William hardly knew how to raise a child, and then all of a sudden he was sitting in a chair next to a hospital bed with a small bundle in his arms. Stephen Marcus Kline was born July 25th, 2017, 7 pounds 2 oz. Father: William James Kline aged 25. Mother: Jessica Hamilton aged 23.
Will was scared, truly he was. He never thought he was going to be a father, and a rushed night in bed and a forgotten condom later, here was this little thing brought to life.
The nights following his sons birth were sleepless ones, obviously he knew that was something that was coming. He would go into his room and pick up Stephen and take him into the kitchen to make him something to drink, testing the heat on his wrist then gently cradling his son so he could drink. Jessica didn’t want to breastfeed. He did wish he had some family to help, his mother was with his grandmother in Spain, living there after the confirmation of her husbands death, needing to stay with someone in her time of grief. Will took care of his son everyday, Jessica helping out every once in a while. Neither of them really saw this in their future, they thought it was a short fling and that was all. Plus William never thought he would have been a good father, or even a good partner to anyone. But as soon as Stephen was born he put that all behind him. He was going to be the best god damn parent he could and nothing was going to stop him.
Five years go by quickly when you have a child, even more with a boy and as a single father. Stephen grew to be a quite sweet little boy who liked books and art. Jess left a year after Stephen was born, running off to pursue some career. But he had a small feeling in the back of his head that she just didn’t want to handle a child anymore. Well fine, Will was doing fine on his own, he had a teaching job as an art teacher and also lived off commissions and did very well. He didn’t blame her, but if it was him, he wouldn’t have done it. He loves his son and would to anything for him, give him the world if he could. He moved to a small town over the summer and Stephen didn’t really seem to mind, they moved out of their crap apartment and rented a nice house that had a large backyard. The first thing William bought for back there was a small kiddie pool and a jungle gym.
“Pa…” A small hand tugs on his jeans and he looks down, looking into identical light blue eyes. The tiny boys curly brown hair is ruffled and he has a thumb stuck partially in his mouth.
“Yeah sweetheart?” Will puts the rag down into the sink and drops to his knees in front of his son, grabbing both of the boys small hands. The child takes a few steps closer and rests his forehead on his fathers shoulder. William chuckles and picks him up, bouncing him on his hip, making the boy giggle sleepily.
“Water please.” The brunette mumbles against his fathers shoulder.
“Ah, a drink. That’s why you’re down here so late, and you have your first day of school tomorrow. You’re going to be sleepy baby boy.” Stephen whines softly, curling his fists in his fathers shirt.
“Don’t wanna go.”
“I know, but school is important, you’ll make friends and have fun everyday.” William explains as he fills up his sons cup with water from the sink. He hands the small cup to Stephen who takes it happily, drinking almost half of it in one go. Will kisses his temple softly and smiles.
The two of them are almost identical, both have the same light blue eyes, and fluffy curly hair. Stephens hair is a lighter shade than his fathers due to his mother having blond hair. And Stephen also has a caramel skin tone opposed to his fathers copper colored skin. Will always marvels at the fact they look so alike.
“Okay, you’ve got your drink, ready for bed buddy?” Stephen nods and hands the cup back and William sets it in the sink. He carries his son to his room laying him down in his blue and red colored blankets, running his fingers through the others curly hair as he curls into his bed. “Goodnight Stephen.” He kisses his sons forehead and tickles under his chin.
“Night papa.” Stephen whispers and pulls his blankets up around himself and presses his face into his pillows, closing his eyes.
William leaves the room quietly, shutting the door behind him, leaving it cracked slightly, going to his own room for bed himself.
Will wakes up the next morning and hauls his son out of bed, ignoring the boys protests.
“I know bud, but you’ve gotta go. You’re old enough and that means you get to go to school.”
“Will you miss me.” He asks, rubbing his eyes. William can’t help but to chuckle at that.
“Of course I will, Stephen. Everyday you go to school, I will miss you.” Will helps him get dressed and brushes his teeth, then gets him a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Stephen eats sullenly and pouts at his father. Will just smiles at him over his cup of coffee, he can’t wait to see what the boy thinks of school after this day is over.
“Okay, come on son.” Will grabs his hands and they walk outside and along the sidewalk. William specifically rented a house close to school so he could walk his boy to school when it was warmer and deal with a short drive when the days got colder. The town is small, and that means all the schools are as well. One teacher for each grade and smaller classes, just how he likes it. Will never really liked the idea of a large school, a large classroom was hard for some students who needed one on one attention.
“Do you have to go to work today daddy?” Stephen asks as they get closer to the Primary school.
“Yup. Since my first class of the day is my planning period I’m going to be able to take you to school every morning.” Stephen’s face lights up at that comment.
“If I’m good today at school could you draw me something when I get home?” He looks up at William, his face breaking out int a toothy grin.
“If you’re good.” Stephen jumps and claps his hands together, laughing softly. William shakes his head and reaches to grab his sons hand again as they cross a road.
“Good morning Mr. Kline!” Two junior students walk by him, smiling kindly. He already knows he has the both of them in his first class of the day, both of them amazing artists.
“Good morning Stephanie, Kory.” He smiles at the young man and woman as they pass by.
They reach the gate in a matter of another minute of walking and Will stops and kneels down in front of Stephen.
“You ready for your first day of school Stephen?” Stephen bites his lip but nods, a shy smile peeking out. His attention is diverted momently as two students his age run into the school, laughing loudly and happily. His blue eyes suddenly widen. “Ready?” Will asks again. Stephen puffs out his chest and turns to face the doors of the school.
“Yup!” He nods his head and turns back to his father, hugging him tightly then kissing him on the cheek. “Love you!” his voice is high and very obviously nervous.
“Be good. I’ll watch you walk in.” Will stands as his son walks into the school, pausing for a moment to wave to his father. William waves back and can’t help but to get slightly emotional.
“First day?” Someone asks from behind him. William turns around quickly and sees a young man smiling kindly at him. He has a student teacher badge on and looks absolutely suited for the job of a teacher.
“Uh yeah, my son.
“Well this is a good school and the teacher is very nice. I’ll also be teaching him as well.” He suddenly gets flustered. “Should have introduced myself first.” He runs his hands through his raven hair, neck coloring red. “I’m Christopher Novak. I’ve been student teaching here since last year. You son is in good hands, I promise.” Will shakes the mans outstretched hand and chuckles at his nervousness.
“William Kline. My son looks exactly like me and his name is Stephen.”
“Stephen. Not a name I hear much anymore. Unique. Well, it was nice meeting you, but I do have to go, but I hope at the first parent night in a few weeks you’ll be able to come.” All William can do is nod as he watches the young man walk down the walkway into the school.
Well, he’s going to have to test out if the ‘Everyone knows each other in small towns’ theory soon.
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