44

Lauren Hart
“It’s time for the party!”
Once at home, we were greeted with a blast of confetti. It was the gang with the kids waiting for us to get back. The living room was completely covered with balloons and paper frills. Seriously, when did they prepare all this?
“Congratulations Sean on being a father!”
They all exclaimed in excitement, blasting one more balloon of confetti.
“Crap, I forgot they were waiting for us at home,” Sean, who was standing beside me, muttered.
“Why are you all standing there? Come let’s cele-Oh goodness, what happened to you, Lauren?” Ariana inquired in worry when she saw my bandaged hands. And that’s when others noticed. They all rushed to us fired questions after questions.
“Hey, hey, hey, we’ll answer all your questions, just calm down first,” Sean said loudly. Then while still standing at the same place, we detected the story of what Samantha did.
“Oh, thank goodness nothing serious happened to you, Lauren.” Ariana carefully hugged me, not to touch my bandaged hands.
“Be careful, Aunt Ariana. She’s hurt.” This statement in a polite way came from the kid that has all my heart. Ryan.
Ariana pulled away and looked down at him, lovingly. “I’ll take note of that, sweetheart. You are a caring and nice boy, Ryan.” She bent down and kissed the top of his head to which he blushed.
“Well, what’s the status of your hands? I hope it’s nothing serious?” Eloise asked as she examined my hands by lightly grasping my hand.
“Yeah, nothing serious. Just sore muscles, sprained wrist, and a few scratches.” I responded with a shrug and hissed lightly when I pulled my hand out of Eloise’s grasp.
“You should have been careful around her, Lauren.” Daniel, who was rocking his son in his arms, commented. “And you Sean? What were you doing? How could you let this happen to her?” He scowled at him to which Sean scowled back.
“It happened all of a sudden. Why would I intentionally let anything happen to her?”
“No one can be blamed here, Mr. Adams. Especially not Sean.” I pointed out.
“I told you to call me Daniel, didn’t I?” He raised his eyebrows in question. I just passed him an awkward smile but his eyebrows didn’t relax.
“Well?” He prodded.
“Yes, Daniel.” I laughed lightly.
“That’s more like it.” He grinned. “And see, my burrito likes it too.” He tickled little Travis when he giggled for no reason.
“Hope that madwoman is out of your life for good,” Xavier commented and looked at me. “Take rest, Lauren. You need it; we can celebrate some other time. And call me Xavier from now on; you are family.”
Stunned, I nodded my head rather hesitantly. It would be awkward to call them by their name as I had always addressed them with their surname. But it was the case with Sean too; I’ll learn quickly.
“Though I never met you all before, I can tell in the first meeting that you all are the same as Sean described you were. Caring. It’s hard to find this kind of friendship these days.” This comment came from grandma.
I was surprised to know that it was grandma’s first time meeting them. Though the introduction wasn’t required as grandma seem to recognize them based on Sean’s description, still Sean did it.
“And God, I love your kids. They are so adorable.” She gushed, looking between Amara and Travis. “I wish to hold Sean’s child too but I don’t know when my wish will be fulfilled.” She sighed dramatically. I blushed profusely because grandma’s eyes were darted to me.
I heard the sound of clearing of the throat and I gulped when I looked at the source of the sound. Daniel. I knew a teasing remark was on the way but I guess Sean sensed it and blocked the remark with a quick and clever answer.
“Don’t forget Ryan is now my son, grandma. Hold him all you want, no one’s complaining.”
“That’s not what she meant, right grandma?” Daniel just couldn’t keep the teasing to himself, could he? I mentally groaned.
“You are smart, Daniel. I like you already.” Good god, a new teasing team was in making. Grandma and Daniel. The ultimate teasers.
“You know what, Daniel?… Forget it!” ” Sean huffed and encircled my waist. “Let’s get you to the room; their teasing will never end.”
“You stay here with your brothers, Eloise and I will help her to the room,” Ariana said.
We were about to head upstairs when my eyes landed on the Mickey Mouse themed cake on the center table. Why didn’t I see it before?
I felt a like horrible person when I realized the purpose of the cake. It was for Ryan. The day was supposed to be of Ryan, but it ended up making me the center of attraction.
“Before I go take rest, let’s celebrate the day like the way it was supposed to be. Let’s cut the cake first.” I directed my bandaged hands towards the cake. “Come on!” Before they could say a word against my decision I scurried my way to the couch, taking Ryan with me.
“Whoa, it’s a mickey mouse cake. I love mickey mouse.” Ryan’s eyes beamed in admiration.
“And it’s all yours,” I added. He frowned as he looked at me quizzically and said, “But it’s not my birthday.”
“But it’s your special day,” Sean exclaimed as he sat down on the couch beside me.
Ryan couldn’t completely understand what we were talking about since he still had his confused expressions up. “Special day? What is it, dad?”
Though he addressed Sean as his dad, I felt myself turning into jelly. The way he said dad was so adorable. I had to get used to him calling him dad. His innocent voice and face was something I could hear and see all day.
Sean beamed as well and hurled him up on his lap in a swift motion, making him sit with both his legs on one side. “Today you have become my son, and I, your father; this is what is special about the day. Today let’s cut the cake and when Lauren will be healed completely we’ll throw a massive party for you.”
All the others occupied their seats on the couch. Everyone cheered and clapped when Sean and Ryan cut the cake. And as if Daniel had been waiting for the cake to be cut by the rightful person, he threw himself over the cake. We all laughed but Eloise’s face turned pink in embarrassment at her husband’s actions. But how could anyone be upset at such a sweet soul for long? Eloise too giggled when, instead of himself, he offered the first bite of cake to her. It was the cutest moment to watch.
We were so engaged in relishing the moment that I forgot about my injury. But I was snapped back to pain when Sean’s hand mistakenly touched my bandaged arm. I hissed lightly.
“I’m so sorry, Lauren.” He apologized sincerely, gazing at me with those deep blue eyes.
“It’s okay.” I smiled back.
“No…it’s not.” His voice suddenly acquired a lower tone, and there and then I knew that something was bothering him. I didn’t know when my hand lifted and touched his cheek, trying not to wince while caressing his cheek with the thumb of my sprained hand.
“What is it?” I asked in a whisper.
“I genuinely am sorry.” He repeated the apology as he delicately grasped my wrist. “I am sorry to have you dragged into my mess. If I had not been careless, this wouldn’t have happened to you.” His whispered voice held guilt.
“The thing you are calling mess is not exactly a mess. This is what has been described as love. I can fight the world to keep you two safe and she was just some random bitch. A piece of cake for a crazy person like me.” I winked playfully and Sean chuckled, shaking his head.
“You certainly are a unique piece.” His other hand reached up to cup my face, his eyes bringing back the shine to his demeanor. He seemed more relaxed but there was something his eyes spoke. Mischievousness.
“I want to kiss you.” It was actually a request which surprised me to the core.
“When have you ever asked before kissing me?” I quirked an eyebrow, but both of my brows went in the space when I heard giggles. Oh god, we had an audience watching us!
I quickly changed my reply. “What? Here? No!” I whispered frantically.
“You don’t have to pay heed to them, they already know about us. It’s time to do something we should have done a long ago; make us official in front of them.” He replied casually.
“But they will tease us till eternity. Besides grandma and kids are here. No, Sean, I…”
“Since when do you care about the views of others? And you know them, the teasing will never stop, no matter what.” He interrupted my speech.
“Oh come on, Kiss already!”
Loud complaints reached my ear, making me bathe in red color. I didn’t avert my eyes from Sean, being shy about facing them. But Sean didn’t care at all.
“See, we have got the permission too.” He beamed and before I could open my mouth to retort, he sealed it with a kiss. Cheering, hooting, and whistles erupted in the living room. But it was just a matter of seconds I lost myself in the kiss. Long gone the ability to hear, all I could feel was the moving of our lips. His soft and warm lips moved gently on my lips. I felt a sense of control in his kiss yet it was heated enough to develop molten lava inside me.
We were the center of entertainment for the people watching us who would not leave any single chance to tease us, but the kiss only ended when we were short of breath.
“Wooo… That was hot! Who could have guessed that our Sean babe would make his relationship official to us with a scorching kiss?” Daniel’s teasing comment caused my blood to rush to my face. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling.
“And who could have guessed our crazy Lauren would fall in love?” The comment came from Eloise.
“I just love both of you.” Ariana gushed, her voice sweet as ever. “There was time she used to tease me to death and now she’s red as a tomato.” She laughed.
This time I couldn’t hold back my smile. I did remember poking her face when she blushed.
“Finally someone who can handle our grumpy Sean.” Xavier too jumped in teasing commenting.
“And finally my grandson isn’t lonely anymore. Though he wasn’t ever, he considered himself one…but not anymore.” Grandma chirped as well. “All the credit goes to…”
“Lauren!” They all exclaimed together, turning me into a blushing mess. Sean wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me to him, hiding my face in his shoulder, and grumbled.
“Will you all stop with teasing? Haven’t you have enough of it?”
But again, they retorted by tagging us as ‘adorable’. Sean knew they would never stop so, he asked me to take a rest. Again, the girls volunteered to accompany me to the room.
“Ryan,” Sean called him and he rushed to him instantly. “Would you do something for me?” He asked and Ryan nodded his head without hesitation.
“Go to the room with Lauren and make sure she takes proper rest. Make sure she doesn’t move her hands too much and hurt herself, okay? You will take care of her for me, right?”
“I will, dad!” Ryan squared his shoulders as if he had been given an important mission to complete.
“That’s my son!” Sean beamed.
I rolled my eyes at the father and son duo. They both were acting as if I had suffered a severe injury.
Once inside Sean’s room, I sat on the bed with my back against the headboard. Ryan, Eloise, and Ariana helped me with the pillows. Grandma passed me medicines and I gobbled them down. What I didn’t notice was, my sweetie pie, Amara had also settled herself on the bed, beside me. Her gaze never left my bandaged hands. I guess she hadn’t noticed it before.
“Lauwen, you hurt.” She mumbled lowly, placing her tiny hand on my hand.
“Yes, sweetie pie, your Lauwen is hurt. But don’t worry, I’ll be fine soon.” I assured her, giving her a flying kiss. Unknowingly, she jabbed her finger where the scratches were covered with the bandage, which made me wince abruptly. She flinched as well.
“Hey, don’t do that. You are hurting her.” This protectiveness came from Ryan, who swatted Amara’s hand away from mine.
“Ryan, it’s alright,” I assured him I was okay but he didn’t listen.
“No, she hurt you and dad asked me to take care of you.” He protested, possessively wrapping his hands over my upper arm while his rude gaze darted at Amara.
“Mamma.” Amara’s lower lip trembled and she stood up on the bed. Ariana embraced her in a hug. “He hit me.” And she cried.
God, these kids! They don’t seem to stand each other.
“Hey sweetheart, it’s okay. Shh…” Ariana tried to quiet her down by rubbing her back soothingly. “I told you not to cry over small things, Amara.”
“See what you did Ryan, you made her cry. Apologize to her.” I said rather firmly yet politely.
“But I did nothing wrong. She hurt you.” God, this kid! I had never seen him behave like that ever before.
“Bad manners Ryan.” Grandma scolded him. “I never taught you to be rude.”
Ignoring what grandma said, Ryan carefully sat on my lap and snuggled his face against my neck. “I don’t like her, Lauren.” He muttered quietly, just for me to hear what he said. He was smart enough to say it quietly in my ear not to offend Ariana or Amara.
“And why is that?” I too asked in a whisper, stroking his hair with my unbandaged hand.
“Because she is annoying.” He muttered and I suppressed my laugh wondering what a little kid like him knows about annoyance? And how much time had he spent with her to tag her as annoying?
“This is not right, buddy. You should give her a chance to be friends with you.” I mumbled, trying to look at his face but he didn’t crane his neck up, instead, he snuggled tightly.
She lowered her upper body and placed her palms on Ryan’s back while I stroked his hair. “Hey, Ryan you two are supposed to be friends. Your parents are too.”
Ariana unwrapped her arms from around her daughter and wiped her chubby cheeks. “It’s alright Amara. He’s a friend, now go and shake hand with him.”
“No!” She cried and peeked over her shoulder. “He hit me.” She muttered in her baby voice.
“Amara baby…” I called for her. She completely faced me when she heard my voice. “Come here.” I waved my hand. Before she could even take a step, Ryan craned his neck up to look at me.
“No, don’t call her. I don’t want her to come near you.” He then threw a glare at her. “Go away!”
Amara again hugged her mother and cried.
“Ryan!” I gasped.
“Oh god, he’s so possessive of you. What magic did you cast on him?” Eloise commented playfully.
“Ariana I apologize on behalf of Ryan. I don’t know what has happened to him. He never behaves this way.” I looked at her apologetically.
She laughed as she waved her hand. “No need. They are just kids. I am sure they will understand when they grow up.” She said as she hurled Amara in her arms. “But for now, I’ll take Amara out since they don’t seem to stand each other. I’m gonna pass her to Xavier.” She smiled at me and left the room with Amara.
Sean Peterson
When the ladies went up, Daniel came up to me and wiggled his eyebrows.
“If you need guidance on parenting then I and my son are ready to help, right my burrito?” He tickled his son, who giggled in response.
I mentally rolled my eyes and grabbed Travis from his hold. “My son is way more sensible than you can ever be, Daniel.” I scoffed at him and kissed Travis. “Your favorite uncle loves you, you know that right?” I tickled him in the stomach which caused him to laugh. I laughed and showered him with pepper kisses.
“If you don’t want guidance then what about giving Ryan a mother?” Xavier’s comment stunned me, my laughter died down and I stopped playing with Travis.
Studying my stunned expressions Daniel and Xavier gave me a horrific look. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it!” They both shrieked in unison, making me wince -even Travis winced.
“God, no need to shout,” I growled.
“Okay, but you gotta think about it, Sean.” Xavier pressed.
“Yeah, you need to talk to Lauren…only if you want to,” Daniel added. As if I didn’t know about that.
“I know and I will. Now shut it.” I dismissed the topic and sat on the couch, placing Travis on my lap. I was again playing with him but my mind was at Xavier’s comment.
I hadn’t given it a thought. I had been so busy with Samantha’s issue that I forgot to think about it. I mean, yeah, Lauren loved Ryan with all her heart but I never questioned her how she felt about all of this.
Was she even ready to take the responsibility for Ryan? Did I force Ryan on her? Everything was about me and my happiness…none of us talked about what she felt. She’s my girlfriend and Ryan my son, but her point of view was equally important.
I have to talk to her about this. I decided.
My thoughts were interrupted when I hear Xavier’s concerned voice.
“What happened to her? Why is she crying, Ari?”
I stood up from the couch with Travis in concern when I saw Ariana descending the stairs with Amara. As soon as Ariana stopped in front of Xavier, he pulled Amara in his arms. Amara cried harder when she saw her father.
“What happened sweetheart?” He asked as he wiped her tears. “That big tears in these little eyes? Not fair.”
“Daddy, Ry…Ry… Hit me.” She sobbed harder and nuzzled her face in Xavier’s neck.
“What?!” Her statement brought me to alert mode and I walked over to them. Daniel took Travis out of my hold.
“Oh, don’t get hyper,” Ariana said quickly. “Apparently, Ryan took you too seriously. He didn’t let her go near Lauren and she began crying. They really can’t stand each other.”
“Sean babe, your son is going to be a heartbreaker.” Daniel chuckled.
“Hey, don’t say that!” Ariana scolded him. “They are just kids, they will come around. Don’t conclude anything.”
Yeah, she was right. But I doubted that because I had a hunch that Ryan didn’t enjoy being in Amara’s company.
“She is crying over this?” Xavier looked at Ariana in disbelief, who frowned in return.
“Don’t give me that look, Xavier.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You are the one who’s spoiling her.”
Xavier knew she was right that’s why he didn’t dare answer her back, instead, he gave his attention to his daughter. “It’s okay my baby. It’s okay if Ryan doesn’t want to your friend…you have me. I am your best friend, we’ll play together. Now hush, stop crying.”
“And you have Travis as your friend, my queen. Don’t cry, baby.” Daniel cooed, going near to her.
We all succeeded in silencing Amara’s cries. We had dinner together where I helped Lauren eat. After talking for quite some more time after dinner they all left. Despite Lauren’s struggles, I carried her back to my room in my arms and placed her on the bed. Ryan was quick enough to lay beside her.
“Hey Ryan, you can’t sleep with her.” I pointed out. He craned his upper body and pouted, asking, “But why, dad?” Oh, how I love hearing dad from him!
“Yeah, but why?” Lauren too played along with Ryan, grinning deviously. “Why can’t buddy sleep with me?”
I gave a sharp-I know what you are up to- glare before looking back at Ryan. “That’s because she’s injured and if you sleep with her you might end up hurting her, champ. You’ll have to sleep with grandma tonight.”
I was going to tell him to learn to sleep alone but that was the matter of some other time.
“Oh.” He muttered in understanding. “You are right.” He said as he glanced at Lauren’s hands. He then flicked his eyes to me. “But what if she needs something in the middle of the night? Who will help her?” He asked.
“I will help her. I am going to stay with her tonight,” I said.
“Okay. But where will you sleep?” He quickly asked.
“Of course, in the bed with her,” I replied casually.
All of a sudden, Ryan stood up on his feet and put his hands on his waist. “You can’t, dad. You might her too.”
I was left stunned at his smartness while Lauren let out a hearty laugh.
“Enjoying huh?” I playfully glared at her to which she nodded her head. “You know what I’ll deal with you later.”
With that, I picked Ryan up in my arms. “I’ll sleep on the couch, okay? Now, let’s get you yo grandma.” I headed outside the room before he could say anything else and dropped him in grandma’s room.
“Good night, son.” I kissed his forehead.
“Good night, dad.” He placed a kiss on my cheek. My heart warmed at his loving gesture. “And take care of Lauren.” He added and I laughed. I kissed grandma goodnight and went back to my room.
I slipped beside Lauren which made her shift away from me. “Hey, didn’t you hear what your son said? You can’t sleep with me.”
I balanced myself on my forearms, looking at her. “Oh? But he isn’t here.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t know. I’ll tell him that you went against him.” She raised her eyebrows in challenge.
“I would have made you chew your words back in my ways only if you weren’t injured.” I raised myself up and hovered over her and brought my face closer to hers. “But doesn’t mean I can’t shut your mouth,” I whispered and crashed my lips on hers. I kissed her passionately, making sure I didn’t hurt her hands in the process. She circled her arms around me and winced. I immediately pulled away.
“I…I am sorry. You are not hurt are you?” I asked worriedly, accessing her hands.
“No, I am not. You are behaving as if I have fractured my hands. It’s just sprained, Sean. Relax.” She responded, looking directly into my eyes.
“I feel guilty because I am the rea-”
“Oh no, no, no, no, we are not going back at that again.” She cut off me by putting her index finger on my lips. I chuckled and pecked her finger.
“Lauren.” I sighed, gazing at her face. “I have something to talk to you about,” I muttered in a whisper.
“I am listening.” Her eyebrows curled into a frown.
I wanted to ask her about what she felt about all that happened but I concluded that it wasn’t the right time as she must be tired. She needed to sleep.
I shook my head lightly before kissing her forehead. “Not today. We’ll take about it some other time; for now, you need to sleep.”I rolled over from her and safely glued her against me, making sure her hand was free from any pressure.
“I am grateful to you for being by my side today. Good night, love,” I muttered. She nuzzled her face in my neck and muttered.
“You will always find me by your side. Night, Sean.”