Today is Amanda's birthday, Ryan wanted to surprise her by taking her to picnic. His plan is to make all of her favorite dishes, take her to a park and spend the whole evening with her. But, suddenly he thought she would feel even more happy if they spent the time with the teacher too. So he took a u-turn from parking lot and went to staff room. There, in the staff room Mathew was going through some papers.

"Sir." Ryan called to get his attention which he got immediately. Mathew smiled after realizing who it was.

"What's the matter Mary? I thought your classes would be over early today." Mathew has been calling him Mary after that incident

"Yeah. They are over. What about you? Do you have classes?"

"I don't. But I have this project to work on. It's giving me a headache." he said massaging his head with thumbs.

"Oh." Ryan face fell. "Okay. I'll be going then." He was about to walk away but Matthew stopped him by saying.

"Mary wait. What is it?"

"Today is mom's birthday. I just wanted to ask if you want to spend the day with us." Ryan said unsure of himself.

"Amanda's birthday and you didn't think to tell me?" Mathew accused him.

"I'm telling you now."

"Now? You were about to walk away without even telling me."

Just then a female professor walked in, stopping the conversation as they can't afford to get caught. Ryan made it look like he came for doubt clarification and waited for the female to give them some privacy. It seems she doesn't have any class since she settled at her desk.

Ryan can't wait anymore as he got things to do, so took out his phone making it look like he got a call and was answering it.

"Excuse me sir." he excused himself and started talking on his phone standing a few feet away from Mathew, so that he can still hear him.

"I'm sorry. Okay?" he said slightly looking at his teacher. "I forgot, I was used to only two members."

"Anyway, I know you're busy if you want to come we're going to the park." Matthew raised an eyebrow as if to ask what park he is talking about.

"Yeah. The one I've been talking about 2 days ago." Ryan said changing his phone from left ear to right so that he can have a better look at the teacher.

"Come home if you're free by 5 o'clock. If you can't make it by then just come to park whenever you can."

Mathew raised his thumb subtly as if to say okay, still looking at his papers.

"Another important thing" he stressed the word important "mom doesn't like gifts so don't bother bringing one." Matthew frowned at that still looking at his papers like he couldn't understand something on the paper. "Yeah, I'm serious. She doesn't like presents especially not expensive ones." Mathew pushed his lower lip out slightly pouting, conveying the message as this is no fun.

Ryan chuckled "Don't be disappointed darling." he said the word sarcastically. " That's how she wants it. If you want to bring any, do it by yourself, don't bring me in the middle of you both." Mathew's left lip stretched forming a smirk.

"No definitely not going to happen. I'm sick of you both ganging up on me." and he continued.

"Stay the night, I'll take you to" he was about to say university corrected himself and said "work tomorrow."

"Oh and don't forget to bring some work clothes. I hadn't had the time to do laundry." Mathew hummed silently nodding his head as if he was doing it to a song in his head.

"Yeah. Bye then." he finally hung up.

"Tsk. Tsk." came from the only female in the room. "Children these days going after older women."

"Huh?" Ryan was confused.

"I don't think it's our business Mrs. Gibbs." Mathew came in for the rescue.

"Well, who am I to say anyway." she said as if world would be a better place if everyone listened to her.

Mathew ignored her knowing full well he doesn't want to get into an argument with a colleague and started explaining things to his student.

"Thank you Sir." Ryan said taking his book back. Fingers brushed his own and a piece of paper was slipped into his hand. After climbing into his car Ryan opened it and laughed to himself. Oh, how they would have been saved a lot of trouble if they had exchanged phone numbers before.

*****

Ryan and Amanda were sitting under a tree when Mathew finally reached the park.

"Sorry. I'm late." he said removing the sheets to sit on the blanket.

"It's okay. Ryan said you were busy." Amanda waved it off.

Mathew sat beside Amanda, kissed her both cheeks while hugging and wished her giving her a present. Amanda refused to take it "I don't like presents."

"I told him beforehand. Don't you dare blame it on me." Ryan was quick.

"Come on Amanda, open it. You'll love it, I promise." Mathew urged.

Having no choice she took it and said "Is it a book? It's better be the genre I like." as she felt the present in her hands which felt like a book.

"Which is Romance and I don't think it's appropriate to give you that." Ryan said.

"There's nothing inappropriate about a son giving his mother a book." she said opening the gift.

"Right, mother and son. Am I intruding your mother and son time?" Ryan said with a hint of jealousy.

"Don't be jealous Mary. Learn to share."

"Wow." Amanda said upon opening the present. It was a photo of Amanda and Ryan framed. They were both laughing and having fun. Ryan was laughing with his mouth open indicating how happy he is and Amanda was looking at him with a smile which can only be predicted as proud. "It's-It's" she couldn't speak.

"Do you like it?" Mathew questioned with a smile as he knew she would.

"I love it. Thank you." she said and paused for a minute before saying "Where are you?"

Somehow Mathew knew she would ask that, so he brought out another present from his bag. Amanda took it and opened it in a flash feeling really excited. It was a picture of three of them. Ryan was shirtless, in the middle of both Amanda and Mathew with an evident of blush on his face, whereas Mathew and Amanda were laughing heartily. She clearly remembers the day they both teased him.

"This is epic." she said laughing.

"What is it?" Ryan took it from her hands and asked Mathew "Seriously? Couldn't you get a nicer picture?"

Amanda took it back looking offended. "It is the nicest picture. How many times do we get to see your angry face blush?"

"One in a million." Mathew replied "So we gotta capture that moment."

"Exactly." they both high-fived.

"Whatever. You wackos."

The three of them were having fun as Amanda relayed stories of her college days, how she and her husband got married and Ryan's embarrassing moments while eating the food Ryan brought, complementing him about his cooking skills. Ryan remembered that he didn't bring any desserts so he said he would buy it and was about to get up when Mathew said "No. I'll bring it wait."

"Sir, you don't have a car. How do you think you'll get back before the ice cream melts?"

"By taking your car." he said simply.

"Not gonna happen." Ryan stood up.

"Wait at least take my wallet." Mathew said pulling his hand with a little bit of extra force than needed. Ryan lost his balance and fell on top of Mathew.

"Seriously?" as he was trying to get up their lips brushed. They both froze for a second before Ryan righted himself and placed a proper peck on Mathew's lips.

"I have enough money with me sir. Don't worry." he narrowed his eyes at both of them "Meanwhile, you two behave and don't think of any crazy ideas." there was no awkwardness about the incident after that. Even Amanda treated it as an every day incident. Like, it was common for Ryan to give a peck to Mathew before he goes anywhere.

When Amanda is finally sure that Ryan is gone, she asked Mathew. "Can you do something for me Mathew?"

"Anything Amanda." Mathew replied with out much hesitance.

"Can you take care of Ryan for me?" Mathew stopped peeling the apple and looked at her, giving her his undivided attention.

"Is this about ...?" he didn't finish the question as Amanda said "Yes." with a tired smile.

"How much time do you got?"

"Not much." Mathew's face fell at that. Even though it's been just two years, Amanda was a mother to him than his real mother ever will be. "Ryan is still mad at me." she said disappointed "I can't blame him because I hid it from him. I thought it will be cured, I really did. But, life always doesn't give you what you want." she took his hand into hers "I didn't think it's possible for him to get close to anybody as he is with you and I doubt that he'll ever be with anyone. Will you please look after him for me? Will you promise me?"

"I will. I promise." Mathew said with utmost sincerity which eased Amanda's worries.

"Thank you. You don't know how much I'm thankful for you." she said as tears rolled down her eyes.

Mathew wiped her tears "Hey, none of it. Even if you didn't ask me I wouldn't leave him alone, not when he needs someone." Amanda couldn't be more happy at that.