The Doctor's Playmate

Chapter 39- He's Here

All three of us got inside the hall. We still had minutes left before the program. Gideon ran straight to my mom and dad, who seemed amazed at the stage decoration. “Grandnana! Grandpapa!” he excitedly yelled.

I looked at Sam, “I’ll look after him,” I said, letting him entertain the visitors. Sam thanked me before joining Elisha, Sophie, and Kathy’s group.

I greeted my parents with a big smile. Dad carried Gideon in his arms while Mom peppered him with kisses. “Sammy!” Dad noticed me.

“Hey, Dad!”

“Oh, my big baby boy!” Mom looked at me and gave me a big hug. “How are you?” she smiled, checking my attire. “You reminded me of your second birthday! You wore the same outfit for your party! Right, honey?” she asked Dad.

“Yes! Oh, Samuel. You looked great, son!” Dad agreed before putting Gideon down. “Go, play!” he said, letting him go and join the children.

Gideon started his third birthday party with a blast. The balloons were everywhere, and colorful streamers of animal figures were hanging from the ceiling. The mini-playground looked entertaining for kids.

They were running around, screaming with joy, and playing games with him. Gideon wasn’t like this before. He was always too sick and frail to even play with me or anyone else in the household. All he loved to do was open the bedroom doors and explore the room, giving Almira a mini-heart attack whenever he played hide and seek with her.

Mom, Dad, and I smiled as we watched him run and talk with his playdate friends and relatives. Gideon carelessly climbed up and slid down a massive baby ball pit. His belly laughter made me happy. He then explored the area with Miles and Kathy’s daughter, Emilia. I love the idea of party booths where kids get their faces painted and take their snacks. There was also a bar serving coolers and fruit punch drinks for adults.

We all sat down in our designated seats, and I took my time to chat with them. Almira was already with Gideon to look after him. I looked around, and visitors had already filled the venue. They were chatting and laughing, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

“Sammy. Have you heard about Taylors? They are returning to New York,” Dad said, sipping his juice.

“Yes, Sam mentioned it. Good,” I nonchalantly commented.

“Have you seen Demi?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. I’m too busy with my duties at the hospital. I'll be in New Jersey before the end of the month.”

“I will see you then,” Mom said, “I went to NJ for on-call this morning. They asked me about you. The whole ER staff misses you,” she chuckled.

I smiled at Mom. “Yes, I miss them too... I will see them soon.” As far as I knew, Elisha and Sophie would return to New Jersey after Gideon’s birthday. And that meant I wouldn’t see Sophie for another week.

“Anyway, son. Ben Taylor invited us for dinner next month. He told us in advance so we could squeeze them into our schedules,” Dad continued.

I nodded. “Okay, Dad. I can’t promise to join you.”

“I understand. You’re in your last year, Sammy. Stay focused, my baby boy,” Mom smiled at me, “The baby I used to bring to my clinic is now a doctor. Saving lives and sharing my passion and love in medicine,” she said, holding my hand and leaning on my arm.

I wrapped my arms around Mom and kissed her side temple. “Yes, mom. I’ll be Doctor Samuel Alistair Owens soon. I love you, and you know you’re always the first person I always look up to!” I said, sniffing her hair.

“How about me?” Dad asked, narrowing his eyes at us.

I laughed. “Oh, Dad.”

“Oh, stop being jealous, Lark.” Mom snorted, Samantha has already fulfilled your wishes!” she said. It was true. On the other hand, Kyle had his two-year nursing degree before taking his business degree to deal with our pharmaceutical company.

“Yes, you’re right,” Dad shook his head before looking at Sam, who was already talking with Sophie near the stage, “My dearest Samantha Amanda,” he whispered.

The party would start soon, so I excused myself to help Sophie. “Hey, shall we start it?” I asked her.

Sophie beamed wide before inhaling deeply. “Yes!”

The program started with acknowledging the guests and family members who attended Gideon’s birthday party despite their busy schedules. She also introduced Gideon and gave Sam time to welcome and thank her friends and loved ones.

Sophie confidently hosted the party, talking and entertaining the people with her energy and witty remarks. I couldn’t help but silently admire her stage presence and dedication to making this party remarkable. The little details we discussed became ideal with her welcoming atmosphere and energy level.

A few minutes later, she called the magician, who made the kids laugh and gasp with amazement. Gideon had fun and was so excited when the zookeepers brought out the birds for the bird show.

He was in awe seeing parrots and parakeets and wanted to hold them, but as soon as they started talking and singing him a happy birthday, he clung closer to his mom in fright. “Mommy!” He froze and stared at the birds.

Everybody loved him and laughed at his cuteness.

“Oh! He’s so lovely!” Sophie remarked as we both watched them on stage.

I held her hand and squeezed it. Sophie glanced at me. “Thank you for helping to organize this party! You made our family happy,” I said smilingly.

Sophie giggled and pinched my cheek. “I love your family. And no biggies! I am glad to meet you and your brood!” She winked before watching the show again.

Then it was time for the games. Sophie called my attention to set up what she had prepared for the plays. I helped her facilitate the program with Layla and Mika’s help.

There was a game of musical chairs, followed by a scavenger hunt. Gladly, the weather was great, and the children enjoyed the rounds outside. And lastly, the freeze dance game started. Gideon seemed to have mastered the rules. He and Emilia eventually won the prizes. The children were having a great time, and even the adults joined in on the fun.

A couple of games and programs later, Sophie announced it was time to take out the cake and blow out candles. She asked our family to come to the stage to be with Gideon. Mom, Dad, Sam, and I went up while we waited for the cake. It was a massive cake with the birthday boy’s face on it.

“Where’s your brother?” Mom whispered to me.

I looked around and saw Wilson, Kyle’s driver, sitting beside Almira. “He should be here now. Sweety, can you call Kyle?” I asked Sophie to call Kyle.

She nodded and smiled. “Is Daddy Skylar here? If you are here, Daddy Ky. I’d like to invite you to join us on the stage for Gideon’s blowing out of candles and slicing his yummy cake!” she said.

“Present!” It was Kyle, entering the ballroom and dashing towards us.

“Here he is!” Sophie beamed wide.

“Daddy Ky!” Gideon happily called my brother.

“Hey, buddy… happy birthday,” Kyle kissed his hair and then looked at me and said, “I’m sorry…Hey, mom… dad…” greeting them.

“Let’s start,” I smiled and stood next to Sophie as soon as the music played. We all started singing the happy birthday song to Gideon.

“Happy birthday, Gideon! Happy birthday, Gideon! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, Gideon!”

My nephew looked so happy. He was grinning, clapping, and doing his happy dance in his mom’s arms. He used to be so tiny in her hold, but he was now slowly catching up with his weight.

“Blow your candle, Gideon! Happy birthday!” Sophie announced after the song ended.

Yet, Gideon shook his head, surprising us. “No…”

“Why, baby?” Sam asked.

Gideon looked at us and seemed to find someone. “Where Isha?”

Sophie and I chuckled. Sophie had been asking Elisha to come to the stage earlier, but she didn’t want it. “Call her…” I whispered. Elisha was sitting at the back table with her friends. She hesitated to join us, and we obviously know why.

“Oh, he’s looking for Elisha! Elisha, come over here,” Sophie called her friend. She got to her feet quickly and started waddling in our direction.

“Isha! Ishaaa!’ Gideon giggled. The excitement was evident on his face,

I offered my hand as she walked up the stage. “Here you go…” I smiled, guiding her.

“Oh, Elisha! Come here, sweety!” Mom greeted her with a hug.

“He wants his favorite aunt!” Dad remarked.

“She’s here!” Sam beamed at Elisha before letting her take the space next to Kyle, which I noticed my brother took advantage of by holding her.

“You silly boy,” Elisha beamed, giving Gideon a peck on the lips.

“Ishaa! Blow candle!” Gideon giggled, making us smile.

“Now that his favorite Aunt is here! Let's sing happy birthday one more time!” Sophie announced once more.

We sang the happy birthday song the second time around. Gideon blew his candles before facing his mom and kissing her. Everybody was in awe, clapping and cheering.

Sophie grabbed my arm and leaned on it before squeezing me tight. “Awww…I want to cry…” she said, wiping her tears.

I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her hair repeatedly. “I know! It's okay to cry…” I mumbled, looking at Kyle helping Sam slice the cake.

Everyone was cheering and clapping their hands when I noticed Elisha froze while looking at the man standing at the entrance door.

It was a tall, ginger-haired guy. 'He's here...'

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