Saving Pierson

Cold

Pierson

"I'm going to work, baby love." River kisses my temple as he grabs his water bottle in which I just return a fake smile. "Do you want me to stay home today?" he catches on. "I can-"

"No, babe, no." I look at him.

"Are you okay? You've been like-" he's cut off by his phone going off, "-I'm so sorry-"

"Go, love." I smile.

"I love you!" he runs off and I nervously play with my fingers.

Just great.

**

"Auntie P!"

"Ashie!" I catch the little three year old in my arms. "Hi baby! How are you?!"

"I'm good!" he gives me a cheeky smile. "How are you?"

I melt. "Aww, I'm great! Come on, I got us a surprise!"

He gasps and puts his little hands over his cheeks. "What is it?!"

"You gotta go inside and see!" Sophia laughs and pushes him into the house. "Come on, it's cold out here!" she chuckles.

We walk inside and Asher runs to the table full of toys. "Thank you, auntie P!!!"

I chuckle and kiss his head. "Of course, baby!"

"Aww! He loves his auntie P!" Sophia smiles.

I return the smile. "I bet you guys are excited for Cash to come home."

"We are! He's been asking for his daddy all day, say!" Sophia ruffles his golden locks.

You guessed it!

It's been three years. I've been with River for three years now and Asher is obviously Sophias and Cash's baby boy!

I sit down next to Asher. "Ashie, what do you say we go have fun in Alabama next weekend?"

"Ride four wheelers and sleep in campers and swim!" Asher remembers the little memories.

I giggle. "It's too cold to swim now, bud! We can ride the four wheelers and cook and make s'mores?"

"Yes please! Now! We go!" he jumps up.

"In a few more days, buddy." Sophia kisses his forehead.

I smile and Asher hands me one of the toy dinosaurs so I can play with him. His dinosaur roars, causing me to fake a squeal. "Oh no!!" I make my dinosaur run away.

"You can't get away!" he shoots his famous contagious giggle.

"You're so good with kids, babe."

I turn around and see my boy.

"Hi." I get up and smile, hugging him.

"How was your day?" he kisses my temple.

"Better now that you're home." I refuse to leave his side.

He smiles and wraps his arm around me. "Hey Asher man!"

"Hi uncle Riv!!" Asher cheekily smiles.

River is so good with kids. He used to be iffy about them, but ever since his case last year, he's all about them.

The case was of a six year old girl getting abused by her parents and he was the one to take her and talk to her.

Very sweet little girl. She's in custody of her grandparents now that love her to death!

He's great with kids.

**

"Wanna get some food, lovely?" River sits next to me. I don't say anything, I just rest my head on his shoulder and hold his arm. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I lie.

"Is it because I'm working all the time? I'm sorry... things are just so busy right now and I don't get a chance to text you or call you." he frowns.

I shake my head. "No no, it's okay. I know the crime rates are high right now."

He looks at me. "But you've been upset for the past two days. You don't talk as much. Sometimes you're all over me and the next you want absolutely nothing to do with me. Baby, what's wrong? It hurts not having you."

"I'm sorry. I'm just going through a lot mentally." I look down.

"You know you can tell me anything, Pier. We always tell each other everything. Why not now? What's going on? And I not home enough? Do I not give you affection at much-"

"No! River, please! Just leave it." I get off of the couch and storm out of the house.

I burst out crying and walk down the trails to the pond at the back of the house.

I want this all to be over.

I don't want to feel like this anymore.

How do I tell him?

I have to eventually, obviously.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts when I hear leaves crunching in the woods like someone's running.

My jaw clenches and I get off from the ground.

"Pier!" River runs over. "W-"

"Shh!" I put my finger out. "Do you hear that?"

He pushes his eyebrows together. "Hear what?"

"It sounds like someones in the woods." I walk over to him in fear.

He wraps his arm around me to make me feel safe. "I'll go check it out. You stay here, yeah?"

"I wanna be with you." I hold his hand.

"Okay." he puts his hand on his waistband where his gun is just in case. "I don't see anyone or hear anyone. Maybe it was a deer. You know we have a bunch of those." he lets go of my hand and pulls me into his chest.

"It hurts." I burst out crying once again. "I can't do it anymore."

"Hey hey, what's wrong?" he runs his fingers through my hair. "Hm?"

"Someone was in the woods-"

"It was a deer, babe. What's really going on? What's wrong? Please tell me, Pier. We tell each other everything." he pulls back so we're looking each other in the eyes.

I look anywhere but him. "It'll ruin everything. You'll be so disappointed in me and I messed up." I sob.

"Love, I'll never, ever, feel that way about you. Please tell me... I'm here for you." he frowns. "I hate seeing you upset and crying your eyes out. It makes me feel like I'm not doing my job right and can't make you feel better."

"It's not that. I just... I don't know how to tell you." I hiccup.

He takes my hands. "Please?"

I try to form words. "I-I just found out."

"Found out what? Did I do something?" he tilts his head.

I shake mine. "I-I was-" my voice cracks.

"I'm right here, beautiful." he cuffs my cheeks, wiping my tears away with his thumbs.

"I was p-pregnant." I break down.

He look at me in confusion.

"Was?"