Chase’s POV
I walked into the room of the little man and I saw three small chairs in front of a small table. I glanced at Arya. Did she tell him about this?
“Cham, what’s all this? You haven’t slept?” the little man shook his head.
“Come on have a seat” he gestured to the little chair. I and Arya exchanged a look and sat. The chair was small but strong. For a moment I thought it would break apart. I noticed the way my son behaved. Like a little adult. Then it occurred to me that he must have grown fast because I was not in the picture. There was a tightness in my throat. I felt like a horrible person. I swallowed and continued watching home. I was prepared for anything that would come out of this meeting. Even rejection. I would take it but I will always love my son. No matter what.
Chamberlin turned around. He grabbed some clothes and handed one to me and Arya. I didn’t know what I was to do with it. It was when he sat and draped the blanket across his neck that we knew it was to cover the cold. My son glanced at me and gave me a smile. My heart split into two. He took off his hat and his black hair fell from his hair.
“Wow,” Arya gasped. I looked at her and back at my son. It was like I spat him out of my mouth. The mannerism. The hair. The eye color. Damn! The look-alike was so good, it got almost eerie.
“You said you were going to talk to me” Chamberlin turned to his mother. Arya looked lost but then she realized herself.
She smiled. “Ah yes,” she nodded. “I said I was going to talk about… she stammered and glanced at me.
“My father” Chamberlin completed and she stared at him nodding, with wide eyes.
“Yes, your father,” Arya said. She took her chair closer to him. “Remember that time you asked for your father?”
He nodded. “That time a little kid in my class, insulted me for not having one?” my jaw clenched. What? Who could say that to a child?
“Yes,” Arya muttered. Her voice became small. I could see the hurt in them. “Okay, now I want to tell you something. Arya turned to me. “This is your dad”
“Really? “He asked.
I nodded. “Yes baby, that’s your father”
I expected him to be pissed and angry. And he stared at me with wide innocent eyes. He stood up and walked to the door. Making sure it was locked. I raised an eyebrow. He stood in front of me.
“I just want to know two things, Your Highness,” he said in a small voice.
Your Highness? How could he call me that? I thought he was just that I was his dad.
I nodded.
“Did you look for us?” he asked. He had his eyes steady on my face. Not looking away.
“Yes, I did son. I looked for you till the ends of the earth. He nodded.
“Did you miss me?” he asked.
“Of course I did son” Chamberlin walked closer to me. He just kept staring at me. The next thing he did surprised me. My son threw his little arms around him and hugged me tightly.
“I’ve missed you too,” he said. “Where have you been?” my eyes watered. It took everything in me not to cry. I smiled.
“I know how I should feel but I choose the opposite,” he said. Arya sniffed.
“Mum can you see we look so much alike” he chuckled. Arya nodded. “Yes honey, you do.”
I pulled him into my arms and kissed him on the head. “I’m sorry son, I am”
Chamberlin nodded. He grinned at me. “It’s okay… then he paused. He looked at the floor and back at me.
“What’s wrong son?”
“Chamberlin are you okay” Arya asked. My son looked up at me and nodded. “Emm…” he stammered Your Highness can I call you dad?” my heart broke into shreds.
“Oh yes, why will you think you can’t of course you can” he hugged me again.
“Thank you Dad” he looked into my eyes smiling, and he sniffed. I wiped a tear off his eyes and he wiped the one in mine.
“Promise me something Dad,” he said.
“What son?”
“Promise me that you are not going to leave me and Mum again”
I glanced at Arya and smiled. “I promise son”
Chamberlin hugged me and kissed my cheek. He turned to mum. “Come on mum, group hug”
I could sense the hesitance in Arya but she finally came close. Chamberlin hugged her with one hand and hugged me with the other.
“Finally I’m home,” he said. Then he released us.
“You don’t want to leave here again?” Arya asked. Chamberlin nodded
“Why?” she asked wiping her eyes.
“Because Home is wherever both of you are” he smiled, as he covered us with that blanket. I smiled. Arya had done a good job, raising a wonderful son.
Suddenly Chamberlin turned. “Dad tomorrow is my birthday, will you attend the picnic with me and Mum and Aunt Kelsi?”
“Yes buddy, but I have something else planned for you”
“Like what?” his eyes widened.
“A big party?’
“Wow! I can’t wait to see it”
“Yes you will, only if you go to bed” he stood up and began to pack the blanket. “Okay I’ll get to bed now,” he said jumping on his bed. Then he suddenly sprang up and smiled at us. “Good night Mum, good night Dad”
We stood up.
“Good night sweetie” Arya kissed him on the head. “Good night buddy” I rubbed his hair. Together we left his room. We walked the entire time silent until Arya stopped in front of her door.
“Thanks “she uttered as he turned.
“No you thanks” I smiled. “You have done a very good job with him. Arya nodded. “Good night,” I said.
“Good night Chase” I watched her disappear behind her door. A big smile that could reach my ears, stretched on my lips as I made my way into my chambers. Today I sleep without nightmares.