Chapter Twelve
Alyse
Iwake to find the bed empty and panic a little at first. I had flashbacks of the last time we were together. Then I see his bag still sitting on the floor and his dress clothes still hanging from the back of my closet door.
I snag his t-shirt off the floor and rush to the bathroom. My hair is a wreck, and I feel a little embarrassed that he saw me this way.
I hear noises coming from the kitchen. Glancing in K.C.’s room, I see it’s empty. I hope Kaden did okay on his own. I can’t believe I slept in.
Rounding the corner, I see K.C. in his high chair and Kaden standing looking around like he’s trying to figure out what to do. I take in his strong, wide shoulders and expansive chest. The way the morning sun is shining through the window makes incredible shadows across his body. The muscles seeming to be more defined.
I see his eyes flare when he notices me. I was hoping to get that reaction. I try to play it off, but I can’t help the smile he puts on my face with his compliments. When I notice him grabbing himself, I almost melt to the floor.
I pour myself a cup of coffee and thank him. I think I thanked him a few times already. I could really get used to this. You don’t realize how just one extra set of hands can be so helpful.
I quickly mix up some baby cereal and hand the bowl and spoon to Kaden. He takes it with a smile and sits down next to K.C.
I start cooking us breakfast and continue to watch the tender moment. The simple act of a father feeding his son is so much more meaningful to me. I’ll never take it for granted. I almost didn’t get to have this opportunity.
I feel tears start to form and I try hard to swallow the lump in my throat. I feel his strong chest press against my back and his arms wrap around my waist.
“What’s wrong?” he whispers in my ear.
“Watching you two. I had my doubts and worries that I’d never get to see it. Never find you,” I say, using a sleeve to wipe my eyes.
“I’m so grateful that you did. I really like being a dad,” he says, kissing my temple.
“You’re a natural,” I say, leaning back into him. “Now we’ll see how much you like it in about a half hour when the poop monster appears.”
♦♦♦
He handled it better than I thought, only gagging once. I saw his eyes watering at one point, and I couldn’t stop laughing. I stood in the doorway and held my nose while capturing it on video. I may have over dramatized it a bit, but I couldn’t help it. It was really humorous to watch such a big guy be overwhelmed with a soiled diaper. I get it though. This kid can really produce some hefty results.
I ran down to the deli just once to check on everything. K.C. went down for a nap with Kaden standing over his crib watching him.
It’s not even been a full twenty-four hours that we’ve been together, yet I can feel myself falling for him. He’s attentive and responsive. He listens to me when I talk and actually hears me. When I got emotional this morning, he was right there asking me what was wrong. It’s like he can sense my emotions. He’s so smart, but he doesn’t make me feel like I’m an idiot.
One day and I can’t imagine him not being a part of our lives. Knowing that he’ll be leaving for three months is almost terrifying.
When I get back to the apartment, I find Kaden laying on the couch with K.C. on his chest. Both are fast asleep. I grab my phone and quickly take a picture. I snuggle up on the love seat and drift off as well.
I wake up to the soft sounds of laughing and shushing. Kaden is sitting cross-legged on the floor with K.C. in front of him. They are playing with one of his shape puzzles. I suddenly sit up when I realize what is happening.
Kaden is holding a piece behind his back as he asks, “What color is the triangle?”
“Boo!” K.C. says with excitement.
“Good job, little man. Yes, the triangle is blue,” Kaden says, holding out the blue triangle as K.C. places it in its place.
“Okay, this one may be harder. What color is the square?” Kaden asks.
“Wed,” K.C. says after a few seconds.
“Right again. The square is red,” Kaden says, handing him the piece as K.C. puts it where it belongs on the board.
“Oh my goodness! I had no idea he knew this. Kaden, how?” I exclaim.
“Smartest little man around. I don’t know. I just sat down and started pointing each out naming the shape and color. He started repeating me, so I thought I’d test his memory. Boy’s got skills. I remember my mom telling me how I picked up colors quickly. I have a photographic memory, so I wanted to see if he took after me. Seems he does. Alyse, he’s going to be reading before he’s two. I did,” Kaden says, smiling.
“Yeah, he certainly didn’t get it from me. I definitely didn’t talk. I don’t think I even formulated words correctly until I was two. Reading?” I ask with surprise.
“I bet if you keep reading that turkey book to him every night, he’ll be reading it from memory alone very soon. He was trying to read along with me last night,” Kaden says, rubbing to top of K.C.’s head and standing.
“I need to get ready. Rigs is going to be here soon,” Kaden says as he comes over and places a kiss on my forehead.
I just sit there and stare at my little boy in wonder. I don’t want him to grow up, though. I also don’t want to hold him back, either. He’s a complete wonder.
When Kaden walks out I almost swallow my tongue. His dress shirt is tight and hugging every muscle. The dress pants fit perfect. There are no love handles to be seen. He’s got a slight dusting of a beard. Man, I love him with a beard.
“Wow, you clean up very well,” I say, standing and walking over to him.
“I’m nervous,” he says.
“I can understand that. It’ll be okay. Take pictures and make memories. I know it will be fine. Rigs told me a little about Bryce. Seems like he is in a good place now. I’m sure he will be excited to be reunited with you again,” I say, placing my hands on his waist.
He pulls me into his arms and tilts my head up with a finger under my chin. “Thank you. You calm me. I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Okay, I can’t wait to hear how it goes,” I say, pushing up on my tiptoes, placing a kiss on his cheek.
There’s a knock at the door that interrupts us. I let Rigs in and hear K.C. call out, “Bigs!”
We all chuckle as we watch him scoot across the floor towards us. Rigs leans down and picks him up, giving him a little tickle that earns us a sweet little giggle.
Rigs hands K.C. over to me. Kaden kisses both of our foreheads as they head out of the door.