Embroidery

I swallowed hard as I constructed my question. "Are you gonna stay there for good?"

He glanced at me with dilated eyes, probably he's shock or more like surprise about my question. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and looked away.

"Ye-" he stops talking when his phone suddenly rang. He glances at me to give me a look that he'll answer the call, I just nodded. "Eomma," he said on the other line.

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, trying to fight back my tears. I shouldn't be hurt inside thinking about he's staying there for good, right? Because we aren't in a relationship anymore.

Sometimes it makes me think, should it be you're in a relationship with someone before you get the right to be hurt?

"Baby, I have to go now." He suddenly held my hand and caressed it. "Take good care of yourself." He smiled.

I walk back inside my house, suppressing my tears to fall. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. I held the doorknob and... looked back at where his car was parked. I am a bit shocked when I saw that he's standing there while blowing his hand probably to feel. He rose his gaze on me and showed his smile.

"I'll be off after you get inside." He shouted so I can hear him.

I turned my back at him as I felt my heart vibrating in pain. I opened the door and went straight into my room. I covered my mouth as I sit in my bed and the tears I was suppressing earlier exploded. I opened the paper bag that he gave me and pulled out the knitted scarf there. I hugged it tightly for a minute.

Then I realized...

I stood up and went to my window to peek if he was still there.

But like what he said, he'll be off after I get inside.

"Sienna, it's time to eat." I heard Olivia shouts outside of the room.

"Y-yeah, I'm coming." I put the scarf back in the paper bag and went to the bathroom. I wash my face so they won't see that I cried.

"What did he says?"

"Oh, Jesus! Olivia, you startle me! I thought you're already downstairs!" I held my forehead and closed my eyes emphatically, trying to calm myself.

"Well, anyway, answer that later. I felt hungry after opening gifts. Let's go." She held my hand and pulled me downstairs. We had a peaceful and happy midnight dinner. Dad always jokes and I just laugh albeit it's not that funny. It is just to show my appreciation. 

"Sienna, can we talk?" Nathan asked me while holding his RC car.

I smiled at him. "Of course, my love."

"Please follow me in my room." He beckons me. "Merry Christmas!" He hugged me tightly once we get inside his room.

"Merry Christmas, brother!" I chuckled and hugged him back.

"Can you make a promise to me?" He suddenly turned serious.

"What's that all about, huh?"

"I-I know you saw how mom is treating me differently to you, right?" He chuckled but the pain in his eyes didn't go unnoticed. "I just want you to make a promise that no matter what... there's no way you're telling that to dad. Okay?"

I blinked in shock while looking at him.

"But, Nathan, he needs to know. He's our father! Who knows if we'll tell him about it and mom's treatment on you will be changed?"

He smiled and shook his head. "And who knows if mom's treatment on me will just get worsen?" He fired back which caught me off guarded. "You don't want that to happen, I know."

"Nathan,"

"I have to sleep now, Sienna. Goodnight!" He lied in his bed. "You already made a promise." He reminded me before closing his eyes.

I sighed and nodded.

"I'll protect you as I can," I whispered.

I stepped out of his room and go back to my room. The lights are off now except for the lamp. I was about to check Olivia when I heard her snore. I covered my mouth with my palm to suppress my laugh.

I opened the paperbag for the second time and the pain tooted in my heart. I took a deep breath and took out the knitted scarf. I scowled when I saw that there's a white envelope inside. I took it out and realize it was a letter. It's dim in my bed so I stood up and walk to my study table. I turned on the study lamp. I looked at the envelope.

To: Baby Sienna

From: Annoying Atticus

I protruded my lips to suppress my chortle. I missed already missed him. I opened it and I saw a folded paper inside.

Dear Sienna,

          Merry Christmas! I missed you a lot. Yeah, it's kinda weird that I'm missing you albeit if we always see each other. Well, I'm not sure if I also am to you though, but yeah, I always see you. I missed you so much. I missed you talking to me. I missed your replies. I missed your laugh. I missed everything about you, especially the smile you did that I'm the reason. :((

          Baby, if there's something wrong I've done that makes you upset, and makes your heart in pain, I am really sorry. I'm sorry for doing it (albeit I don't know what it is). I hope you're gonna say it to me soon. Also, please, stop dealing with your problems alone, baby, okay? I am here. I always am. You can ring or beep me, I'll be there for you. :))

          Oh, and, baby, you know what? I am the one who knitted the scarf I gave to you. I read online that it helps us too stressed out. I bet you don't know how hahaha. I'll teach you if you want to learn so don't worry. :))

          Facing a day without you was never been easy. I guess they're really right that it is hard to have a day with something you are used to isn't around.

Take care always or else I'll be the one to take good care of you! I love you.

(P.S Check the embroidery in the scarf.)

Love,

Atticus

I smiled and realize just by now that I was crying. I immediately looked at the scarf to see the embroidery he said. It surprise me when the embroidery I saw was...

Atticus' 👶