His Memories of Her

49th

After sitting and settling Ryu in between me and Catherine, sitting on his child high chair Thai asked as soon as we entered, it made me feel something that I have not yet realize but only one thing I know is that I feel good about this.

“Mom, I want some pasta. I am tired of veggies and rice.” Ryu said as soon as he sees Catherine taken up the menu.

She looks at him with wide eyes questioning why, although I am not sure about that since it could also be what. But what amuses me is the puppy eyes Ryu wearing as he looks back at him which they stared at each other for a good amount of time before Catherine sigh in defeat that made me smile.

‘A lot of new things I have seen today, but I guess you have gotten softer since it seems that you found someone you could not win with that wide eyes look you do and to top it all, the reasoning.’ I thought to myself realizing that she is so weak when it comes to this young man.

‘And because of that I will make this man my buddy and my ally.’ Is another thought that came to me to which I smirk as little as I could which turn into a chuckle when I see Ryu smirking as well while blinking a few times to me.

“Are you winking to me?” I said.

I did not know it was loud enough for Catherine to hear when I whisper it as best as I could until we both hear her said “Mr. Ryu Stevens?”

Ryu look at her for a moment before he turns his head to me and put his small finger on his tight zipped lips telling me to be quiet before he nods to me.

I look at him then at Catherine who settled the menu after some signaling between us telling her that I want the same thing as hers. Seeing how she looks at him while he is busy putting the table napkin on his own chest like a bib that made him cuter this time while Catherine making her outpost to make him feel comfortable.

‘Thankfully I paid a whole table for eight people that made sit us all side by side.’ I said to myself as I realize the advantage I got when I put my arm around Ryu's chair and that it is long enough to reach half way of Catherine's making me feel something but enough to make me have a smile plaster on my face.

“So, uncle Henry, what kind of woman she is?” Ryu said that taken me back from almost dating on Catherine's side profile.

“Ryu, you are bothering Uncle Henry if you keep on gossiping like that.” Catherine said in her stern voice.

I was taken a back that made me quickly shift my gaze to her and then to Ryu who has become quiet and almost crying as the part around his eye brows becomes red and his nose that is so cute but at the same time is just breaking my heart and I could not stand it so I said “Hey, it is fine. It is not like I am planning to keep it like a secret till to my grave, and it is not a bother nor annoyance.”

“But that is such a private thing to ask.” Catherine said and by that Ryu started to sob.

“No. Not really, you will find out soon and so the others, so why could I not tell him. Plus, we are buddies now. Is that not right bud?” I said trying my best to console Ryu who is now looking at me, but even with his almost wet eyes, a smile is still present that made me smile as well.

“Dr. Altman?!” Catherine exclaimed as soon as Ryu nods in reply to me.

“Oh look! The food is here.” I said seeing the waiter walking behind Catherine, trying my best to change the subject even for the moment only. It is somehow effective when she turned her head towards where I am looking, although I am shifting my gaze also towards Ryu is smiling while giving me a knowing look.

“By the way, she is the best woman I have ever known in the past thirty two years of my whole life.” I said as I saw the food on the plate is not ours and takes a sip of my water pretending that I did not know as the waiter passes by.

“It is not ours though.” Ryu said to me while looking at me after following the waiter.

I look back at him and wink. He nods to me before he giggles making Catherine to look at him then to me and said “Why do I feel like I am the third wheel here?”

“Well, that is because we have become buddies.” I said before fist bumping with Ryu.

“Is that so? So, next time I would not come with you two.” Catherine said acting like she is sulking.

“Well, it will be fine since Uncle Henry knows daddy so I guess he would not say no to him.” Ryu said that surprised me.

“How do you know that we both know each other?” I said in wonder.

“I just heard your name from him from time to time since we came here.” He responded.

“Here is the pasta for the child and here are for the parents.” The two waiter ssaid as our food finally came on their hands.

“Parents?” Catherine said out loud something that I am also thinking while accepting the plates and put each one in front of Catherine and Ryu.

“Are you guys not a couple?” the waiter said looking at the both of us in wonder while Ryu is giggling.

“No, we are not.” Catherine quickly responded in defense which somehow pained me. Not because it is true but because she denied it as fast as she can.

“Oh, then we are so sorry ma’am and sir.” The waiter said again with apologetic expression.

“No, it is fine.” I simply said, flat and the waiter nods before walking away from us.

I could feel Catherine’s gaze, but I could not look at her even though I am dying to know as to what kind of face she is making right now. I hold myself back as I fix Ryu's plate in front of him so he could start eating.

“Good luck uncle Henry.” Ryu whispers to me while spinning his fork to make the spaghetti to roll on it to make it easier to eat.

“Thank you.” I said smiling and I do not know what came to me but I found myself kissing his head.

“It is a long and hard battle.” He added before putting a mouthful in his mouth and proceeded to eat as he chews it.

I smile to him rubbing caressing his hair before I eat myself. Putting a mouthful also of my risotto.

I hear Catherine sighing before I finally hear the noise of her utensil is making. Only then I also felt that her gaze has finally been moved away from me making me finally able to look at her.

‘A very long and hard battle but I do not mind, I have waited for years, and realized that I will never be able to replace so, I will wait some more. And at least, today I got the chance to be her husband which made me know how I love it more, to get to spend the rest of my life with her.’ Is what I thought while looking at her while she is busy eating.

Ryu does not really seem like he is only five, he do things way too smooth and proper , like he has learned everything there is to know about manners, etiquette and behavior of a grown up man. As Catherine lets him eat on his own, and that he does really eat so well without anything you could notice only until you look at him, you will know that he is eating. So quiet and great really.

“Hello?” Catherine said as she answer her phone suddenly ringing.

“What?!” and exclaimed after a second.

“OK! I will be on my way now.” She said to which I guess something urgent in the hospital. Well, technically we are still on duty and there is no lunch break if there is a patient needed us.

Catherine look at the eating Ryu like he does not know what is happening, or so I thought until he look at her and said “It is fine. I can go back with Uncle Henry and so he could bring me to the day care if you are still not done when we come back.” Before he also look at me.

I touch his head and smile before I said “Yeah, you can go, I will be taking care of him. I do not want to die yet. If you know what I mean.” With a face that I both trying to reassure her while being scared to what will happen to me if Ryu got even just a small scratch, I could guess I will not live even another minute in the hands of his father.

Catherine giggle to me, I guess my expression is just funny. I mean who would be assured if you are seeing someone trying you to but at the same time is scared to death to die.

“OK, I will see you both later.” She said kissing Ryu’s head and leaning until to me but stopped halfway and smile awkwardly before she picked up her purse and walk.

“Sorry about that.” Ryu said.

“About what?” I simply said while keeping my gaze to Catherine.

“For her almost giving you something to hope for.” He said that made me turn my head and look at him looking at me.

“I admit, I anticipated a kiss from her like the one she gave you, but still I know that is still impossible. Well, at least for now.” I said wiping that small dot of sauce he have on the corner of his lips.

“Do not give up. And I am sure she will be yours again.” Ryu said as he tried to free himself from the chair.

“Again?” I said in wonder as I help him out and put him on my lap.

“I know a lot of things Uncle Henry and another thing I know is that Ice cream is still the best dessert even if it is in cold weather.” He said smirking while trying to blink.

He does seem to know a lot of things, but now that I have decided that I do not need to rush things, I will just follow him to not to give up and take my time preparing while attacking.

I nod to him and so I call the waiter for the check and handed him a bill and said “Keep the change.” And give him a pat on his shoulder while smiling.

I was thankful to him, for the first person to point out that I am not in that bad shape when I am with her for him to misjudge us as a married couple or maybe not married just a couple is still something to feel happy with.

I could feel his gaze still on me while I walk out of the restaurant hand in hand with Ryu.