My Only Exception

Chapter 19

Ethan laughed. "Yeah... I didn't know I would react that way. I mean... I was so mad at those kids. I tried to calm myself since these are just small ones. I didn't know that that's how fathers react when someone tries to harm your child."

Raffy smiled at him. "Just make sure no one's gonna go knocking our door and making a complain."

"No, there wouldn't be any. I made sure that the kid is scared enough to zip his mouth," he laughed and went inside their own room.

He was comfortable with Cali now and the kid as well to him. They were able to break the wall between them and has learned to be friends and family. The mood became lighter, the house was filled with more laughter. Seff rarely sees them and though she knew Cali misses him, it was better since it allows Cali to see and accept Ethan more each day. Ethan makes the first step reaching out to Seff for Cali and it made the latter take the situation in a positive way. He was seeing that he wasn't losing anyone. Rather, he was gaining something more. The only thing that was missing was him calling Ethan Tatay. He didn't push him into calling him that way. Cali being comfortable with him was enough at that point.

He was turning five years of age in a month's time. He had a lot of plans for his birthday party but he couldn't come up with a decision. This would be Cali's first birthday that he was around and he wanted Cali to see how much he loves him. He called Seff to ask for his help but he was busy with a big project that he couldn't even afford to be away even for ten seconds.

"Ethan, make me pay the party, it's okay but this is on a deadline. This is a big fat check that's on its way to my bank account. We can have five birthday celebrations for him and I'll pay for it all but don't get me involved in planning. Bye," Seff told him and ended the call.

His shoulders dropped. He didn't know what else he can do to make it happen for Cali. He was watching his favorite cartoon when someone rang the doorbell.

"Is that Dada?"

"No. Dada's busy with work that he couldn't even lift a finger right now," he said and slumped beside him on the couch.

Ding-dong.

"Tito Ethan, someone's outside," he reminded.

"Oh shoot, I forgot," he said and stood up to go downstairs. "Hang on!"

When he reached the door, he opened it partly. "Who's th - "

"Surprise!" she smiled widely, with her baggage behind her.

"Akira!" he greeted her happily and hugged his sister. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to help you. I know it's Cali's birthday soon and Mom had an idea you're worried by now so I volunteered to be the event planner," she answered. Ethan took her things inside. "Where's my nephew?"

"He's upstairs," he answered. "Let me call him."

"Wait," she stopped him. "Are you two in better terms now?"

He smiled. "Yes. It's a whole lot better now. He just doesn't call me Tatay yet. I am still his Tito Ethan."

"That's better than before anyway," she smiled.

"Yes, it sure is," he answered. "Cali! Can you pause your TV for a sec and see the package we have here? Lola sent you something!"

"Coming!" he shouted back and they heard his footsteps as he went down the stairs. "Tita Akira!"

"Hi baby!" Akira smiled at him and welcomed him with an embrace. "Missed me?"

He nodded. "Are you staying here?"

"Yes. I'm here because I want to plan for your party. You're turning five soon, right?"

He nodded.

"Well, Tatay's not good in planning and he wants to give you a big party since it's the first time he's spending it with you. I'm here to help him but first, can you show me around your home like what I did for you on Pop's house?"

"Cali, you can show your Tita Akira your messy room," he teased him. "Tita would sleep there and you'll sleep with Nanay and me, okay?"

"I'll clean my toys," he shouted back and held Akira's hand as they went up. Cali showed her where his room is and gave her a tour of the house.

"You have a nice room in here. And where are the clothes that I bought you before?"

"They're here," he said and opened his closet.

"Seems like Nanay and Tatay buys you a lot of clothes, huh?" she smiled at him.

"They do. Tito Ethan buys me shirts weekly when we go out. I think he wants to buy a car too because only Nanay has a car. We walk when we go to the ice cream parlor down the road."

"Oh... Is that the one you told me before? Can we go there and ask your Tatay to buy us some sweets? Then you can tell me what you want for your birthday."

The three of them headed down to the local ice cream store where they spend their afternoons during weekends. Akira asked him of what he wants to have for his birthday. He wanted to have an action hero themed party, and have lots of pizza and ice cream served. He wanted to have balloons, a mascot, and play games.

Akira closed her notebook after writing what Cali told her. They have a lot of work and phone calls to do.