Chapter Three

On September 11th, Monday morning, Nathan was sitting in the chemo room along with other patients. His best friend and work partner Lane came into the chemo room and wanted to visit Nathan.

"Hey," Lane said, sitting down in a chair next to Nathan. Nathan sighed and looked at Lane after lifting his head and opening his eyes and Nathan said, "You're not here to tell me to resign from the police department again, are you," said Nathan, sighing.

"What? No. I wanted to come see you because I was worried about you. And also you need a ride home after your appointment," says Lane.

"How did you know I had an appointment today?" Nathan asked.

"Well uh, let's just say I kind of stalked you?" Lane said, chuckling.

"You stalked me?" Nathan said, raising his eyebrows.

"I'm kidding. I remember you telling me at work that you had an appointment." Lane said.

"Oh? Did I?" Nathan said, chuckling.

"Yeah. I think you're starting to get a chemo brain. You're forgetting stuff sometimes." Lane said.

"Oh yeah. I asked my nurse if it was normal. She said it's just one of the side effects of the medication." Nathan explained.

Lane took a deep breath and said, "How are you feeling so far?" Nathan nodded his head and said,

"Same as before. I'm nauseous all the time, I have thrown up a couple times before you got here." Nathan said, chuckling.

"Well, you should be given anti-nausea medicine right?" Lane wondered.

"Yeah. I was given a couple of pills by my nurse. Then I threw them back up." Nathan explained.

"Hmph. Well, have you told Ella yet? About your cancer," says Lane.

"Lane, why are you so concerned about me not telling her?" Nathan said, tilting his head back against the chair and he sighed.

"Well, she is your ex-wife, and she deserves to know. What's gonna happen if she finds you're gone, and she never knew once that her ex-husband was dying of cancer," says Lane.

"Lane," Nathan said.

"What?" Lane said.

"I'll tell her when it's the right moment," says Nathan.

"Okay. And it will never be the right moment when Ella finds out. She's gonna freak." Lane said.

Nathan closed his eyes and said, "I know," in an annoyed voice. Lane doesn't say another word. Nathan said, "I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm just not ready to tell Ella. I have Milo who is depending on me. and he's gonna freak too if I don't tell him that his dad is dying," explained Nathan.

Nathan opened his eyes once again. Lane nodded his head and said, "Well uh, try not to forget that your son is having a birthday party at Ella's home, so you might as well buy him something. You can't let your chemo brain make you forget," says Lane.

Nathan sighed and said, "I know. I'm just tired and nauseous all the time. But I'm gonna have to be there for Milo. He needs his father. He cannot know that I'm sick... not yet," Nathan said. "Yeah," answered Lane. Nathan nodded his head and closed his eyes and sighed. He had a flashback of his son Milo being born at the hospital. After the flashback was over, he opened his eyes.

Therefore, a week later, Milo's 5th birthday came. Milo is turning five years old and Nathan was at his apartment wrapping Milo's present. After putting his gift into a bag, he grabbed the bag and turned around from the table and he walked out of the dining room and then headed to the living room. After Nathan had grabbed his car keys and wallet, he opened his door and then exited his apartment before closing the door and locking it with his keys.

Eventually, Nathan rushed to his car and opened the door after unlocking it with his keys. Nathan puts his bag next to the passenger's seat before he turns on the car using his keys and then puts on his seat belt. Nathan just sat there in his seat thinking about how he was gonna tell Ella and Milo that he was sick. But unfortunately, Nathan doesn't want to... not yet.

Meanwhile, Nathan pulled his gear in reverse before facing the back of the car and pulling out of the parking spot after pressing on his gas. After facing the front of the car and the steering wheel, Nathan pulls the gear into drive, turning the steering wheel and pressing on his gas once again, and then leaving the parking lot.

At Ella's and Milo's house, Nathan was with Victor, Ella, and Milo in the living room and including other kids and their parents sitting in the living room watching Milo as the birthday boy opening Nathan's present. Nathan watched Milo open his present and just smiled at him. "Daddy!! You got me a Babe Ruth signed jersey?!" Milo said in excitement, pulling out his jersey from the bag.

"I guess that is your way of saying I'm the best dad in the world," says Nathan, chuckling.

"Thank you, daddy!! I love it! How did you know I like Babe Ruth?" Milo said, smiling at Nathan.

"Let's just say your daddy is a natural. And I did see some of your Babe Ruth baseball cards in your bedroom," says Nathan, chuckling.

"Daddy! Thank you!!" Milo said in excitement before jumping off the couch and rushing up to Nathan and hugging him.

"You're welcome, buddy," says Nathan.

Milo turned around and walked back to the couch and sat down on the couch. "Okay, now Victor has a birthday present for you as well, Milo," says Ella. Victor handed over his gift to Milo and Milo gently grabbed it from Victor before he opened it.

"A BB gun, cool!" shouted Milo, in excitement once again.

"Oh Victor, you should have spoken to me about this first," says Ella.

"What? I was his age when I had my first BB gun," says Victor.

"Thanks Victor," says Milo, smiling at Milo and they hugged.

Nathan sighed and he felt a bit jealous of seeing his son and Victor hugging. They were bonding. Ella said, "Alright everyone, it's time to eat some cake! Who wants some?" Ella said, standing up from the couch and all the children got excited and they all followed Ella into the kitchen including their parents and so did Milo.

Nathan also stood up from his chair and Victor stood up from the couch. Victor noticed Nathan walking up to him and Nathan sighed before Victor said something. "So uh, you must be Nathan Luke? Ella's ex-husband?" Victor said.

"Yeah," says Nathan.

"I'm Victor, you know. I'm sure Ella has told you about me already. I'm her boyfriend," says Victor, smiling.

"I'm aware," Nathan shot back.

"Hey uh, maybe you should start coming to Ella and I's once-a-week a week dinner, it's every Saturday from 6 to 7 in the evening," says Victor.

"I mean, I don't think that's a good idea. Ella seems to like you more than me, and I could be a disturbance to you and Ella," says Nathan.

"What? No. I mean..." Victor sees Ella coming back into the living room and he says, "Hey Ella. We should invite Nathan to our weekly dinner together," says Victor.

"Oh uh...." Ella said, then paused. Ella looked at Nathan and nodded her head. "Yeah, sure," answered Ella, smiling at Nathan.

"Oh and don't forget we have our first anniversary since we started dating in a week as well. Saturday, the 15th." Victor said.

"Yeah. I remember. We need to get a nanny for Milo. We can't have him be at home alone while we're out for dinner," says Ella.

"I can watch him," Nathan said.

"Really? You don't mind?" Ella said, looking at Nathan.

"Yeah. Sundays are my off days from work. I only get two days off from work. Saturdays and Sundays. I can have watch him on Saturday and Sunday. He can sleep over at my place." Nathan said.

"And you're okay with that?" Ella said.

"Yeah. I mean. I haven't seen my son in two years," says Nathan, chuckling.

Ella nodded her head and said, "Okay great. Just be here for about five forty to pick up Milo. We have reservations at the restaurant at 6. So we need to be there by 6," Ella explained.

"Yeah no, um, I'll be here," Nathan said, nodding his head.

"Okay. I'll let Milo know," Ella replied.

Nathan nods his head. Ella turns around before exiting the living room once again. Nathan sighed and Victor smiled at Nathan. Nathan just gave a soft nod to Victor and didn't smile back. Eventually, Nathan walked past Victor and also walked to the kitchen this time.

Until then, it was Saturday evening on the 15th of September. Nathan knocked on the door and Ella answered. Nathan noticed Ella looking all nice and dressed up in a black dress with her hair pulled back in a bun as well as wearing high heels and make up and jewelry. Nathan fell in love with Ella all over again.

"You look nice," says Nathan.

"Thanks," Ella said, smiling at Nathan.

"Is Milo ready for his sleepover?" Nathan asked.

"Uh, yeah. Hey Milo! Your dad is here!" Ella said, then shouted.

Footsteps were made by Milo as he walked down the stairs and he had his backpack ready which was filled with clothes and other stuff for the sleepover and Ella sighed.

"Are you ready, daddy," says Milo.

"Okay. Come on, buddy." Nathan said, smiling at his son.

"Okay," answered Milo.

-

Milo walked out of the house and Ella wished Milo a good night and hoped to have a good sleepover. Ella told Milo she loved him as she watched him and Nathan walk to Nathan's car. After Milo got in the car as well as Nathan, they eventually left and Ella walked back inside the house.

At Nathan's apartment, Milo and Nathan were sitting on the living room couch together and watching a movie on Netflix. They were watching The Sandlot. Milo asked Nathan if he was still awake. Nathan chuckled and replied, "I'm awake."

It was dark outside and it was almost nine in the evening. Nathan and Milo continued to watch the movie and Milo asked his dad Nathan if he would ever be a famous baseball player like Babe Ruth was. "I think you don't have to be like Babe Ruth to be good enough at baseball. I think you just need to try your best and just be good enough to get out there and show yourself you don't need to be like anybody else." Nathan said.

Milo sighed and he looked at Nathan. "I just wish you and mommy could get back together," says Milo.

"I know. It's just that your mommy and I are friends now. But Victor seems like a nice guy," says Nathan.

"Yeah. Victor and I have a good relationship. He even loves to play baseball. Just like me, Daddy." Milo said.

"Hm, well I am sure he is not as good as daddy is," Nathan said.

"You can play baseball too?" Milo asked.

"Yeah. Daddy used to play varsity baseball in high school. Then in college. But I quit after I got into the police academy," says Nathan, sighing.

"Shall we play ball at the ball park on Monday? After school? I will do my homework first." Milo said.

"I mean, yeah. Why not? But I have to ask mommy first," says Nathan.

Nathan started to feel a bit lightheaded. Nathan closed his eyes and hoped for the dizziness to fade. Milo was talking to Nathan and Nathan continued to not feel well. Milo looked at his dad and he said, "Daddy?" Nathan opened his eyes and he looked at his son.

Milo doesn't say a word, and Nathan nods his head and says, "It's bedtime, Milo. You have to go to school Monday. I'll drop you off on Monday morning, and Mommy will pick you up after school in the afternoon. Okay?" Nathan said, smiling.

"But you promise to go to the park with Victor, mommy, and me, if we do go?" Milo wondered.

"Yeah," Nathan said, nodding his head.

Milo nodded his head and he looked back at the television. Nathan sighed he grabbed his iPhone from the table in front of him and texted Ella asking her about going to the park with Milo and Victor after school on Monday. He wrote in the text message it would have to be in the evening after he gets off work.

After Nathan sent the text, he waited for Ella to answer. Eventually, Ella wrote back and said she would love to go to the park with him and Milo, and Victor and that Milo will have to do homework first before he goes to the park.

The next day, Nathan, Milo, Ella, and Victor were all at the park playing baseball. It was later in the evening and was a bit chilly outside, and the sun hung low over the park's open field as Nathan Luke adjusted his cap, watching five-year-old Milo drag a plastic bat through the grass.

"Alright, Champ, your turn to be the All-Star," Nathan called out, stepping toward a makeshift pitcher's mound marked by his own discarded hoodie.

Ella took her position at first base—which was actually her floral-print tote bag—while Victor drifted into the "outfield" near a cluster of oak trees.

"Throw him a soft toss, Nathan!" Ella shouted, her glove ready.

"Don't go all Major League on him yet." Nathan knelt, tossing a bright white baseball underhand with a gentle arc. Milo swung with everything he had, his tongue poking out in concentration.

Thwack. The plastic ball soared just past Nathan's head. "Run, Milo! Go to the bag!" Victor cheered, sprinting toward the rolling ball as Milo took off. Instead of a straight line, Milo did a victory lap around Nathan before finally stomping on Ella's tote bag with a triumphant grin.

"Safe!" Ella declared, throwing her arms up as the family erupted in laughter.

For Luke, the "game" wasn't about the score; it was about creating memories and the sheer joy of a sunny Saturday.

"ATTABOY!" Nathan shouted.

"I did it, daddy!" Milo said, jumping up and down. Nathan ran up to his son Milo.

"You sure did, bud!" He smiled at Milo.

Ella walked up to Nathan and Nathan sighed and smiled at Ella. "Do you remember how we used to play baseball together on weekends when we dated in high school? Boy were you so bad at playing baseball," Nathan said, chuckling.

"Yeah. But, it seems to me I'm getting a bit better at it." Ella said.

"Oh really, how so?" Nathan asked.

"Well, I basically was taught by Victor. He used to play baseball too with his father," says Ella.

"Yeah? I bet I've been playing baseball a lot more than he has. I mean." Nathan said, shrugging his shoulders.

Ella chuckled and said, "Hey come on now. Don't get jealous. I also loved that you taught me how to play when we were in high school. Just saying. Victor is kind of becoming a professional player too." Ella explained.

"Hmph," answered Nathan.

Victor eventually walked up to Nathan and Ella. "Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt, but I think Milo just made himself sick on the field," says Victor, walking up to Nathan and Ella. Nathan and Ella looked at Milo and they saw him vomiting.

"Oh honey," says Ella, walking up to Milo. Victor looked at Nathan, "I didn't even know you could play. How are you so good at this?" Victor wondered, smiling at Nathan.

"Uh, I was a junior varsity baseball player in high school. And in college." Nathan said, sighing.

"Oh. Good to know." Victor said.

Nathan rolled his eyes and he wasn't having a fond moment with Victor. Nathan saw Milo and Ella walking up to Nathan and Victor. "Hey, is he alright?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah. I think he had too much to eat before we got here," says Ella. Nathan nods his head.

"I'm sorry you're sick, buddy. I hope you feel better," says Nathan.

"Thank you, daddy," Milo said, and he and Ella walked past Nathan and Victor. After she and Milo walked past Nathan and Victor, Nathan turned around and walked away from Victor.