"So, how are you?" I started.
He shrugged. "I'm okay." Then in the next breath just went right into it. "Are you really my daddy?"
That took me by surprise, but I could appreciate his bluntness. I had never been one for small talk and beating about the bush.
"Yes, Robin. I'm sorry I was away, but I'm here now, and you'll get to see me all the time."
"Mommy said you were lost, like Baby Turtle."
I had no idea what that meant, but I guessed that had been a way for him to understand. So, I nodded.
"Yes, but I found my way back to you."
Robin tilted his head at me, blue eyes roving my face. "Are you going to come and live with me and Mommy?"
"No, but I'll visit all the time. And you can come to my house too whenever you want."
He took a second before giving me a nod and walking over to hug me. I felt something flooding my senses, and I realized then that I would do anything for this little human. The feeling was so overwhelming that I took a moment to enjoy the hug and focus on nothing else. If I were a crier, I was sure that I would have done just that, but I would leave the waterworks to his mother.
"I like having a daddy," Robin said with a smile as he drew away.
I returned the smile and chuckled. "And I like having a son."
Jade walked back in at that moment, and she stopped and looked at us. She looked like she wanted to cry again, and I almost rolled my eyes.
"Robin,can you help me set the table? Lunch is almost ready."
Robin went to do as his mother had asked, leaving me alone with Jade.
"I see you boys are getting along."
"He's pretty great," I said.
"He is. The only time he wasn't was when he was teething," Jade joked, making me smile.
I watched her as she walked to the cupboard in the corner of the room, returning with a book. She gave it to me, and I noticed it was a photo album. It was full of Robin and Jade, and they looked so happy that my heart ached to have missed those moments.
"Come, let's eat. I'll show you more after lunch."
I was about to close the album when one photo caught my eye. It was of Robin, around the age he was now, sitting at a piano somewhere.
"That's his?" I asked, pointing at the old one in the room.
"Yeah, got it at an auction. It nearly cost me my soul, but it was worth it. You should hear him, Michael; he's so talented. Violin too."
I hadn't been expecting that, but I was really happy that Jade had discovered Robin's capabilities and had been supporting him. We had lunch as Robin asked me questions about my job and his other side of the family. He was curious to know if he had another grandma, grandpa, uncles, and cousins. Jade was smiling throughout our entire exchange, and when Robin offered to help her with the dishes, she asked him to play for me.
Robin excitedly grabbed my hand and led me back to the living room. I watched him as he pushed his stool in place before sitting down. When Robin began playing, I was blown away. He was phenomenal! Robin wasn't just capable of playing; he was born for it. I couldn't believe that his little fingers were moving that fast or how he even remembered which key to press and when. Robin was simply a genius. When he finished, I gave him a high five and couldn't stop beaming with pride.
"That was amazing!" I exclaimed, but he looked at me like it was no big deal.
We spent the next fifteen minutes talking about his friends and school until Jade joined us. I gave Robin his gift, and he insisted we start working on a puzzle immediately. We had a lot of fun working on that until his eyelids started getting heavy. It didn't take him long to fall asleep where he sat, his arms and head on the table.
"It was reallyhard getting him to sleep last night; he was so excited about meeting you," Jade whispered.
I smiled and looked at the adorable sleeping form in front of us. Jade stood from where she was sitting and was about to take him.
"May I?" I asked, and she nodded.