"Once upon a time he was overprotective of Sasha because he reminded him of his mother.
In another time and place, his overprotectiveness was due to the fact that his son reminded him of his father."
Sasha and I approached the sea of Bridgertons hand-in-hand. Violet and Daphne were there, along with her brothers and Eloise. And of course Anthony was there, looking more anxious than any of his family. While he nibbled his thumbnail- like a loser!- his mother and sister watched us come over, smiling warmly to greet me and my son. My sister was notably absent. This didn't change the fact that I was more reserved and cautious while Sasha instantly dashed over to his aunt in joy, his arms spreading out wide.
"Auntie Daphne!" "Hiya, kiddo! Good to see you," she caught him in an embrace, lifting him up for a hug. Violet grinned before glancing my way, clasping her hands together in front of her politely. "Thank you for coming all this way, Kate." "No problem," I replied, my sight slowly drifting back toward Anthony; he was currently looking at our son while his brothers examined me curiously. "So, this is Edwina's older sister? The one from Canada?" The one named Benedict inquired. Anthony and his mother didn't respond, so I gently nodded my head. "Yes. Hi, I'm Kate Sharma. It's nice to meet you." Both he and Colin chuckled, slanting their postures cutely and crossing their arms. "Benedict. And this is Colin." "Pleasure, Miss….. Uh, I mean Dr. Sharma. Heh, can't say this is how I imagined meeting you." "You and I both, Mr. Bridgerton," I returned Colin's grin.
Anthony's fully attention had been glued onto Sasha this whole time meanwhile. After hugging his aunt, our son's gaze soon drifted over to his father. He spotted Anthony and audibly gasped, clinging to Daphne a bit. "D-Dad?" He stammered and Anthony held his breath. Sensing Sasha's uncertainty, Daphne set him down, allowing him to take a few steps forward, carefully lifting his arm up in a defensive position while maintaining eye contact with his dad. Sasha paused just a few feet from him, staring up at Anthony's face wide-eyed and unsure. Seeing his reserve, Daphne kneeled down to rub his back reassuringly. "This is your dad, Sasha."
He still was uncertain, eying Anthony with more light-heartedness than before but minor suspicion. His tiny hand raised up higher. "A-Are you…. really my dad? MY dad? Not the fake Dad from before…..?" Anthony's mouth dropped open and he was about to say something but words suddenly failed him; I think his mind was short-circuiting. Sasha's head cocked a tad in confusion at this. "Dad?" He repeated and Anthony reacted by giving his head a brutal shake. He winced his eyes shut, and when they reopened he tried to act as calm and put-together as possible, doing his signature move of clasping his arms behind his back and bending forward slightly.
"Y-Yes?" Boy, did his voice sound shaky and unstable. Sasha's head tilted to the side again, evidently still confused. "Are you my dad?" "Uh….. Y-Yes, I think so…" Our son's eyes narrowed a bit; I knew what was coming next. "Do you know me?" "Uhhhhhhhh…..?" "Are you happy to see us?" "Uh, um, uh y-yes! Yes, of course I'm happy to see you." "Mom too? You're happy to see her too, right?" Here's the big test- the one we all knew was coming. Anthony's lips pressed together as his stared dashed in my direction momentarily; his brain was clearly working overtime as he struggled to think of a satisfactory answer. But he persevered, forcing the world's most fake grin ever. His back straightened, though he did his best to appear natural. "Yes, I'm very happy….. to see your mother."
Sasha couldn't tell that his tone was insincere; he took his father's words at face value. But that was enough for him. Before any of us knew what was happening, our son raced over to his father as fast as his small feet could carry him. Letting out a cry of joy, he proceeded to wrap both his arms around Anthony's neck, forcing him to catch him in his own arms. A super stunned and speechless Anthony caught our, his son as he nuzzled him, crying happy tears against his father's skin.
"Dad! Dad, I'm so glad we've finally found you! We've been looking for you everywhere!" Sasha cried, keeping his eyes closed and his face buried in Anthony's chest as he clung to it. Anthony was so struck by this that he visibly was unable to move. When Sasha finally did pull his head back to glance back up at his father face, he was wearing the universe's biggest smile, tears streaming down both his cheeks.
"I'm so sorry I disappeared like that; I didn't mean to leave you and Grandma. I just wanted to meet Mom so much. Please don't be mad," Sasha explained in a series of rapid sentences and the still shellshocked Anthony's lips sputtered a little before any sound came out. "N-No… I-I'm not mad." Our son appeared so relieved at this, hugging his dad around the neck again and shutting his eyes once more. "I'm so happy we're together again! I missed you so much! And now Mom's here; your wish came true- you get to see her again. Aren't you glad?! We're finally together! The three of us are together, just like a regular family." "Uhhhhhhhh….." Was all he could think to say. I didn't imagine his eyes could get wider than they already were, but they did once Sasha then kissed his cheek. Sasha kissed Anthony's right cheek, and it's like time stopped for the latter… While Anthony stared off into space in a complete daze, our son cuddled back into his father chest all happy and content. Then he said the words which changed Anthony's life- and outlook on life- forever. "Thanks for not being mad at me.
I haven't said it to you in a week like we used to at bedtime, but I love you, Dad."
The glint in Anthony's huge eyes immediately changed; it's like a switch was flipped. He cradled this young child for a moment longer before gently tugging him away, back into his line of view. Anthony could only behold his son's face, absorbing every feature of it like a dry sponge desperate for water. His lips were parted ever so slightly. His expression was so profound and authentic….. It's like he was seeing Sasha for the first time in his life. After etching every aspect of the boy's face onto his heart, into his soul, the most natural, tender blossomed across his lips. His left hand raised up to brush some stray hairs off Sasha's cheek behind his ear, before pressing ever so lovingly against our son's own cheek. The corners of Anthony's eyes were growing moist now as well. He caressed our kid's face and remembered to breathe…. His mouth eventually opened a little wider and his eyes completely softened. A single tear trickled down his right cheek. "You look like Dad…."
"You always said I look like Mom!" Sasha loudly retorted and Violet cut in to Anthony's defence. "You look like your mom AND your grandfather." "Really? Cause Dad always said he was super happy that I looked like Mom- said that I reminded him of her." "A-And I'm sure you do! I'm sure your dad is right," Violet concurred. Sasha blinked, curiously gazing up at his father again. Anthony's hand came down to hold him steadier, still smiling- that same authentic grin he flashed to me only once before….. I'd seen it before, but not often. But he was smiling at Sasha like that now, continuing to hold him carefully and close. Sasha returned his father's warm stare with a pondering, meek glance, like he was searching for some reassurance once again. Just one last time…. "S-So….. So you're not mad at me? You're happy I'm here?" Our son innocently asked. Anthony didn't reply for a minute, then gave another intent, genuine smile….. Oh, how he smiled down at his one and only boy, that most precious child in his arms. "Heh, I never expected to be a father this soon in my life….. And I never knew it was possible for someone to make you this happy."
There was never, ever a doubt in Anthony's mind from then on that Sasha was his son.