Daddy

Elsa

I leaned against the doorframe, not making a sound when I secretly watched how Aiden dressed the boys. Eli was already very independent with 9 years and didn’t like to be helped but Creighton was still our shy little boy. He‘s been with us for a year now and I can’t remember my life before him. It was love at first sight when I met him. I am his mother no matter what biology said. I could feel it the moment our eyes met. He was different from Eli. Not extroverted like him nor very talkative. Knowing his backstory I understood why, a trauma like this was hard to handle especially for a toddler. Still. It blossomed my heart watching how day by day Creighton opened himself more to us. He barely talked but when he did he made me tear up almost every time by calling me ‚Mommy‘. When he tugged on my pants and said ‚up‘ so I would lift him. When he mumbled ‚play?‘ when Aiden was sitting in front of his chess game. And every single time Aiden lifted Creighton wordlessly onto his lap and let him take the figures to play, never once being annoyed that his game was disrupted. 

Watching Aiden being a father was the most beautiful view that life offered me. He was a hard shell and maybe emotions weren’t his strength but family was. And no matter what Aiden never made a difference between Eli and Creighton. I could tell though that his bond with Creigh was different than the one with Eli. Eli was competitive, a very mischievous boy. He certainly had the sneaky mind of his Dad and constantly wanted to win against him to get my attention. He was a true mamas boy.

Creigh though was a silent soul. A thinker and watcher. He wasn’t scared nor uninterested. He was just patient and observing and decided when to act or speak and when not. Funnily he was so similar to Aiden when it came to that which is why I believe that their bond was much more different and intense. 

Currently Eli was searching Creighton’s other shoe while Aiden sat our youngest son on his lap, carefully zipping up his jacket. Creigh was dangling his feet and munching on a cracker, his head leaned against Aidens chest. 

So freaking cute.

„Daddy, I can’t find it!“ Eli whined, huffing in distress. His cute face scrunched frustrated when he scratched his head. „That’s why I told you to stop playing with your clothes“

Aiden sighed and stood up, placing Creighton on his waist during that motion. I leaned back in the frame to hide so I could continue watching them. My husband pointed under the bed so Eli would look when our little boy in his arms shook his head. Aidens grey eyes focused on him, one eyebrow crooked.

„Do you know where your shoe is, son?“

Creighton blinked slowly. Once. Twice. And nodded then, eating up his cracker. His dad sighed and put him down so he could go behind the toys box and bring out the tiny shoe they were looking for. Aiden chuckled fondly and my heart bursted at that sound, seeing this wholesome moment of my wonderful family. Eli rushed to Creighs side and kneeled in front of him, helping him wear the shoe they just found. 

I felt Aidens eyes on me before I could meet them with mine. They never lost their love for me, that certain spark that he only reserved for me when he looked at me. Before I could step into the room he came to me and placed his hands on my hips, pulling me close. 

„It’s not nice to spy“, he mumbled, his pokerface intact. I lifted my hand to brush along his jawline, enjoying the smooth feeling of freshly shaved skin. My husband closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, lips parting. I sighed, watching the perfection of a man in front of me and questioning myself how I did get so lucky.

I circled my arms around his neck and pulled him close, making him lean his forehead against mine, closing my eyes like him.

„I love you“, I whispered into our intimate bubble. 

„Still?“ There was amusement in his voice when his grip tightened around me, pressing me against him. 

I opened my eyes to be greeted with his deep gray ones.

„Always“

„Good to know that you’re not sick of me yet“

„Even if, what would it change?“

He grabbed my ass and pulled me against his groin, making me feel his thickness.

„Absolutely nothing.“

„Well good thing I am not then“

His lip curled to a crooked smile. He was still the same obsessive man from years ago.

„I don’t regret a day I married you“ I said with so much intensity that it made my eyes moist, tears welling up. Aiden instantly furrowed his eyebrows, hating to see me cry no matter what reason. He lifted his hand to wipe my tear when I grabbed it to kiss his palm before leaning my cheek into it. 

„Princess-“

„Mommy, mommy I‘m done with Creighton. Let’s go!“

Eli ran between our legs, tugging on mine and interrupting us effectively. I could see on Aidens face that he was not amused and he wasn’t even trying to hide his glare from Eli. 

I looked over at Creighton who was sitting on his little chair with 3 different hats on and 2 too long scarves. Eli had covered him with a blanket on top of his jacket and gave him a cracker for each hand that Creigh was munching on. I chuckled behind the back of my hand, crouching down to Eli to peck his nose. 

„Eli don’t you think, your brother has to many layers on?“

He shook his head surely. 

„It’s cold outside. In the night he was cold and was shivering and crying in his dream. I don’t want him to get sick, mommy!“

I failed hiding my expression for a moment before I forced out a smile, patting Eli’s head. 

„That’s very sweet of you, baby“

I looked up to Aiden who was already watching Creigh with thoughtfulness. Creighs nightmares lessened over the year but they were still frequent. We knew that our little boy was sneaking in the night to Eli’s bed so we didn’t bother when we booked this vacation to look for two separate beds. They loved snuggling up and sharing a space together. Still, it bothered me that Eli had to witness how Creigh was feeling and though he was trying to help him in the most endearing way possible, it was moments like these that made Eli worried and overprotective. He was very serious about caring for Creigh and maybe it wasn’t fair for us to make Eli see what was happening to his younger brother.

„Let’s go?“ I looked at the small voice coming from the chair, Creighton’s eyebrows lifted in curiosity. He had eaten both crackers and was now apparently ready to go. 

Aiden walked over to him and helped him out from the excessive layers, ignoring Eli’s nagging.

I pulled our oldest aside and explained to him how his brother wasn’t able to play with him when he had so many things on. Eli only agreed when I promised him that we’d come back whenever Creigh was cold. 

He walked over to his brother and took him by the hand when both of them ran ahead, outside to the snow. 

Before I could follow them I felt two strong arms around my waist, pulling me to a solid chest.

„Let them play outside and we play inside“

I giggled and tried to pull back when he tightened his grip, rolling his hip against my ass. I bit my bottom lip to suppress a moan.

„Aiden…“

„They‘ll be fine. Eli is big enough“

Before I could say anything said son ran inside and called us to follow him. My husband groaned in frustration when I chuckled and took his hand to follow the kids outside. The view from here, up the mountains where Aiden had brought us for a family vacation was just phenomenal. (Actually I wanted a vacation and he only complied when I promised we‘d bring the kids afterwards to their grandparents to enjoy a free weekend together) We were alone in a beautiful modern cottage surrounded by forest and snow and the boys loved playing in the snow and playing hide and seek in the forest (with our supervision of course). It was our 3d day and so far every day was just perfect. 

„Mommy, mommy look“ Eli pointed at his brother who was lying in the snow making snow angels. I closed my jacket tightly before I followed them, Aiden close by. 

We played in the snow, the snowball fight between Eli and Aiden was getting a bit competitive when Creighton interrupted them by stepping on his own feet and falling facedown into the snow. Instantly his big brother ran to him, forgotten his vendetta towards his father. Creighton didn’t cry but his face scrunched uncomfortably, cheeks bright red.

Aiden picked him up after Eli cleaned him and put on his lips around his adorable cheek, blowing against it, that made it vibrate and emit funny noises. Creighton started giggling right away, eyes shut when he tried to push his Dad away. Aiden kept doing it until he couldn’t stop squirming under him anymore even Eli laughing watching his brother having so much fun.

It was a rarity seeing Creigh laugh but when he did he made us all incredibly proud and happy.

I loved him. I loved my boys.

And I knew that I was the luckiest woman alive because of them.