Chapter Two:

2005

CPOV

When parents always say their children grow up too fast, Cole had no Idea how right they were. Cole couldn't believe that Ben's first birthday had already come and gone. He remembers the small affair like it was yesterday. It was just Ben and Cole at their home. There were decorations, presents, and a small cake with a candle. Ben played with the cake, getting it all over his face and even a little bit in his hair. Cole even had a bit of frosting around his mouth from Ben trying to feed him.

His little boy was eighteen months old already. He was walking, talking, and learning so much. Watching Ben take his first steps was quite possibly the most magical thing Cole had ever seen in his entire existence. He was sitting at his desk and looked up to check on his son, when Ben stood up and wobbled across the room to the couch to grab his favorite toy monkey.

Cole had gotten a job where he could work from home, using his previously gained knowledge, so he could also be with Ben. Currently Cole wasn't sure if he could ever leave his son with someone else. What if they wanted to hurt him? What if Ben used his powers in front of them? The older Ben got the more control he gained over the use of his powers and that control would only grow.

Convinced he wasn't going to be able to get anymore work accomplished for the day, Cole closed his laptop. Cole stood from his desk and went looking for Ben. His son was sitting in the corner of the living room with his back to Cole. "What are you doing buddy?" Cole asked squatting down next to Ben. "Dada," Ben spoke while turning towards Cole holding a picture frame with a photo of Cole and Phoebe. One word, that's all it took his son to ask so many questions. What is this? Who is she? Why are they together in the picture? Where is she now? Why isn't she still here with them?

Cole scooped up his son in his arms and plopped down on the couch. "Hey buddy, see her right next to Dada?" Cole asked pointing at the picture of Phoebe and him. "She's your Mama. I'm not sure how much of this you'll understand," Cole started to explain and then leaned down and kissed Ben on the top of his head, " Mama can't be here right now, but I know she loves you so much. Maybe someday she can come back. It's my fault she's gone. I'm so sorry, I would do anything to go back and fix all my mistakes to give you the best possible life, but I can't. I love you so much," Cole hugged Ben close to him with tears in his eyes. "Wuv voo" Ben replied.

Later that night…

Cole Had just put Ben to bed and decided to try and get some more work done.

Ben was soundly sleeping when he started to dream. He saw the woman from the photo, his Mama. She was playing with babies like him, but not him. Why not him? She was his Mama, why did he have to share? Ben called out to her over and over, but it was as if she couldn't hear him.

Cole could hear noises coming from Ben's room, so he stopped working and went to check on his son. When He walked Into the room his heart broke a little more for visibly upset child. Ben was tossing his head back and forth while muttering Mama repeatedly. "Ben, hey buddy wake up," Cole gently coaxed Ben awake by shaking his shoulder.

Ben then opened his eyes expecting his Mama to be there with them. This however wasn't the case, It was just him and his Dada like always. Cole picked up his baby boy and held him close. "Everything is going to be all right, I promise" Cole whispered and then took Ben into his bedroom to sleep for the night.