The Doctor's Playmate

Chapter 38- Gideon's Party

I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to start my day. I got out of bed, stretched my limbs, and made my way to the bathroom to do my business and freshen up. I took my time to chill since I had slept enough and was ready to join the party. Once I was done, I took the clothes Sophie had prepared for me.

“Dang…” I chuckled, checking myself in the mirror. I looked different as I wore a khaki button-up collared shirt with short sleeves and matched the top with a pair of loose-fitting khaki shorts. “I looked like a crocodile hunter,” I smirked, thinking about the infamous late Steve Irwin.

After spraying my body cologne, I accessorized my cool outfit with my eyeglasses, brown leather watch, and beaded bracelet. I took a pair of black ankle socks and my black work boots. I picked up the boonie hat and hung it on my belt.

I was set to go and join the people downstairs in a while. It was still early. I bet they were still preparing the venue. I picked up my phone from the bed and checked for messages. As expected, there were a couple of texts from Sophie and another long email from Demi. I ignored the latter and read Sophie’s messages.

I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at the photos she sent me. Sophie and Sam were still checking the venue's last details and ensuring all the party booths for the kids were set and ready.

Sam invited and expected more guests, like our relatives and close friends. Our brood was large, especially on our father’s side. It was great to have this kind of celebration for Gideon—a memorable one for all of us.

I told Sophie that I would come down soon and help them. After taking my stuff and gifts for Gideon, I left my room. When I opened the door, I saw Kyle getting out of Elisha’s bedroom while carrying the birthday boy. Gideon was crying and seemed grumpy.

“Is he okay?” I asked Kyle.

“Yes, I didn’t mean to wake him up, and he’s upset now,” he answered, cradling the boy in his arms.

I snorted. “I’ll give him to Almira,” I offered, smiling at Gideon, touching his forehead. He was a bit warm but had no fever.

“Yes, please… I need to deal with my work,” Kyle quickly agreed, handing me the sad boy.

“Oh, Dion…Are you okay, my love?” I sweetly asked him, hugging and rubbing his back in circles, “It's your birthday!” I added, kissing his thick ginger hair.

“My-my…” Gideon grumbled, “Mommy…where my mommy?” he cried, as if he hadn’t seen Sam for years.

“Oh, She’s downstairs, Dion. Do you want to see Mommy?”

Gideon mumbled. “Where Isha?”

I looked at Elisha’s bedroom door, “Shhh…She’s asleep, be quiet…” I hushed.

“Where Phie-Phie?”

The boy seemed to seek comfort from his favorite people. “With mommy! Shall we go?” I told him before he could ask everyone.

Gideon balked away and faced me before nodding with puckering lips. “Otay!”

I tickled him, giving him pecks on his neck. Gideon giggled. “Let’s go find your mom and maybe Almira so she can prepare you soon,” I said before walking down the stairs and heading to the ballroom area.

I was in awe when I saw the massive room. The party venue was truly one-of-a-kind. As soon as I stepped inside, I felt like I was transported to an African Savanah s***h Safari Zoo. “Wow!” Gideon said in wonderment.

“Did you like it, buddy?”

Gideon nodded, “Balloooooonnnnnnsss!” he gasped, eyes gleaming in excitement. “My-my! Balooooonnnsss! Look! Wi-on! Nake! E-phant! Monkey! Biwds! My-my big tweeeess and bu-shet! So big!” he pointed and babbled in his broken words.

“Oh, yes, my love!” I laughed. Everyone was busy as we looked at the people finalizing the decorations.

“Did you like it?” It was Sam, her eyes gazing around the hall.

“Mommy!” Gideon wiggled in my arms.

“Oh, I love it!” I mumbled, giving Gideon to his mom. “It’s stunning!”

“Sophie and her team made it!” Sam added.

I looked at her and smiled. “Oh, It's already great in photos, but I didn’t expect this beautiful! This is extraordinary!”

It was absolutely stunning! The walls were adorned with beautiful animal murals. The hanging lions, zebras, elephants, tigers, monkeys, and giraffes were made of balloons, and the ceiling was draped with lush green foliage.

The stage set-up was a large wooden bar that was fashioned to look like a hut in the woods, complete with Gideon’s photos and images. There was also a lifesize standee next to a mountain of goodie bags and gifts to give away.

“Yes! I couldn’t agree more with you!” Sam seconded.

“She’s awesome!” I continued, my eyes still gaping around in amazement.

The decor was unique, with life-size animal sculptures made of cardboard and beautiful greenery. The colors of tables and chairs, even the drapes, were earthy and natural, with browns, greens, and yellows dominating the scene.

“Hey, Doc!”

Sam and I looked behind us. It was Sophie in her ragged jumper and shirt. She still looked beautiful, even with glistening sweat, and her face was a little grubby from dust and glitter.

“Hey, my sweet Sophie!” I greeted her back and was about to hug and kiss her when she took a step back

“Stop! I’m dirty, smelly, and gross!” Sophie flinched, making us laugh.

“No, you don’t!” I pretended to sniff her, “You smell jasmine scent! So sweet!”

“Stop!” She wagged her finger and said, “No! Don’t smell me! Eww!”

“You’re not, Sophie. I love your perfume, though,” Sam chuckled.

Sophie sniffed herself. “Yes, but I ain’t done yet! It's still early.”

I winked at Sophie. “You should go and prepare! Look at my outfit! I want to see yours now!” I said, checking my clothes.

Sophie smiled and nodded. “I got you the right size! Aww! And you looked gorgeous, doc!” She giggled before looking at Sam and saying, “I can’t wait to wear mine!”

Sam chortled. “Please! I’m so excited too! I want to freshen up and change now, but let’s finish that thing, and we are good to go!” She said, pointing at the small box on the table.

“Sure! Let me help you, ladies!!” I offered.

Sam and Gideon went ahead while Sophie and I stayed for a while.

“Sweet! Thanks for coming! I hope you got enough rest.” Sophie smiled at me.

I looked back at her and brushed the smudge on her cheek. “Thanks for the breakfast, Sweety,” I said before gazing at the decorations again. “You did a great job too! This perfect! Everything is perfect! This is way better than I had imagined.”

“You’re welcome! Just don’t forget your part in the program, yes?”

“Yes, games are on me!”

“Yup!”

“I so want to reward you…” I added.

Sophie smirked, her brow arching. “Really? With what? Eating me again?” she whispered.

My jaw slowly dropped, and I giggled after hearing her words. “Sophie! You’re such a naughty lady!” I whispered back.

“Just kidding you!” Sophie sneered.

I was about to speak when we heard Gideon suddenly throw a fit and cry. “Mommy! I want Daddy Ky! Daddy Ky!”

“I’ll call Almira,” Sophie said, leaving me quickly. I went to Sam and took Gideon from her, and followed Sophie.

I brought Gideon to Almira so he could change his clothes as well. We still had to speak with the DJ about the songs and talk to the party booth organizers. Sam became meticulous in this part of the preparation, though she overlooked the dates due to her work and the stress when Elisha went missing.

“I’ll just wake Elisha up and suit up!” Sophie dusted her hands and smiled as she looked around. It was only half past one, and she had enough time to prepare.

“Yes, Sophie, thank you so much! I’ll follow you soon!” Sam agreed.

“See you, doc!” Sophie winked at me and left.

Once she was out of the room, Sam looked at me. “That lady is worth keeping, lil bro,” she said. I stared back at her and nodded. “Make up your mind. Let her know who Demi is to you. Then face Demi and be honest with her,” she patted my back.

“Yes, I needed your smart brain for advice. Please add me to your schedule,” I replied.

“We will,” Sam winked back at me.

It had been a while since we had a heart-to-heart talk. We usually hang out in a coffee shop and spend the day talking about everything.

A little while later, my phone buzzed. I checked it and saw Demi’s name once more. I decided to read it this time.

‘Happy birthday, Gideon! Gosh, Sammy, I didn’t know Samatha had a son! It's blowing up the internet. We really needed to catch up soon!’

I snorted and rolled my eyes. Though Sam was known in her field and as the daughter of one of the best district attorneys in the States, she wasn’t a celebrity to get everyone's attention. We managed to keep Gideon under the public’s hat, and its disclosure was inevitable after the events these past few days and if Tom would finally show up.

I looked at Sam and saw her speaking with Kyle. Gideon was sleeping in his arms as they murmured.

“Oh, no…” I overheard Sam gasp.

Kyle huffed and puffed. “He just fell asleep again. Take him, please. He didn’t want anyone,” I have yet to tell him about my conversation with Thomas, but he seemed in a rush.

“Sure… sure…Are you going to be here this afternoon?” Sam took Gideon.

“Yes. Of course. I’ll be back soon….I just needed to check everything. It's a shame that I had no exclusive access to the CCTV. I hoped no one had erased the records,”

“I got you. Update me soon,”

Kyle nodded at me, “See you,” he said before storming away.

“Everything okay?” I asked Sam.

“Not really. There had been a fire in his new laboratory, but they had already managed to extinguish it. He’ll be back soon.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh, okay. Give me Gideon, so you can prepare now. It's almost time,” I offered, wondering what happened to Kyle’s company.

“Thanks, love,” Sam handed me the sleeping boy and gave him a peck on the head. “I love you, my boy. Happy birthday,” she whispered.

I took the boy into the living room so he could rest. Almira had already changed Gideon's clothes while he was sleeping. He looked like a little jungle explorer wearing a khaki-colored suit like mine.

The guests and children started to arrive, and they gathered inside the hall. Gideon went to Sam’s bedroom while I waited and welcomed the guests into the living room.

Soon, Sophie and Elisha came down and joined me. “Aww, you guys are matching and twinning!” Elisha remarked as Sophie stood beside me. Her Khaki short romper suit and even the beanie hat’s design looked exactly like mine.

“She’s awesome, right?!” I beamed at Elisha. She wore dark green maternity leggings, a brown sleeveless blouse, black ankle boots, and a Bonnie hat.

Elisha giggled. “Yes! She got to thank the hot guy she ogled at the shop!”

“Elisha!” Sophie chuckled, “Well, yeah! But Sammy is hotter than him!”

I scowled in confusion. “Who?”

“I’ll tell you later! Let’s go!” Sophie coolly replied.

I honestly had no idea what Elisha meant. “Anyway, you looked beautiful, ladies! And Elisha, you’re finally showing up! I can’t wait to meet your twins!” I stared at her bump.

“Me too, Uncle My-My!” Sophie butted in her sweet, tiny voice, rubbing Elisha’s tummy.

Elisha beamed at me. “Thank you, Sammy! Maybe we should go ahead and start to mingle with our friends!”

“Go on, ladies. I’ll wait for Gideon and Sam,” I said, “Some of the guests are already there, Sophie.”

The two ladies smiled. “Sweet! See you there!” Sophie said, yanking her arm at Elisha and walking to the ballroom.

I sat on the couch and started checking messages from my colleagues about my duty tonight. They knew about my nephew's birthday and sent their greetings and wishes.

“My-my!” I heard Gideon call my name. He and Sam were walking downstairs. My sister looked stunning in her white long-sleeved blouse, khaki jeans, and over-knee-high boots. I smiled widely at the duo. They looked perfect. It was far from the day I saw them, three years ago, to be exact.

Then, my phone buzzed shortly. It was Tom.

‘I've just arrived, Sammy. Please send me your home address. Thank you so much. I owe you my life.’

My grin went broader when I read Tom’s message. This would change their lives forever and be the most unforgettable occasion for both Gideon and Samantha.

xx

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