(Bryan's car ^^^^^)
Krystina.
It was finally here.
Friday was finally here.
"You're going to make yourself sick if you keep this up." Savannah warned from behind me. "All of this pacing, and over thinking can't be good for you. You're going to psyche yourself out before he even gets here."
I tried to listen to her. I did. But, how could I not over think? This isn't some normal everyday occurrence. This is, for lack of a better phrase, some Jerry Springer type shit. I have to tell my ex boyfriend of five years, that I knowingly moved states while carrying his child, and purposely didn't tell him anything about it.
No matter how succulent the steak is, or how crisp the vegetables are tonight, he's going to be pissed.
There's no doubt about it.
"Do you have everything you need to keep Bry for the night?", I shift the flow of conversation.
"Yup. We've got toys, movies, trail mix, and his favorite pj's. Don't stress, he'll be fine." She tries to reassure me.
It wasn't his well being I was worried about. Tonight's already gonna be a mess given the circumstances, but I had a sinking feeling that my revelation wouldn't be the only dramatic occurrence tonight.
"Hey, you've got a little over an hour until he gets here. The food's already done, the table is set. Why don't I go ahead and take Bry over to mine's, and you go have a quick soak before dinner. I really think you need a little alone time. Take a breather, yeah?" She pushes me towards the stairs.
I pause, momentarily thinking it over. "I might have time for a quick bath." I relent.
"You definitely do. You're so wound up, I'd pass you a blunt if I had one. Go upstairs and relax. Everything will be fine."
Five minutes later, Bryan and Sav are pulling what looks like a bag full of toys, out the door.
"Ok. I guess I'll see you guys in the morning." I kiss him goodbye, thinking on the fact that after tonight I'll have to share him with another person.
"Love you momma." He mumbles into my neck before I release him.
"Love you too, baby. Call me if you need anything."
"Will do." She closes the door.
And then there was one.
I immediately head for my bathroom upstairs, finally acknowledging the truth behind Savannah's words. I definitely need to calm down, and a twenty minute soak should do the trick.
After putting my hair in a bun, lighting a few candles, sprinkling in a some lavender bath salts, and dropping in some rose petals, I submerge myself into the water.
Celine Dion's soft voice sings about an earth moving kiss in background, as I set an alarm for 7:20 pm just in case I doze off.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, my overactive mind keeps me awake. Scenario after scenario runs through my head about the many different ways tonight could go wrong. I quickly shake the thoughts away, knowing that if I don't clear my mind and relax, I'm only going to cause myself more stress.
The Celine Dion playlist continues to play, each song evoking emotion and unearthing memories I thought were long gone.
I smile slightly thinking about the start of mine and Stephen's relationship. We met towards the end of freshman year in college, and I had insisted on us being just friends. For a few months it worked fine. Then, right after new years, our platonic feelings morphed into something more romantic.
But I'd refused to give in.
Not that I would ever admit it, but back then, everything about Stephen was intimidating to me. His looks, his charm, and his wealth, especially. I was wary to enter into a relationship with someone who was such a prominent figure on campus, and in New York in general. I didn't think I'd be able to handle the women who constantly flung themselves at him, or the ease in which he could spend thousands of dollars in a few days time.
But Love, as they say, conquered all.
It was the weekend before Valentine's day when he did it. We were all out at karaoke night in the recreation center, when a completely sober Stephen, went up to the mic. I knew he was up to no good. He sent a smile and wink in my direction, before turning around and picking his song. He put on a blank face before starting.
"When I was young, I never needed anyone." He sang in a breathy voice, doing the most absurd gestures possible to encourage the crowd to laugh.
"And making love was just for fun," he did a dramatic hip thrust before he turned to me, "Those day's are gone." He had sung with complete seriousness.
"Living alone, I think of all the friends I've known, but when I dial the telephone, nobody's home." He'd continued in the same breathy tener. My eyes, still locked on his, filled with tears when he belted out the next line. "All by myself. Don't wanna be all myself anymore."
He'd received a standing ovation and a chorus of "awws" after serenading me. By the end of the night, we'd gone on a first date shared our first kiss, and had an official title.
The loud ringing from my phone abruptly jerks me back to reality, reminding me that I only have 45 minutes to get ready for tonight.
I drain the tub, and blowout the candles before walking into the closet.
I pull out the black romper my coworker Denise picked out for me during our shopping trip last week.
I then go to the side of my bed and pull out one of my most prized possessions. My pair of black Louboutin pumps. Specifically reserved for special occasions.
Noting that I only have 20 minutes left, I quickly blow dry my hair, leaving it mildly puffy before I move on to my makeup. I currently don't possess the patience to do anything extravagant with my face, so I settle for a neutral look.
With time left to spare, I find myself pacing in the living room, praying that he'll be a few minutes early so I'm not left with my thoughts any longer.
I hear his car pull into the driveway at 8:00, but it's not until 8:05 that the doorbell rings.
This is it. Be cool. Be calm.
I smooth out my dress, and check myself in the mirror near the door, before throwing it open.
He, as usual, looks extraordinarily handsome in his tailored suit and unruly hair. It's in this moment, that I once again feel intimidated by Stephen Smith.
He holds out a bottle of wine in my direction, snapping me out if my thoughts. "I forgot what you were making for dinner, but I thought a vintage wine would be a nice touch." He smiles.
And he's right. The wine goes perfectly with the steak, scalloped potatoes, and sauteed vegetables.
Conversation during dinner is mostly about Stephen. I ask him how he ended up in Chicago, and he gives me the full story. His father is retiring, and his older brother Cameron is taking on the role of CEO. Stephen, while at a children's fundraiser, realized his love for children and the necessity for toys. After also taking notice of the decrease of Sims Enterprise's toy sales, he decided to revamp the company. And thus, his empire was born.
After dinner we move to the patio, where we continue to enjoy our wine, and I know it's now or never.
"Did you talk to your dad yet?" I ask him during a lull in conversation.
He lets out a deep breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "Yeah, I did. My mom's furious about the whole thing. She kicked him out of the house last night."
"He admitted to everything?" I'm shocked that he didn't deny being involved.
"Everything. Lying to your mom, writing her the check, lying to me. All of it."
"My mom? Are you sure? I went to see her a few weeks back, and she told me it was my dad who'd answered the door and talked to Calvin that day." I try to control the quiver in my voice.
"I don't know, Krys. He looked like he was telling the truth. He looked guilty as hell about it too." He runs his hands through his hair.
"Wow. I don't even know what to believe at this point. I thought the story of my father showing up was a bit coincidental, but I actually believed her." I pitifully chuckle at my own foolishness.
"Hey," he reaches over and pats my shoulder, "let's not talk about that anymore. How about you and Savannah? How'd you both end up here?" He asks.
"Remember that internship we did the year before graduation?" He nods in reply. "Well, their sister company offered both Savannah and I jobs after graduation. When the whole thing happened with your dad, I didn't think there was a reason for me to stay in the city anymore. And you know Sav, she never really loved New York. Getting to move back to her hometown, and being offered the job of her dreams? We were both on board. We left town a few days later.
We lived in a two bedroom apartment for the first year, saving up. Then we decided to get this place, and that's how she met Kyle. He was our realtor."
"He seems like a good guy. I think he might hate my guts, but he seems decent." He laughs.
"Well, he hasn't really heard good things about you. Sorry."
"It's fine, really. No harm done." He waves it off.
"What about you? Any girlfriends, fiancee, wife?" I steer the conversation back towards him.
"Nah. I dated a few girls over the years, but nothing ever stuck. What about you? When we met up at the club a few weeks ago you said you had someone waiting for at home."
"Oh, that." I'm shocked he even remembered. "No. I'm definitely not married. I'm not seeing anyone at all."
"I'm surprised. I really thought someone would've snatched you up after all these years. What about kids? My mom said she saw you at the store the other day. She said she could've sworn that you had a kid with you. Are you a mom, or were you just babysitting or something?" He asks nonchalantly, while his piecing eyes lock onto mine.
I choke on my wine and Stephen reaches over and removes the glass from my hand. Setting it down, he begins to pat me on the back.
"You okay?" He asks concerned, after my coughing fit ceases.
No. No I'm not.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." I take a deep breath. "I actually wanted to talk to you ab-"
I'm cut off by the sound of the front door closing.
"You got another date after this or something?" Stephen asks jokingly.
"No." I laugh. "It's just Sav. I'm sorry, could you excuse me for a bit?" I rise out of my seat.
"There's no need." He says, getting up and following me into the house. "I've got to use the restroom anyway. Point me?
"It's down the hall, past the laundry room."
Sending me a quick 'thank you', he heads in that direction, and I quickly make my way to the kitchen.
Savannah is propped up on the counter when I enter.
"What the hell are you doing over here?" I whisper angrily.
"Woah. Calm down, Krys. I did call you five times, but since that's your phone sitting there on the table, I guess you didn't get my calls." She says, putting down her Pepsi can and raising her arms in surrender.
I let out a frustrated breath, realizing I didn't have my phone with me. "Okay, fine. Just get wherever you need, and get out."
"It's nothing I need." She takes another sip of her soda. "Bryan came in to get his truck. I figured since you guys were outside it'd be fine."
Before I know it, the room is spinning, and Savannah is helping me into a chair.
"What was that? Are you okay? Krys, you look really pale!" She rushes out worryingly.
I fight to catch my breath, and try to keep my anxiety at bay.
It's a few seconds before I'm able to respond.
"You sent him to go get his truck?"
"Yes." She responds quickly.
"The one that's in the closet?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. Krys, please tell me what's wrong?" She pulls up a chair so she's eye level with me.
"The closet adjacent to the bathroom that I just sent Stephen to?"
The color drains from her face, and her mouth repeatedly opens, but no words come out.
I jump up from the table and run out of the kitchen. When I get to hallway, I immediately notice that the bathroom light isn't on, and for a moment, I have hope. Maybe he went back outside already?
The laugh that comes from further down the hall, debunks that theory.
I run down the hall, and turn the corner, stopping at the sight in front of me.
Had we been a normal family, the sight of my son and his father trying to fix the steering wheel on a toy truck, would've warmed my heart.
However, in this situation, it does not.
There's no room for hope or optimism in this situation. Perhaps if it had been dark, but with both hall lights on, there's no way he hasn't noticed Bryan's facial features. Especially up close.
Bry notices me first, and runs towards me while pointing at his truck. "Momma, we can't get the truck to go!" He whines, pulling me closer to the scene.
I avoid Stephen's gaze as I squat down, grip the steering wheel, turn it slightly, and then shove it back in place. Bryan tests it out, and then gives a shout when it works.
He kisses me on the cheek, gives Stephen a high five, mumbles a barely audible "thank you", then drives toward the front of the house, where Savannah leads him outside.
Knowing that there's no need to put off the inevitable, I turn around to face Stephen.
His angry, tear filled eyes meet mine immediately.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Krys?"
____________________________________________________________________
AN:
It's been a looooong, long time coming........but he knooooows about his son......lololol
I do apologize for the delay in updates. This was a difficult chapter to write, but hopefully you guys enjoy all 2.3k words.
Are any of you guys in college, if so, what's your major?
Don't forget to vote and COMMENT.
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150 votes for the next chapter (which again will not be posted for at least another week).
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