Thanks you guys for all the well wishes and support. Finally feeling better today. Hope you all enjoy the update
Chapter 10:
I think I'm ready to be a womanSamantha tided up her apartment, feeling a bout of nervous energy working through her body. She had nothing to do and yet felt up to the task of doing everything. She’d scrubbed the floor and counters, dusted and vacuumed and still felt compelled to clean more. She wanted the place looking perfect.
She’d decided to tell Martin she’d meet him and Noah on Saturday as they’d discussed. Though she was second guessing her own decision for agreeing, she also knew eventually she’d meet his son---their son. It was bound to happen, with the two of them working in the same unit.
Hearing a knock at the door, Samantha headed for it, feeling her stomach in knots. Unlocking the door she smiled nervously pulling it open seeing Noah standing beside his father. Noah had grown so much, even since the picture on Martin’s desk.
“Hi, you two come on in,” Samantha offered pulling the door open further and watching as Noah did his best to hide behind his father.
“He’s a little shy,” Martin smiled weakly at Samantha. “Noah sweetie, I’d like you to meet one of my very good friends from work. Can you say hi to Samantha?”
“Hi,” Noah squeaked from behind his father’s legs, holding on tight.
“Come here,” Martin smiled, gripping onto his son and picking him up, flipping him upside down.
“Daddy!” Noah laughed reaching out for his father’s neck, wanting to hold on tight. Martin soon flipped him right side up and held his son in his arms.
“Hi Noah,” Samantha smiled weakly seeing his bright blue eyes and blonde hair. “I bought something for you,” she reached on to the counter for a stuffed turtle that she’d picked up at the toy store. She had no idea what to get but figured he probably had a lot of Teddy Bears already.
“My favorite!” Noah’s face lit up with a wide smile.
“What do you say to Samantha?” Martin reminded his son as he took the toy from her, hugging it tight.
“Thank you.” Noah smiled up at Samantha, suddenly feeling less shy. He was still hesitant, being in new surroundings but it wasn’t such a surprise since he’d just moved to New York as well.
“Should we head to the park?” Martin offered knowing Noah would want to run around soon. Samantha’s apartment didn’t seem like the safest place for a three year old to let loose.
“Yes park!” Noah nodded adamantly, holding the turtle tight in his arms. “Can I take Daddy?”
“Of course you can,” Martin smiled at his son, glancing at Samantha, “thank you.” He smiled at her, glad she’d thought to get him a present. Though he didn’t want her spoiling his son rotten, one gift never hurt anyone.
Together the three of them headed down the stairs and outside. Martin holding tight to Noah’s hand as they walked. The last thing he wanted was his son darting off into the street. Though he knew not to cross without an adult, it still worried Martin. New York was nothing like Seattle.
Heading into the playground, “how about I hold your toy while you go play?” Martin offered watching Noah reluctantly give his toy up before rushing off to the swings. “Why don’t we have a seat?” Martin offered, sitting down with Samantha on a bench, watching Noah intently.
“Good idea,” Samantha nodded, her eyes on Noah, watching him climb onto the swing. He kicked his legs, not needing anyone to give him a push. He was really great at swinging! “Is he always so shy?” Samantha was curious.
“I think moving to New York has made it a little worse,” Martin admitted. “Noah’s always been a little hesitant around strangers but being in a new city, I think he’s a little more overwhelmed lately.”
“Understandable,” Samantha smiled weakly glancing at Martin. “I hope it was okay, me giving him a turtle. I wasn’t sure what to do. I guess I wanted him to like me.”
“You didn’t have to buy him a toy to get him to like you, Sam.” Martin shook his head glancing at her briefly before turning his attention back to Noah as he was running towards the sandbox. He didn’t want to lose sight of his boy. “Though I think it might have helped.”
“Well I’m glad I did then,” Samantha admitted, watching Noah pushing the sand around him, making a mess. “He’s a constant ball of energy, huh?” She watched him playing and it he didn’t seem to slow down or get tired in the slightest.
“Until naptime,” Martin smiled with a nod. “Then he’ll be out cold for a good two or three hours.”
“Really? That long?” She was surprised.
“Yeah,” Martin nodded. “He’s a good sleeper. Loves napping if you can believe it.”
“That’s really good.” Samantha smiled watching Noah dusting himself off from the sand and running towards the jungle gym, climbing up the stairs and sliding down the smaller slide. “Thank you, Martin.”
“For?” He asked glancing at her briefly.
“Letting me meet him.” Samantha chewed nervously on her bottom lip, rubbing her sweaty palms over her jeans. “I was so nervous this morning…” Her voice trailed off, just remembering her anxiety.
“And now?” Martin wondered how she felt about it.
“I wish I would have taken you up on your offer three years ago,” Samantha breathed glancing down at her lap. “I don’t regret letting you raise him, Martin,” she wanted to make it clear, “I just---I wish we’d have kept in contact. I wish I’d have tried to get to know Noah a little more than I did.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “For years I always wondered what you chose to name him. I never knew.”
“Well to be honest it took me about a week to settle on a name,” Martin smiled weakly, “by then you were back in New York.”
“Yeah, I was.” She breathed letting out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you.”
“No apology necessary,” Martin shook his head. “I knew what I was getting myself into when I told you I wanted you to have the baby.”
“I’m not sure I did,” Samantha confessed with a heavy heart. “I’m not sure I realized how much it affected me until you showed up here.”
“Are you glad I’m here?” Martin asked glancing at her briefly before watching Noah go down the slide grinning and laughing, oblivious to the conversation his father was having with Samantha.
“I really, truly am.” Samantha confessed.