143


    Liam’s POV


    Looking back, I looked in the rearview mirror. Noah was seated in the vicinity, securely gripping his red robot while also having some difort under his seatbelt. I could sense his excitement, but it was evident on his face. From time to time, he yed a minor tune that was off–key but still managed on purpose and made me feel good.


    I broke down and asked Noah if they were going to the park. “Are you happy?”


    His eyes ached with delight. “Daddy, I’m so pleased!” the boy said. “Can I run aroundter? Are swings avable for use?”


    “Okay, that’s fine.” I nodded firmly. “But don’t go too far, okay?”


    It is necessary for Daddy to have the ability to see you.


    Heughed as if the rule had not affected his mood. He became more impatient, if anything. Back to the road I went.” It traveled slowly, over the top of a block already packed with people in the morning. There were a lot of coffee shops on the roadside, and the aroma of toast and coffee was almost visible through their slightly open


    window.


    I looked to the side of the road when a red light was running. A father was carrying a baby that was sleeping in the stroller. My senses were impacted by that minor urrence. The amount of time Noah had already passed me was something I wondered about. Has there been a time when the gap between us was too great and I had to fight hard for my chance?


    The hue shifted to green, and I swiftly hit the elerator. Noah’s humming was picked up in the back, and he imitated his toy robot. “Wow!” Pew! He announced that he was the rescue robot, saying “I am the red one!” and then carried the toy up in flight. Myughter was muted, leaving his hysterical car in the background.


    There was a warmth that I couldn’t fully convey. In the meantime, I believed that home entailed walls, a roof, and eaterie. It dawned on me that home could only be created if my child had the ability tough and feel safe


    with me.


    I chimed back my reply with a gentle “No, Noah.”


    With his red robot upied, he replied with a firm and unforced response, “Yes, daddy.”


    “Wouldn’t it be more entertaining if Mommy was present?”


    But then, atst, the sound effects of his toy came to a halt. His gaze widened as he stated, “Yes, I am eager to invite Mommy too.<i>” </i>Our groupprises three individuals.


    I breathed deeply before nodding off with a smile. “Okay, good night!”


    He came back to his toy as if that answer was satisfactory.‘ I didn’t just receive an answer, but a small prayer that resonated within me.


    The car kept driving along the busy road. I came across a sign that indicated the city park, which was only ten minutes away. The morning air filtered through the window, emitting only a faint sea–like aroma. I felt my


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    heart race inside the car, thinking that Noah’s footsteps would soon be running on the green grass. Why?


    It was a crisp morning when Noah and I hit the city park. Why? A bright blue sky was absent, and the grass was covered in warm sun. The weather was clear. Children running around the park were already thriving, theirughter blended with birdsong.


    The ball was in my right hand while Noah’s red robot remained in the car, with an adrenaline–fueled jump. The open grassy field was the destination of his run.


    He waving his hand and screaming: “Daddy, hurry up!”


    He was chasing me with an enormous smile as I closed the car door and began walking back. The excitement Noah brought about was so powerful that it made me forget about the absence of Sienna, even if I didn’t feel like it.


    As we were getting closer, I ced the ball. “Ah, good morning, Noah, are you prepared to y?”


    With his slightlyrge kick, he announced, “Noah, I’m going to make up for it!”


    Despite the kick being weak, his face was filled with pride. It’s not that easy. The moment I faked my reaction to catch the ball, he couldn’t stopughing.


    Daddy shouted, “You lost,” before raising his red robot high. “It’s the champion!” eximed the robot owner.


    It made meugh. “Alright, we both are champions today. You can see.”


    We took a break after that. The scent of sweat lingered on Noah’s forehead, his hair fastened to his skin. After taking a bottle out of the bag, I handed it to him. “I want you to drink first,” Noah said.


    He eagerly drank and then gazed around the park. Before he could see anything, a seller of bubbles was blowing huge sparkling bubbleglow. The children gathered and ran to chase the balls of water that appeared as rainbows.


    He pointed at it, saying, “Daddy, I desire that.”


    I grinned and led him <i>to </i>the vendor. Our purchase included a bubble set that included both ice bottles and blowers. His eyes alighted as soon as I presented him with it.


    “Is it possible for me to try it out now?” he asked with enthusiasm.


    “Of course.”


    Then poured the liquid over the ring and gently blew. Several small bubbles drifted in the wind. “Daddy, you’re so pretty,” Noah chuckled. He couldn’t help but smile. “Like rainbows!”


    I sat down and let out more air. During this event, a sizable bubble emerged and floated until it surfaced in mid- air. Noah screamed in delight, running around trying to catch it.


    We yed bubble fights, ran after them, andughed as they popped. Noah sessfully inserted his red robot into a massive bubble and eximed, “This robot is proving to be heroic!” The bubble monsters can be defeated by him!


    I couldn’t help butugh. “Your robot is simply amazing.”


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    I blew again, sending bright bubbles wafting under the light. Noah chased them with his robot, squealing in the air. His unrestrainedughter persisted, enticed a few other boys his age to join in. They all possessed their own set of bubbles.


    “Noah, grab the big one!” one of them yelled out.


    Noah giggled and jumped to catch a bubble that was floating high above. They quickly started running together, blowing bubbles and chasing them like they were in the entire park.


    I remained on the sideline, blowing some more bubbles to ensure their game continued without interruption. It was amazing to watch Noah effortlessly blend in, showing no signs of shyness or fear.


    I was sitting next to a mother who smiled at her son. “Sir, your son is very cheerful.”


    My reply was a respectful nod. “He’s really into being outside.”


    She looked at her daughter, who wasughing with Noah. “That’s wonderful,” she said. The woman continued to look at him. Few adults ever witness a child act so authentically. I appreciate you sharing the bubbles with us.


    I just smiled back at her, proud and touched. Noah’s presence was felt through his actions, even without the knowledge of it.


    He yed until his temples started to drenched with sweat. Despite having dark brown hair that traced his forehead, his eyes still sparkled. asionally, I would hear him shout, “Daddy, look!” as if by magic. I’m capable of doing it, and then I ran off again withughter.


    I leaped onto a park bench, watching closely for his movements. Noah was so happy, it seemed like all his terror had disappeared for good. Yet, beneath all of it, was a heartache that was both bitter and sweet.


    I remembered how he had held me in his embracest night, praying for Sienna’s survival. His voice was so faint that I could hear him screaming, “Promise, Mommy? and stabbing me in the chest.” A young child should not feel the burden of being left behind.