He sighs and shakes his head. He stands up and holds out his hand for me to take it. I do and he helps me out of the car. Looking down at me he says, “I don’t regret that night at all. What I regret is not telling you how I felt before it all happened. I do care for you. I am in love with you. I didn’t want to take advantage of you and then have you regret anything. I’m going to tell you what I’ve wanted to say since that night.” I gulp loudly. He takes both of my hands and holds them in his. My eyes are so drawn to his, that I don’t even turn away.
“I love you, Sunshine. I love how you care for others without even thinking twice. I love what you do for a living, I love that music and reading are your favorite things. One huge thing I love about you is, the way you look at my son, like all your love is shining from your eyes to his. He can feel it and I damn sure can see it. Most of all Av, I love you for you, I really do. I would love nothing more than to share my life and my son with you.” I look at him in awe. No one has ever said anything like that to me before. He loves me? It wasn’t just me who felt that way? I am so happy it’s not one sided.
Without even saying anything, I drop my arms from his and wrap my hands around his neck. “Jackson, I love you, too. Please don’t hurt me anymore. I don’t think I could survive a next time.” Before he can answer, I run my hands thru his hair and kiss him with everything I have in me. I’m making up for all the lost time and all the emotions I went through for him. I put it all in that kiss. I want him to know that I feel exactly the same way he does.
Chapter 27
After a steamy kissing session, he pulls away and says, “Let me finish the rest. I want everything out on the table Sunshine. I don’t want you to think I’m hiding anything from you.”
“Jackson, I get it, I do. You don’t have to tell me anything else; I’m good.”
“Please just let me get it over with, Avery, please. I will feel much better with you knowing everything.” He all but begs me. Well who am I to deny his request? I gesture with my hands for him to continue.
“About Rhys’ mother,” He starts and I raise my eyebrow, “I want you to know Sunshine. I’m not holding anything back.” I nod ok and he proceeds.” I met her in college. She was a friend of one of my buddy’s girlfriend. We all used to go to parties and whatnot. She was a cool girl. We were just friends, all of us hung out a lot. Her parents came from money so she was always buying extravagant shit. It bothered me how she just blew money, but I never said anything to her. I have money and I’m set for damn near life, thanks to my grandparents, but she was almost wasteful with it. Other than that one flaw, we got along well. We were at a party one night, celebrating for one of my close friends. He and I became close because we were in all the same classes. We were both just into this kickass undergrad program, and had been friends about the same time I met Sabrina, Rhys mom, in college. Anyway, we were at the party, we were all getting drunk, throwing back drinks left and right. Sabrina and I were on the dance floor dancing all drunk. She kissed me out of nowhere, I kissed her back. We went upstairs to one of the bedrooms. We had sex, but I was too drunk to remember anything about it. I didn’t see her around for a bit. I called her a few times, but that’s it. I didn’t want to seem clingy. I mean we always called each other, but she never answered. Finally after about two months, she calls me out of the blue and says she’s pregnant. My first thought was, “It’s not mine,” which pissed her off. I told her I wanted a DNA test. She said fine, but to wait until after she had the baby. She started to smoke weed while she was pregnant. She told me she didn’t want it. I was pissed because if it was my baby, I didn’t want her doing drugs and shit. I told her to quit it or I was going to call the cops on her for doing illegal drugs. She did stop, but she was unbearable to be around. Then, she said that she didn’t want to be around me or carry my child and that she was getting rid of this creature. That pissed me off. I was raised to believe an abortion is wrong. I pleaded with her to keep it. I just wanted to be there for the baby, if it was mine. I went to all the appointments and everything. She called me at about 2:30 a.m. one morning saying she was in labor. I jolted out of bed and made it to her house in no time. The entire time she kept telling the doctors to get “this thing” out of her. I kept saying to myself “How can she call a baby a thing?” It pissed me off more. The second I heard Rhys ‘cry, I had tears coming down and all. She refused to hold him, but I wanted to. I knew nothing about a baby, but just seeing him had awoken something in me. I held him and I cried. It was one of the best days of my life. Shortly after, the doctors did whatever it is they do and also ordered the paternity test. I went and got swabbed too. Sabrina never once held the baby the entire time. The nurses had no clue why. On the day she and the baby got discharged, I was going to take them home. I pulled up in front of her house and told her I would be back soon. She told me don’t worry about it. She didn’t want the baby and she only had it because she wanted me and now looking at a baby who does nothing but cry, she doesn’t want him. I was so shocked I had no clue what to do. She slammed the door and walked into her house. Not even looking back. She really didn’t care. I had no clue how to take care of a baby. I called Jules for help and she told me some things and told me that she and my brother would be down soon. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I would be. When they arrived, my brother told me that he could not believe Sabrina had done something like that. He told me to get a lawyer and get full custody of him just in case she tried to be spiteful. I filed everything I needed to. She didn’t even show up and they gave me full custody of him. I cried that day too.” He finally stops talking and I’m still looking at him in awe. I cannot believe he had to go through all of that shit. If I ever see Sabrina, I guarantee you; it will not be pleasant for her.
Standing on my tippy toes I kiss him and say, “Jackson, thank you for telling me everything. I really do appreciate it. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m proud of you. I love you, Jackson.” I say and then kiss him again. He hugs me so tight that it hurts, but I miss his arms around me.
“Are we good now, Sunshine? Because after all that, just know that you are mine now and I don’t plan on ever letting you go.” I love this side of him.
“Yeah Jackson, we are good, more than good.” Leaning up to kiss him again, a throat is being cleared and it catches our attention.
Looking over I see the beautiful woman Jackson was with. Jules.
“If y’all wanna ever do that again, let me know so I can get some damn popcorn. That was a show and a half. Thankfully for my eyes, there was no below the waste groping.” She says with a big smile. I burst out laughing. She’s funny. I like her already.
“I’m so sorry.” I say to her in between laughs.
“Nah, don’t be. It was worth watching.” She says.
Jackson just shakes his head and smiles. “Jules, this is mine, her name is Avery. Sunshine, this is Jules, my sister in law.”
I wave to her and she says, “Well that was a whole lotta possessiveness going on so I’m not sure what to call you.” A smart ass. I really like her now. I smile in return and say, “Avery is just fine.” She shakes her head and says ok.
“Jackson, we gotta get going before Demetri starts to teach Rhys something other than sticking his tongue out.” Jules says.
Remembering all about my Chubbs, I smile and look at Jackson. He smiles back and says, “You wanna come with us and see your Chubbs? It’s been a while.” I smile so big and shout, “Yes!” Jackson laughs and Jules raises her eyebrows and says, “Chubbs?”
Jackson shakes his head and says, “I’ll tell ya later.”
Chapter 28
We are on our way to Chubbs!! I am so overly excited. No, seriously I am. My leg is going a mile a minute.
Jackson puts his hand on my leg and says, “Sunshine relax, will ya?”
I look up at him and say, “I am relaxed Jackson. I just want to see Chubbs so damn bad, you have no idea how much I’ve missed him.”
“I think I have an
idea.” He says.
Jackson ended up riding with me on the way back, but he drove and followed Jules back. He said he could tell my nerves were getting the best of me. They were indeed, but I would never admit to it.
Pulling up to the familiar rancher, I think of the last time I was here and everything that went down. I feel Jackson’s finger on my chin pulling my head back up. “Sunshine, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine Jackson, I was just thinking.” I say looking back at the house.
“Hey,” he says and I turn and look him in the eyes, “That was a shitty day. You are mine now. Get all that crap out of your head. We squashed it and we are good, right?”
“Yeah, Jackson, we are good.” I give him a peck on the cheek.
Finally getting out of the car, I see a man who looks like Jackson’s brother. Demetri definitely grew up. I then see my Chubbs in his arms. Oh my God, he looks like he got so big! My eyes start to water. I look back at Jackson with a smile and tears running down my face. He smiles and nods.
I take off running down the path, not caring if anyone looks at me funny. I stop in from of Demetri and Chubbs. Demetri smiles and gives me a small nod. I instantly take Chubbs from him.
Finally holding this little man in my arms is such a bittersweet feeling. It’s been entirely too long. I hope I never go this long without seeing him again. I just couldn’t do it. Pulling him back to look at him, I see that he still looks the same, just chubbier. I start to kiss him all over his face and then his neck and then I kiss both hands. He must like it because he is laughing and cooing.
“You like that, do ya Chubbs? I’ve missed you little dude, so much.” The last part comes out as a whisper. I place a lingering kiss on his forehand and once again feel tears raining down my face. I look into his eyes and say, “I love you Chubbs.” I kiss his head once more as I cradle him.
My bubble pops when someone says, “Chubbs?” I turn around and suddenly remember that we are not alone. I look to see who asked and notice it was Demetri. “Yeah… Chubbs.” I simply say.
Jules speaks up and says, “I said the same exact thing and your brother said he would tell me later and I’m still waiting.” She says smiling at Jackson.
Before he can speak, I answer, “I call him Chubbs because he is chubby. The first time I met him, he was crying and I had no idea a baby was in the house. When I walked in the room, I saw this little man and I didn’t know his name. Chubbs instantly came to mind. He is my Chubbs.”
Everyone just looks at me with sparkling eyes. I smile back. “Okay, well, we need to get going Jackson. I got some stuff to do. Make sure you call us later.” Jules says to him and pecks his cheek. She walks over to me and kisses Chubbs and whispers in my ear, “You are perfect for him and that baby loves you. I’ll definitely be seeing you around. She gives me a half hug and smiles as she starts walking back to her car.
Demetri shakes his brother’s hand and they give each other a guy hug. He stops to squeeze Rhys’ cheeks and then with a knowing smirk, he says to me loud enough for Jackson to hear, “I’m glad my dickhead brother stopped being an ass. You are perfect for him and “your Chubbs”. Don’t take any of his shit. Call me and I’ll kick his ass.”
He winks at me and kisses my cheek. “Bye y’all. Nice to meet ya.” I say to Demetri and Jules. Jackson punches his brother’s arm smirking back at him.
“Well, this has been an emotional day. What do you say we take Chubbs in the house so you can play with him and I’ll cook us some food?” He asks, looking in my eyes.
I nod my head. I am hungry, but not for food.
Chapter 29
Jackson ends up making cheese steaks and French fries. I don’t know how he knew that was one of my favorite foods, but I won’t say a thing, I enjoy myself. Rhys plays in his walker while we ate. I can’t believe is almost 7 months already. Hearing a crash against the wall, I break out of my daze. I look over and see my handsome little Chubbs bumping his walker into the wall. I start laughing.
Jackson looks at me and says, “He’s a little crazy in that thing isn’t he? I bought it for him three weeks ago and he’s been going strong ever since.” He shakes his head and smiles.
“He is cute as hell in that thing though. What time is he supposed to eat?” I ask him hoping he will let me feed him.
He looks down at his watch and answers, “In a few minutes. Let me clean up and then I will feed him. He gets a bath a little after he eats and then it’s bedtime for him.”
I look at him and blink my eyes rapidly and put my hands together like I am praying and say, “Can I feed him? Pretty please!?”
He smiles, shakes his head and says, “I figured you’d want to. Let me get his food for you.”
Looking at his retreating form I ask, “When did he start eating food?”
“He just started about 2 weeks ago. He hates whatever that rice cereal crap is, but he loves his bananas.” He yells back.
Well shit, I really did miss a lot. I look over at Rhys and he is sticking out his tongue. I laugh and do it back at him. He laughs and then does it back to me. We go back and forth for what seems like a few minutes. I look over to see what’s taking Jackson so long, and I find him leaning on the door frame smiling at me. I start to blush.
“That color looks good on you Sunshine.” He says to me.
“Shut up, you ass. Give me Rhys food so I can feed him.” I say back to him.
“You gotta pay the toll.” he replies with a smirk.
“Oh yeah, what kind of toll is that?” I ask smiling back.
“Put one right here,” he points to his cheek. I nod okay and get up. Just as I’m about to kiss his cheek, he turns his head and my lips are on his. He wraps his arms around me and deepens the kiss. I moan and place my hands on his hips. A baby laughing brings me back to reality.
I look over at Rhys and ask, “You find that funny do you?” He squeals again.
I look back at Jackson and he says, “As much as I would love to do nothing more than to take that sweet ass right here, my son has other ideas, starting with him eating.” He looks at Rhys and laughs. Little man has his finger up his nose. “Okay, you need to feed him now before he starts to eat something else.” Then he shudders. Yeah, a baby sticking his finger in his mouth after it’s been in his nose, it just not cool.
Taking the jar of baby food from Jackson, I tell him to go and clean up while I feed the baby. He agrees and goes to the kitchen. Walking over to Rhys, I pick him up and walk towards the dining room to sit him in his highchair. Making sure I strap him in just right, I then put the tray back on. I shake the food jar, hit the bottom of it, and pop that sucker open. I put just a little on the spoon at first, just to see how much we will want. The first spoonful goes perfectly in his mouth. I add a little more the second time.
About halfway through his feeding, just as I’m pulling the spoon back out of his mouth, he sneezes and then starts to laugh. When he sneezed, I ended up wearing the food that was in his mouth. Thankfully my own mouth was closed. It’s just baby food, so I shrug it off. “You, look what you did to me.” I say in a cute little kid voice. He starts to laugh again. I lightly tickle his stomach and he laughs some more. He doesn’t have much more to go, so I put more food on the spoon and bring it up to his mouth. Just as I put it in, he blows raspberries at me, making me wear his food again. This time I shriek, which makes him laugh even harder. I smile as I see him laughing his little head off, I don’t have a care in the world that I have baby food spit all over me. The fact that he’s laughing like this, is like music to my ears.
Putting his food down, I take both hands and start to tickle him. He must’ve had a little bit of food stored in his cheek from before or something, because when he laughed, I got an eye full of bananas. I wipe my eye and try and get it all out. Meanwhile, Chubbs is still laughing. Just as I’m about to ask his cute little self what he thought was so funny, I feel someone watching me. I turn around and see Jackson trying his hardest not to laugh.
“What?” I ask like nothing is wrong.
He shakes his head and says, “Did you feed the baby anything, because from here it looks as if you are wearing most of it?” He starts laughing so hard that he is holding his stomach.
“Is there something funny here Jackson? I was just feeding Rhys.” I say nonchalantly.
“You mean he fed you.” He says in between laughing and trying to catch his breath.
“Oh whatever, we were having fun,” I turn to Chubbs and ask, “Weren’t we Chubbs? We were having a blast.” Chubbs starts to laugh even more and I love how his laughter makes my heart feel.
“Okay buddy. No more eating because apparently, as your dad has pointed out, I am wearing a lot of it. Bath time for you baby.” Looking at Jackson, I ask, “Can I bathe him too?” He just smiles and says okay.
Picking up Rhys I tell him, “Come on little dude, it’s time to get your bubble bath on!”
Chapter 30
I had so much fun giving that kid a bath! Okay, so I wore most of the bath water, but that’s beside the point. I had so much fun. I never knew a seven month old could splash like that, but then again, all babies are different. I ask Jackson for a change of clothes and he tells me to just walk around naked. I tell him maybe another time because I want to help put Rhys to bed. He reluctantly agrees and gives me a shirt. Just a shirt. So, here I am holding Chubbs while Jackson makes his bottle.
Found By You (The Found Series) Page 10