Foreign

45

"Mommy." I heard a little someone whisper in my ear. I opened my eyes to see unique little milky brown eyes, a splash of green in the right that only spared half of the eye. I grinned, and he smiled.

A little dimple in his cheek. "We're almost landing." I told him quietly, watching as his smile grew. He sat in my lap, looking outside the window.

I smiled, watching Jude as he absorbed the sky as the sun slowly started to rise. I kissed the top of his head as I held him close, looking outside the small airplane window with him.

Soon my little boy fell back asleep after playing with his curls after awhile.

"Ma'am? Would you like me to help you with your bags?" The flight attendant asked smiling at me. Noticing I was trying to grab my carryon with Jude in my hands.

"Oh, no thank you. I can manage." I pulled out the small duffle with a short and strong pull and out it popped from the cubby.

Independence, not feeling the need to rely on some, became like a drug to me. The only person I needed in my life was Jude. And my little family which consisted of Nikolai, Jade, and Mathis. But other then that I loved being in full control of my life. Well...Jude controls my life but I'd rather have it that way.

As I walked off the plane I had Jude in my arms and our luggage in one hand. I looked around for Jade, who was supposed to pick me up.

As I scanned the crowd of tired and agitated looking people I spotted her. I smiled happily and quickly hustled my way over to her. Jade found me, her face brightening up. "Momma bear!" Jade said playfully, quickly helping me with my bags and pulling me into a side hug.

Four years have passed and she still looks so hot. If anything she's glowing even more after Hudson had finally proposed. "I'm so glad everything worked out with you coming a day after me, this is too much stress." Jade said as she pouted, trying to get a peak at Jude.

I chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Don't worry, don't worry. Your super-maid-of-honor is here to save the day." I said grinning. Jade groaned, smushing me against her, causing Jude to open his eyes.

Just like Jade wanted.

"Baby Jude~" Her voice soften like I've never heard before.

At first when Jude had gotten out of the hospital, Jade was jealous. I always caught her whispering weird things to Jude.

"You know...I was her baby first. I mean, technically. So...you'll always be second place to me, just Incase you forget I'll tell you when your older!" That was one of the many things she's said.

But as he got older, she fell in love almost as hard as me. And Jade has become his second mom.

"Auntie Jay." Jude greeted sleepily and we both fawned over him. Jade picked him up, relieving my sore arms. I grabbed the bags and watched as Jade signed to Jude.

Since he was born prematurely, his hearing in his left ear is completely gone. And his right is about twelve percent hearing loss. I thank god everyday that was the only problem. Jade's father and grandmother were actually deaf so she was fluent in American Sign Language. So she taught Jude, my brother, Mathis, and me just so it could be easier for Jude even though he can still hear in his right and has hearing aids.

Jude walks in the middle of Jade and I, holding both of our hands as we walk to Jades car she had rented for the two weeks we'd be here.

I picked up Jude, Jade opening the backseat. I placed Jude in the car seat and buckled him up. Kissing his cheek, he smiled at me. "Momma, can I please see the book?" Jude asked in French, I nodded my head taking out his little back back and pulling out the picture book that showed all the different countries and bits of the culture.

"Here you go baby." He happily took the book, giving me a shy smile.

"Thank you!" He chirped. I closed the door, Jade with a sour face awaiting me.

"What now?" I said chuckling as she helped me put away the bags in the trunk.

"I just thought...why does he have to know French?" I gave Jade a look and she groaned. "I know, I know! But like...why?! You guys live San Francisco for god sake." Jade grumbled.

"Well, Jade. Maybe it's because Jude was born in Paris France." I laughed, shaking my head. "Plus, Mathis isn't that fluent in English. And it's good that he's fluent in this many languages." I looked at her face and noticed the real reason why she had a problem with it. "It's got nothing to do with him, Jade. Jude just feels more comfortable talking in French and in ASL then in English. It was his first language." I closed the trunk.

I wanted to make sure Dante didn't effect the way I raised my son. Jude has seen pictures of his father, and whenever he asks about him I answer honestly and tell him the best stories about him.

Yet, I know he hasn't asked the question I know he really wants to know. Why aren't mommy and daddy together?

And I still don't really have a clear answer for that. What do I say? The truth would just make it even more confusing for him. He was only four, he was completely innocent.

But until that day, when he asks me, and hopefully he's older, I'll tell him the truth.

"But...are you seriously fine with being back in France, Ava?" Jade asked, her face worried.

I laughed, "Jade, I'm fine. Jeez, I'm a mom I can't be someone who's afraid of a country." We both let out loud laughs causing Jude to let out a sigh.

Shutting his book and giving us a tired look. Jade and I laughed even more. "Old man Jude. Just like his momma." Jade said giggling.