When We Were Perfect

Previously, 

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Daniel knew what he was talking about, a part of him didn't want to go back and face the turmoil again but then he reminded himself that he had moved on. Besides, it doesn't matter there it was just the two of them either here or back home and he eventually had to go back, it wasn't like anyone was waiting for him there…..

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"I am not running away from anyone Silas. Eventually, I had to come back!" Daniel said, now gazing at the water droplets falling against the glass window.

"I know but Amy has been wa-----"

"Does it matter anymore Silas? Nothing is lately where it used to be!"

Silas nods realizing that he might have made him remember some bitter things.

"Anyways, should I arrange a welcome party for you in the office or should I lay a red carpet at the airport or ----"  Silas began to ramble..

"Hold your ideas, Silas. I am not returning from a voyage or something. God help with you and your party ideas!" Daniel chuckled lightly starting at his friend.

"Touché!" Silas huffed.

"Well, I am leaving office now. See you in two days and no such welcome ideas" Daniel told strictly.

"Fine! See ya!" Silas said ending the call with his usual grin.

Daniel shook his head before leaving his cabin.

......…..

It was evening when Daniel arrived at his penthouse which he bought for his stay in New York. Like always, he expected to hear Ozan playing with Martha in the living room or watching his poems but to his disappointment, he wasn't there, the whole house was silent making him worried until he heard giggles and sounds from his nursery. Smiling, Daniel walked towards his room, standing on the front of the opened bathroom door as he started at the scene in front of him.

Inside, Martha was kneeling beside the bathtub, covered in foam and water while Ozan was playing in the tub with his rubber elephants, shrieking and clapping his hands. His black hair in spikes made with foam as he clearly enjoyed his bath time. The only thing he enjoyed other than playing with his father, the soon-to-be two-year-old was always bright and smiling. Due to his recent fever and illness, he wasn't very healthy and looked like a year old child. Daniel as always was constantly worried for him until Doctors assured him that not all children have the chubby physique and besides there wasn't any physical problem despite his weak appearance. But then again he has been ill for two months, it will take him some time to get healthy again.

"Daddy!" Ozan shouted seeing his father's figure standing at the door. Surprised Martha also turned backwards with a smile.

"Master!"

"It's okay Martha, you go and change your dress. I will bathe him!" Daniel responded walking past her to the tub. She simply nodded before moving out of the scene.

"How's my little boy!" Daniel smiled ruffling his spikes.

"Daddy up!" Ozan demanded raising his arms. Daniel chuckled.

"Fine, let me wash you first and then I will carry you okay!" Daniel unhooked the hose, draining all the water and then continued to wash his small body without much hassle.

After washing and drying, Daniel dressed him in his rainbow-striped pyjamas before freshening up himself. Holding him in his embrace, Daniel went towards the kitchen, the same time Martha was setting the table. Strapping Ozan in his high chair, Daniel sat beside him on the stool.

"Let me feed you first!" Daniel said grabbing a spoon and feeding him some mashed peas. Ozan immediately shook his head.

"Yucky, No..!" Ozan said scrunching up his nose.

"No, it's not yucky it's yummy and healthy Ozan!" Daniel persuaded again, moving the spoon closer to his mouth but the little boy didn't budge making him sigh.

"How about you eat this and then Daddy will take you on a plane ride!" 

At this, the little boy turned his head.

"Plane!" Ozan repeated with an elated expression.

"Yes, we will fly on a plane!"

Ozan made a thinking face before opening his mouth a bit. Smiling Daniel scooped a bit of food in his mouth which he forcefully swallowed with a pout making him chuckle.

"Daddy loves you son but don't you want to be healthy and strong as daddy!" Daniel said.

Ozan instantly bobbed his head up and down.

"Then you will have to eat vegetables at night!" Daniel said, placing a chaste kiss on his cheeks and then continued to feed him as the little boy gave him a gummy smile with the same eyes as him.

"Are we going somewhere, Master!" Martha butted in, referring to earlier talk about the plane ride. She knew Daniel wouldn't bribe Ozan with a bluff, the little boy was obsessed with planes and animals.

"We are going back home, Martha. You can say my work here is completed. I was going to tell you this after dinner but since you know now, you can start packing. We will be leaving the day after tomorrow." Daniel informed, feeding Ozan who was unwillingly eating it.

"I will get to it, Master!" Martha responded with a small smile.

"Good!" Daniel replied.

"Daddy eat!" Ozan said, raising his hand to give him what looked like a mushy boiled potato that was on his plate. He lowered his head to eat it without batting an eyelash, grimly swallowing it. It was usual for him, whenever he fed Ozan, the little boy would always give him a bite in the end.

Martha snickered seeing Daniel's expression.

"I thought vegetables were yummy!" She repeated, Daniel glared in return but then started chuckling. Wiping Ozan's mouth and kissing him on the cheeks.

After dinner and putting Ozan to sleep, Daniel went to discuss certain things with Ashton, asking him to make arrangements for their return in two days. Just as he finished talking to him, he saw Ozan pattering towards him, rubbing his eyes and dragging the ear of a grey plush elephant on the floor.

"Hey! Why are you awake!" Daniel said, lifting him in his arms and just like always he hid his face in Daniel's crook.

"Ozan sleep Daddy!" The little boy muttered in a sleepy tone making him understand that he wanted to sleep with Daniel.

Daniel smiled, rubbing his back and carrying him towards his bed.

"Fine! You can sleep with Daddy!"

Pulling the covers open, Daniel climbed into the bed and laid down with Silas against his chest as he ran fingers through his hair. Within a few minutes, the little boy was asleep, his even heartbeat soothing Daniel as he laid there staring at the white ceiling.

Raising a child on your own who is super attached to you isn't very easy. It tends to occupy your mind a lot, at times Daniel would forget about things he had never forgotten before like he would forget his meetings or sometimes purposely postpone them when Ozan wouldn't let him leave him. The little boy was attached to the hip with him, he would sometimes even forget to check out his important emails and phone calls despite the constant reminder from Ashton. If it wouldn't have been for Martha's help, Daniel would have definitely lost his sanity working as a robot in his empire and as a doting father at home. But he loved each and every single moment of being with Ozan. Things he would never change for the world, moments that he cherished, that make him tackle every challenge that comes with parenting.

Daniel sighed, placing a kiss on his forehead, he was his little beautiful son that despite suffering from a high fever would always smile at his father like he didn't want him to be worried because of him. He was a ball of happiness, always laughing and smiling. The only thing he wants is to be with his father all the time or have his animal or plane toys. He wasn't a crying stubborn child, one look from his father was enough to make him smile and that filled Daniel's heart with immense joy and happiness that someone in this world loved him to this extent.

There were days when he missed her more than anything, nothing was there to fill that void but there were days when he felt that it was easy to forget and live without the thought of her, to face the reality that he had been wishing for a hopeless case.

It had taken him a lot of time to realize and accept that. But he had to move on, it hurt a lot but with acceptance comes ease. 

There would be nights when he would cry to sleep hugging Ozan when the intensity of reality would become too much. Waking up from his nightmares he would run to Ozan's nursery and hug him. He had become his light in this despair and he couldn't thank the heavens enough for such a beautiful gift.