CLAUDE
I returned to the bathroom where my son was. Adriann had already removed his shirt when I entered. He was struggling to unbutton his pants. I helped him out and I also took his shoes and socks off.
I wrapped Adrian in a towel before carrying him out of the bathroom. We went to the room, where I dressed him.
“Daddy, sleep here. Let’s sleep beside Mom,” Adrian requested as he combed his hair.
I smiled at his words.
“I want that too, baby. But maybe Mom doesn’t want it.”
“What don’t I want?”
Both Adrian and I turned to the source of the voice. Sia stood by the door, holding onto the doorknob.
“I told our son that you might not want me to sleep here, so I’ll just go home,” I said.
Sia entered completely, but she didn’t speak. She took Adrian’s used towel and hung it on the back of the door.
“Go to sleep, Adrian. I know you’re tired from playing,” she said, lifting Adrian and trying to lay him down, but the child protested.
“I want Daddy to sleep beside me,” he said.
Sia sighed and glanced at me, indicating that she didn’t agree with our child’s wish.
“I have to go home, baby. I just remembered I have a morning meeting tomorrow,” I lied to avoid upsetting the child.
“You’re leaving, Dad? Are you leaving Mom and me again?”
I couldn’t speak. I just looked at Sia, who immediately bowed her head.
“I’ll come back another day, baby.” I stood up, kissed Adrian on his forehead, and said, “Good night, baby.” When I opened the door, I heard Adrian sniffle. I quickly left because I didn’t want to see my crying son. It was too much for me. I wanted to grant my son’s wish because I also wanted it. But I didn’t want Sia to be mad at me. It might further diminish my chances of getting back together if I forced it.
I was already inside the car when someone knocked on the window. I quickly rolled down the window beside the driver’s seat and saw Sia outside, looking breathless.
“Are you really leaving?” she asked.
“Yes. Good night, Sweetpea.” I was about to raise the window when Sia suddenly spoke.
“Wait, Claude!”
“Why? Do you have something else to say?”
“Can you not leave? Just sleep here. Adrian won’t stop crying.”
I stared at my wife for a few seconds. “Just let him calm down. He’ll stop crying later. I don’t want you to feel obligated in your decisions. Adrian shouldn’t be the reason why we get back together, but because we both want to.”
Sia remained silent. I closed the window completely. I was about to move forward when someone banged loudly on my window. I opened it again.
“Is that you banging? What? Do you need something else?”
“Can you just get off the car for a sec? Fine, I agree to reconcile with you. Just please don’t do things that will ruin our relationship again. I’m tired of crying.”
My eyes widened at what I heard. Is she saying the truth, or was it just my imagination?
“What’s wrong, Claude? Are you coming out? Or should I throw something at your car?”
I flinched. What I heard was indeed true. I turned off the engine and quickly got out. “Are we really okay now? Are you not mad at me anymore?”
“I’m still mad, but I agree to reconcile with you so that we can both find peace.” Sia said with a sigh.
I nodded with a broad smile. “Just a moment. Let me get my things from inside the car.”
“You brought some things with you?” Sia asked as she opened the backseat.
I glanced at my wife. “Yes, I do. I am prepared. I have this feeling that I might be spending the night here, so I made sure everything’s ready.”
I grabbed my backpack and closed my car again. Then, we walked back inside the house together.
In the room, we found Adrian lying face down on the bed, sobbing. I gently stroked Adrian’s back. Sia took my backpack from me as I sat on the bed, continuing to comfort Adrian. I took my shoes off and carefully climbed onto the bed. I tried to wake up Adrian, and as soon as he saw me, he hugged her tightly.
“Don’t cry. Daddy’s here now. I’m not leaving anymore,” I reassured him.
Adrian’s crying gradually subsided until he stopped on his own after a few moments.
“I think he fell asleep,” Sia said, sitting at the foot of the bed.
I laid down our son. I was about to move away when I heard the child sobbing again. Reluctantly, I kissed him on the forehead.
“Daddy is just here. I’m not leaving,” I whispered softly.
“Lie down beside him,” Sia ordered.
I complied, embracing Adrian with closed eyes. When I was sure he was peacefully asleep, I gently got up. I noticed that Sia had changed into pajamas, a matching set.
“You should change too before lying down beside Adrian,” she said.
I nodded. “I’ll take a quick shower.” I grabbed a towel from my backpack and left the room. After showering, I returned.
“Why are you dressed like that? I thought you brought your clothes,” Sia teased upon seeing me.
I looked at myself. I only had a towel wrapped around my lower body; I didn’t bring any other clothes.
“My clothes are in the backpack,” I reasoned.
Sia rolled her eyes. “You should have taken your things to the bathroom to change.”
I shrugged. “You’ve seen me like this before. Why are you surprised now?”
“Times have changed!” Sia said, sighing.
“Even so, we’re still married. You should be used to seeing my body,” I replied, about to unwrap the towel when Sia suddenly shouted.
“Wait! I’m closing my eyes. I don’t want to peek,” she said, covering her eyes.
I chuckled. I finally removed the towel and laid it on the bed. As I was about to dress, I quickly put on my pajamas and boxer shorts from the backpack. I dressed swiftly.
“Are you dressed now? Can I open my eyes?” Sia asked.
“Not yet. I’m still undressed,” I jokingly replied.
“What? It’s taking forever!”
I burst into laughter. It seemed that my wife was easy to convince.
Sia suddenly opened her eyes. Upon seeing that I was all dressed up, she lightly tapped my chest, causing me to laugh even more.
“Silly! If you don’t stop laughing, I’ll make you sleep on the floor!”
I had to cover my mouth.
“Alright. Lie down beside Adrian. I might change my mind.”
I quickly climbed onto the bed and lay down right beside Adrian. Sia opened the lampshade and got off the bed. She turned off the light before returning and lying down on the other side of our son.
“Good night, Sweetpea,” I said softly.
“Good night, Claude,” she replied.
I closed my eyes. After a few moments, I heard Sia call my name. I opened my eyes.
“Don’t crawl over me, okay? Try it, and I’ll make sure you sleep on the floor!”
“Yes, Sweetpea,” I replied, saluting her playfully.
“It’s good that you’re easy to talk to now.”
“Of course, I love you very much, Sweetpea. So, I’ll follow everything you say. You’ve enslaved my heart now.”
“God! Stop it!”
I chuckled lightly at Sia’s reaction. I waited for her to close her eyes before closing my own. I would have a good night’s sleep tonight because beside me were the two most precious people in my life.