62 Falling (1/2)
”Go to bed now and I'll tuck you in with daddy,” Gradis intervened, ”or continue to be a bad boy and get no goodbye from mommy when I leave.”
Matheio paused his tantrum immediately and slowly relaxed into Julian's arms.
”Okie mommy…” Matheio gave in, ”I'll go to bed..”
”Good boy,” Gradis grinned. She turned to Julian, ”let's take him in, shall we?”
”Hmm,” Julian agreed.
He grabbed the phone and lifted Matheio onto one hand, making sure not to obstruct Gradis' view as he walked out his office. They were about a third of the way there when Gradis decided to lead the conversation again.
”So how was your day Matte?” Gradis asked, smiling brightly, ”I'm guessing it must have been much more entertaining than mine, seeing how energetic you are after it.”
”It was good! I face-timed my teacher for school, played wi-” Matheio began before turning his head to Gradis at an abnormal speed, ”Matte?”
Gradis stared back at Matheio blankly, taking a moment to realize what his question was referring to.
”Ah... it's a name I came up with on the spot,” Gradis chuckled nervously, looking away from Matheio briefly. 'I overstepped my boundaries…' she thought to herself, ”sorry if you don't like it, I can always cha-”
”I GOT A NICKNAMEEE,” Matheio shrieked, thrashing in Julian's hold happily.
”Huh?” Gradis muttered, taken aback by Matheio's sudden burst.
”MOMMY GAVE ME A NICKNAMEEE!!!!” Matheio giggled proudly.
”MATHEIO STOP MOVING AROUND TOO MUCH!” Julain scolded, ”I might drop-”
”I'M SO HAPPY!!!” Matheio screamed happily. He raised his hand up into the air, fit-bumping the air, but also with enough force that he lost balance on Julian's arm. ”Huh?”
Matheio slowly slid off Julian's arm, his eyes frozen in a mix of happiness, confusion, and fear as locked eyes with Julian at that moment, pleading for help. The world seemed to slow to a stop as his body froze, every voice in his head screaming for him to grab something and save himself but his hand refused to move. He locked eyes with Julian, the confusion and fear in his father's eyes reflected the fear wrapped around Matheio's body in a tight hug, paralyzing him. When he finally got enough power to lift his fingers and possibly save himself, he fell into more despair as his delicate fingers brushed against Julian's sleeve, missing the chance to grab them.
”MATTE!!!” Gradis screamed, shaking in fear as she watched Matheio fall off. Her heart dropped to the floor as the image of his smacking his head against the marble floor sent her mind into buzzes of anxiety.
The feeling of helplessness washed over her as she realized the distance between them could also be the difference between life and death. She couldn't do anything but watch as Matheio continued to fall, everything playing slowly in her mind so the fear and anxiety could properly sink in.