Lemon Truffles - Love Instantly by Cece Monét Page B

of them hadn’t traveled very far outside of HK and they weren’t as into global happenings as he was, which often made him feel like an outsider. Being well traveled and understanding global context had paid off though when he’d decided to go into the business world.
    Yet the social difficulties of his childhood where his father was frequently off working and his kind, gentle, generous mother had often been his only companion had left a profound impact on Cheng’s adult life. Cheng couldn’t help but think that in some ways, he and his son actually shared similar upbringings as he stared at Jayden now. His boy was jabbering on and on about his Disney’s Cars’ books at the moment.
    Yup, Jayden had a dad who cared about him, but that had still been gone most of his life. Also, Jayden was trapped in a multicultural pluralism, trying to find his way in the world and figure out his own identity. Cheng could certainly relate to those issues. He just hoped he could help his son from this moment forward and throughout the rest of his life with whatever challenges lay on the road ahead for Jayden.
    Finally, after they’d drawn pictures too, Jayden was ready for a snack and asked if Cheng wanted to go downstairs and watch TV. Cheng agreed and they started for the door. He admired his son’s endless energy as well as his natural charisma and how articulate he was. He was giving Jayden a piggyback ride once they were out in the hall outside of the bedrooms when his son called for his mother. Angela rejoined them almost instantly, smiling up at her baby before they all made their way down to the den.
    Cheng helped Jayden down from his shoulders and their son went into the den to turn on his program, before Angela and Cheng detoured to the kitchen to prepare a snack. “Thank you for letting me see and get to know Jayden. Our son’s a great kid,” he told her as she was spreading natural peanut butter on some whole grain bread and he was cutting up pieces of organic bananas to go on their banana roll ups. Angela nodded.
    “ I would’ve come sooner, but I think everyone needed time to get used to the idea.” Angela nodded again. She was still very quiet and definitely seemed distracted. “I want to tell him that I’m his father. When do you think would be a good time for that?”
    “ Maybe when we’re getting him ready for bed tonight we can tell him together then,” she said quietly, without missing a beat. It was as if she’d been waiting for that question, had been expecting it and was thus prepared to answer it. Cheng simply nodded himself this time, not really sure what else to say.
    ~
    Angela mostly tuned out the previously recorded DVR show as always, but what she did pay attention to was the fact that she was spending quality family time with her son. Jayden positioned himself in the middle of the comfy L-shaped sectional sofa and gestured for his parents to sit on either side of him, which of course they acquiesced and did. Jayden seemed to be perfectly content as he ate his snack and drank his low fat organic milk. Angela wondered what it would be like if things were always like this.
    Soon the show went off and Jayden knew it was bed time. “Jayden, we’re both going to help get you ready for bed tonight. Do you think that would be alright?” Angela asked. Jayden wagged his head up and down vigorously, smiling.
    Cheng scooped up and carried their boy up the stairs and Angela again couldn’t help but think she wished he was always around. Had she ever felt like this with Brian? She couldn’t remember a time when a truly comfortable, family vibe existed with her fiancé.
    Cheng helped Jayden brush his teeth while Angela prepared his bath. Their son then picked out his bath toys, used the toilet and stripped down before he got into the tub. Kids were so uninhibited she mused as Cheng washed their son’s hair. Angela finished bathing him.
    Cheng rinsed and dried Jayden. Then Angela put on his lotion and