by Laiza Millan
Emma shifted Aidan to her right arm so she could place her left hand on top of Drake's shoulder, feeling his muscles tightening with displeasure. She used her fingers and gently rubbed the strained muscles, hoping it would relax him even just a little bit.
"I'm sorry." Oscar finally said, and he truly looked like it.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Drake spat. Really, after all he put him and his mother through for years, that's all he's going to say? Just fucking sorry?
Oscar is apologizing to him, great. As if that is going to make everything all better!
What the hell, this isn't some Barney and Friend's episode, where saying sorry would cause the person to be forgiving easily!
Saying sorry isn't going to erase all the years of torture he and his mother had to go through or the fucked up strictly contained childhood he grew up in.
Now he understands why Emma was hesitant with him at first.
Yes, he loves his father because he's... well, his father. Or sperm donor, if he wants to be more blunt than he already is. But Oscar being his father doesn't mean he's been a very good one to him or a loving husband to his mother.
There's a difference between being the father and being a daddy.
His father was just there to provide financial security and reputation. But he was never there to actually be Drake's father emotionally. Only once did his father help him with something random, but it was nothing to ease the want he craved from when he was a little boy. That kind of detached relationship takes a toll on a child.
And that is why, he promised himself to be the best dad he can be for Aidan.
Drake opened his mouth to say more things but stopped; Emma's comforting hand distracting him. He looked away from his father's shocked face and stared at the ground, trying to tame the furious emotion within him.
"Calm down, Drake." Emma whispered against his ear, as Aidan leaned forward to grab onto Drake's shirt.
But like Emma taught him, forgiveness is the final form of love. And he will do his best to be the bigger person here, just for her and their son, Aidan. Hopefully Aidan will grow up to be a better man than he is.
No matter how much Drake says he hates his father for being how he is, he didn't forget the panic he felt the moment Jay shot him. He still loves his father - twisted and shit.
"Alright." Drake murmured, gently taking an excited Aidan and placing him on top of his lap. He took few deep calming breaths before nodding to himself. "I get it, you're sorry for being pathetic. I mean, I had to be the one to take care of my mother, to make sure she's still strong despite her fragile age. I could be living on my own, but I couldn't because you broke your vow to my mother! I couldn't just abandon her, like you did to us. I love her, but you as her husband were supposed to be there for her, in sickness and in health."
"I don't know what else to say, Drake." Oscar sighed, shaking his head as he kept his eyes on him. "I apologized to her so many times," He glanced to his side to see Nancy staring back at him uncomfortably.
He tried to reach for her, but she quickly turned her body away from his reach. Sighing, he glanced back at Drake, "I'm so sorry for what you went through and I assure you that Jay will stay inside that cell and leave you alone."
Drake merely nodded, not knowing what else to say. Sometimes the best thing to do is to keep quiet. Especially, since he can't really argue with someone as dim as Oscar.
"Emma?" Oscar continued on, shocking her. She didn't even realize he noticed her, he didn't even glance at her until now. "I'm so sorry too. I told my son to -"
"I know." She blurted out, not really keen on hearing his confession. Frankly, it makes her uncomfortable as well. "He already told me."
Oscar nodded in defeat, his eyes telling her how very sorry he was and how much years of regret can do to a person. Those same eyes returned back to Drake, only to linger on the new addition of their family.
His eyes widened, as if this was truly the first time he actually noticed the baby boy. "Who is this?"
Emma beamed proudly; she lifted her hand from Drake's shoulders and let it gently brush the silky hairs from Aidan's forehead. "This is my son." She then took her other hand and entwined her fingers with Drake's as she looked back at Oscar, "Our son."
"Father, this is Aidan Collins." Drake suddenly felt overwhelmed, having to finally introduce his own son to his father. "He is my son and this woman is going to be my wife."
Emma grinned at him, giving him the look of admiration he loves aiming towards him. "Rogers."
Drake raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Collins."
"No," Emma laughed, shaking her head at his foolishness. "Our son's name is Aidan Rogers."
Drake dropped his smirk and just simply stared at her, his eyes widening with confusion and surprise. "You said I'm not -"
"I've got it all worked out." Emma assured them all, addressing to his parents as well. "Aidan's original birth certificate says Withheld on the father section, but I've told a social worker and lawyer to see what they can do to fix it."
"Congratulations!" Nancy gushed, clapping due to her excitement. Aww, her Drake is growing up so fast!
"Congratulations." Oscar quietly said, still feeling out a place and unwelcomed. He's proud of his son, really. He's happy that Drake didn't entirely listen to him in the beginning; otherwise he wouldn't be this happy.
It's clear to Oscar that Drake has no future with the Roger's family plans, but clearly has a future with this baby boy and young woman.
"I love you." Drake murmured, staring at Emma as if she's some sort of angel. The news of what she's done for him was finally settling in his brain as his gaze remained glued to her.
Emma bit her bottom lip, feeling shy all of a sudden as she felt her face heating up with embarrassment. It's not a big deal; he is Aidan's dad after all. These days, the child can always keep the mother's surname instead of the fathers, or have the role reversed.
But like she said, the Rogers family name needs some light shed under the family umbrella. It is her choice, as a woman and as his wife, to take his last name and have Aidan have it too. He's a Collins and a Rogers. Both two different families combining together as one big family.
The whole time, Aidan was staring up at his two parents.
He has no idea what they're talking about, but they keep smiling at each other, making him giggle back in return. He placed his hand on top of his dad's chin and pinched it, letting out a baby squeal when Drake yelped.
"I'm proud of you, son." Oscar said, watching the exchange between his son and grandson.
Drake just simply moved his head up and down, showing that he's listening even though he kept his attention on Aidan. He may appear calm and collected on the outside, but on the inside? This little burst of something is fluttering within him by just hearing those words coming out of his father's mouth.
Oscar's proud of him.
That's all Drake ever wanted, really. What child out there wouldn't want to make their parents feel proud about them, or even approved of how they turned out?
Drake felt a pair of soft lips caressing his cheek. He turned his attention to Emma and smiled, knowing she understands exactly what is going through his mind.
"I said I forgive you," Sighing, Drake looked back at Oscar and said, "But that doesn't really mean everything between us is still the same. Everything did change for the better and I would appreciate it if you're there to be Aidan's grandpa."
Nancy gasped, feeling a mixture of surprise and confusion. She knows that Drake isn't too fond of Oscar, so why say such a thing?
Of course, Drake was still feeling reluctant about this whole thing, but he wants Aidan to grow up knowing everyone in his family.
Oscar remained quiet and stunned. He was just as shocked and surprised as Nancy was, but he would be a complete idiot to refuse this small act of kindness. "I don't... Thank you, Drake. I would love to be there as we witness Aidan grow up to be a fine man."
Drake rolled his eyes. Fine m
an, indeed.
"He's going to be a charmer." Emma cooed, leaning down to give Aidan a big kiss on his pink chubby cheek. "But not as bad as Drake, I hope!"
"Of course he will be." Drake scoffed playfully. Aidan is Drake's son, after all. He took his attention back at Oscar and nodded, "I'm glad, father. But I just want to make it clear; I don't want you to be there to ruin my life again. Thing's changed, so I expect you, too, for the better."
There, that wasn't too harsh or blunt, was it?
Oh well.
At least his got his closure.
.
.
"Did I mention how sexy you look right now?" Drake blurted out, watching Emma unpack their things.
He is finally at his own home, his own bedroom, and eating his own food. None of those nasty hospital meals they provided him that tastes so bland and boring. Yes, he knows he should be thankful that he even got to eat, but c'mon. He's Drake Rogers. Duh.
Right now he's enjoying the view of seeing Emma bending down back and forth as she continues to put his clothes away.
She's got quite the bum... It's so cute and -
"Drake!" Emma snapped, noticing the way her fiancé kept eyeing her wolfishly. "Stop looking like a perverted creeper, and help me unpack your clothes!"
"But you're almost done." Drake reasoned with her, "Besides, I find you far more alluring than folding clothes."
Emma rolled her eyes as she stood up straight and closed her eyes. Folding clothes and putting stuff away has so much physical work involved than people realize. Humming, she lifted her arms and placed them on her hips to stretch. She could feel her back muscles moaning with pleasure as her spine slowly moved in a C-shape, feeling her upper and lower back expand and relax.
Once she was satisfied, she let out a small groan and opened her eyes to see Drake goggling at her with his lips slightly open in a cheesy grin.
"Come here, Emma." He said, sitting up from the bed and opening his arms wide. "Let me take care of you."
Before Emma could scoff at his ridiculousness, she felt something soft bump her ankle, and quickly looked down in surprise. Aidan managed to crawl all by himself from one side of the room to the center, where she is.
"Baby!" She cooed, quickly picking him up and gently rocking him back and forth. "You're such a big boy now, aren't you?"
"Of course, he is." Drake snickered, leaning against the headboard of the bed. "He needs to have a place of his own; you can't always keep him in your room with his crib."
"He's not even one, yet!" Emma gawked at him, feeling her inner Mama Bear ready to charge. However, something he said changed her mind.
She suddenly remembered something she was meant to give him, but wanted to wait for the perfect time. Ignoring Drake's comebacks along the lines of how, in the future, she might force their son to sleep in the same room when he reaches twenty - ridiculous accusation! - She shifted Aidan to her other arm and dug through her purse with her free hand until she felt the side zipper.
She was too excited, she could faintly hear Drake complaining in an angered tone asking why the hell is she ignoring him; she unzipped the pouch and grabbed a white squared envelope.
Feeling her insides ready to burst with excitement, she turned her body in a way to hide the envelope from Drake's view and gave it to Aidan, who stared at it in his adorable childish clueless way for a few seconds before grabbing the corner.
Giggling, she turned around to see Drake still glaring at her, that infamous scowl still on his face as if he was some spoiled brat not getting attention.
Well.
Okay.
He is a spoiled brat, but still.
"Take a joke." Drake snapped, still miffed. "I know he's still young to sleep in his own bed."
"Well, he could have his own nursery room." Emma shrugged, walking towards him and sitting on the side of the bed closest to him. "You said so after all, he is growing."
"Yes, he should." Drake nodded immediately, "But you don't even have one in your new place and -"
"I don't?" Emma asked, confused.
He paused, her confusion contaminating him. "Don't you?"
"I thought I had two bedrooms." Emma said, raising an eyebrow. She gently placed Aidan on top of the bed and watched as he just sat there, his fingers still clutching onto the envelope.
"You're playing with my mind, Emma Collins." Drake muttered, reaching forward to pick up Aidan and placing him on his folded lap. "I don't appreciate it. You told me you only have one room, that's why he sleeps in your room."
Emma didn't say anything, only watched as Drake continued to keep his eye on Aidan.
Is he really that blind? Does he not see the envelope their child is holding?
As if he heard her thoughts, his eyes caught the small envelope now scrunched up thanks to Aidan's firm grip. Frowning, he gently pried the object from Aidan's fingers and used both hands to smooth out the wrinkles until he saw the name of the hospital he stayed in stamped on the front. As he tried to straighten the paper, his fingers felt something thin but solid containing inside.
"What's this?" He asked, turning the envelope around and ripping the flip part. Throwing Emma a confused look, he placed the envelope upside down to see the object inside - a small simply key - cascade down and land on his palm.
Emma bit her bottom lip, the anxiousness eating away her heart as each second pass by without him saying anything.
"Emma," Drake shook his head, feeling both confused and excited; as if that even existed. "Why do you -"
"It's the key to my own house, Jerk." Emma laughed, reaching forward to playfully slap his shoulder. "Actually, our own house."
Drake stared at it, his eyes glued to the simple key as if it was the most precious and thoughtful thing. "But I thought -"
"It's a two bedroom house." Emma explained to him, shrugging. "The second room is for Aidan, so he does have his own nursery. I originally had this key as back up, but while you were asleep in the hospital, I thought this extra key is meant for you. So I took one of their envelopes and used it as a little package thing. Sorry, it's not wrapped in gold."
Drake looked at her, his eyes wide and his jaw slack.
"So," Emma continued on, rather nervous all of a sudden. She swallowed hard and looked down at her fingers, "Whenever you're ready, you can move in with me?" When Drake didn't answer immediately, she looked up and shook her head, "If you want! I mean, I understand you don't want to leave your mother all by herself especially with her age but -"
"You talk too much." Drake murmured, placing his hand on her face and caressing her cheek with his thumb. "But I love you."
"We're family now, aren't we?" Emma asked, her cheeks aching with how wide her smile is. "But like I said, whenever you're ready, Drake. The key belongs to you, meaning the door will always be open. I just hope you don't mind, it's not a mansion like you're used to living in."
"I don't even care if it's a freakin' studio apartment." Drake enclosed the key with his hand and smiled at her, "Thank you, Emma. Truly, you've no idea how much this means to me."
It means way more than she realize.
Her doing this - opening up her home, her sanctuary and comfort - shows him how much she truly trusts him with her and their son; and that is very important to him.
Without trust in a relationship, there is nothing.
"This is the second time today you surprised me with something special." Drake mumbled, placing gentle kisses on her cheeks. "I can't wait to marry you, Emma Collins."
Emma simply dropped her forehead on top of his, a small smile lingering across her lips as she whispered back, "And I, you."
Chapter 31
Two months later
10:00 PM
“SHE’S GETTING MARRIED!” Jenna screamed, pulling Emma along as they walked towards the bar. “Move along, men! Don’t be fooled just because we have dick-designed necklaces hanging off of our necks. Hurry up, Emma! Alona is waiting for us on our reserved table!”
“What?” Jenna scoffed, rolling her eyes as they pulled out their identification cards. “We’re having a mini bachelorette party! Might as well do what you’re supposed to do, which means doing crazy shit, getting drunk as hell – but not too drunk. We wouldn’t want to sleep with some asshole, now!”
Emma groaned, as the loud music started banging against her eardrums the moment they entered the building.
“There she is!” Jenna said, waving at a bored looking Alona. She continued to pull a grumbling Emma along with her. “Hey Alona, thanks for saving the table. By the way, after we dropped Aidan off to Nancy, she said to remind you not to drink anything alcoholic in this place.”
“Well yeah, of course!” Alona beamed; happy she finally doesn’t look like some loner. These guys keep hitting on her; it’s getting rather annoying after a while! “Thank goodness, you two are here! I got a Shirley Temple because of my pregnancy, but you two can go all out!”
Oh yeah, Ian and Alona are having a baby, Emma nearly forgot about that. She gave her new friend – Yes. Though it did take some time, they were mature enough to get along and eventually became friends – a hug but couldn’t help but frown at the noise surrounding them.
This is a bar? What the hell… She could feel the beats knocking her heartbeat, and could barely hear her own voice when she tried to snap at Jenna for bringing her here.
“Oh, c’mon!” Jenna pouted playfully, noticing the evil glare she was being given as they sat down on the bar stools. “Where’s your sense of adventure? Besides,” She gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re my best friend. I’m not going to let any sleazy ass man ruin this night for you. Just loosen up, and have fun!”
“But Drake –“
“Drake is probably having fun as we speak with Tom, Jason, Ian, and of course Richard.” Alona said dismissively, “Knowing Richard, he might take him to some weird place.”
“Strip club?” Emma suggested snappily, feeling this odd heavy feeling inside her chest. Images of Drake staring at beautiful women and those ladies shaking their big butts all over his –