Chapter 14: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

*Aaron*

Sophie played on the floor with her toys while Grace and I sat and watched. The smile hasn’t left Grace’s face yet and it’s interesting to watch how fascinated she is with Sophie.

“She’s everything I’d hoped she’d be.” Grace said.

“Why did your parents kick you out?” I asked.

It would be nice if I actually knew something about Grace. That’s one thing I regret the most about that night. I knocked her up and didn’t even know a thing about her.

“My family is wealthy.” she started. “My father is the CEO of a major corporation and my mother owns multiple five star restaurants. They have a reputation to protect. They didn’t want their pregnant 15 year old daughter to represent them in any way. It was either get an abortion, or get out.”

“Wow. Not to be rude, but they’re a**holes.”

“I agree.” she smiled.

Parents should love and protect their children no matter what. Of course I don’t want Sophie to be a teen parent, but if it happened, I’d still take care of her and help her.

“But I learned a lot while being on my own. I learned that people care, but don’t really want to be bothered. And that crying doesn’t make your life easier. I learned to stick up for myself and to take what I want.”

“So where did you stay?”

“I found this maternity house that takes pregnant teenagers with no home. It’s depressing to know how many girls get kicked out of their homes just because they’re pregnant. But anyway, I was only able to stay there until I gave birth. So as soon as Sophie was born, I dropped her off here and went back home. My parents didn’t care what I did with my baby or where I had been for 9 months. They sent me off to an all girls boarding school soon after I returned home.”

I actually feel bad for her. She must have felt awful that her parents didn’t care enough to help her through her pregnancy. What type of parents are they?

“I’m sorry.” I said. “You shouldn’t have had to go through that.”

“Thanks.” she smiled. “But enough about that. Tell me what’s happened with you. I see you’ve changed. You actually have a girlfriend.”

“Yeah.” I smiled at the thought of Victoria. “She’s technically my third girlfriend, but this is my first serious relationship. She’s the first girl to meet Sophie and she accepts her with all her heart. Sometimes I think she’s too good to be true.”

“You’re in love with her?”

“Maybe a little. But she doesn’t know that.”

“You should tell her. Every girl wants to find that special someone who will love them unconditionally.”

“Do you have that someone?”

“Not yet, but someday I hope to.”

After a while, Grace left. I gave her my number so she could call when she’d want to come by again. I’m willing to start a custody agreement as long as she doesn’t try to take Sophie away from me. Sophie deserves to have a relationship with her mother, and I don’t want to deprive that from her.

“Daddy, where Vicky?” Sophie asked.

“She’s working sweetie, why?”

“I want you and Vicky, not you and Grace.” she pouted.

Did she get that vibe? I don’t have any feelings towards Grace. I’d like to become friends with her someday so that we can get along for Sophie’s sake, but that’s it.

“You don’t have to worry sweetie. There’s just Victoria and me. I promise.”

*Victoria*

I began washing down the trays and the sandwich making table for closing. This was a very stressful day. It seemed like all of the customers today had a stick up their butt. They were just plain rude.

“Tomorrow is my day off too.” Charlie said to me as she restocked our supplies. “Want to go to the mall or something? We don’t get to hang out much outside of work.”

“Actually, I have a date with Aaron tomorrow.”

“Really? What are you guys going to do? Have you two done the deed yet?” she waggled her eyebrows.”

“Um gross, and no. We’ve only been dating for a month and a half. Neither of us are thinking about that right now.”

“Alright, whatever miss goodie two shoes. How’s things going with the little girl?”

“We’re pretty much best friends. All it took was giving her a small gift. I was afraid Aaron was going to dump me if Sophie didn’t take a liking to me soon.”

“He would do that?”

“Of course. His daughter comes first and if she didn’t like me, then I’d have had to go. I would have been sad, but I also would’ve understood.”

“So can I meet him? You make him seem like this really hot, nice, decent guy. I don’t believe you. There are no guys in this world like that. They’re all jerks.”

“I’ll introduce you one day, just to prove to you that they do exist.”

***

I walked into the school building and found Aaron waiting by my locker. He smiled when he saw me.

“Hey beautiful.” he greeted me.

“Hi.” I smiled.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Okay.” I responded.

“Well, you know how I said that Grace is an old friend of mine?”

“Yeah.” I said slowly. Where is he going with this?

“She’s actually Sophie’s mother.”

I simply stared at him for a moment. That strange girl I met the other day was Sophie’s mother? But she seemed so nice. She hardly seems like the type of person to abandon her child.

“I was hesitant at first,” Aaron continued. “but I finally gave in and let her meet Sophie yesterday.”

“Does she want the three of you to be a family?”

I wouldn’t be surprised if she stole Aaron away from me. After all they do have a child together. Who wouldn’t want to have a big happy family?

“Not at all.” he answered. “Right now we’re working on our friendship for Sophie’s sake. It really seems like she’ll be sticking around. And because of that, I wanted you to know.”

“Why did you wait so long to tell me? It’s been three and a half days.”

“I didn’t want to burden you with my problems, especially if she wasn’t going to stick around. Don’t be mad, please.”

“I’m not mad, I’m just a little shocked. I didn’t think she’d come back.

“Me either, but she is and I need to give her a chance with Sophie.”

“I understand.” I smiled. “And thank you for telling me.”

“I tell you everything don’t I?”

“Eventually.” I laughed.

***

While doing my homework, I got a call from Aaron telling me he wasn’t able to go out tonight. His mom couldn’t get off from her night job and he had to stay and watch Sophie. At first I was disappointed, but then I came up with the idea of having an at home date. Of course he didn’t want to bother me with Sophie, but he forgets that I adore Sophie.

I told my mom I was heading to Aaron’s before leaving. Soon I pulled into his driveway and went to ring the doorbell. Sophie answered with a huge smile on her face.

“Vicky!” she exclaimed, jumping up and down.

“Hi sweetie.” I greeted with a smile.

“Come, come.” she grabbed my hand and lead me inside. I shut the door behind me as she lead me over to Aaron.

“Vicky’s here.” Sophie said to him.

“I see.” he said with a smile.

I sat and Sophie climbed up to sit on my lap. I looked at the TV and noticed that Princess and the Frog was playing.

“I love this movie.” I said.

“Good, because Sophie won’t let me change it.” Aaron said.

After the movie went off, Aaron ordered a pizza. I sat on the floor and played with Sophie.

“Sophie, how about we go put you pjs on?” Aaron suggested.

“No, I’m not sleepy.” Sophie protested.

“It’s not bed time yet, but let’s do it now so we don’t have to worry about it later when you are tired. Come on.”

With a pout, Sophie stood and headed upstairs. Aaron followed after her. When I see the two of them together, I’m fascinated. In school Aaron is just like everyone else. You’d never imagine that he has a daughter. But when he’s home he takes on the role of a parent, enforcing rules and providing for his daughter.

By the time Aaron and Sophie came back, the pizza was here. Sophie clapped happily as she sat and waited for her food.

“I really am sorry that we couldn’t go on a real date tonight.” Aaron said as we got our pizza. “This isn’t how I pictured it at all.”

“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “Sophie comes first and I’m perfectly okay with that. Besides, we still have this time together.” I smiled. “Isn’t that enough?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

*Aaron*

I was planning on taking Grace’s advice and telling Victoria how I really feel about her. I wanted to have the right setting to tell her something big like that. If I told her now, it wouldn’t be the same.

“Daddy hurry!” Sophie’s voice broke my thoughts.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” I muttered.

After we ate I let Sophie watch one last movie before putting her to bed. Since she protested so much, I read her two bedtime stories and gave her a goodnight kiss. I went back downstairs and sat with Victoria on the couch.

“She’s finally asleep.” I said. “Now we can kind of have a real date. I’ll pop some popcorn while you pick a movie.”

After popping some popcorn and starting the movie, I draped my arm across Victoria’s shoulders and she rest her head against me.

“You know,” Victoria started. “you don’t have take me out on dates all of the time. I’m perfectly happy with times like this, where we just hang out.”

“Then we’ll do more of this.” I smiled. “Whatever makes you happy.”

“What about you?”

“Seeing you happy, makes me happy.” I gave her a light kiss and she smiled.

When it was close to 10:00 and the movie had gone off, Victoria decided it was time to leave.

“Do you really have to go?” I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

“Yes.” she smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” she gave me a quick kiss before escaping my hold and leaving.

***

Victoria laughed lightly as I placed small kisses along her neck. She sat wrapped in my arms with her back to my chest.

“Stop, that tickles.” she said.

“What tickles?” I asked in between kisses. “This?” I began placing small kisses on the other side. She sighed deeply and I grinned at her response.

“Aaron.” she mumbled before turning her head and meeting her lips with mine. I kissed her back for a moment before my phone began to ring. Victoria hesitantly pulled away and I sighed. “It could be important.”

I reached over and grabbed my phone from her nightstand. Without checking who it is, I answered.

“Aaron,” Grace said. “I was wondering if I could come over and see Sophie today?”  I sighed. I know that I gave her my number so she could ask to see Sophie, but I just want to spend a day with just Victoria and me. Everyone else needs to leave me alone.

“No, I’m busy all day today.” I replied.

“Oh.” she sounded sad. “Well then can we try for another time? I’d really like to see her again.”

“I’ll let you know when I’m free. I’ll talk to you later.”

Before she could say anything I hung up. I tossed my phone onto Victoria’s bed and she looked at me.

“You seem a little irritated.” she said. “Who was that?”

“It was just Grace.” I shrugged. “She wanted to know if she could see Sophie today. But today is just for you and me. I’m paying my neighbor extra for watching Sophie for so long.”

“I don’t want to get in the way of Grace seeing her daughter.” Victoria’s features turned worried.

“She abandoned Sophie on my doorstep. She’s lucky to get any time with Sophie. Don’t worry about Grace. She’s my problem.” Victoria gave a small smile but I can tell she’s still thinking about it. “Are you hungry? I’m feeling a little hungry.”

“My mom just went grocery shopping, we could make something.”

“Perfect.”

We went downstairs and took out supplies to make a sandwich. Victoria picked up a bottle of mustard and tried to squeeze some onto her bread. When it wouldn’t come out, she held it up with the nozzle facing me and shook it. Suddenly a stream of mustard came out and landed right on my shirt. Victoria looked at me in shock.

“I’m so sorry.” she said, reaching for a napkin.

“It’s fine. Wash and wear.”

*Victoria*

Aaron grabbed the edges of his shirt and easily lifted it over his head. My breath caught and I felt my cheeks warm. My eyes instantly went to his perfectly sculpted eight pack and his perfect V line. I knew he was toned, but I didn’t know he was hiding this under his shirt.

“Enjoying the view?” he asked, making me bring my eyes up to his. He wore a smile on his face.

“Uh, um…” I stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.

“I never knew you saw me like that.”

He moved closer and I stepped back, hitting the island in the middle of the floor. He rest his hands on the island on either side of me. He leaned in and when I thought he was going to kiss me, he moved so that his lips were by my ear.

“I’m ready when you are.” he said softly. “Just tell me when.”

“I’m not…” I started.

“I know.” He looked into my eyes and smiled. “Until then, I’m happy doing this.”

He leaned in and finally kissed me. He kissed me slowly, passionately, and I kissed him back with the same amount of passion. I wish he knew how much I love him, and how much I fall for him more and more every day. But it’s only been a little over three months. I’d seem clingy if I were to tell him my true feelings.

His lips moved in sync with mine. He placed his hands on my hips and lifted me so I was sitting on the kitchen island. He moved his hands along my thighs, sending a tingly feeling through my body. I tangled my hands in his hair, enjoying how soft it is.

How is it possible for someone to taste so good? I could kiss him all day and all night if possible. He moved his lips to my neck and I let out a moan. My cheeks immediately began to warm. Only Aaron can cause me to make sounds like that. And every time it’s just as embarrassing as the last.

Aaron mumbled something against my neck that I couldn’t make out. I let out another sigh as he moved his lips along my neck.

“What?” I asked.

“I said, I love you.” he said, stopping and looking into my eyes. My heart seemed to stop. He looked at me as though I’m the only person in the world, in his world. All this time I thought there was no way he could love me so soon. Especially not the way that I love him. And it turns out that we’ve been on the same page all this time.

“I love you too.” I responded, forming a smile. He returned my smile and met his lips with mine again. I can already feel that our relationship is stronger. There’s nothing that can tear us apart.

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I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I have writers block and my life is a little crazy right now. I wish I gave you all a more interesting chapter, but hopefully the next one will be. Anyway, tell me your thoughts on the characters so far.

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