Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  However, Drake merely laughed. "Secret lover? To whom? Oh wait, I know... Your hand I bet."

  Rich dropped his arms and made a tsk-tsk sound. "That's no way to talk to your Best Man, Drake."

  Both Drake and Emma snapped their head at his direction, their eyes wide and almost fear like.

  "Best Man? What the fuc -"

  "Excuse me, but we are the ones who -"

  "You suck at being a policeman! You might ruin my wed -"

  "I was hoping Tom or Jason might -"

  Drake whirled around to face Emma, his face morphed into an angry scowl. "Tom-Tom? The fucking fruit cake?" He flinched, feeling Emma's finger poking his side. However, he refuses to discontinue, "Hell no! It has been determined that Richard Huck will be my -"

  "You confuse me." Emma gawked at him, "You just said you didn't want -"

  "Richard Huck will be my Best Man." Drake simply stated.

  "But -"

  "Richard Huck will be my Best Man." Drake repeated.

  He even threw a wink back at Richard, who was just watching them back and forth as if they were his sole entertainment for the day.

  "I know, but -"

  "Richard Huck will be my Best Man." He was determined.

  "Drake, okay, I was just -"

  "Richard Huck will be my Best Man."

  "Shut up. I said, okay alrea -"

  "Richard Huck will - Mmph!"

  Drake couldn't continue his teasing because he felt Emma's soft lips attacking his own so fierce fully; it literally took his breath away. Mmm, did he mention how much he loves this woman?

  Oh wait... he should kiss her back, huh.

  How very selfish of him.

  Before he could even use his tongue to massage hers, she nipped his bottom lip so lightly and leaned back with a satisfied grin; much to his annoyance.

  "Minx." Drake muttered, his face feeling hot as he looked down at Aidan, who was grinning toothlessly at them before returning his attention back to the fabric of Drake's hospital gown. He pinches his index and thumb together and brought it down the gown, as if trying to pick up the design of the fabric; but failed.

  "I always knew you like it freaky." Richard sneered, earning a miffed jealous look from Drake.

  Suddenly, the door opened, revealing his nervous looking Mother, Nancy. Drake stared at her for a few seconds; this new sort of emotion rushing through his veins just at the sight of his mother. His gaze slid to Jenna and was a little surprised to even see her in the room, given the amount of dislike they have towards each other.

  But he still appreciated her being here all the same.

  Jenna bent down to give Emma a hug before she threw Drake a smile, letting him know the new amount of respect she carries for him. He smirked back at her as he dangled the thought of how he will have no problem using that against her someday just for fun.

  "Here." Emma murmured, getting up as she gently took Aidan away from his chest.

  "Aw," Drake complained, his arms still extending until his fingers couldn't reach Aidan's pajamas. He scowled, feeling disappointed at the loss of extra weight his son barred down on him. "But, I was still holding him and -"

  "Drake!" His rant vanished when he was suddenly engulfed by his mother. The mother he hasn't seen in days because he had been so wrapped up on Emma and Aidan; the mother who shot a fake police officer for him.

  Nancy squeezed him tightly, as she mumbled incoherent words.

  And that is when everything within him snapped all at once.

  He could feel the sudden euphoria washing over him; causing his heart beat to increase from excitement as he heavily let out arrhythmic breaths of air from his lungs. He felt his free arm wrap around his mother's back, clutching onto the back of her now wrinkled shirt as he tried to deeply inhale her familiar comforting scent.

  Mum.

  He was immediately transported back to when he was just a little boy, and how his mother would be the one to kiss his tears away and safely tuck him to bed.

  He tried to ease his grip on her, but couldn't. Not when he could feel himself breaking into pieces just by the way his own mother is shaking against him with relief and fear of what her own son had to go through.

  He tried to ignore the moisture running down his cheeks, but he felt the temperature on his face heating up due to the amount of facial muscle stress he inflicted with his own cries - not to mention, he is feeling completely emotionally drained now that most of the people he cares about is here with him.

  After what felt like hours, but really only seconds, Aidan let out an impatient shout as if he was trying to get their attention too. Like hello, he's the baby here. Pay attention to him, he's the one with the chubby cheeks and cute face.

  Nancy carefully pulled away and turned to Emma and gave her the same thankful greeting. Without any hesitation, Emma used her free arm and circled it around Nancy's waist, murmuring how thankful she is and to assure her that everything is okay.

  Drake swallowed at the scene before him and felt something in his heart by just seeing the two women he adores so deeply. He then glanced at Aidan and couldn't help but let out another strangled small cry.

  He now truly understands the intensity of a parent's love for their child.

  .

  5 days later.

  .

  Drake Rogers is one lucky son of a bitch, the doctor had said. A damn magical being.

  Okay, well the doctor didn't exactly say those exact words, but whatever. Drake likes to think he is some badass wizard who is a lucky SOB for having to display such fast healing.

  His head still aches from time to time, especially when he tries to keep up with Aidan's ball of energy, but he's still able to perform his basic range of motions and his memories are all fully intact.

  He kept begging his doctor to let him go home, insisting that he feels better, but the doctor told him they recommend he stays the remaining days, just to make sure as they continue to run more tests.

  Well screw them and their tests.

  Emma had no problem with their so-called recommendation, but he's tired of seeing the same dull white room with the same dull small television. But at least he gets to go home very soon.

  Yup, he considers himself lucky indeed.

  Right now, he is actively watching Emma trying to feed their son. He kept snorting in amusement because every time she tries to feed the poor boy some of that nasty looking baby food, Aidan would turn his head to the side. He would sometimes let the food settle on his tongue but doesn't bother to swallow it until it slowly slides down his chin, making his mother finally wipe the infuriating nasty gunk clean from his face.

  "You're giving him squished peas and carrots." Drake reminded her, noticing Aidan's scrunched up face. "No wonder he hates it."

  Emma ignored him, and continued on. "Need I remind you the importance of vegetables?"

  "It is very important to remember that vegetables are disgusting." Drake smirked, "Good thing our son is learning that at a very early age."

  Emma threw him a look, "Excuse me, but just because he's a baby, doesn't mean he can only eat pudding. He's a growing boy, you know. Remember what the doctor told us, we should feed him the daily recommended -"

  "Oh shit," Drake interrupted her, his eyes wide as he stared at her.

  Emma straightened her posture, her eyes immediately looking at his heart rate monitor and tubes. "What?"

  "I forgot how much your goody-two-shoes attitude turns me on." Drake said in a serious tone, his facial expression blank from any signs of joking. "Keep talking, Nerdy. Your knowledge of things no one cares about is giving me a boner."

  She stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds before she puffed her cheeks out in anger; ready to drill him with how foul he is and his need to carry on this non-filtered behavior.

  Only she can't because fuck, she really loves it when he's being playful and just plain naughty. She knows that he's just messing with her, no matter how much it can get annoying. But that's okay
...

  It means he really is feeling much better and himself.

  Rolling her eyes, she turned to Aidan and let out a groan. "Fine, Aidan. At least you ate few bites already." She took a new clean cloth and gently wiped the mess from his chin. "Your father is going to spoil you rotten, I can see it happening."

  Speaking of fathers...

  After a few minutes of her cleaning him up, she glanced at Drake and asked, "So um... Can I ask you something without you being mad?"

  "I can never be mad at you anymore, Emma." Drake quickly said, "What is it?"

  Emma hesitated, taking her time as she continued to finish up with Aidan.

  Drake must have noticed her random discomfort, as he tried to lift himself up. "Emma? Love, what is it?"

  Go ahead, Emma. Just ask. Nodding to herself, Emma peered at him with reluctance, "I was just wondering if you were planning on visiting your dad?"

  The change was instantaneous.

  Drake's concerned look completely dropped and replaced it with something else; causing his expression to darken. "Why would I want to do something stupid like that?"

  Emma heavily sighed as she lifted Aidan up from the high chair and walked to his portable baby chair swing. She gently placed him on the chair and fastened his safety belts. "I mean I totally understand why you're against it, but -"

  "Then why would you ask me such a dumbass question?" Drake snapped, but kept his tone neutral for Aidan's sake. "What sort of stupid drug have you taken that would make you think I even wanted to see his -"

  "Hey," Emma sharply said, cutting his rant. "You said you wouldn't be mad so cut the act, Drake. You can stop being a jerk because I will not put up with it again. I asked you a question. A question you could have simply said no to. Don't get all defensive -"

  "Defensive?" Drake let out a sarcastic laugh, "The man was a horrible father and he -"

  "And he tried to save you." Emma finished for him as she very slowly rocked Aidan's chair back and forth, lulling him to sleep. "He tried to stop Jay and -"

  "Don't even get me started on Jay." Drake interrupted her with a snap.

  "Is it true?" She asked, turning her attention on Aidan as she asked Drake, "Is Jay your brother?"

  Drake stared at her for a minute.

  This was the subject he really didn't want to talk about because he had buried it all in a tight place away in the back of his mind. But since Emma and Aidan will be part of his life permanently, they have the right to know everything about him as he does to them.

  "Half-brother." Drake murmured in defeat, dropping his head on the pillow as he stared at the ceiling. "He's my half-brother."

  Emma was silent.

  "My mother found out my father had been cheating on her since I was probably five years old." Drake sighed, turning his head to look at her, "Turns out he had impregnated some other woman a few years before I was born."

  "Drake," Emma sighed, bringing her knees up and letting her chin drop to her kneecaps as she continued to rock Aidan slowly. "How did you take it?"

  He let out a snort before shrugging. "Like any innocent naïve little kid. I was ecstatic thinking Jay was my older brother and best friend; and he was. He helped me with everything I was going through even though we lived in separate houses. His mother had found someone else and they got married but my mother stayed with my dad because of the family reputation. After the other woman left, that's when my father changed and became violent."

  He swallowed hard, his long buried memories resurfacing back to his mind. "He was no longer the fun guy I remembered when I was very young. So who did I turn to? Every night I would sneak out to join Jay and his friends thinking how cool I was for hanging out with older kids. As years flew by, he became my hero. Jay and I were inseparable that when he turned eighteen, he moved to the States to keep an eye on me... or so he said."

  "I can't imagine you and Jay being so close." Emma voiced her opinion, shaking her head. "I mean, after what I've witnessed and experienced that night?"

  Drake let out a humorless laugh. "It all changed when I turned sixteen and he was nineteen. I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and Jay... Well, Jay changed. It was as if he was trying to compete against me or something whenever the gang had plans or whatever. As if he was trying to gain their approval that he was better and faster than I was because he was older and thought he was wiser."

  "Sounds like jealousy." Emma hummed, nodding for him to continue as she stopped the swing from moving and just let Aidan enjoy his slumber in peace.

  "Jealous of what though?" Drake scoffed, shaking his head. "I remembered when I wanted out of the gang; Jay was the one who beat me up. He, my own brother and hero, had beaten the shit out of me simply because I wanted out of the gang and be with you. I told my father and what did he say? He said to break up with you because of the gang. He didn't want me to join the gang because he's afraid of me getting hurt or killed; he wanted me out of it because he was afraid of our family's pristine reputation."

  He felt his anger increase but kept his cool. "Some kind of loving family I grew up in, huh? Maybe that's why I'm like this. Being pathetic runs in the family and -"

  "Don't." Emma quickly rushed to him and gathered his hands with hers; kissing all over his face as she murmured, "Stop that nonsense sort of thinking, Drake. Yes, you should never forget where you came from, but that doesn't mean where you come from makes up who you are as a person."

  She took his hand and placed it on her cheek as she gazed at him with a small smile, "You came from a family who had a lot of weight to carry and sometimes it's too much. Your father may have been horrible to you, and Jay may have betrayed you. But don't rule out all the members of your family as pathetic, Drake. It's not fair. You also have some good in them too."

  "Like what?" Drake asked, taking his free hand to brush the hairs from her face. He caressed her lower lips with his thumb and smiled when she kissed it.

  "Nancy is a beautiful and an amazing mother, Drake. But don't forget," She reminded him, leaning forward to place her forehead on top of his as they both closed their eyes. Their mouths are only inches apart, giving each other teasing caresses with their lips. "Aidan."

  Drake immediately gathered her face with his hands and glued his lips to hers.

  One of his hands slowly massaged the back of her neck as he used his other hand to cup her cheek, bringing her closer than she already is. He could feel her hands running along his chest and jaw, groaning at the sensation she was giving him.

  She's right, he's such an idiot.

  How can he forget that there are some good in his family? His mother was just a victim as he was in the family; he couldn't help but feel guilty. She had her reasons, no matter how illogical they were, but not once had she shown any violence nor resentment towards him.

  Aidan. The adorable hyper baby of theirs... He's going to make sure that Aidan grows up in a loving family because he definitely doesn't want his own son to go through the same pain he went through during his childhood. Just because he's a Rogers, doesn't mean he has to experience the Rogers family curse.

  And of course, her.

  She didn't mention herself, but she is already a big part of his family even if she doesn't realize it. For goodness sake, she's going to be his wife!

  "I love you." Drake murmured, moving his lips along her jaw as she placed chaste kisses on the side of his face. "I will never treat you like how my father treated my mother, okay? I might yell or piss you off, but I will always love you and Aidan. I never want you to regret this or even think of me as a mistake you -"

  "You'll be a beautiful mistake if that was the case," Emma interrupted him with a tease, "Just kidding. But no, you're definitely not a mistake. We might have gotten pregnant by mistake, but at least the outcome was beautiful, right? We've come a long way and you've changed so much, Drake. Actually, we both have."

  He nodded, kissing her knuckles as he enjoyed the way she combed his hair back with her free hand.
/>   "You love Aidan, right?" Emma asked him. She knows he does, but she needs to hear him say it for a reason.

  "Of course I do." Drake answered her straight off.

  "Talk to your father." Emma said, placing her hand back on top of his chest; feeling his heart beating strong and sure. "Just like you love Aidan, Oscar loves you too. You may not realize it, but he does love you - in his strange insane way. I know its hard now, but you don't want to live a life with regrets and 'what if's'. Just like I was willing to give you three chances, just give your father this one chance to let him say his part. Don't let your anger cloud your rational thinking. Trust me, I know."

  Drake knew she was talking about her own father and how she has no way of contacting him. He couldn't help but feel a small sting of pity because she clearly wants to have closure, but can't.

  Suddenly, he understands what she means. He wants - no, scratch that - needs to know what his father has to say and why. Peeking at Aidan, who was still deeply asleep comfortably on his baby chair, he sighed. "Tomorrow."

  Besides, he kind of wants his own father to attend his wedding. He wants to show that his father was wrong about him.

  That yes, he may still have some issues and bumps in the road... But fuck it, Drake is still ending up doing so well in his life, after all.

  Chapter 30

  She's trying.

  Emma really is trying her hardest not to laugh or her need to express her amusement; but she's doing such a horrible job.

  Really, look at him!

  Drake's ridiculous facial expression the moment the doors opened to reveal a nurse pushing a wheelchair in. Emma couldn't help but find it adorably funny how his lips had instantly curled into a small scowl, his eyes squinting in confusion along with his eyebrows squishing together creating the muscles in his face to tighten in such a comedic manner.

  He and Emma were in the middle of a conversation when he dropped what he was saying, and just simply stared at it for a few seconds demanding the nurse to return it because, "Do your job right! You've got the wrong patient."

  The same time, Emma was feeling slightly embarrassed.