formulate some sort of viable plan. He was preoccupied glancing through the movie selection.
"Now Sasha, are you SURE you don't remember where you live with Daddy in London?" "Hmmmmmm, nope. But it's near a park." Near a park; well that's helpful. There's like a ton of parks in downtown London. Still, I suppose it's better than nothing. The information prodding section continued. "Do you know what else it's close to?" "Hmmmmmmm, I don't know. Lots of buildings?" "Do you know the name of any of these buildings?" "No….. Oh wait! Yes, it's the really fancy one with all the bugs and animals inside." Bugs and animals? "You mean the zoo?" "No, no. They're not alive," he clarified, and my eyes widened. "Do you mean the Natural History Museum?" "Yeah, that's it! Grandma takes us there all the time." "Who's "us"?" "Mmmmmm, me and my cousins. There's lots of us," he hummed. Heh, I bet, seeing as Mrs. Bridgerton had eight children of her own. Giggling, I brushed a few stray hairs off his forehead.
"And Daddy? Where does Daddy take you?" "Lots of places! Museums, and libraries, and football matches- tons of those- and amusement parks, fishing, sailing." "Sounds like you and your dad spend a lot of time together," I'm kinda jealous, if I'm honest. Sasha's shoulder gave a timid little shrug. His hands began fiddling with the safety card. "Aunt Daphne and Aunt Edwina said that Daddy was scared to be a dad. He only stopped being afraid after he met you. Then he wanted to spend lots and lots of time with me…. even if you weren't there to join us," his beautiful brown eyes gradually wandered back up to meet mine. I stared back at my son with a worried, serious expression.
"What did Aunt Daphne and Edwina mean that Daddy was scared to be a father? I'm sure your dad was elated to hear that the stork was delivering you to us!" Actually I had no way of knowing that, but I couldn't fathom why two grown women would tell a child that about his own father. Sasha shrugged again, more nonchalantly this time. "Maybe it's because Grandpa died from a bee sting, which made Grandma really sad. Dad didn't want you to be sad like that." He must be referring to my parents, Micheal and Mary. Feeling a sudden maternal surge, I rubbed his back comfortingly. "Oh no, honey. I'm sure that's not it. Of course your grandma was a little sad, but she's alright now. And Grandpa didn't die from a bee sting." "He didn't?" Sasha eyebrow cocked up puzzled. "No, honey. He was just… old, and his heart was tired. It's just one of those things. But your dad is young and strong; he has no reason to be afraid of fatherhood."
Sasha hummed, placing the safety card back into its pouch. "My aunts said that Dad really didn't want his family to be sad." "I'm not sad, Sasha. I'm the happiest woman alive! And do you know why? It's because I have the sweetest, handsomest, more perfect, best son ever," he giggled as I tickled him. Then he beamed up at me ecstatic. "Really? You think I'm the best?" "Absolutely! I wouldn't trade you for any other little boy," I declared with authority and love. Wearing an enormous grin, Sasha wrapped both little arms around my waist, squeezing me tight. "You're the best too! I'm so happy you're my mom….." "I'm happy too, Sasha; I really am. So don't worry about Daddy; he's got nothing to fear," er, except for single fatherhood, that is. Sasha cooed, shutting his eyes wistfully. "Dad always said we're the best thing that ever happened to him…" "See, sweetie? He'll be so happy to meet you….. again." My son giggled, snuzzling his nose into my stomach.
"He'll be happy to meet you too."