Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  He bent his head down and placed a kiss on top of his nose and forehead, feeling this sense of protectiveness towards him. It's hard to describe or place what he's feeling at the moment. It's as if he never wants to let go of his son at all, not even if his mother asked.

  He's surprised Emma didn't hesitate to pass their son over to him. But here he is... he's carrying his son, while Emma is watching, completely trusting him. "Can't believe he's only months old. He's growing up so fast. Should we wake him up now?"

  "No," Emma murmured, enjoying the sight in front of her. She could literally feel her heart expanding with excitement, knowing her decision towards him was the right one. "Let him sleep some more. He should be waking up in a few anyway."

  Drake didn't protest. He's perfectly okay with simply holding his sleepy son in his arms. He lifted his head and looked at Emma.

  She simply smiled back.

  Without thinking, he took a step closer and shifted his body so Aidan wouldn't get squished between their bodies, as he gave her a surprised kiss.

  Emma stiffened in surprise for only a second before melting. Well hello...

  Drake gently nipped the bottom of her lip, teasing her as he leaned back to give her upper neck another peck. She was making that sound he secretly adored whenever he would gently suck on that sensitive part of her neck.

  Oh man, he is so bloody whipped...

  But really? He doesn't give a shit.

  "Do you want to go to the park later?" Emma whispered, after Drake leaned back.

  He nodded, looking back at Aidan. "Yes."

  As if their voices were too much for him, little Aidan scrunched his face into a frown. Letting out a small yell, as if telling them to be quiet.

  "Hush." Emma giggled, "Don't make any noise; the prince doesn't like to be disturb from his slumber."

  "I'm guessing he got that from me." Drake whispered back, rocking the baby back and forth slowly to lull him back to sleep. "I am definitely not a morning person."

  "And yet you woke up early for me?" Emma teased him, heading towards the kitchen to prepare them some breakfast.

  He smiled, his eyes still locked on Aidan as he answered back to her. "Anything for you, remember?"

  She quickly glanced at him before continuing with her work. She feels like this strange warm feeling inside her wants to expand, as she couldn't help but grin widely. "You're so cheesy."

  "Thank you." Drake snickered, "It was so hard but I do try."

  Emma rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time this day. However, the grin was still on her face.

  He is so damn cheesy, yet she couldn't help but feel strangely happy; especially whenever she keeps seeing that expression on his face when he looks at her and Aidan.

  In the beginning, they had given each other hell. He was such a bigoted asshole, and she was an overprotective selfish mother.

  Yet it amazes her that they're still working on this together as equals. She can truly see it now... They are both proof that people can change for the better.

  To her, Drake is worth it.

  .

  .

  .

  "Have you heard from Drake, dear?" Nancy asked, as she watched Alona pour herself some lemonade.

  After the whole scandal between her son and her once future daughter-in-law, Alona have been performing a disappearing act; not bothering to contact her unless she was the one who instigated it.

  Sure it's a shame that their engagement never came through, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like the girl. Alona was a sweet girl; she wouldn't mind some girl company from time to time.

  "No." Alona sighed, shrugging. "But Ian told me that he's been spending some time with Emma and their son."

  Of course...

  Nancy had immediately noticed the changes in her son. Though they were only little changes, but for the better. She noticed whenever he would be home he was always kinder and even acted like a... like one of those teenage boys having their first love!

  She inwardly chuckled.

  Well maybe because Emma is his first despite what he thinks. Honestly, one time he actually went up to her - like literally, knocking on her bedroom door, asking for advice on Emma, and how he should go about in trying to earn her trust and get to know Aidan.

  Ever since Emma was brought back in their life, Nancy was secretly rooting for Emma to capture Drake's attention once again.

  Thank goodness she did.

  "How is Ian, my dear?" Nancy asked, changing the topic.

  Alona grinned widely, making her face glow. "Oh he is absolutely great, Nancy! I love him so much."

  "I'm glad." Nancy nodded, "You deserve to have a man who treats you with respect. As long as you're happy, then I'm happy for you. Just because you and my son didn't work out, doesn't mean I don't care about you.

  Alona blushed, fiddling with the napkins in her hand. "Nancy, Drake and I... well, we never -"

  "Don't worry about it, sweetie." Nancy scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "I assume wedding bells will be in your future?"

  Alona laughed, feeling light again. "Of course there will be. He practically proposed to me the moment I told him Drake and I were over."

  "He loves you." Nancy smiled warmly, "I'm happy you two are spending time together."

  Alona's smile faltered a little. "Yeah...He's been very busy lately with stuff, I hardly see him. Like this morning, he got a phone call and immediately left. But I know -"

  "Busy with stuff?" Nancy asked, frowning after she took a sip of her drink. "Doesn't he work in retail? How busy does one get to not see their fiancé?"

  Alona shook her head, "Yes, but he has been going out with his friends like Richard. You know, I don't want to be a nagging and question him with everything like a clingy girl... no man ever likes that. Besides, he only goes with them during the day. At night, he always comes home to me and treats me like a queen."

  Nancy couldn't help but wonder what Ian was up to.

  That man better not be cheating on Alona! She may be an innocent naïve girl, but that's why Nancy is very protective of her.

  "He spends time with just Richard?" Nancy wanted to clarify.

  "Richard and some other friends. I don't really know them, quite honestly." Alona answered her, "But don't worry, they're only guys. No women! I made sure of that." She added with a laugh.

  Nancy only laughed back. She's surprised that Richard is spending a lot of time with Ian... as far as she knows; He's usually seen with Drake.

  They are still best friends, right?

  She hopes Drake and Richard isn't having another row, because now that Drake is starting to become happier with Emma... she's hoping her son doesn't have another problem to deal with.

  ,

  ,

  ,

  "What the hell do you want, Ian?" Rich growled, looking at the time and grimacing. "What are you doing, it's only bloody eleven o'clock for goodness sake!"

  "Didn't Jay tell you?" Ian said, letting himself in. He heavily dropped himself on the nearest armchair.

  Rich closed the door and turned around to face him. "Tell me what?"

  It was as if Ian was having a hard time trying to form the words as he kept hesitating what to say. He opened his mouth and closed it again, shaking his head.

  "I just found out today." Ian let out a heavy sigh, "Drake... Oh shit, man."

  "What?" Richard's eyes narrowed. "What about Drake?"

  He only spoke to Drake yesterday, what is Ian's problem now?

  "It's his father." Ian let out a breathless sigh, as he looked up at him. "Drake's father was found dead inside his prison cell."

  Chapter 21

  .

  "What the hell did you just say?" Richard whispered, shock wracking through him as he tried to process what Ian said.

  Ian let out a deep sigh, shaking his head as if he too didn't believe what he was saying. "Drake's father is dead."

  Richard was quiet while he grabbed another chair and dragged it in front of
Ian. Placing it, he heavily sat on the chair with a huff. He then lifted his hands up to rub his tired face, "You mean Oscar?"

  Ian let out an impatient sigh, "Who else, idiot? Drake's father, Oscar, was found dead in his cell."

  "Oh my - Shit." Richard breathed, as if the news finally hit him. "Oh shit, does Drake know? Does Nancy know?"

  Ian shook his head, leaning back at the chair with a loud groan. "No, I don't think so. Shoot, I don't think they even knew that Oscar was in jail. He ditched them when Drake was only seventeen, right? I don't think Nancy cared enough to keep track of her ex-husband."

  Richard nodded, remembering when Drake said he wanted nothing to do with his father. "Which jail?"

  Ian shrugged, "I'm not sure of the name. The last time I heard about him was a few years ago when he left after the family's reputation gone to shit. I believe he was in Florida."

  "Then how do you know he's dead?" Richard asked, remembering how the news of Drake's involvement with the gang caused the 'scandal' around their area.

  The local media was solely focusing on Drake, that they were completely ignorant; not knowing that one of their powerful men was leading an infamous group of misfits.

  Ian shot him a look, as if the answer was obvious.

  It took Richard a few minutes to decipher his look before his own facial expression heightened with anger and surprise. "You idiot."

  Ian brought his hands up in surrender, "Hey! You still talk to them too!"

  Richard stood up, feeling irritated towards Ian as he went to his refrigerator to grab a random beer. He needs some of this toxic to keep his mind dimmed.

  He took a large gulp, relishing the stale taste as it streams down his throat. "You're bloody engaged to Alona now, you moron! I told you, I'll handle everything; you can just do the whole spying thing for me."

  Ian opened his mouth to interrupt, but Richard shot him a glare, clearly stating he wasn't finished talking. "The whole reason why Drake broke up with Emma in high school was because he was involved in the gang and didn't want her to be part of it!"

  Ian rolled his eyes, "What are you saying?"

  "I'm saying you're going to put Alona in danger." Richard snapped, wanting to punch his friend in the face for being so completely stupid. "She's in danger if you're still talking to them."

  "Way to be hypocritical." Ian scoffed, feeling annoyed. "You're still keeping in touch with our," He made an exaggerating gesture, "wonderful sweet friends, yet I can't?"

  Richard only glared at him, wanting to hurl insults after insults for his lack of understanding. "You know why I'm doing this."

  Ian could only smirk back, crossing his arms. "Perfect! Then you know why I'm doing this."

  "Whatever." Richard said quietly, feeling tired all of a sudden. "How are we going to tell Drake?"

  .

  .

  .

  The next day

  .

  Emma sat on the couch, trying to finish this really intriguing novel but couldn't find herself to continue on with her reading. Every time she would read a sentence, the sound of Aidan's laughter and screams, mixing with Drake's amused chuckles and playful noises, kept interrupting her.

  Not that she minds, of course.

  She lifted her eyes from the pages to the sight in front of her, a small smile lifting from her lips. Aidan was already at that stage where he was learning how to crawl. He finally learnt how to roll to the side, but every time he tried to crawl, he could do at least three steps before he ended up falling on his face.

  At this, Drake couldn't help but laugh.

  So instead of 'watching his son destroy his face' as he put it, he's going to help him. So here he is now on his fours, crawling on the floor, as Aidan tries to mimic him.

  "Emma," Drake moaned jokingly in a childish way after his arms grew tired, "When are we going to the park?"

  She rolled her eyes, closing her book shut. "We can leave when you're done rolling around the floor like a pig."

  Drake only stared at her. "That's insulting."

  Emma grinned back as she stood up, "You're right. I feel horrible now; I should apologize to all those pigs I've insulted. I mean seriously, you - Oof!"

  Next thing she knew, she found herself back on the couch, with a mischievous looking Drake pinning her down.

  "Say that again." Drake murmured, leaning down so their noses are barely touching.

  Emma struggled, "Get off me! What about Aidan!"

  "Aidan is safe. Now don't change the subject." Drake continued on, giving her a mocking glare.

  "What subject?" Emma tried to free herself from Drake's grip but couldn't. "Drake! You're being ridiculous, let go so we can go to the park now!"

  Drake shook his head, that infuriating smirk reappearing on his face as he watched her. "You're so cute when you think you're stronger than I am."

  Emma stopped her struggling and only glared back. "I am stronger than you."

  He raised an eyebrow, "Oh yeah?"

  "Yeah." She nodded, smiling.

  After a few seconds of them staring at each other, she threw caution to the wind and leaned forward, their lips gazing against each other until she felt Drake's surrendered groans.

  He leaned back and gave her a small genuine smile.

  "What is that look you're giving me for?" Emma asked, suspiciously.

  Drake merely shrugged, as he leaned down to place a chaste kiss on the corner of her lips. "I'm just still surprised that you and I are actually doing this. I'm happy you're giving me another chance. You truly made me work hard for it, but thank you."

  Emma couldn't help but groan. Really, how many times does he have to thank her? He's thankful, she gets it.

  "Well don't think I'm letting you off the hook completely. But," Emma's hard expression softened. "Like I've been repeating every time you thank me, I know you're trying to be a better person for Aidan. I respect that, so thank you."

  Drake nodded, leaning back down to resume their little moment.

  He could tell that there were times when Emma was still hesitant at first, but he's not going to rush her. He knows he still has to work to gain her trust. But at least he's finally dating her again!

  He's just so damn happy that they're starting all over. Man... this woman is just... Amazing. Her heart is not all that soured up, just like he thought his was.

  His lips roughly massaged hers in such a way; she couldn't help but moan back. Mmm, if there's one thing he's good at, he's definitely good with this. The way he nips her bottom lip, giving in that little sting was so strange yet oh so good...

  Drake's is grip loosened, one hand cupping her face as the other hand trailed down. His thumb brushed the skin of her waist, feeling the smoothness of her skin against his own as his thumb gently massaged back and forth in small circles, earning some small moans he secretly adored from her.

  After a few more seconds of their little pleasure, Emma finally noticed the lack of Drake's grip on her and quickly lean back to push him off of her.

  He landed on the floor with a surprised yelp, throwing Emma a confused look. "What the hell?!"

  "Ha!" She said, feeling victorious as she stood up quickly to dodge his reach. "Told you I'm stronger."

  Drake gawked at her, getting up as he watched her pick up a mindlessly babbling Aidan. "What the hell was that?!"

  She only smirked back, "Prepare Aidan's stuff now."

  As she went back upstairs, Drake grabbed extra diapers and wipes, grumbling to himself with how he let a woman take over like that.

  After fifteen minutes later, he zipped the baby bag closed and sighed heavily. Man, who knew having a baby meant all this work?

  Stinky diapers. Their nasty occasional vomits. Not to mention they can't even clean after themselves. Drake couldn't help but wrinkle his nose as he picked up a dirty diaper and disposed it.

  Disgusting.

  "Hurry up!" Drake shouted, feeling impatient. Seriously, it's been fifteen minutes already, how long does it t
ake for her to change Aidan? "I'm going up there!"

  "Oh be quiet." Emma said, the sounds of her footsteps coming downstairs. "I was looking for Aidan's stuff toy."

  Drake's incoming insults died down when he saw her appear.

  Oh damn, how is it possible that this woman can look so beautiful just by wearing a plain white t-shirt and shorts? His gaze widened when he noticed what stuff toy Emma was talking about.

  "You actually still have the teddy bear?" He asked in awe, watching as Emma placed Aidan on the stroller.

  After she placed the safety belts, she tucked one of the teddy's arms inside the belt, so it wouldn't fall over. She didn't have to worry about that as Aidan's arm automatically wrapped around the stuff toy.

  "Let's go?" Emma asked, standing up with a sigh. She made to grab the large baby bag from Drake, but he refused.

  "Here." With the bag on one shoulder, he gently took the stroller's handles from Emma and pushed it.

  Whoa, what a gentleman he's trying to be.

  "I can do that you know." Emma said, her feminist side resurfacing from the dead. "I do have hands."

  "So do I." Drake shot back, looking back at her with a grin. "Now stop trying to emasculate me."

  "Emasculate you?" Emma laughed, shaking her head at his foolishness. "You idiot."

  "You love me." Drake snarked back, winking at her.

  Emma merely scoffed; she doesn't want to answer that. At least, not yet.

  .

  .

  .

  "Why are we here again?" Drake asked, pushing the stroller back and forth gently, entertaining Aidan.

  "To get some fresh air." Emma sighed, sitting down on the nearest bench. She lifted her face towards the sun and smiled, "Honestly, if you're going to complain then why did you bother coming?"

  Drake rolled his eyes at her as he took a seat next to her. He threw an arm around her shoulder and arrogantly said, "So I can spend more time with you and Aidan, obviously."

  Before Emma could retort back, she noticed a stranger inside a car staring at them with a camera on his hand.

  Feeling freaked out, she nudged Drake and nodded towards the stranger. "Why is that man taking a picture of us?"