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"I'd rather not repeat them."
I nod slowly.
"Okay. I'll just head up to bed then."
"He told me he doesn't want you to go away again. I assured him you won't," Angelina mutters. She searches my gaze as if making sure that I get her point. Guilt tweaks my inside.
"I won't, Angelina. I promise."
"Thank you, Mr. Gray," she says with a satisfied smile, then bids me goodnight as I walk out of the kitchen.
Minutes later, I change into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, then make my way to Eli's room. He is sleeping. I decide to sit by his bed for a minute. I couldn't move my eyes from his face, his fear of me leaving him again burned me inside. I raise my fingers to touch his face gently, taking a mental note to make a surprise for him tomorrow morning.
As if he can sense me here, his eyelids shutter slightly.
"Dad," he murmurs, his lips crinkling in a wide grin as I tuck his arms in and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
“Good night, Buddy, I am right here.” Eli nods with closed eyes and drifts back to sleep.
The next morning, when I knock on Eli's door and proclaimed " Room service!" I hear a cheerful giggle.
"Dad, is that you?" Eli asks.
He opens the door. Seeing me carry a breakfast tray with a white chef's hat and apron, his eyes open wide with excitement.
"Fruity waffle with peanut butter! My favorite breakfast!"
"For my favorite son on Earth!" I smile at him.
I know this works. When Amelia and I first divorced, Eli was very upset sometimes without seeing his mother, I made a special breakfast to cheer him up. Fruity waffle with peanut butter became his favorite.
"You are the best! Dad!" Eli quickly moves to his desk and removes everything on it to his bed.
After we sit down, I put two waffles on his plate, spread peanut butter on each waffle, top them with fruits and trail mix and hand the plate to him with a cup of milk.
Eli watches me making his waffle fondly. "Dad, you tucked me in last night, right? I know you did."
"Of course I did, but you were deep asleep, and I was very gentle," I say with warmth in my eyes.
I enjoy watching Eli eat and listening to him talk about his video games and friends in school. I cherish the moments like this and in my mind no matter what happens in my life, promise him to do more.
A light knock on the door and Angelina steps in.
"Martin has called twice, Mr. Gray. He said your first appointment is by 9 a.m. And you, young man, you need to get ready for school."
Seeing Eli enjoy his breakfast, Angelina and I trade swift glances. She smiles and mouths, "Thank you."
I understand why she's happy. If Eli is in a sour mood, he makes it hard to do stuff for him or figure out what he wants. I'm glad I spent breakfast with him. My chest is lighter, I can now smile without my cheeks hurting.
"What did you tell Martin?"
Angelina’s eyes dance with unconcealed amusement.
"I told him you'll be in the office before 9 a.m."
Eli chuckles. I bite back an oath. I have barely thirty minutes to get ready and haven't even showered yet.
"I love you, Dad." Eli walks to my side and wraps his arms around my waist. "I'm sorry about last night, Dad. I shouldn't have gone off on our guest like that."
