Threads Of Fate

Crossroads of Connection

"Hey, buddy," he said. "It's okay. You can come out and say hi."

"It's okay, Jo-Jo." Rebecca cooed as she stepped out from behind her, slowly pulling his thumb out of his mouth. He chuckled softly, watching as she coaxed Joseph to come out from behind her.

"Jo-Jo, huh?" he said, looking at Joseph with a warm smile. He knelt closer to the little boy's eye level, trying to appear less intimidating. "That's a cute nickname," he said. "It suits you, bud."

"In preschool, when he first started, he would always run back to me. He'd grab a toy and then back to me, toy, me, toy, me. The teachers joked he was like a yo-yo." She bent down and squeezed him in a hug. "My little Jo-Jo." Evan listened to her share the story about how he'd gotten the nickname, a soft smile on his lips. Hearing her talk about Joseph and watching the love in her eyes as she looked at him stirred something within him that he couldn't quite define.

"That's adorable," he said softly. He watched Rebecca bend down to hug Joseph, the nickname 'Jo-Jo' falling easily from her lips. It was apparent that the little boy was the center of her world. She grinned and gestured to Evan.

"This is Evan. Can you say hi?" She said softly. He watched as she encouraged Joseph to say hi, his heart in his throat. He smiled.

"Hey there, Jo-Jo," he said softly. "Nice to meet you." Joseph wrapped his arms around Rebecca's neck and waved shyly. He chuckled softly at the little boy's shy wave, his heart melting slightly.

"He's quite the charmer, isn't he?" he said to her, still looking at Joseph. She kissed his head as Joseph mumbled into his mom's neck.

"Hi, Ewan." He accidentally said Evan's name wrong. Evan chuckled again; the little boy's pronunciation of his name was adorable.

"Hey there, little man," he replied gently. "You're close. My name's Evan. Can you say 'Evan'?"

"Ewan," he repeated, causing Rebecca to giggle.

"V's are hard." She explained, smiling at Joseph. He couldn't help but laugh as well; the little boy's mispronunciation was too endearing.

"That's okay," he said with a smile. "V's are tough. You're doing great, buddy." Rebecca smiled at her son and kissed the side of his head again. She stood and gently guided him to the park as he clung to her leg. Evan watched as she stood up and guided Joseph, his heart warming at her sweet, protective gesture. He followed behind them, his eyes on the little boy as he clung to her leg.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. The resemblance between him and Joseph was undeniable. He'd missed out on so much. As soon as Joseph saw the slides, he was off and running around. Rebecca was never too far from him, always watching to ensure he didn't hurt himself. Evan watched as the little boy ran off, his energy infectious and making him grin. He followed Rebecca as she kept a watchful eye on Joseph, making sure the little boy was safe.

He found himself watching her more than the little boy, his eyes taking in her maternal instincts and the care she showed. It touched him to see her this way. After a few minutes, he moved closer to her, his hands in his pockets.

"You're a natural, you know that?" he said softly, his eyes still on Joseph.

"No," she smiled, disagreeing. I'm figuring it out as I go; I have no idea what I'm doing." She admitted. He saw the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, the admission of fear she rarely let anyone see. The glimpse of the honest Rebecca tugged at his heartstrings.

"You're doing great," he said softly, his voice laced with sincerity. He glanced over at Joseph, who was struggling to climb up a slide, a look of determination on his face.