“Zera,” Diya called from behind, and I spun around to see her holding onto Zion’s hand while they both stared at us.
She released his hand, and he walked over to me with slow steps. I stooped and stroked his hair down his face tenderly before standing up and stepping out of the way so he could meet his father.
He took his step carefully, and I watched Aaron’s agitated look as he waited for Zion to meet him. When Zion reached him, he stooped down, and they came to almost the same height.
“You have the same eyes as me,” Zion said, his tone coming off as shy.
Aaron laughed, and my stomach fluttered at how amazing it still sounded after many years. “Yes, I do. And you have the same dimple I have,” he pointed out.
Zion bit his lips and nodded, “Yes, I do.” Then he asked, “My favourite colour is blue. What is yours?”
“Also blue.”
I turned away from them to Diya, my heart aching in my chest and my eyes glassy. Aaron looked so good with Zion, and they clicked so well as if they had already met. I knew he would be an exceptional father to him. Aaron already seemed to have everything figured out.
If I hadn’t kept Zion away from his father all those years, my position in my son’s life would not feel threatened now. As good as this looked, it scared me. I didn’t want to lose Zion, and I didn’t want to fight with Aaron, but he wasn’t giving me much of a choice, either. He wanted more than I could provide, and that was unacceptable.
She gave me an understanding look. I couldn’t lose everything. I had lost enough.
…
“Your mind is somewhere else,” Daniel said.
My senses returned from the thought in my head to the man sitting across the table, staring at me with the most fascinating look ever, despite the point he was making.
“I am sorry.” I apologised, my eyes dropping a little.
He smiled, and his hand came across the table and took mine for a quick squeeze. “It’s fine. A lot of things are changing in your life. It’s okay to have a disoriented mind because of that. I would if I were in your shoes.”
Daniel was the sweetest and most understanding man I’ve ever met, and I wonder why it took me so long to give him a chance.
“Zion is with Aaron.” I said, “He took him this morning for swimming classes. They called a few hours before we left the house. Zion is having so much fun with Aaron.”
“As he should. But you don’t seem to be happy about that.”
I was happy, but I was scared. I feared that the more time Aaron got with Zion, the more my son would get used to him and the options he provided. He had the luxury and lifestyle I couldn’t offer, and that would take Zion’s heart away from me.
“I’m scared. I’ve had him to myself for over four years, and now I have to share him. I don’t want to share him.” I whined like a spoilt brat, pouting sadly.
I wouldn’t even consider what Aaron wants “sharing”. He wanted Zion all to himself, and I feared he would someday achieve his goal.
Neither of us spoke about his proposal after that night. It was the elephant in the room whenever we met last week, yet we acted like it didn’t exist. Zion spends most nights with me, and most days with Aaron, so it has been in the last week. Though the silence existed, I didn’t consider it a good sign. I moved to get my legal team ready and prepare for the worst. That’s what I’ve done so far.
I was ruining this perfect dinner with the worries of my son, and I didn’t think that was fair to Daniel.
It had been a hard day at work, and we barely had time to ourselves throughout the week, so knowing Zion would be with Aaron today, I picked the day out. Here I was, ruining the date I had longed for since the week began.
“I’m sorry, Daniel, I’m ruining this date.” My voice dropped in tempo.
He shook his head and flashed me a small smile. “You’re not. You’re with me now, and your problems are also my problems, and we will figure it all out together.”
How did I get so lucky with him?
“Let’s eat, and once we are done, you can tell me about your journey so far in attaining a PhD degree in psychology.”
This made him laugh, but he nodded. “Sure, we can do that.”
The date went well after I stopped worrying about Zion’s well-being and concentrated on the man before me. Daniel had fascinating tales to tell that made the night worthwhile, and as he brought me home, I wanted him to spend the night.
Zion wasn’t home, and that meant he could spend the night without me feeling guilty for disrupting the peace or putting myself first.
He walked me to the front door and tucked his hands into his pocket. “I guess this is where I say good night.”
“You don’t have to.” I pulled closer to him and kissed his lips. He drew a sharp breath and kissed me back, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to himself.
I opened the door and pushed into the room, not breaking the kiss. I needed him and wanted us to reach this point in our relationship. It’s been over a month, and I believe it was long overdue. Perhaps this would also help shift my focus back to Daniel. In the last few days, I’ve had dreams, and they weren’t the purest.
He broke the kiss to stare me in the eyes. “Are you sure about this?”
I nodded, “Yes.” I had waited for five years, and it was long overdue now. “Come with me.”