Chapter Text
Beatrice and Samuel Carter were very close friends to their next door neighbors, Richard and Julie Nash. When the couples first met, neither had children, but a year later the Nash’s welcomed William. 4 years after William’s birth, Bobby and Athena were born within days of each other. Bobby was born first and Athena followed 2 days later. For the first four years of their lives Athena’s only friend was Bobby. The pair became inseparable, bringing the two families even closer together.
4 years old
Bobby and Athena were laying on the couch in the Nash’s living room watching one of the dramas that Julie loved to watch.
“Aunt Julie, what's a boyfriend?”, Athena asks.
“It’s someone you fall in love with and want to spend time with. You become someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend before you become their husband or wife.” Julie explained.
“How do you know when you fall in love? I love William, but I don’t want to marry him!”, Bobby says.
“No sweetie when you fall in love it’s with someone that’s not your parents or your siblings. It’s someone that you like more than a friend. Someone that you want to kiss and hug and makes you happy to be around. If you really really love someone your stomach might feel funny whenever they’re around and they always make you smile.”
The pair nod their heads in understanding and went back to watching the show.
Later that night…
“Mom?”, Bobby asks as Julie is tucking him into bed.
“Yeah honey?”
“I think I’m in love with Athena.”, he whispers.
Holding in a smile she asks, “Why do you think that?”
“Because Athena makes me feel all the things you said earlier and I’m always happy around her and she’s so pretty and she always smells really good.”, Bobby rambles.
“Oh you got it bad, baby.”, Julie chuckles. Her boy was more mature than most boys his age. Most 4 year olds would be scared of girls giving them cooties.
“What do I do?!”
“Well you should tell Athena how you feel. If she feels the same then that’s great.”
“If she’s in love with me too that makes us boyfriend and girlfriend, right?”
“You would have to ask her.”, she smiles.
“What if Athena doesn’t love me?”, Bobby frowns at the thought.
“Well you’ll always be friends baby. You guys are still young so don’t worry about that okay.”
Bobby nods before saying goodnight to his mom.
In the house next door, Athena was being tucked in by Beatrice.
“Momma I’m in love with Bobby.”, Athena says.
“Julie told me you guys were asking her about that.”, she smiles.
“How do you know you’re in love with Bobby?”
“Because he always makes me smile and laugh. Whenever I’m around him I always feel happy. I feel all the things Aunt Julie said when I’m around Bobby. William doesn’t make me feel that way. I love him like a brother.” Athena explains.
Beatrice’s smile grew. She can’t wait to tell Julie about this. “You should tell Bobby then baby. But go to sleep now. You have school tomorrow.” She kisses Athena’s forehead before turning the lights off.
The next day Beatrice and Julie drop the 3 kids off at school. As soon as they walk through the front doors, the two mothers turn to each other and tell the other of their kid’s proclamation of love.
“Do you think they’re gonna tell each other?” Beatrice asks.
“I’m sure they will, the two can’t keep secrets from one another.”, Julie says.
“Is it bad that I’m already picturing their wedding?” Julie says giggling.
“Girl me too! But I don’t think Samuel will be very happy about it when we tell him.” Beatrice laughs.
The kids are in the middle of playing with Legos when Bobby turns to Athena and whispers “Athena I have to tell you something.”
“What is it Bobby?”
“You know how mom was explaining what being in love was like?”
Athena nods her head.
“Athena I’m in love with you.” Bobby says quickly.
He watches as the smile on Athena’s face grows. She had such a beautiful smile. “I’m in love with you too, Bobby.”
Bobby felt relieved and smiled back at Athena.
“So will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes! And you will be my boyfriend.”
The two share a hug and return to building legos, the huge smiles never leaving their faces.
At the end of the school day Beatrice and Samuel were there to pick the kids up.
Bobby and Athena run out of the school hands clasped together.
“Momma, Daddy!” “Hi Aunt B, Uncle Sam!”
“Hey kids, you have a good day today?”, Samuel asks.
“Yes! Bobby said he’s in love with me and he’s my boyfriend now!”, Athena excitedly shouts. Bobby nods in agreement.
“What?!” Samuels eyes widened in shock. His baby was too young for a boyfriend! How did this happen already?
Seeing the look of panic on her husband's face Beatrice couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s amazing guys. You’re so lucky to find love at such a young age.”
Samuel turns to look at his wife like she was crazy. “She is too young to be having a boyfriend!”
This causes Athena to pout, her eyes filling up with tears, lips starting to quiver. “I love Bobby, he's my boyfriend!”
“It’s okay Athena don’t cry.”, Bobby pulls his love into his arm comforting her while frowning at his uncle.
“Samuel you take that back right now.” Beatrice demands, melting at the cute scene in front of her. “They’re so cute together.”
“But Bea” he argues
“Now!”
Samuel lets out a big sigh before bending down to the kids level. “You really love Bobby, baby?”
Athena nods her head, still in Bobby’s embrace. Samuel lets out another big sigh, knowing he’s lost. “Okay baby he can be your boyfriend.”
“But Bobby you better treat my baby girl right!”, he points at the little boy.
“Yes sir! I will protect Athena and love her always!”
William comes running out of the school and the 5 return home.
Bobby and Athena are in the Nash's backyard playing on the playground set Richard built for the boys. Athena was sitting on the swings and Bobby was behind her pushing her.
“Julie, they were so cute together. You should’ve seen how Bobby was comforting Athena.”
“I’m so upset I missed it. How funny was Sam’s face?”
“Girl I almost died laughing! He got so serious. I think he forgot that they’re only 4 years old.”
Both women start to giggle again.
“What’s so funny guys?”, Richard asks walking into the kitchen with Samuel.
“Sam freaked out when Athena told him she’s in love and Bobby is her boyfriend.” Julie says.
“Dude, they’re 4.”, Richard teases Samuel. “They’re not getting married anytime soon.”
“Shut up! You don’t have a little girl!”
“You’re right… Wow Bobby’s not even in kindergarten yet and he already has a girlfriend.”
Later that evening the adults were sitting in the living room, both kids curled up on their dad’s lap knocked out.
“Thanks for cooking dinner Julie, it was really good.”, Samuel says.
“Yeah girl I got dinner tomorrow.”, Beatrice adds.
All of a sudden Bobby startles awake and starts crying.
“Oh honey, did you have a nightmare?” Julie asks.
Bobby nods, still crying.
“It’s okay bud it was just a bad dream. It’s not real.” Richard tries to comfort his son.
Athena wakes up to the sound of crying. She looks up to see Bobby in distress and quickly climbs off her dad’s lap making her way to her boyfriend. She wraps her arms around Bobby’s neck. Bobby buries his face in Athena’s neck and wraps his arms around her waist. “It’s okay Bobby, you’re safe now.”, she whispers into his ear.
Bobby quickly calms down “Thank you.” Athena kisses his cheek before both kids fall back asleep, still holding one another.
“Oh my god someone take a picture quick!” Beatrice says.