by Laiza Millan
Wow, he actually came.
She carried on with her swinging and nodded back."Rogers."
She could feel the atmosphere around them starting to become heavy with awkwardness. Great, now that he is here, what happens now?
"So, how did you find out about this park?" she asked, trying her best to stay civil and saying the first thing that came to her mind. By the look of confusion on his face, she explained. "You said you didn't know which park to go to."
Drake's face lit up with clarity. "Ah, I didn't. I actually visited all the local parks-"
"Have you never thought of calling me?" Emma raised an eye brow, "I'm surprised you even knew the parks around here."
He rolled his eyes as he settled onto the swing next to her. "Well, that's why I asked mother. I'm pretty sure she took me to a park when I was child. Whenever she can and when father wasn't home."
He could tell she still wasn't satisfied with his explanation, so he tried to change the subject. But something else caught his eye.
"You kept the teddy bear." He whispered, staring at the bear that Emma had placed on the stroller.
Emma looked down at the teddy and shrugged, as if it was not a big deal. "Yeah, I mean I figured since you said it was a gift for him, who am I to throw it away? It's not like you poisoned it with something."
Drake shook his head, still watching her swing herself and Aidan gently. "I wouldn't be surprised if you threw it. But thanks for letting him keep it."
Emma shrugged. Honestly, now that she thought about it... it wasn't a big deal. Just a teddy a bear.
Well, a teddy bear that happened to be his when he was a young boy. Now it's passed on down to this little boy.
"Would it be okay if I held Aidan?" Drake suddenly asked, seeming hopeful.
She frowned, her grip tightening on Aidan and gave a mock laugh, "You're actually asking me for permission?"
He scowled and reached for the baby. "Well, can I?"
Emma stopped swinging and glared at his waiting hands with distrust. Well, if they really wanted to start with a clean slate then they have to start little by little.
Sighing with reluctance, she stood up and walked towards him. She gently lowered her arms and immediately Aidan lifted his arms towards Drake, waiting for the next warm person to hold him.
Drake wrapped his arms securely on the baby and sighed with relief. "Thanks."
Her eyes still glued to them, Emma took a few steps back and nodded. "Careful, he can be quite the squirmier when he wants to be let down."
Drake blinked and looked up at her in confusion. "Wait, can he crawl now?"
"Well, not fully. He's still learning so I expect not too long he can perfectly crawl. He's just been scooting around on his bottom and rolling around the floor."
To her sheer surprise, Drake's face lit up with a genuine smile.
He grinned and then chuckled. "I remember mother telling me I used to roll around the kitchen floor, causing havoc for her whenever she tried to help with the maids."
"Sounds adorable," Emma said sarcastically. "Don't swing too fast, by the way, he moves around a lot.."
Drake slowed his movements but continued to smirk. "I can't wait to see your first real crawl, Aidan."
"Rich's trying to teach him how to properly crawl," Emma told him. "He's struggling a bit, but he's getting there."
Immediately, Drake's face darkened. "What?"
"What?" she repeated, noticing his change in demeanor.
Drake glared at her. Completely stopping the swing. "I don't want Rich near Aidan."
Emma folded her arms. "Excuse me, but he happens to be a good friend of mine. Just like Jason and Tom are."
She took Aidan gently into her own arms and glared at Drake.
"Your so called male friends are no threat but -"
"Oh, so you think Rich is?" Emma asked, rolling her eyes as she sat back down on the swing. "How nice of you to talk about your own friend like that."
Drake stood up straight, obviously still upset. He folded his arms and gave her an angry look. "Emma, I don't want Aidan to be spending time with Rich for too long. Later he's going to think that Richard's the father!"
"You're ridiculous." Emma scoffed, gently rocking herself side to side for Aidan. "I mean, Rich, Jason, and Tom had been there for me since the beginning of my pregnancy, Drake. Rich was there when he saw me have a meltdown near the stores. He didn't know you were involved, but he was there for me when you weren't. I'm sorry, but I'm only telling you the blunt truth."
She looked up to see his reaction and was shocked to see him just standing there, gawking at her. Normally, he would probably strike or push her around, but no. He was just staring at her with that...
Wait, was that a flash of hurt she just saw?
No... It was just like last time.
"I deserved that," Drake said quietly, glaring at the floor.
"What?" Seriously, she was confused.
Drake rolled his eyes and looked down at her. "I know I haven't been there for him... for both of you, actually. I'm sorry about that. But I'm here now and I want to try."
"Wait a minute... Didn't you tell me that you would never change for Aidan and I, no matter what? You cant blame me for being very skeptical, Drake." She wished it was that easy, him suddenly changing his ways and views and actually being a good father.
But no, this was reality. People couldn't change that fast...
She may be giving him a chance, but she's not going to let her guard down.
"I know you're trying," she said continued on when Drake didn't speak, "but you can't tell me who Aidan can and cannot see, understand? If Rich was a very dangerous or - or, murderous person, then yes, I understand. But he has been a good friend, and I trust him."
Drake was still upset and angry inwardly, for reasons he couldn't quite understand. Rich was a friend of his as well. Why was he having this current feeling? It was a little off, and slightly foreign to him.
"Emma, you don't know him like I do." Drake snapped, "You don't -"
"Are you joking? I know him just as well as you." Emma said dismissively. "Now stop trying to tell me who we can or can't see."
Was it jealousy? No way, he's never jealous. But this time? Possibly, because the thought of Emma and Aidan by Rich's side...
Rich watching Aidan grow older, and Aidan becoming closer to Rich was giving him an absurdly angry side effect.
But the thought that bothered him the most was Rich helping Emma out with everything. Him being there for her and -
"I said, do you understand?" Emma interrupted his thoughts, her face scrunched up in annoyance.
Drake blinked but sneered. "I'm his father. I also have the right -"
"Just because you're his dad, it doesn't mean you can boss me around. I'm a woman who demands respect just as much as you need mine. But yes, you are his father, which is why I am giving you another chance." She tried to keep her tone even in order to not upset Aidan. "I don't even know why I am. Any woman with self respect and dignity -"
"Are you trying to blackmail me?" Drake asked, glaring at her.
"Call it whatever you want, Rogers.'' She shrugged. "But like I said, if you mess this up, you're gone for good."
Thousands of thoughts were rushing through his head along with negative emotions towards their situation.
Closing his eyes to gather his thoughts as his breathing returned to normal, he sighed. Opening his eyes again, he shoved his hands inside his pockets and nodded.
"Okay." His breath rushed out with frustration. "Okay, fine. Listen, I don't want any trouble," he said.
He continued to glare at the ground for a few seconds before sighing, defeated.
What else can he do?
When he spoke, his voice remained soft. "I'm trying, Collins. I can't just be whoever you want me to be in a heartbeat."
"I know that," she said quietly, noticing Aidan falling asleep on her arms. "I'm trying too. I can't just easily forgive and forget al
l the things you put us through. You've no idea how much you hurt me, Drake, with the way you treated Aidan and I. The last time you were this nice to me, you ended up kicking me out. I'm sorry, but I cant have our son grow up to think it's okay for men to treat women like crap."
She walked over to the stroller, picked up the teddy bear, and gave it to Drake to hold on to. Then she gently placed Aidan in the seat, strapping him in with the safety belts.
"I'm glad you're making the effort to even actually try, Drake." Emma continued on, "I mean, some fathers would not even want anything to do with their children. I'm glad you're not like them anymore." She looked up at him and flashed him a rare tiny sad smile. "But I need some time too. I can't just forget about what you've done."
"I know what I've done!" Drake snapped loudly, truly angry. "I keep saying I'm sorry, and I am!"
"Stop," she hissed, noticing people looking at them. "If you want to have a civilized conversation with me then we'll meet somewhere else. I'll have Tom, Jenna, or Jason watch over Aidan for me, so we don't argue in front of him."
"Who said we were going to argue? I thought we were going to have a civilized conversation." Noticing the look of Emma's face, he stopped and let out a rough sigh. "Fine. Whatever."
"Good. Anyway, Aidan's asleep now so I should be heading back." With that, she placed the hood on top of the stroller to protect Aidan from the sunlight and pushed it out of the park, towards the pavement. She turned her head slightly towards him and said, "I'll let you know when we can meet."
Glaring at Emma's back, Drake stood still. But he's not even done talking to her yet!
He turned his head to look at the swings they had just occupied and rolled his eyes to skies. "Damn it."
Within seconds, he was jogging towards Emma. "Collins! Wait!"
Surprised, Emma stopped pushing the stroller and turned to see Drake breaking into a sprint towards them.
What the hell?
"I'll, uh...I'll walk you back home," Drake said breathlessly as he reached them, tucking the teddy he was holding under his arm before taking the stroller and pushing it for her.
"There's no need." Emma said, trying to take the stroller from him. But he wouldn't budge. "Jenna dropped me off; she said she'll pick me up."
"Why waste car gas when you can just walk?" Drake asked, shaking his head when Emma tried to take the stroller again.
Seriously, what the hell? This was not how she remembered him to be recently.
Drake turned his head to look at her and smirked. "Well? Are you coming or what?"
Still confused, she shook her head and rushed to his side. "You've got it?" She nodded towards the stroller.
"Obviously," Drake said, the annoying smirk still plastered on his face.
Ugh, she wanted to smack it off.
Why was he being so nice all of a sudden? What was he playing at?
He glanced at her and widened the smirk. "See something you like?"
Her thoughts were rushing inside her head so fast that she didn't realize she was staring at him.
Blushing, she gave him a disgusted look. "Don't make me sick, Drake. Rich's far more handsome."
She could tell Drake didn't appreciate that, as she could see his knuckles turning white from clutching the handles of the stroller too tight.
But when she looked at his face, he gave her a look of mock-hurt.
"Don't ever insult my looks like that ever again," he said, shaking his head. "I mean, you practically called your son hideous."
"What!" she gasped angrily. "Be quiet, Rogers, I did no such thing."
"Aidan looks like me, in a way." Drake laughed, grinning at her. "You're saying that Rich's a better looking man than your own son..."
"Just shut up." She pushed him to the side and continued on to push the stroller, her head reeling with his sudden ease of attitude towards her. "I think something's wrong with you, or that you're probably someone else pretending to be Rogers, or you're just messing with me or something."
"Are you rambling to yourself?" Drake laughed, "Jeez, I always knew you weren't right in the head."
Choosing to ignore him, she continued muttering to herself about how confused she was and how annoying Drake Rogers was.
She didn't see Drake breaking out a genuine smile behind her back.
.
.
After only fifteen minutes of walking, they finally arrived to Emma's front door. She let go of the stroller handle and shot Drake a civil smile.
"Thanks." Emma mumbled, opening her bag to get the keys.
"It's no problem." Drake murmured back, watching her.
Silence.
Emma felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and kept her eyes lowered to her bag. Ugh, where are her damn keys?
Once she felt the edges of her house key, she whirled around and jammed it into the keyhole, wanting to get inside as fast as possible.
"Emma."
She hesitated, before inwardly groaning. Turning around, she faced him with a sigh. "What is it?"
Drake, who had been carrying the teddy the whole time, quietly handed her the teddy bear back.
Without any hesitation this time, Emma took it back.
Drake, satisfied, shoved his hands inside his pockets and looked at her in the softest expression. "Thank you, again."
Emma nodded, "You thanked me already, Drake."
But it was as if he still wasn't satisfied. "When can I see you again? Both of you?"
Huh. Well look at that, he's actually looking forward to see her and Aidan again.
So eager.
"Well," Emma said, ''I did say we're going to have to have a talk soon without Aidan, right?"
"A civilized conversation." Drake smirked, reminding her. "Yes, when can I see you then?"
She shrugged, not wanting to show how confused she is with his change of behavior. "What about this Saturday? Jenna can take Aidan to the park, so you and I can talk privately here at my home?"
Drake grinned, "Alright." When he realized how much of a fool he looks like by smiling like that, he dropped his expression and hid it with a blank look. "See you then, Nerdy."
He failed to notice the way Emma gawked at him.
What the hell? It's been so long - years even - since he called her that nickname...
Drake didn't notice the confusion Emma was displaying as he looked at the sleeping baby. Walking around the stroller to face Aidan, he bent down to give him a peck. He then straightened himself up and nodded towards Emma.
As soon as he turned around and his back facing them, he couldn't help but let out another wide grin.
Things are finally looking up.
.
.
.
"You've got to be joking," Tom snorted, helping himself to a handful of pork chops.
Emma shook her head and sighed, throwing herself on the chair beside him. "Nope. I'm serious, he was being civil... It was just so odd and completely different! He was like a whole different person."
"Oh, Emma," Jenna snickered, taking some of Tom's food without permission. "I think you're just paranoid."
"Well, of course I am!" Emma huffed, crossing her arms. "Wouldn't you be, if the ass who was rotten towards you for years just suddenly decide to be nice?"
"He's not being all nice. He still insults you like he did before," Jason reminded her. "That seems normal, at least. I mean, you said so yourself, Emma. He was trying and I know that seems -''
"Do I have to repeat myself?" Emma groaned. Why were they taking this easier than she was? "This is Drake Rogers! As in, Drake 'I hate the help and those who are poorer than me' Rogers."
"Weren't you the one who told me that you're giving him a chance? Don't tell me you're finally changing your mind?" Jenna asked, frowning. "By the way, where is Aidan? I want to play with him."
"You're changing the subject!" Emma snapped. "And Aidan just fell asleep, so don't bother him. Every time you're home, Aidan never sleeps."
"You're room ma
ting with a married couple who doesn't have kids, what do you expect?" Jenna scowled.
"That's because you don't want me to move out." Emma reminded her, raising an eyebrow. "Otherwise, help me look for a place of my own now that you two married nearly a two years ago."
"No." Jenna complained, "Then I won't see Aidan much! Plus, it's not like you're living for free, you're helping us pay rent. Also, I am not going to let you live all by your lonesome."
Emma scoffed, "I'm 23, babe. There's a reason why I decided to move to the States when I was younger, away from my parents. Now that you two tied the knot, you two need your own space. I'm moving out of this house once I find one available."
"If you're thinking of moving in with Rogers," Jenna snapped, frowning. "I'm going to think something is seriously wrong with you."
Emma made a face, helping herself with another spoonful of vegetables. "Don't be disgusting."
Jason laughed, leaning forward to give Jenna a kiss on the cheek before turning back to Emma. "Honestly, though. Remember when I was very paranoid about Rogers? And oh jeez, don't even get my started about our junior year!"
Emma stopped her chewing.
It felt as if her heart just dropped down heavily to her stomach once he mentioned that.
She snapped her head up to stare at Jason with wide eyes. Once she had overcome her surprise, she glared at him.
"Don't remind me of that." Emma snapped, looking annoyed. "I just... ugh, don't even."
Jenna giggled, "Do you not remember? Can't believe you used to date Drake Rogers back in our Junior year."
"Yeah, a year before you dated me." Tom muttered, "I'm starting to think I was just a rebound."
"Oh please," Jenna scoffed, reaching over to playfully shove Tom. "You both dated longer than when Emma was with Rogers."
"I don't even know why I dated Drake." Emma murmured, staring at her plate. "Everything was fine until I realized he had been hanging out with those so-called friends of his."
"One of those 'so-called friends of his' happen to include Richard." Jenna reminded her, "Yet, you two are friends now?"
Emma shook her head, scoffing. "Richard is nicer than Drake. Besides, if I had known at the time that Drake was in a gang while we dated, I wouldn't have even agreed to go on a date with him."