I set the table while Liam was watching TV. I put the salad on the table with the rice.

I don't know what I was thinking when I invited him over.

My mind is all over the place. I can't think straight. I probably shouldn't over think this. This is a good idea. Liam needs Ethan in his life and I can't prevent that for my own selfish reasons.

Imagining me not telling Liam about his father ever would be a good idea, let's see how that'll turn out: He'll hate me for keeping that a secret and probably cut off all connections with me and I'll end up sad and alone with fifty cats or he will understand that I kept it a secret of my old selfish reasons and cut all connection with me and I'll end up sad and alone with fifty cat.

I'll end up with fifty cat either way. I just don't know if I survive. Maybe I'll get fifty dogs instead.

The door bell brings me out of my thoughts and I'm grateful for that. I can't imagine growing old with nothing but fifty cats around me.

"Are you ready Liam?" I shout from the kitchen.

"Yes mommy!"I hear him shout back.

I walk to the front door and open it up.

Ethan was standing with a grin on his face holding a bouquet of flower and a box of Lego.

"Orchids, your favorite." He said smiling.

"You remember." I whisper.

Orchids aren't really my favorite flowers. Roses are but that is too common so when he asked what my favorite flower was, I told him the first thing that came to my mind. Orchids.

"Of course I remember." He handed me the flowers. "Can I come in?"

"Yes." I say moving aside admiring the flowers. "He is watching TV."

"Nice place." He commented looking around the apartment.

"Thanks." I say closing the door.

The apartment is pretty nice. I mean I've never had a problem and the rent is affordable. And it's not so far from my workplace.

He walked to the living room where Liam was and I heard Liam scream in excitement. He has been wanting a new Lego set even though I got him one recently. I really hope Ethan doesn't spoil the kid.

I walk into the living room and Ethan runs to me carrying the box.

"Look, mommy." He says cheerfully. "Look what he got me."

"It's nice but don't make a mess when you play with it or I'll take it." I warn.

"Okay." He promised. "Can I play with it now?"

"Why don't you and I play with it after dinner." Ethan suggested.

"Promise?" Liam asked.

"Promise." Ethan agreed.

"Okay, to the kitchen." I announce leading the way

They both seat down as I bring out the chicken from the oven and set it on the table. I grab a bag of potatoes chip and set it beside me. Ethan gave me a confused look and nodded my head towards Liam and sit down.

"Okay, dig in." I say.

Ethan didn't waste time to serve himself once he noticed I was staring at he he gave me a goofy smile. "What? I miss your cooking."

I rolled my eyes and served Liam. "If you finish this you can get quarter of the bag.

"I want the whole thing."

"Quarter." I say sternly.

"No deal." He smiled knowing what I'll say next.

"Half." I sigh. Liam smiled satisfied and started to eat.

Ethan on the other hand was impressed with Liam. The proud smile he had on his face was annoying hell out of me. "Good job boy. Never settle for the less."

"What does that mean?" He tilted his head to the side.

"It means always if someone offers you something to do something for them always ask for a higher price." Ethan explained the best way he could. I doubt Liam understood what he said.

"Okay." Liam turned to look at me. "I want the whole thing mommy."

"No we agreed you'll take half." I said annoyed at Ethan for bringing this up and at Liam for understanding.

"But he said-"

"He wasn't talking about now." I explain. "You can do that when you are older. For now, you'll obey what your mommy and daddy tells you even if they don't give you something in return."

"Daddy?" He looked at me. "I thought you said I don't have one."

This is the part I didn't want to get to but I'm tired of lying to him.

"Well, everyone has a daddy but the thing is that some people daddy are in a better place." I say slowly so he process it well.

"Like Sammy the fish?" He asked.

Sammy was their class pet till it died three months ago the teacher had to explain the whole it's at a better place to the whole class when the children were sobbing their eyes out. Liam asked me a lot of question about 'the better place'.

"Yeah like Sammy the fish." I smiled at the fact he remembered. "And some other people their daddy went away for some while. Sometimes they come back, sometimes they don't."

"What kind of daddy do I have?" He asked.

"Well, your daddy went away for a very long time but he is back know and that's why we are having this dinner so we can meet him." I explain pointing at Ethan.

"You're my daddy?" He looked at Ethan like he had just won the lottery.

"Yes, I am." Ethan smiled. "And I'm very proud of you."

"I have daddy?" He smiled looking at me.

"Yes." I laughed at his reaction.

"I have a daddy." He shouts so loud I'm afraid the neighbors might hear us.

"Yes you do." Ethan smiled. "An incredibly sexy one too."

I shoot Ethan death glare.

"Swear jar." Liam shouted.

"What?" Ethan asked. "Sexy isn't a swear word it just means I'm incredibly handsome."

"Oh." Liam nods. "I have a sexy daddy!" He start to chant.

"No don't shout that." I try to tell him but he doesn't listen.

"Let him be." Ethan said smiling at the situations.

"This is your fault." I snap at him.

"My fault? How?" He asked innocently.

"Because you are too cocky." I snapped at him again.

"What can I say the ladies loves it." He laughed. I won't lie I felt a little jealous when he said that. I mean I love what would you expect. He leaned closer to me. " Between you and me, I'm only cocky when you are around. But I love it when you get all jealous and possessive. It's sexy."

I felt my cheeks redden by his words. Moments like this make me regret cutting my hair.

"Wait does this mean we can have ice cream?" Liam asked calming down a bit.

"Yes." I say clearing my throat.

"Yay!" He screams again.

"Try not to shout so loud Liam." I say calmly. I see he's plate is untouched whereas Ethan's plate is scraped clean.

He wasn't joking when he said he missed my cooking.

"You'll cause unnecessary attention and that's not good." Ethan explains.

"What's that." Liam asked.

"That's when people don't mind that business?" Ethan said not sure how to explain it to him.

"Can we have ice cream now?" Liam asked not caring about what he just heard.

"Why not?" Ethan smirked knowing I wanted Liam to finish his food.

I stand up as the doorbell rung. I sighed and went to go get it.

"See unnecessary attention." I hear Ethan tell Liam.

"Hey." I smiled when I opened the door. It was Charlie.

"Is everything okay I'm pretty sure I heard Liam screaming from my flat." He explained leaning against the door post. "And I brought over some ice cream."

"No everything is okay but now is really not a good time." I say to him trying not to offend him.

"What do you mean?" He asked getting a bit worried. "Is it Liam?"

"No but-"

"Charlie!" Liam shouted and ran to the door. "I have a sexy daddy! Do you want to meet him?"

"Oh." Charlie whispered and gave a 'you better fill me in' look. "I don't think so buddy maybe later."

"You brought the ice cream?" Liam asked excitedly. "Daddy, Charlie brought the ice cream."

"Oh boy." I whisper. I step away so Charlie can come in. There's no point of him standing out again.

"Who is Charlie?" I see Ethan walk towards us.

"I'm Charlie." Charlie stretched out his hand. "Nice to meet you man. I've heard a lot of things bout you. You know from the news and all."

Looks like Charlie recognizes Ethan. I mean a lot of people would recognize him if they see him, even if he disappeared for four years.

Ethan looked at Charlie's hand blankly then looks at me for further introduction.

"He lives in the flat above us and he looks after Liam when there's no one available. He's been a really great help." I smile at Charlie.

Charlie has done a lot since I moved in to the place. We met in the elevator and started a small conversation then my water broke. Charlie drove me to the hospital and made sure everything was okay for the next few days. We've been pretty good friends since then. But I'm not going to tell Ethan all those details.

"So your the last minute babysitter." Ethan asked as Charlie drew his hand back.

"Ethan!" I scold. "Charlie is a friend of the family."

He better not start a fight now.

"Look man I don't know what your problem is but I would really appreciate it if you didn't act like a butthead at least in front of Liam." Charlie snapped.

Liam giggled. " Charlie said butthead."

"Just great." I mutter. "Hey little monkey why don't you go watch TV."

"More TV time." Liam smiled and ran to the living room.

I looked at both of them in frustration.

Charlie look at me apologetically. "I just came to check up on you guys, maybe I'll come back when he's gone."

"Oh you aren't coming back at all. Especially when you told me how to act in front of my son." Ethan said. I could see he was getting angry.

"Look guys there's a four years old in this house." I say but they just continue arguing.

"-And somebody got to tell you that I'm sure you don't know anything with handling a child." Charlie spat at him.

"Now your just asking for a taste of my fist you asshole." Ethan said smiling raising his fist.

"Nobody is asking for a taste of your fist Ethan." I said to him. "Charlie please ignore him."

"Fuck you." Charlie spat at him. "Do your worst."

Ethan threw a punch at Charlie's jaw and that's how they started a punching match in my house with a freaking four years old kid inside.

"STOP IT!" I shout on top my lungs. "Both of you put twenty dollars in that swear jar and get out."

"But the fee is normally five." Charlie said rubbing his jaw.

"Don't let me repeat myself." I grit out.

Charlie led the way to the swear jar since Ethan didn't know where it was and paid up. They looked like they where going to kill each other. Scratch that Ethan looked like he was ready to punch Charlie to death. If he could he would probably have done it.

"I'm-" Charlie starts.

"Out." I cut him. He bends down to pick the ice cream container. "Leave the ice cream."

"But-" He starts again.

"Leave it." I warn. I'll be needing ice cream after this.

Charlie walk out the front door leaving only Ethan with me. Ethan smiles and picks up the ice cream that Charlie left.

"What do you think your doing I said get out." I spat at him.

"I thought you were talking to that as- I mean butthead." Ethan said shrugging.

"How could you be so childish?" I let out a hollow laugh"Do you know how much Charlie has done for me and Liam over the years? Of course you wouldn't know. He has been there for us through tough time and good times. He left his business to check if everything was okay. He treats Liam as his own son! And you start up a fight. "

"He-"

"In font of Liam Ethan!" I shout. "What are teaching your son huh? How to start up fights?"

"I'm sorry." He says but the look in his eyes say otherwise.

"I told you not to make me regret having in you in Liam's life." I sigh taking the ice cream from his hand. "Just go."

He nodded and went out slamming the door behind him. I hold in my tears and put the ice cream in the fridge.

I head to the living room and see Liam watching the animation dancing around on the screen. How do kids enjoy this thing. Liam notices my presence and turns around. I could tell something was wrong by his facial expression.

"What's the problem little monkey?" I asked sitting beside him.

"Why were you shouting at daddy?" He asked facing the ground.

"Well, daddy did something naughty and needed to be corrected." I say hoping it made sense to him.

"Would you shout at me if I do something naughty?" He asked.

"No I'll tell you not to do it again." I say pulling he up to my lap.

"So why did you shout at daddy if you won't shout at me?" He cuddled up in my lap.

"Because daddy know better and I've corrected him before." I say sighing.

I wasn't lying though I remember when Ethan took me out on a date and some guy was hitting me up. He beat the guy to plump it took other men to stop him. I told him if he does that again I'll end our relationship.

"Why don't I give you a warm bath and read you a bed time story?" I asked changing the topic.

"Okay." He stands up from my lap.

"Go get ready for bath." I say to him heading to the bathroom.

I just hope he forgets everything that happen tonight soon. I don't wanting him shouting at another person in school and I don't want have another long talk with his teachers because of that.