Chapter Eleven - Sports Day Surprise

"Aria! I told you to get up ten minutes ago, we're going to be late!" I groan in exasperation when I walk into her room to see her still in bed.

"I don't feel good mum." She mutters and I turn her towards me worriedly.

I place the back of my hand against her forehead and neck but her skin isn't hot. "Let me get the thermometer –"

"N-No! My tummy hurts!

"Okay but let me check your temperature first and then I'll call the doctor." I reply before going to grab the thermometer.

We wait for a while before I take it out only to frown in confusion when her temperature is normal. I clean it as I wonder what to do when I catch her eyes brimming with tears.

"Hey...why are you crying?" I coo and pull her into a hug. "Don't cry baby, I'll take you to the doctor's clinic right now. Let's get you dressed okay?"

"It doesn't hurt!" She sniffles but clings onto me tighter. "I don't want to go to school!"

I'm utterly baffled at this point until I remember what day it is. Sports day. I was told last week that parents are supposed to participate and because Aria's father is out of the picture she hates sports day. Hence why she's making excuses. Sighing I stroke her hair and comfort her as best as I can. I can't believe I forgot!

"I'm sorry sweetheart. I –"

"Everyone always asks me where my dad is! All my other friends have dads!" She sobs harder which makes me feel guilty and sad.

I'm about to answer her but my phone rings and I stand to pick it up. I wince when Aria cries louder. "Theo can I call you back please? Now's really not a good time."

"Is everything okay? Why is Aria crying?"

"It's sports day with parents today at her school. She doesn't want to go because she doesn't have a dad." I sigh as I grab her clothes from the wardrobe. "We're running late so I'll talk to you later okay?"

"Sure, no problem." He replies gently before hanging up.

I hurry back to Aria and kneel before her. "Aria, honey, I'm so sorry but you have to go today. I forgot about sports day and if I hadn't I swear I would've called a babysitter."

"Why can't I go to grandma's house?" She sniffles as I quickly help her shower.

"Grandma's at the hospital for check-ups today. If she's not too tired after we can go visit her if you'd like?" I get her dressed before blow drying her hair and pulling it into a ponytail.

She sighs loudly before nodding in defeat. "Okay."

"Thank you! I promise you can skip next time." I hold out my pinky and she wraps hers around mine with a small smile. "I love you."

"I love you too mum."

After having breakfast, I drop her off at school just in time. Thankfully, I only have morning lectures to teach today so after finishing them I get changed into comfortable clothes in the bathroom and hurry back in time for the event to start. I manage to find Aria within a few minutes and she already looks unhappy with the whole thing. Smiling gently, I rest my hands on her shoulders as she leans against me.

"This is the last time."

"Last one kiddo. I promise." I chuckle when she crosses her arms angrily. "Hey, don't be like that. It'll be fun! I talked to grandma on the way here and she's feeling a bit tired but we can do something else after this like –"

"Get pizza?!"

"Uh...we had pizza yesterday –" I'm cut off by her looking up at me with what I know are fake sad eyes. "But sure...we can totally get a pizza again."

"Yes!" She all but hollers while throwing her hands in the air.

I blush as the other children and their parents look at us. I cover her mouth and bring her back to me with a polite smile to everyone. The event starts and the announcer goes through what the activities and rules are for today.

Me and Aria compete in the first few and win one of them which lifts her mood. Until it's time for the sack race with the dads. I mouth apologies to Aria as she trudges over to the starting line alone. Making my way to the announcer and who I assume is the organizer of the event next to him I try and convince them to let me do the sack race.

But before I've even explained why I hear the familiar shriek of my daughter and my head snaps towards her instantly. Dread and worry seeps into my bones but it disappears as quick as it came. Theo stands beside Aria for the race with a bright smile as she hugs him tightly. My eyes widen in surprise yet my heart warms when he winks at me.

The race starts and both end up winning after a rocky start. I watch with a relieved smile as they hug in excitement before taking pictures when they receive their medals. They rush over to me and I congratulate them with a tight hug.

"Did you see me mum?! We got first place – look!" Aria beams as she shows me her medal.

"I did and I'm so proud of you! Well done!" I kiss her cheeks before fixing her hair.

She quickly runs off to her friends to show off her prize before the next activity starts. I turn to Theo who's already staring at me with a boyish smile. He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me closer, successfully making me nervous yet excited at the same time.

"Hey sunshine." He whispers while taking my hand and brushing his lips against my knuckles lightly.

"Hi." I whisper back before pecking his lips. "Thank you so much Theo, you didn't have to."

"I wanted to. I care about you two, remember? Look how happy she is." He nods in Aria's direction and I smile at the sight of my daughter no longer gloomy.

"Thank you again, this means a lot."

"Oh hush, let's go see what the next activity is." He grins excitedly before tucking me under his arm.

I do the egg and spoon race with Aria which we end up being horrible at. Both of our eggs fall in the middle of the race and we burst into a fit of laughter. Theo shakes his head at us before we wait for the race to finish and the medals to be given to the winners. Next is the tug of war and we watch Aria's team win before the parents must take part.

Me and Theo end up at the front on one side of the rope. I grasp it firmly before leaning back just as the horn goes off. For the first few seconds we're winning but the other team suddenly tug a lot harder and we're thrown forward. Shrieks and laughter fill the air but just as the rope slips from my grasp and I'm about to fall I feel Theo's hands wrap around my waist. He steps to the side and pulls me against him as the other parents go crashing down to the wet ground.

Despite getting dirty everyone takes it well and comments on how we got lucky. We compete in a few more activities before it ends. After changing into our previous clothes, I find Aria and take her to the car. Theo comes out moments later and joins in with Aria rambling about how great today was.

"Hungry?"

"Yes! You said we can get pizza!" She exclaims with a cheeky grin.

"Yes I remember." I laugh before turning to Theo. "Join us?"

"Sure. I'll follow you guys in my car."

We reach the restaurant in no time and head in to grab a table for ourselves. Theo gets everyone's orders before I pass him the money. He tries to give it back but I shake my head and narrow my eyes playfully. With a cheeky smirk he takes half and joins it with his other bills before quickly leaving for the checkout.

I chuckle softly before giving Aria my full attention. She rambles excitedly about today and the two medals she's won. It makes me so happy to see that today wasn't ruined for her like usual.

"Can Theo come to the sports day next time too?"

My mouth opens and closes like a fish as I struggle to answer her question. I'm not even sure if he'll still be in our lives...will this last? I think to myself before shooting her a small smile. "We'll see when the time comes. Look, here he comes with the food."

"Hey Theo..." She grabs a slice of pizza as he sets down the tray. "Do you have any other stories from when you were little?"

"Hmm...well, have you seen the cabin at the back of my house?" He asks as I tuck into my food. "Before that had been made it used to be all trees so, me and my brothers built a few treehouses with our dad."

"Really?! That sounds fun!"

"Oh, it was." He chuckles as he takes a sip of his drink. "We used to have water balloon fights, play paintball and we even got a few zip lines so we could swing over to each other's places."

"Mum –"

"We don't have the space Ari." I gently remind her and she pouts before her gaze catches something else. "Can I go play?"

I look to the claw machine she's pointing at before nodding. She takes some money from me before running off and I tidy up the mess she's left behind. Theo crosses his arms on the table and leans in. I notice the sudden flare of excitement in his eyes and arch a brow.

"Remember that video game deal I told you about?"

My eyes widen and instantly a bright smile overtakes my features. "You got it?!"

"They said yes this morning!"

"Congratulations Theo! I'm so proud of you!" I laugh as he takes my hands in his. "You were all worried for nothing."

"Thank you." He murmurs with a peck to my hand.

"So, I imagine things are going to become even busier for you now?"

"Don't worry sunshine, I'll always have time for my favorite girl." He winks playfully and I roll my eyes with a laugh.

Just as Aria comes running back he removes his hands from mine. Our eyes widen at the two stuffed animals she's won. She giggles before handing Theo a tiger who kisses her cheek in thanks. I smile at her gesture before we decide to leave. After throwing our things in the bin Aria skips ahead to our car and I follow close behind.

"Hey! Theo...wait up!" The woman who works at the cash register runs out after us.

I decide to walk a bit ahead in case this is private and after hearing what she says next I'm glad I do. "Is that your daughter with her?"

"No, why?" His tone is full of confusion when he replies.

"Oh, great! Do you want to go see a movie or something? Say...this weekend?" She asks and I bite my lip to stifle a smile.

"No thank you, I'm seeing someone." He tries to end the conversation but she grabs his arm hastily.

"Her?" I see her point at me from the corner of my eye as I get Aria buckled up. "Oh, Theo...you can do so much better. I heard she cheated on her boyfriend with another guy."

"And who did you hear that from?" Theo crosses his arms and I can tell that he's angry.

"Just a few friends – not that it matters!" She rolls her eyes with a flirty smile. "I mean, her life probably revolves around her child. She'd never be able to give you the attention you deserve. What do you say? Can I give you my number?"

"No and next time get your facts straight before you run your mouth!" Theo seethes before shoving her hand off his arm when she tries to stop him once more. "Even if I wasn't with her I know now I'd never be interested in someone like you."

I sigh as he storms up to me and meet him halfway at the back of my car. The woman glares at me hatefully as her cheeks burn in embarrassment before rushing back inside. I'm just about to speak but all that escapes me is a loud yelp when Theo gathers me in a tight hug. An amused smile blooms across my lips when he goes off on a rant about how rude the woman was.

I rub his back to somehow calm him down but find myself closing my eyes as his cologne surrounds me. "It's fine Theo."

"No, it's not! She doesn't know you and she has no right to judge!" He pulls away with an incredulous look.

"Well, most people do. I've heard it all before so it doesn't bother me honestly." I smile up at him reassuringly.

"You won't hear shit like that ever again when I'm with you." He kisses me tenderly before pulling away. "I can't believe she asked if Aria was my daughter but didn't think to ask if I was dating you."

"Yeah it was funny seeing you panic a little." I chuckle and he rolls his eyes playfully.

"She kept grabbing me! It was so annoying!" He huffs before checking his watch. "Anyways I better go. My parents' flight is going to land soon so I need to pick them up.

"Sure, I'll talk to you later. Thank you for being there today –"

"Sunshine what's it going to take for you to stop thanking me?" He jokes as he pulls me closer.

Our lips are a breath away as I rest my hands against his chest. My breath hitches softly when his hands slide down to rest on the small of my back. He gazes at me intensely, as if staring into the depths of my soul yet I don't feel uncomfortable. In fact, I welcome it and try to convey all my heart's desires in just one look.

"A goodbye kiss will suffice." I murmur softly and the lust in his eyes coupled with his breath-taking smile makes me weak.

Tilting my chin his lips meet mine as he pulls me closer by the waist. My eyelids flutter shut as my body hums in sweet ecstasy and I melt against him. We take it slow and his fingertips caress my hands and arms tentatively. Eventually we pull away and I smile at the sight of his flushed features.

"I wish you could stay longer but we both need to be going." I laugh breathlessly as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

"Someday there won't be any distractions Char...and when that happens I'll leave you satisfied yet craving for more in the end." He murmurs huskily before stepping back towards his car.

A delicious, exciting heat builds within me. One that I'm sure he'll consume soon until all I know is him.

Update schedule is: once a week whenever I find time!

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