by Toni Aleo
“I wouldn’t think so either, but I saw him. He’s mine.”
“Oh, my goodness, what did you do to that poor girl?”
Fucked her up good, Lucas thought as buried his face in his large hand. “Messed her up to the point of keeping my child from me.”
“My God, this is nuts!”
“No kidding,” Lucas scoffed as he started to rub his eyes with his fingers.
“What did she name him?” Molly asked after a moment of Lucas listening to her heavy breathing.
“Aiden James Brooks,” Lucas said proudly. “He said it just like that to me.” Lucas started to grin, ignoring the cry that came through the phone when he said James. He knew that would make Molly cry, more than just knowing about Aiden.
“Even with wanting to slap the girl silly, I still could kiss her. She has a good heart, she just didn’t know what to do, I guess.”
“I guess,” Lucas agreed as he waited for Molly to go on.
“So what are you going to do?”
“We have paperwork in motion. I got to get that from Fallon tomorrow, but meanwhile, I will be getting to know my little guy.”
“When can I come see him?”
“His birthday is in two weeks, I’ll fly you out for that. I’ll have Levi send you pictures tomorrow.”
“Good, okay. Goodness, this is so much at once,” Molly said with a huff.
Lucas smiled. “I know. I still don’t believe it myself.”
“How’s Fallon?”
Figures she would care about Fallon. Molly loved Fallon like the daughter she never had. That was one of the main reason he loved Fallon so much. His mother did.
“She’s being her regular bitchy self. It’s all just a defense mechanism though, she’ll be okay. She knows I won’t do anything to hurt Aiden.”
Lucas looked up at where a picture of him and his dad hung. As his mother went on about how it must be hard on Fallon, all he could do was wonder if his dad was disappointed in him, because Lucas suddenly felt like he had failed at everything in his life.
Not keeping his father alive, his addictions, not being able to read, and then losing Fallon. The only thing he was actually good at was hockey.
Lucas then decided that there was no way in hell he was going to fail at being a father. Just thinking of Aiden made Lucas smile and he knew in his heart that he was going to be the best damn dad in the world.
No matter what Fallon wanted.
**********************************
Fallon still wasn’t breathing right as she climbed the steps to the upstairs. With the way she was acting, the feathery light touch of Lucas’ lips on her nose might as well been a full on mouth kiss, with tongue. Her heart still hammered against her chest, sweat dripped down her back, and Fallon swore she was dizzy.
The man straight blew her mind.
Which was bad, very bad.
Fallon shook her head as she walked down the hall to the bathroom, but before she could reach it she heard Aiden say, “Lucas is cool.”
Audrey laughed as Fallon leaned against the wall, waiting for the conversation to go on. “He is nice.”
“I think he is awesome. He has the same name as me! That’s cool, ‘cause I’m cool.”
Fallon smiled as Audrey giggled. “I know that’s right.”
Fallon heard the splash of water before Aiden said, “Do you think him and Momma will get married?”
Audrey cleared her throat and Fallon heard the shower start. “Aiden, they aren’t dating honey. He’s just a friend.”
“Maybe they could get married. Will you ask Momma to? Lucas is so cool.”
“Aiden James, you don’t even know him! He could be a hippogriff!”
That made Aiden giggle and Fallon tried to smile past the tears, but she didn’t succeed. Aiden wanted a father so bad, and it killed Fallon that she had done this to both of them. She was basically the worst person imaginable.
“No, he’s too cool for that. I feel good around him. Like some people, I feel weird around, like the janitor at school! He’s creepy!” Aiden gushed as Fallon wiped away her tears before smiling. She needed to look into this creepy janitor. Something wasn’t right if her little boy didn’t feel right around him. “But Lucas, I think he’s good. He’s big too! I bet you he could kill a billion hippogriffs!”
“I don’t know bud. I think they are just friends,” Audrey insisted.
“Can you ask please? Momma listens to you.”
Fallon couldn’t take any more. She turned quickly, going back down the stairs as a sob ripped through her. Aiden was gonna hate her. How was she supposed to explain the reasoning for why she kept father and son from each other?
Aiden, your father cheated on me, and well I was too scared to tell him. Sorry honey, but hey! He says he ain’t going anywhere now!
No, that wouldn’t work. What the hell was she gonna say?
Fallon fell into the closest chair beside her in a huff, hating the position she had put herself in. If she had just been braver then, not scared of what Lucas would say or do, then she wouldn’t be having these issues. She wouldn’t be scared shitless that her child’s father might steal her child from her or that her son might hate her when she told him.
Fallon glanced down at the stack of paperwork Lucas had brought over. She knew that once she filled those papers out everything would be real. Lucas would have rights, and he would use them. Even though she told him that she didn’t believe him, she knew in her heart that he was telling the truth. She knew that Lucas was fiercely protective like his mother; he would do anything for someone he loved. When he said that he already loved Aiden, she believed him. Just like Lucas, Aiden had the most addicting personality. He was so sweet, and silly, he was the most popular kid in class because everyone just loved him. He was personable, just like his daddy. The only thing that was bothering Fallon was the ‘what if’? What if he found someone that he wanted to have a family with and left Aiden behind. She believed that he wanted Aiden now, but what about in the future?
Fallon got up from the table, getting a pen out of her junk drawer before sitting down. She opened the first page and read over how the forms were for establishing paternity. She had filled out the first couple of pages before Audrey came into the kitchen.
“Well since y’all are both alive, I’m guessing it didn’t go that bad.”
Fallon shrugged her shoulders. “He was very understanding, which makes me think he’s up to something. The guy I knew would have lost his damn mind and probably try to tear me apart.”
Audrey smiled while getting an apple out the fruit bowl. “Maybe he’s not that guy anymore.”
“So he says. We’ll see.”
“I think he is a good guy Fallon. You know, I know men.”
Fallon laughed, “Now I know that’s not true. If it was, you wouldn’t be giving Levi Moss googly eyes. That guy is dirty, stay away.”
Audrey giggled as her cheeks brightened. “Hey, if I wanna get laid, what’s the problem?”
“No problem at all, just know that Levi is a dog. Don’t start anything with him.”
Audrey nodded, a small smile on her face. “I won’t.”
Fallon looked back at the papers and saw that she needed her tax information. She got up, going to the filing cabinet in the back room before going back to the table to finish the paperwork.
“What’s all that?”
“Establishing paternity paperwork,” Fallon said sadly. “Lucas’ lawyer drew them up, I guess.”
“Okay, what do they mean?”
“Basically a bunch of paperwork giving Lucas rights to Aiden. Then we gotta do some blood work, and then I guess I’ll get child support, even though I don’t want it.”
“Don’t be proud Fallon, it isn’t cute,” Audrey said with a grin. Fallon stuck her tongue out at her as she went on. “Is there back child support?”
Fallon made a face. “Lord, I don’t know. I guess I need to get my lawyer involved which sucks ‘cause it’s
Uncle Phillip. Oh, Audrey, how am I gonna tell Mom and Dad?”
“I don’t know, that’s gonna suck butt. Eeek!!” Audrey exclaimed. “It don’t matter what they say though. The main thing you need to worry about is Aiden.”
“I know, how am I gonna tell him?” Fallon asked as tears welled up in her eyes.
“I don’t know. This is all so surreal,” Audrey said, not looking up at Fallon. “Aiden already likes him. He wants you to marry him.”
Fallon smiled sadly. “I know. I heard him.”
“It's crazy ‘cause, it’s kinda like he knows that Lucas means something.”
“I know. Damn kid is so intuitive.”
“He sure is. When are y’all gonna tell him?”
“At the end of the week,” Fallon answered. “I’m scared though.”
“Why?”
“Because what if he hates me?” Fallon asked sadly.
“Fallon Ryane Parker! That boy loves you something fierce! Don’t you ever think he would not love you!”
Fallon looked down, embarrassed. “Fine, what if we tell him and then Lucas runs in a month. I can’t pick up my baby’s broken heart, ‘cause we both know he’ll fall for Lucas. It scares me so bad.”
“You gotta have faith in this guy. If he didn’t want to be a father then he would’ve ran at the beginning, not come around with paperwork or want to spend time with Aiden.”
“Yeah, but he did it to me.”
“Fallon,” she said, and when Fallon wouldn’t look up, she said, “Sissy, you gotta let that go. Y’all were just dating — this is his son.”
“I thought he loved me.”
“People make mistakes. I’m not saying forgive him, but at least let him know his kid. It’s gonna be okay Fallon, really and if he does decide to be an idiot, we’ll kill him.”
Fallon looked up and they both started giggling, knowing that neither one of them was capable of killing anyone. “It’s gonna be okay.”
Fallon nodded before she said, “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 13
When did Fallon start caring about making perfectly circular pancakes?
“Mommy! When’s Lucas gonna be here?”
Oh yeah, she started caring when Lucas Brooks was coming for breakfast.
“Honey, I don’t know. It’s not even seven yet,” Fallon said, glancing at the clock. She had three minutes until he would be there and she was dreading it. She had stayed up all night, tossing and turning with worry about seeing Lucas again. He drove her crazy with his sly smiles, his cocky swagger and now that he was going to get to start knowing Aiden, she was scared out of her mind that Aiden was gonna love Lucas more than her.
Aiden let out a frustrated breath before running towards the window, where he promptly sat. Fallon rolled her eyes, plating the little Mickey Mouse and heart pancakes she had made. Aiden was very particular on the shape of his pancakes, and never could pick between Mickey Mouse and hearts. So Fallon always made both — it was their Saturday thing.
When Fallon’s windows started to shake, she knew Lucas was there before Aiden started yelling that he was. That was one thing that must have not changed; Lucas loved his music loud and his bass down low. Fallon smiled to herself as she started to sing the lyrics to the popular club song while Aiden threw the door open, running out on the porch to greet to Lucas. When Aiden let out a loud, ‘Hey Lucas,’ Fallon turned to see Lucas walking up the stairs with a grin on his face and eyes only for Aiden.
Lucas looked devilishly sexy in his fitted blue jeans and black team tee. His hair was wet under his black ball cap, and Lord help Fallon, he hadn’t shaved. Fallon’s eyes slowly shut as she could distinctly remember the feel of his stubble on her. She used to crave the rough sandpaper feel along her neck and breasts. When he went between her thighs though, it was magic — pure freaking magic.
“Um, are we interrupting something?”
Fallon’s eyes flew open at the sound of Lucas’ voice. Her face flushed at being caught in a private moment before Aiden started to giggle.
“She’s always a zombie this early in the morning,” Aiden said as he sat down at the kitchen table. Lucas scoffed and when he eyes met his, she knew that he was on to her. She looked away quickly before pinning Aiden with a look.
“I am not,” Fallon complained as she moved to the stove where the pancakes sat warming as her son’s giggles filled the room.
“Morning, Fallon,” Lucas said.
“Morning, Lucas,” she said since he said morning to her. If he was nice to her, she would be nice to him.
She could at least do that.
When she looked up at him, Lucas gave her a small smirk before he looked down her sweat clad body. Fallon knew he was coming over, she should have worn something tighter, sexier – whoa! Why would she do that? It doesn’t matter what he thinks!
Fallon snatched the plate off the stove, hating herself for caring about what Lucas thought about her before going to the table to serve them. “Mickey or hearts?” Fallon asked Aiden.
“Um? I don’t know, which one do you want Lucas?” Aiden asked, glancing over at Lucas. Fallon did the same and Lucas wore a small smile on his face.
“I want your hearts.”
He said it so simply but with such meaning that Fallon’s breath hitched as her heart skipped a beat. Lucas shot her a knowing grin and she glared as she stabbed four of the hearts and placed them on his plate.
Aiden then said loudly, “Me too, Mommy!”
“You can have all my hearts,” Fallon said just for a stab at Lucas.
Aiden grinned up at her and when she glanced back at Lucas, he was wearing the same exact grin. The only difference was that Aiden was completely innocent while Lucas had nothing but heat in his eyes. Fallon finished serving them before getting her own plate and going to sit down. Aiden had already dug into his food, while Lucas watched Fallon’s every move. It felt so weird having him watch her like he used to. It used to make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world — now it just made her nervous.
She stumbled twice before finally making it to the table. She placed her plate down before grabbing the syrup from the middle of the table. When she looked up at Lucas, he was grinning as he cut up his pancakes.
What the hell was he grinning about?
Nothing was said as the two ate. Aiden never really talked when he ate, he was too busy shoveling food into his mouth to even get a word out edgewise. The boy was an eater and when Fallon looked next to Aiden, where Lucas sat, she saw that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Lucas too was shoveling pancakes into his mouth. Syrup dripped from the sexy stubble that covered his chin and her mouth watered at the sight. Fallon no longer wanted the syrup that covered her pancakes. More like the syrup from his chin, and lips, or hell, just dump it on him!
Ugh, she had to get out of there. Something was seriously wrong with her and she needed to seek help or get laid. It had been a while, maybe that’s why she was lusting after Lucas.
Or maybe it was just him.
Fallon shook her head in disgust and got up from the table without even touching her pancakes. She took her plate to the sink and when she turned, both Lucas and Aiden were looking at her.
“Mommy, you didn’t eat.”
“I’m not hungry honey, go ahead and finish up. I’m gonna go get ready for work,” Fallon said as she started out the kitchen. She heard him say okay before she hightailed it up the stairs. If she couldn’t even sit at a table with Lucas while eating breakfast, how the hell was she going to handle the next 11 years?
********************************
Lucas watched as Fallon hurried out the room and rolled his eyes.
What the hell was her problem?
He looked over at Aiden and thought the boy was thinking the exact same thing by the way he watched Fallon run up the stairs. Fallon was being weird, had been since he had gotten there. When he walked in and saw her face flushed and her mouth parted, he knew she was thinking
something naughty. He would have done anything to be inside her mind, just to know what gave her that look. It was the look she used to give him when she was ready to skip breakfast and go straight back to bed.
Lucas really liked that look.
Aiden looked up at Lucas and shrugged his shoulders. “She’s weird sometimes.”
“She’s probably just tired,” Lucas said, since he didn’t know what else to say.
“Yeah, so what are we doing today?”
“Anything you want,” Lucas answered. “My whole day is yours.”
“Cool,” he said as a slow grin went across his face.
Lucas smiled back, and went back to eating because these were the best damn pancakes ever. Fallon was a kick-ass cook. Lucas could eat for days when she cooked, and before had begged her to go to culinary school. But Fallon was dead set on owning the wine business, and who was he to tell her otherwise?
Aiden finished up at almost the same time Lucas did. While Aiden ran into the living room, Lucas took their plates to the sink, cleaning them off before joining Aiden on the couch. Color flashed from the screen as a kid changed into all kinds of crazy-looking monsters.
“What show is this?” Lucas asked settling into the couch.
“Ben 10, it’s super awesome! My favorite!” Aiden said with a lot of enthusiasm. Lucas looked back at the TV with a smile on his face. Aiden was so full of life, and the more Lucas watched him, the more Lucas found that what Fallon said was true.
Aiden was him 10 times over.
As they watched the show, Lucas thought it was pretty entertaining, or maybe it was Aiden, because the kid couldn’t sit still to save his life. He would jump up, start kicking and fighting like the Ben kid on the TV. After fighting whatever creature that was on the TV, Aiden always looked back at Lucas with a grin. Lucas would smile back, which made Aiden’s smile brighter. It was heaven, and Lucas could honestly not think of any other place he’d rather be then with his son.
**********************************
Fallon looked herself over in her floor-to-ceiling mirror. The jeans she wore made her ass look great, and the low-cut yellow blouse made her skin look perfect. Her hair was in a perfect high ponytail, and her makeup was fierce. It was pretty obvious why she was worried about what she wore to work that day — it had everything to do with the man that sat on her couch watching cartoons. Before Fallon had no problem with wearing sweats to work on Saturdays since no one was there, but not today, not with her ex sitting on her couch downstairs. Nope, she had to look good.