Pizza with Alexander

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” - Lao Tzu

It was already past ten in the night, and Alex woke up an hour ago. That little kid came running barefoot towards his Daddy, wrapping his small arms around his calves and squeezing as tightly as he could.

"Daddy!" He exclaimed in his cute little voice that would always melt my heart. "I miss you."

That was all Xavier needed to hear. "I missed you too, buddy," he smiled and picked him up.

As Alex slept straight for the whole evening, I thought he might be hungry, so I ordered a pizza and asked Xavier to stay, while he was reluctant to agree but looking at his son's mischievously innocent face, he agreed.

Right now, we were sitting in my living room, and I sat by Alex' side after ordering the pizza. "So, Alex, your dad was saying you're going to be in first grade this year? Are you excited?" I asked.

"Yeah, Dad says I get to make a lot of new friends now." He smiled at me.

"You know I got a new job, and I'm excited to make new friends too. For now, the only friend I have around is your dad," I said, making a sad face. While looking at Xavier, I saw the side of his lips twitch upwards.

Thank God! He didn't mind me introducing him as my friend to his son.

"Oh, don't you have any friends?" Alex asked and turned his body, tilting his head to study me.

"I do. I have two friends, but they are not here with me right now." I said, and he looked at me as if he was contemplating something.

"There was a new girl in my class, Sarah…. She didn't know anyone at first. The teacher said we should be nice to her," he said.

"You have a wonderful teacher." I smiled.

"Yes, but nobody is nice to her, so Dad said I should introduce myself and invite her to play. Right Daddy?" He asked, his eyes darting at Xavier, who nodded at him.

"Very well, and did you do that?" I asked.

"Yeah… I don't like girls very much. But dad said everyone needs a friend. So, we became friends, and she is my best friend now."

"Wow, I bet your father is very proud of you." I said, looking at Xavier who sure was smiling proudly at his son.

Alex studied me for a moment before saying, "Umm…. I can be your friend too if you want…." He mumbled and my heart felt the familiar warmth.

He might not be Xavier's son, but he sure has his personality.

"I'd love that," I said, giving him a smile, right before he offered me his pinky swear finger.

"What are you doing Alex?" His father asked, confused.

"Dad, it's a pinky swear pact. Once you do it, you can't break it," he explained, his eyes so innocent and open, my heart felt like it was about to burst.

"This was totally you, Rose…." Xavier burst out laughing, his head shaking in amusement, and I froze.

He remembered! He freaking remembered this silly habit of mine which I used to do with Marc. When he looked at my frozen state, Xavier immediately composed.

Shaking off his thoughts, I looked at Alex whose eyes were locked on mine. I was so touched by his offer; I didn't think twice before offering my pinky swear to him.

"Now we are friends forever. You don't need to worry," Alex said, smiling while we shook hands.

"Friends forever," I promised, smiling back at him, and added, "So, now we're friends, what do we call each other?"

Leaning back into the couch, he tapped his pointing finger against his chin, thinking hard. "Umm…. Wait, what is your name, friend?"

Chuckling at his actions, I said, "Evelyn Williams."

"But dad called you Rose?" Alex questioned.

"Oh…" I whispered, "That's my middle name, buddy. Like yours is Marcus." I smiled, explaining to which he made an 'o' face.

"Okay. I'll call you Rose too." He smiled and my heart skipped a beat.

God, what is it with these Knight boys making my heart melt?

"But my name is Evelyn?" I asked, wanting to know his thoughts on calling me Rose.

He shrugged, saying, "You don't look like Evelyn…. And you've red hair… Why? Don't you like it?" He asked in his sweet voice.

Grinning at him, I said, "I love it." To which his eyes twinkled. Continuing, "And I'll call you Xander, if that’s okay with you?" I asked.

"It's cool." He said, smiling at me.

Xavier observed us when he heard us making pact and nicknames, looking at us with such emotion, I couldn't understand what he was feeling. But before I could figure it out, the intercom rang, interrupting us.

"It must be the pizza. You guys set the table and I'll get it." Xavier cleared his throat while he stood up.

Grinning at Xander, I said, "Let's just wash our hands first, huh?"

When we got back, Xavier was putting the pizza on the coffee table.

"Let me grab some plates. Xander, can you get some cans of coke from the fridge?" I asked, making my way to the kitchen.

"Yep," he said.

After we settled everything, we stuffed ourselves with pizza and ice cream, while watching Xander's favorite show 'power rangers' on TV.

"Jeez, I'm full." I sighed, rubbing my stomach.

"Me too. We should have pizza and ice cream for dinner every day, Daddy," Said Xander, licking his tiny fingers.

"Ha-ha-ha nice try, buddy! But this is your last treat of the month. And school is almost back, so you're getting back to our routine, big boy," said Xavier.

"Yeah…." Xander yawned.

"I think we should get going, someone is about to crash here," Xavier said, his eyes smiling at his son.

Like I always said, this man could talk through his eyes.

"What? I'm awake!" Xander said, but then yawned again, making us laugh. Xavier stood up and started cleaning the table before I stopped him.

"I can do this," I said, touching his arm and he stiffened.

Giving me a curt nod, he said, "Okay." Continuing, "We'll get going then. We're way past his bedtime." He took Xander's hands, and they turned to me.

"Well, now that we are friends, I guess I'll see you around, right Xander?" I asked.

"Sure. You're cool, Rose." He smiled at me and I blew him a kiss, making him roll his eyes.

"Let's get going, kid. Need me to carry you?" Asked Xavier.

"Dad! I'm not a baby!" Xander crossed his arms the same way his father does, and I bit my lip not to smile.

"Yeah. So, I'm dad now. No daddy?" He said to which Xander pouted. Xavier then looked at me and said, "Thanks for the pizza." A little smile played on his lips.

"Thanks for staying back," I whispered back, glancing at Xander.

"Do I get a kiss?" I said looking at them.

"A kiss?" Xavier gasped, he looked horrified.

"From Xander." I explained, my face going red.

"Oh, I can't kiss you." Xander said.

"No?" I asked, trying to understand why.

"Yeah, you're so tall." I heard Xander say.

Damn, this kid is adorable.

"Oh…" I chuckled, kneeling to his level. "Now, okay?" I asked and he nodded after a moment.

Xander placed one of his small palms against my right cheek and kissed my left cheek, melting my heart.

"Take care, Xander." I looked into his eyes and then hugged him.

"You too, Rose." He said as I stood up.