Chapter 12
*Victoria*
I laid with Aaron in his bed. The house is mostly quiet with only the sound of Ms. Evans watching TV downstairs. Caleb left hours ago and Sophie was put to bed about an hour and a half ago. She had fun today and tired herself out.
I looked over at Aaron who stared off into space at the ceiling. He's been acting strange ever since that girl showed up here. I didn't want to bother him and ask who she was, but now I'm getting concerned.
"Aaron, are you okay?"
"Hm?" he looked at me a little surprised. Did he forget that I'm laying here? "Yeah, yeah, why do you ask?"
"I don't know, you just seem out of it."
"I'm just tired is all."
"I should leave so you can get some sleep." I began to sit up and Aaron grabbed my arm.
"No, stay." he said, looking at me with sad eyes. "I'm sorry I'm so distant."
"You can talk to me." I said, laying back down. "You can always talk to me. "
"I know that." he smiled. "But really I'm just tired."
"Then sleep." I gave him a light kiss before getting up. "I'll see you later."
I left before Aaron could stop me again. He really does look a little tired, and if he'd just go to sleep and stop fighting it, he'll feel better.
"You're leaving?" Ms. Evans asked, looking over the couch at me.
"Yeah, it's getting pretty late. Thank you for inviting me."
"Oh, it was nothing. We enjoy your company." I smiled. "See you soon."
"Bye."
*Aaron*
The next morning I reluctantly woke to my alarm. I didn't sleep well last night at all. I couldn't keep my mind off of Grace. All I could do was try and come up with possible explanations as to why she'd come back after all of this time. Some make sense and some don't, but they all have me exhausted.
"Daddy, Daddy!" Sophie came running into my room. She grabbed hold of my hand and began shaking my arm. "Daddy, Daddy!" she continued.
"Sophie, not today. Daddy is really, really tired." I mumbled, trying to stay awake as I made my way to the bathroom. "Go help Grandma make breakfast."
Without a word Sophie ran off to help my mom. I slowly made my way into the bathroom and went to stand under the cold water from the shower. I expected this to wake me up, but nope.
After my shower I threw on a simple pair of grey sweats, a black t-shirt, socks, and my Benassi Nike slippers. I don't care if I look like a bum. I'm tired and I plan on going back to sleep once I get to class.
I went downstairs and met my mom and Sophie in the kitchen. My mom furrowed her brows as she looked at me.
"You look like the walking dead." she said. "What happened?"
"You mean what didn't happen." I corrected her. "Sleep. I didn't get any."
"Why? Victoria didn't stay late."
"Grace Valentine, she's back." I explained.
Shock crossed my mom's face, then anger, then confusion. That's everything I've been feeling at once since she showed up.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because she wants to be in Sophie's life."
"Well she can't. She gave that up when she abandoned her."
"That's what I said. But all night I couldn't help thinking of all of the possible reasons she wanted to come back. What made her change her mind, and does she really care about Sophie, and would it be best for her to be in Sophie's life?"
"Don't let her get to you. She's not important. You need to focus on school, Sophie, and maybe even Victoria."
I ate breakfast quickly then headed off to school. Hopefully this day will go by quickly and I can get home to sleep. Sophie won't be happy that I can't play with her, but she also wouldn't be happy if I was too tired to pay attention.
I got to school and went inside, straight to my classroom. Once to my desk, I sat and put my head down, letting sleep find me instantly.
*Victoria*
I wonder where Aaron is. He always walks me to class, but he's not here yet for some reason. Is he sick and decided to stay home? His locker is right across the hall from mine so I know he's not there. He could be with his friends, but I don't know where they are.
"Hey!" an annoying voice called. I reluctantly looked to see Fawn with two of her cheer mates close behind her. The three of them had their arms crossed over their chests. "No Aaron today I see." she smirked. "He finally got tired of you, huh?"
"Can you leave me alone please?" I asked nicely. I'm not in the mood to deal with her.
"Awe, she's still getting over the heartbreak. Aaron can dump a girl pretty hard. It'll be okay. You didn't deserve him anyway."
I sighed and closed my locker. I didn't bother looking at her or her friends before walking to class. I've decided to not play into her tricks. I'll ask her to go away and if she doesn't, I'll just pretend she's not there. It's the best way to stay out of trouble, and hopefully she'll just give up and leave me alone.
***
I didn't see Aaron at all today. He was nowhere in sight at lunch, and he didn't show up to walk me to any of my classes. I'm a little surprised he didn't text me to tell me he's sick. I should stop by and make sure he's okay.
I pulled into Aaron's driveway where his car was sitting in the driveway. I got out of my car and walked up to the front door.
"Hi." an unfamiliar voice said from behind me. I turned around to see the girl Aaron was talking to yesterday.
"Hello." I responded. Who is she and why is she here?
"I'm Grace Valentine." she put her hand out and I shook it.
"Victoria Daniels."
I wonder what she's doing here now. Does she know that Aaron is sick too? Perhaps she's a neighbor?
"So do you live here?" she asked. Well that tells me she's not a neighbor. Who is she then?
"Um no." I respond. "I'm Aaron's girlfriend."
"His girlfriend?" her faced seemed to drop a little. "I didn't know Aaron had girlfriends. He always seem like the... tap it and toss it type of guy."
"He's changed." I shrugged. "I'm guessing you're an old friend of his?"
She knows the old Aaron, the one I never knew. Aaron is changed now so she must not have seen him in a while.
"Yeah." she nodded. "We were good friends a while back, but I moved and we lost contact."
"I'm sorry." I apologized. "I was just stopping by to check on him. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."
"Uh..." she trailed off, looking down at the ground. "Actually I think I'll stop by later. I just remembered an errand I have to run."
"Oh, okay then. See later."
Grace walked off to her car which was parked along the curb. She gave me a small smile and waved before getting in and driving off. She seems a little strange, but who am I to judge?
I rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. After five minutes, I rang the doorbell again. Aaron is home, but maybe he's too sick to get out of bed?
The door finally opened and Sophie stood before me with a smile on her face. Something's wrong if Sophie is answering the door. She's lucky it was me and not some maniac.
"Hi sweetie." I greeted her with a smile. Where's your dad?"
"He's upstairs sleeping." she answered, letting me in.
I closed the door behind me and locked it. Sophie took my hand and lead me upstairs and into Aaron's room. He laid on top of the blankets fully clothed and fast asleep.
"Where's your grandmother?" I asked Sophie.
"She went to work." she responded.
"Okay, how about we go downstairs and play while your dad sleeps?" Sophie nodded and lead me out of the room.
*Aaron*
I woke feeling confused. What time is it? I looked over at the clock on my nightstand and saw it was almost 7:00 pm. I didn't mean to sleep this long. It was only supposed to be a power nap.
"Sophie!" I called, standing up. My mom started her new afternoon job today and left me alone with Sophie. This definitely goes down as bad parenting.
I went to Sophie's room and found it empty. I ran downstairs to find the living room empty, but toys everywhere.
"Yum!" I heard Sophie exclaim in the kitchen.
What has she gotten into in the kitchen? I really hope she's not eating something poisonous. I walked into the kitchen to see Victoria stirring something over the stove. She looked at me and worry crossed her face.
"Hi." she said nervously. "I hope this is okay. I don't mean to intrude, but you were sleeping when I came by and Sophie was up by herself. I figured I'd look after her until you wake up."
I walked over to Victoria and grabbed her into a tight hug. She's a life saver. Who knows what Sophie could have gotten into while I was sleeping.
"Thank you." I said.
"It was nothing." Vicky responded. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." I responded. "I'm sorry I didn't walk you to class or eat with you during lunch. I slept in the nurse's office for most of the day."
"So you did come to school? I thought you were home sick the entire day."
"I didn't get much sleep last night, but I still went to school."
"Oh, well I'm sorry. At least you got some rest. I'm making spaghetti. Sophie begged me."
"Let me do that. You've done enough."
I took the spoon from her and began stirring the spaghetti sauce. Victoria sat at the dining room table with Sophie. I smiled as I saw them playing patty cake. Things are so much easier now that Sophie loves Victoria. They get along so well.
"Oh uh, your friend Grace stopped by today."
My heart skipped a beat and my blood ran cold. I told Grace never to come back. I should have known she wouldn't listen.
"Really?" I asked. "What did she say?"
"Nothing really. She said she'd stop by another time."
I should tell Victoria about Grace, but I don't want her to worry about my problems. Besides, Grace is completely harmless towards Victoria. Maybe she really did want to meet Victoria as a step to show she wants to be a part of Sophie's life as well. Or maybe I want to see something that really isn't there. I don't know Grace well. She was a one night stand and I'm pretty sure I was drunk through all of it.
"Aaron, you're burning the food!" Victoria exclaimed, making me break from my thoughts. I quickly moved the pot from the burner.
"I'm sorry, I was day dreaming."
"What's going on with you. Last night you were spacing out too. And you didn't get much sleep. Something has to bothering you."
I could tell her and get this all off my chest, or I could wait and see what Grace does. Maybe she'll eventually give up and not bother us anymore. Then Victoria would be worried for nothing.
"Aaron, are you listening?"
"Yeah." I lied. "Don't be so worried about me. I just need to get a little more sleep and I'll be perfect. What we should be worrying about is when our next date is because it's been forever."
"I'm free Wednesday." she smiled.
"Good. I'll pick up around 6:00."
"Perfect."
At least I could change the subject. Victoria is really caring which makes her want to take on my burdens for herself. But I'm not going to allow that.
"I'm home!" I heard my mom announce. The door shut and she came into the kitchen. She smiled when she saw Victoria.
"I really do wish you'd tell me when you're having company." she said. "I really should supervise." she smiled.
"Mom, please." I grimaced. "Dinner's ready, but I've lost my appetite."
***
I woke and got dressed for school. Surprisingly Sophie didn't come wake me up. I poked my head into her room and saw her still asleep. Usually she's awake by this time. She's never been one to sleep in late.
I walked in and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek. After, I went downstairs to grab breakfast.
"Where's Sophie?" my mom asked as I sat at the dining room table.
"She's still asleep." I answered. "I guess Victoria tired her out yesterday. She's really good with little kids."
"Which is another reason the two of you are perfect for each other. Here." she placed a plate of food in front of me. "Eat fast or you're going to be late."
After I finished eating, I grabbed my bag and headed out. I stopped short at the sight of Grace leaning against my car. When she saw me she gave a small smile.
"I told you not to come back." I said, making my way over to her.
"I just want to see my daughter."
"Give me one good reason why I should let you."
"She's my daughter and I love her. I'm not asking for us to be a family. I just want to get to know my little girl." she looked at me with sad eyes.
I want to tell her no. I want to tell her to get out of my life and never come back. But when Sophie's older and wants to know where her mother is, how can I tell her I didn't give Grace a chance? Everyone should have the chance at a family, even if it's a broken one.
"Come back at around 4:30." I told her.
"Really?" she asked, grinning at me hugely. "You're not going to regret this, I promise. Thank you." Grace excitedly ran off towards her car. Once she was gone, I climbed in my car and headed to school.
***
When I arrived home after watching the basketball tryouts, I found Grace waiting outside.
"I said come at 4:30." I told her, walking up to the front door.
"I know, but I was excited."
I sighed. I needed time to prep Sophie and myself for this. I don't know whether to tell Sophie that Grace is her mother, or introduce her as just another person I know.
"Sophie is very shy and doesn't take well to strangers at first." I warned Grace.
"Okay." she nodded.
I opened the door and let her in. Sophie was running towards me to greet me until she saw Grace. She stopped short and a nervous expression crossed her face.
"She's so beautiful." Grace said in awe as she stared at Sophie. "She looks just like you."
"Yeah, but she has your eyes."
"Hi sweetie." Grace said softly. "I'm Grace."
Sophie looked at me with puppy dog eyes and I walked over and picked her up. She gripped on to my shirt and rest her head on my shoulder, but never took her eyes off of Grace.
"Does she think that Victoria is her..." Grace trailed off.
"No, and I don't plan on letting her think that."
"So does that mean I get to be her mother?"
"I don't know yet. We'll see if you stick around."
So far this is going okay. Grace truly seems to be in awe of Sophie. She hasn't tried snatching her away, or dropping the bomb that she's her mother. Perhaps this can actually work.
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Boring chapter, I know, sorry. But I'm adding a picture so that you have an idea of what Aaron looks like. And because I don't have a set person playing Victoria, tell me if you'd like for Lily Collins to stay as the person or if you'd rather Shailene Woodley or India Eisley. Let me know. And tell me your thoughts on Grace so far. :)
Please comment, vote, and/or fan (follow). Thanks!! ;-)