2 chapter 2

Three years later...

She smiled at the wiggly toddler as she unbuckled him from his car seat. He has grown so fast, it surprised the first-time mother. He had just learned to walk three weeks prior and was already learning and picking up on words. These three years felt like only months since she brought him into this world. She lifted him up into her arms and put him into the cart. She pushed the cart passed the sliding doors as her son began to engage in very adamant conversation about all the cool stuff he saw in the store. He would politely tap her hand when ever he wanted to show her something. "Ma look...look,eat"! He was pointing at his favorite cereal, looking between her and the box of Cheerios in earnest. She gave him a knowing look and smiled.

"How do we ask for things, Aiden"? He smiled at her with all his little white teeth showing and kissed her nose. "Peas". He leaned his forehead roughly against hers. She kissed his forehead and walked over to grab the box and placed it in the cart. "Tank - out". H kicked his legs excitedly, wiggling in his seat and continued to look around.

As the pair walked up the snack aisle, she thought she saw something familiar in the stranger staring at the chips. She shook her head and continued walking when Aiden dropped a box of gushers. The box had landed against the man's foot. She quickly reached down to grab it but he beat her to it. " I'm so sorry about that...". She paused as she took a look at the man, the last man she wanted to see. He stared at her a little taken aback before smiling at her. "I'd never thought I'd see you here". He handed her the box and she took it, mumbled a quick thank you and returned to the cart. " Sorry, mommy". The little boy said as he grabbed the snacks and placed them in the seat next to him. "Mommy? Your a mom now"? The voice had come from behind her, making her jump and turn around. " I see your just as Shakey as ever". He teased, she hated it when he called her that but couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips.

When they had went to high school together those words were either an insult or a challenge, sometimes both coming from him. " So what if I'm a mom? It may have happened earlier then planned but it shouldn't be a surprise. I've always talked about it".

She crossed her arms over her chest, shifting uncomfortably as she stood in front of her son. "So, how old is he"? He asked trying to peek around her. She sighed shakily. "He'll be turning 3 tomorrow". He looked at her with narrowed eyes for what seemed like forever before a look of realization came across his face. "Ooo, 'ritos". The small boy tapped his mother's back and pointed at the bag in the man's hands.

He hands the boy the bag and takes a good long look at him. Aiden stares back at him while holding the bag close and waves. He gives him a tight-lipped smile before returning his gaze towards the mother, who was trying to avoid eye contact. "So let me make sure I have all my facts straight here". She peeked up at him only to be met with narrowed, angry eyes. She could already tell what was coming next." We were 18 three years ago, right"? She nodded. "And correct me if I'm wrong but we were dating then, right"? She nodded again. "And that night at prom was your first....and only time, right"? She looked him in the eye before speaking. "Yes, it was". She said, her voice cracking with nerves. " So the kid is mine then"? He questioned, anger lacing his every word and she felt every bit of it.

She could feel the tears pricking the back of her eyes."....yeah". A lump began to form in her throat, making it feel unbareable to breath. When she opened her mouth to take in a bit of air, a sob fell from her lips. Before she knew it, hot tears began cascading down her cheeks. She knew it was unfair, not only to him, but to Aiden as well. "I... I'm sorry". She pleaded, she knew he was angry and couldn't even justifiy what she did. She turned around , took the boy out of his seat and held him close. " Why would you keep him from me"? His words were softer now, mostly because of the tears but also because watching her cry made his heart hurt.

She stroked the confused boy's hair trying to calm herself down. It was working and eventually the soft sobs turned to sniffiling. People who came down the aisle either stopped to pretend to look at stuff, walked passed taking a curious glance or to shoot Mark a dirty look. "I was too scared to tell you. Whenever me and Aliza would get on topic at lunch, you were quick to mention how you weren't gonna have any. I thought you'd be angry with me or feel obligated to stay and be unhappy. So, I figured it would be easier to cut ties with you and take care of him myself". It felt like a burden had been lifted off her shoulders and placed on her heart as she waited for his response

She watched him carefully as he pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a heavy sigh. " Okay,look I...I meant what I said back then but only because the last thing I want to do is screw the kid up. That and with my luck I just knew I was gonna end up with some crazy-a....". She shot him a look as Aiden poked his head up, looking at him waiting for him to finish the scentnce. He clears his throat. " Crazier than all outdoors baby mama but he's here and thankfully your not crazy. I wouldn't have been mad if you told me, if anything I would have been low-key shocked and...maybe a little happy.... especially..."

She felt a great deal of relief at his words but was now anxious due to his sudden cliff hanger. Her heart was now pumping a mile a minute. "Especially, what"? She questioned in a rushed and hurried tone. He sighed, figuring that he might as well tell her now. " Especially, since I'm 99.9% sure I'm in love with you...or well still in love with you". He said it loud as his ears were tinted pink out of slight embarrassment but then he started to laugh. She smiled brightly, her heart skipping several beats and her face feeling slightly tingly from embarrassment. She turned her attention to Aiden as he played with the bag of Doritos. " Do you want to hold him"?