Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  Yes, they could definitely babysit Aidan.

  Drake couldn't stop the mischievous smirk forming on his face. Oh, Collins. I guess I will get to know our son, after all.

  Drake was beginning to feel excited. Besides, Emma will think Aidan is with Richard, right? Yeah, she won't find out!

  What she doesn't know won't hurt her.

  Chapter 13

  .

  Jenna grabbed a handful of Jelly Beans from Jason and stuffed them in her mouth, her eyes locked on player number five as he kicked the soccer ball with all his might.

  "Yes!" she, Jason, and Tom yelled together.

  "Goal!" The television announcer shouted with excitement, the cheers in the background reflecting their own.

  Jenna laughed happily, clapping her hands. Her eyes drifted away from the soccer match and landed on her friend, her excitement deflating as she watched Emma check her watch for the third time that hour.

  "Emma," she said in warning, "I will not hesitate to snatch that watch off your wrist if you're not enjoying yourself. You're not even trying, for goodness sake."

  Emma rolled her eyes but smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Jen." She tucked her hand in her lap and sighed. "All right, fine. Besides, I told guys only a few hours. I have an hour left so I'm sure Aidan's doing fine."

  "That's right." Jenna nodded in encouragement. "Rich would have definitely let you know if something was up, right?"

  "Of course," Emma agreed, feeling foolish for worrying, "you're right."

  Jenna grinned, taking Emma's hand and dragging her up. "Now, shut up and enjoy the soccer match. Our team is winning! Sam owes me thirty bucks!"

  Emma burst out laughing, finally letting herself go for the first time in months.

  .

  .

  .

  Hours earlier

  "Thank you so much, Nancy," Richard sighed, gently handing her a sleeping Aidan. "I'll be quick, and come back before Emma gets home."

  Nancy nodded. "Not to worry, dear. Emma and I are on good terms now."

  Rich grinned, feeling relieved. "I know, that's why I asked Drake if you could watch him for a few minutes. Anyway, I should be going!"

  With a final wave, he headed towards the exit and left, leaving Nancy alone with Aidan. She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms and smiled, grabbing a blanket from the baby bag and wrapping it around him.

  "Where's Rich?"

  Nancy turned to see a confused-looking Drake walking towards her. His eyes shifted to the baby in his mother's hands and immediately his lips curled into a smirk.

  Excellent.

  He extended his arms to reach for Aidan, but Nancy dodged his reach and walked away from him.

  "What the heck?" Drake snapped, dropping his arms to glare at his mother.

  "He left a few minutes ago, Drake," Nancy told him. "Although he has asked me to look after Aidan, I don't think Miss Collins would approve if I just hand over Aidan, just like that."

  Drake scoffed, taking a seat on the sofa, Nancy following. "Mother, as the baby's father, don't you think I have the right -"

  "Oh honestly, Drake," Nancy snapped, carefully placing Aidan on the sofa. "You can't even call your own son by his own name. His name is Aidan, not just the baby."

  Drake scowled. "Mother, please."

  "No," she said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry dear, but you have to learn how to respect Emma and Aidan first before she and I can learn to trust you with Aidan."

  He watched as she refolded the blankets securely around Aidan's body, causing the baby to squirm.

  Aidan's eyes slowly opened and blinked a few times as he scanned around him. His eyes landed on Nancy and then on Drake.

  Aidan blinked again, wriggled, and began to cry.

  "Oh, it's okay, sweetheart," Nancy cooed, lifting Aidan up and rocking him gently. "It's all right."

  But Aidan kept crying.

  He struggled against his grandmother's arms, making Nancy adjust her hold on him. Aidan angled his body towards Drake, staring at him. Whether it was unconscious or not, he lifted his tiny arms and stretched towards him, his face red and wet.

  Drake's eyes widened. Wait... does that mean the baby wants him?

  Drake and Aidan continued staring at each other.

  Nancy couldn't help but notice the exchange between the two boys and decided to try something.

  "Do you still want to hold him?" she asked, scooting closer to her son.

  Aidan quieted down, his body leaning sideways towards Drake. When it seemed as if he sensed Drake's hesitation, he began to make a sound again, only with more agitation.

  However, Drake didn't move.

  Nancy could see the confliction going on behind her son's eyes. She could tell he was confused about his feelings.

  She knew he was trying to get to know his son, but he also didn't know how to do so without having to become the hot headed, short tempered man that he was.

  "Drake?" Nancy asked softly.

  "He's crying." Drake frowned, shaking his head, and taking a step backwards. "I don't know if I can."

  He stared at his crying son. He's never held a baby before!

  What if he accidentally drops him? What if Aidan becomes even more upset? Seriously, how did Emma do this?

  He stared at the red face of his son, thoughts rushing through his head. Here he was, his plan finally working of bringing Aidan back home, yet he can't even hold him.

  What if he accidentally hurts him by holding so hard? What if Aidan starts crying even harder on his arms? Then what?

  He wants to hold him.

  But... what's stopping him?

  "Just try." Nancy argued, not wanting to give up. "You said you wanted to get to know him, now here's your first chance."

  Drake blinked and glanced at his mother before looking back at Aidan, clearing his throat and nodding.

  Oh man, this is it.

  This is the first time he actually gets to hold the baby.

  His own son, Aidan.

  "All right," he murmured, lifting his hands up. There it is... just go for it.

  Nancy gently placed Aidan on Drake's lap, and watched as he curled his hands protectively around Aidan.

  To both of their surprise, Aidan's cries slowed.

  Nancy was about to take Aidan back, but Drake shook his head silently. Taking his hand and rubbing the back of Aidan's back with such gentleness, it surprised Nancy greatly. As Aidan's cries decreased, Drake began to rock side to side gently.

  Is he doing this right? Because he has no fucking idea what he's doing.

  Finally after a few minutes later, Aidan stopped crying and just looked around him. As Drake continued to rock back and forth, he yawned, placing his head on his father's chest.

  Well damn.

  Nancy smiled inwardly. She relaxed on her seat and sighed, watching Drake holding the baby with care.

  Her son may be the cruelest and cold man out there but when it comes to Aidan? She could tell that he was trying.

  That was always a good first step.

  .

  .

  .

  "Drake, you've been holding Aidan for nearly fifteen minutes!"Nancy laughed, reaching for the baby. "Let me hold him now, dear, rest your arms. Besides, he needs to be fed."

  "No," Drake said, one of his hands softly caressing the baby's cheek. "It's okay, mother. Let me do it, please?"

  Nancy sighed, heavily. "Okay then. Let me go and get the baby food from the bag Rich gave me. I'll be quick, be careful with him."

  Drake rolled his eyes as she left. Duh, of course he'll be careful.

  He glanced down at the baby in his arms and couldn't help but smile. Aidan had been playing with Drake's tie the whole time, letting out a few utterances, and had even grinned toothlessly.

  "What's so funny?" he asked, but even he was chuckling.

  "La la mah dub," Aidan drooled, pulling sharply on Drake's tie.

  "Ouch!" he winced, laughing. "Careful there, baby. That hur
ts you know."

  However, Aidan continued to pull, not caring nor knowing about how uncomfortable he was making the older man.

  Drake swallowed hard as he continued to watch his son play with his tie. He let out a heavy sigh and tried to assess what was going on around him.

  He tilted his head to one side as he watched Aidan. He could feel a mixture of emotions running through him, yet he couldn't identify what they were.

  Well... he could but he's in stubborn denial.

  "Strange," Drake murmured under his breath.

  Aidan looked up at the sound of his father's voice and he too mumbled something incoherent, his finger reaching up to touch Drake's lips, pinching them slightly.

  Drake gently nipped Aidan's fingers and laughed when the baby let out a short gleeful shout.

  "You are such a weird little boy." Drake teased him, taking his tiny hands and giving it a soft squeeze.

  Aidan drooled.

  "And nasty," Drake laughed, using his sleeves to wipe the wetness from Aidan's face.

  He shook his head and continued rocking him. Without thinking, he brought one of Aidan's hands to his lips and kissed it.

  Then he froze.

  What the hell. He didn't know what came over him when he did it. It was impulsive. But it felt... just right.

  He couldn't help but watch the baby and feel... something.

  What was this? What was he feeling? Why did he have the urge to continue cradling this baby and protect him from harm?

  Well, he knows these feelings, but it's been so damn long!

  Before, Drake only cared about himself, but now? It was as if he wanted nothing more than to make sure this baby was safe and...Happy.

  It was unsettling, these feelings. He has not felt this way in a long time. Years even. A mixture of emotion was coursing through him, he felt...

  Blissful.

  Content.

  Peaceful.

  Powerful.

  "Aidan," Drake murmured, tightening his arms around him. Wow that felt right.

  Aidan placed his hand on Drake's chin before yawning and dropping his head on the crook of his father's.

  Drake gently rocked Aidan back and forth again, letting the motion send him to sleep. He was glad that Alona was visiting her friends; otherwise he wouldn't have the chance to be with Aidan like this.

  Normally, she would be the one to do it, seeing how much she adores the little baby. But since she was absent, he could finally get to know Aidan without anyone interrupting him.

  He gave his son another gentle peck before he placed his cheek on top of Aidan's head and sighed. Mmm, this feels so different to him, yet nice.

  But still... even though he was feeling such bliss, he couldn't help but feel that one other emotion that had been bugging him ever since he got to hold Aidan.

  Regret.

  Wow. He couldn't believe what an awful idiot he had been.

  What the fuck had he been thinking, denying Emma Collins and Aidan? What the hell had been going through his mind, the way he had spoken to her?

  He called this tiny boy, the same boy who is in his arms, a thing... when clearly, Aidan is so much more.

  Drake lifted his head up to focus on Aidan, who was already asleep. He shifted his arms so Aidan would be lying down on his arms, and sighed.

  He leaned down to kiss Aidan's forehead, and continued to very slowly rock his arms, just to keep the sleepy motion going.

  While doing this, his head was occupied. He couldn't believe what he had done and said to Emma and Aidan.

  He hates himself for treating her like that, but what can he do?

  He has a reason. A reason even his own mother and friends doesn't know about. A reason he should have been free of since court.

  But sometimes he caught himself wondering if keeping them away was worth it... because look him now.

  He was a fucking idiot. He knows it. He knows that he deserves it whenever Emma decides to keep him away from their son.

  Karma really is a bitch, and he bet she's laughing her ass off right now.

  He could always take Emma to court, but c'mon now. He had caused her so much harm, he doesn't want to do that to her.

  He's done enough.

  Plus, he still has to keep his distance. It's so damn hard, but he has too.

  Why? Because of that 'mistake' he had done years ago, when he was still part of this stupid gang he had joined when he was in high school.

  If they find out about Aidan and even Emma?

  No...

  He doesn't want to think about it. It's best if Emma hates him. It's best for her safety and for Aidan.

  At least... that's what he feels.

  All Drake knows is that no harm will ever come to this tiny boy and Emma.

  He will make sure of it.

  While his hold tightened around Aidan in a protective manner, he failed to notice his own mother and his friend hidden behind the doors, watching them with a knowing smile on their faces.

  .

  .

  .

  A few hours later

  When Emma arrived inside her house, she sensed something was different.

  She dropped her bag in the armchair and walked over to the kitchen, gasping at the sight of Rich sitting on the chair and sleeping with his head on the table.

  "Rich," she said softly, gently shaking him awake. "Richard, wake up!"

  He mumbled a few incoherent words before comically sitting up, suddenly awake. "Crap, what - Emma!"

  "Hey," Emma snickered, amused of his sleepy state. "Where's Aidan?"

  Rich's eyes widened. "Aidan?"

  She frowned at his confusion. "Yes Aidan. My son. My son, who I asked you to watch over... where, is he?"

  He blinked a couple times before flashing a grin. "Oh, of course! Aidan! Well Emma, you see -"

  "Where is he?" She snapped, immediately knowing something was up.

  Before he could answer, she rushed upstairs to her room and flung the door open. When she flipped the light switch, she gasped at the empty cradle.

  "RICHARD FUCKING HUCK!"

  Downstairs, the man in trouble winced.

  .

  .

  Drake sat on the sofa next to his mother, his left arm wrapped around Aidan and his right hand tightly grasped Aidan's.

  "He looks just like you, you know," Nancy said softly, watching as Drake caressed Aidan's hand with his thumb.

  "Except that he has Collins's nose," Drake complained, but then he tapped the tip of it with a smirk.

  "And thank goodness that he doesn't have the Rogers infamous pale skin," Nancy teased, wrapping her arm around Drake, who scowled.

  "Mother," Drake sighed, his head resting on his mother's shoulder but his eyes trained on Aidan.

  Nancy frowned, noticing her son's sudden change.

  "What is it, dear?" she asked.

  That behavior was so unlike him. What was going through his head?

  Drake opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He sighed, shaking his head, and continued to gaze at Aidan for a few more minutes before swallowing hard. "Mother... I don't want Em-"

  The sudden noise of the door bursting open caused the both of them to look up. What the hell, did Richard not bother locking their front door?

  "Get out of my way, Huck!" a shrill voice yelled.

  "Emma!" Drake could hear Richard plead, "Wait, listen to me!"

  Drake noticed his mother stiffening. Even he couldn't help but feel his own body freeze with uncertainty.

  Out of nowhere, Emma burst through the door, into the living room, her face red with anger and her wrist clutched in a fist.

  When she spotted Drake holding a sleeping Aidan, she gasped.

  "Give him to me," she whispered, throwing Drake the most hateful look she can muster.

  "Emma, listen," Rich said gently, "please -"

  "Shut up," She turned her head and spat. How dare he? She trusted him!

  "Miss Collins," Nancy said ge
ntly, getting up and cautiously walking towards her as if she was afraid she would spontaneously combust. "Please... can we talk about this?"

  Emma shook her head. "No. Please, tell Drake to give Aidan back to me."

  A soft cry interrupted them.

  Emma looked behind Nancy and her eyes widen at the sight of Drake's arms wrapping around her son's body, murmuring something in his ear and gently cradling him.

  "What's going on?" Emma said in the calmest voice she could manage.

  What was happening?

  Why was Drake holding Aidan like that? Why wasn't Aidan crying hysterically? Why was Nancy letting him near Aidan?

  And why the hell did Rich bring him here?

  She felt a hand gently taking her arm and saw Nancy nodding towards a room on the right.

  She shook her head. "No, I'm not going to leave him alone with Aidan."

  She looked back at Aidan and Drake and was shocked to see Drake holding him protectively. What the hell? Did he think that she would harm Aidan?

  "Emma," Rich pleaded, "let us explain."

  No, screw whatever Rich has to explain. All she cares about is wrapping her arms around Aidan.

  Drake looked up from the sleepy Aidan and stared right at Emma. He swallowed hard and started to walk towards her, Nancy and Rich watching in anticipation.

  He ignored them, his eyes focusing only on the mother of his child. Once he stopped in front of her, he expected her to slap him and he braced, but she remained quiet and stared back.

  Sighing, he glanced back down at Aidan and... Emma blinked at the action Drake had just done in front of her.

  Did... Did he just kiss Aidan softly on the forehead?

  Emma was stunned. This was so unlike him, what was going on? Finally, Drake looked up at her and nodded, leaning towards her so she could take the baby from his arms.

  Still angry but now more confused, she gently took Aidan in her arms and immediately engulfed him in a protective hug.

  She sighed with relief, kissing the snuffling baby on the head. "Oh, Aidan."

  "Mother and I have already fed him the milk you gave Rich, "Drake said flatly. He shoved his hand inside his pockets and shrugged. "He was only awake for about ten minutes before falling asleep again."

  Emma didn't know how to feel. Why was he being civil to her?

  Not wanting to be rude, she nodded. "Thank you."