The Ultimate Soldier

Chapter 35: Alexander's First Crush

A New Chapter Begins

As Alexander entered his kindergarten years, he became more independent and started spending more time away from his family. His days were filled with new experiences—making friends, learning new things, and playing games. But one day, something caught his attention that neither Simon nor Gigi could have anticipated: his first crush.

It was a quiet afternoon when Alexander, now five years old, came home from school. He was unusually quiet as he sat at the kitchen table, his hands fiddling with his schoolwork. Gigi noticed immediately.

"Hey, sweetheart," she said gently, walking over to him. "How was school today?"

Alexander hesitated for a moment before looking up at her, his cheeks turning a little pink. "It was good, Mom... but I think I like someone."

Gigi's heart skipped a beat. She crouched down to his level, intrigued but also trying to contain her amusement. "Oh? Who's the lucky person?"

Alexander bit his lip, still a little shy but clearly excited. "Her name is Emily," he said softly, a small smile creeping onto his face. "She's in my class. She has pretty hair, and she's really nice."

Gigi's eyes softened, and she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Aww, my little boy has a crush. That's so sweet. Does she know you like her?"

Alexander shook his head. "No, I haven't told her yet. I don't know if I should."

Gigi smiled, feeling a mix of pride and tenderness. "Well, honey, it's okay to have feelings like that. It's all part of growing up. You don't have to tell her just yet. But if you ever want to talk about it, you can always come to me."

At that moment, Simon walked into the room, catching the tail end of the conversation. "What's all this talk about liking someone?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, looking between Gigi and Alexander.

Alexander looked up at his father, his face turning even redder. "I think I like Emily, Dad. She's nice and pretty."

Simon froze for a moment, then gave a small, knowing smile. He was never one to show his emotions easily, but there was something about hearing his son talk about his first crush that made him feel a rush of protectiveness.

"Well, buddy," Simon said, ruffling Alexander's hair, "just remember that you don't need to rush anything. It's okay to take your time and learn what these feelings mean. If she likes you back, that's great. But don't worry about all that right now. You've got plenty of time to figure it out."

Alexander nodded, feeling reassured by his dad's words. "Thanks, Dad," he said quietly, before going back to his schoolwork.

Gigi's Thoughts

As Simon and Alexander went outside to play, Gigi sat for a moment, reflecting on the conversation. It was a reminder of how quickly her little boy was growing up. In some ways, she wished she could freeze time and keep him as her baby forever. But she knew that was impossible.

She also felt a sense of pride. Alexander was growing up to be a thoughtful, kind, and respectful young boy. And now, he was beginning to experience the sweet innocence of a first crush—something every parent remembers and cherishes.

A Moment of Bonding

That evening, as Simon and Alexander sat on the porch, watching the sunset, Simon turned to his son and asked, "So, buddy, what do you like most about Emily?"

Alexander thought for a moment, then said, "She's always kind to everyone, and she shares her snacks with me. And she has the best drawings in class."

Simon chuckled, feeling a sense of nostalgia. "Sounds like you've got a good eye for the important stuff. You're already starting to figure out what's important in a person."

Alexander grinned. "Yeah, I think I like her a lot."

Simon smiled warmly. "Well, just remember, son, that it's always important to treat people with kindness, just like she treats you. And no matter what, you can always talk to us about anything."

Gigi's Support

Later that night, as Gigi tucked Alexander into bed, she kissed him on the forehead and whispered, "I'm really proud of you, you know that? You're such a good boy, and you have a big heart. And if you ever want to talk about Emily or anything else, I'm here for you."

Alexander smiled up at his mom. "Thanks, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart," Gigi said softly, brushing his hair from his face before leaving the room.

A Growing Up Moment

As Simon and Gigi sat together that night, they shared a quiet moment of reflection. Alexander's first crush was just a small part of his journey, but it marked a moment in time that they would both remember for years to come.

"He's growing up so fast," Gigi said quietly, resting her head on Simon's shoulder.

"I know," Simon replied. "But I'm proud of the young man he's becoming. And I'll be there for him, every step of the way."

To Be Continued...