On My Own Time

Chapter 18

I had successfully ignored Victor and Caden for the rest of the school day. Max had dropped me off right after school and had to hurry home to greet his cousin. Caden thankfully wasn't home and according to Sara, since she knows all the news around school, Caden was going to a party after school so he shouldn't be home for a while. Lucky him because I definitely would have swung on him. It's on sight.

"Mom?"

"In the kitchen!"

I placed my backpack down and walked towards the kitchen. My beautiful mother stood by the oven in a yellow dress with an apron and mittens. The air smelled like cookies and I definitely couldn't wait to try some. My mother must've saw the look on my face because she giggled and shook her head.

"This is not for you only, Diego. I invited Max and his family over. Did you know Max's cousin came today? I visited Max's father and there he was. Such a sweet young kid. Very handsome too. He was excited to see you again so I couldn't resist."

"Um, mom?"

"Yes, honey?" She asked, getting the now ready cookies out of the oven.

She placed them down to cool and turned to me. She didn't seem sad and that made me feel a bit better. I was about to ask her if it was a good idea to invite Max's family over but I stopped in surprise when Daniel came from his home office. He smiled, greeted me and walking to my mother, giving her a kiss on the forehead. I guess Daniel called in sick to be with my mom. That made me feel a lot better that my mom wasn't home alone feeling terrible.

"I met your friend's father, Diego. He's a good man and had many good things to say about you," Daniel said with a smile.

"So you both went?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Daniel decided to stay today and he came along with me. It was his idea first to invite them over."

"Oh, well then I guess I should go get ready. I should really do my homework since we will be having guests."

"Of course, honey. We set the time for seven."

"Actually, Diego? Do you know where Caden could be?"

I stayed silent for a bit. Of course Caden wouldn't even ask if he was allowed to go to this party or not. This is just great. He's left it up to me whether or not I should snitch him out. I probably shouldn't but then I glanced at my mother. I could just remember her tears and blaming herself.

"At a party," I said and walked to my room.

I wasn't sure what Daniel was going to do but I soon heard the front door close. I honestly hoped he'd show up and humiliate him by demanding he come home. That would make my day. I was interrupted by a lock on my door and I automatically knew it was my mom.

"Come in."

She opened the door and her head popped in. She flashed me her warm smile and walked in, closing the door behind her. She first looked around the room, slowly walking until she sat herself down beside me. I could already feel the sadness that was flowing out of my mother. Stupid Caden.

"Daniel and I were talking."

"Mom. . ."

"I suggested we take a break for a while."

I groaned and stood up in anger. Of course it wasn't towards my mother but towards Caden. He's a grown kid! If he doesn't like my mother and his father together then he can go back to his mother that he loves so much.

"Honey, Caden-"

"Caden is a piece of shit."

"Diego!" She gasped.

"Mom, this is what he wants! You were happy! Don't let him ruin that!"

"Diego, I can't make his life miserable."

"What did Daniel say?"

This made my mother look down and she released a heavy sigh. This would be the moment where I would figure out if Daniel really did love my mother or not. If he loved her, he'd refuse and fight. If he didn't, he'd let her go so easily.

"He said no. He said he'd ship Caden off to his mother before ending our marriage."

"That's precisely why you can't end it, mom! Daniel loves you! He wants you!"

"Caden is going to hate me," she cried, the tears slowly falling from her eyes.

"Forget Caden, mom."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Diego, I'm pregnant! If Caden finds out he's practically going to disown Daniel as his father. I can't ruin their relationship."

I stood there shocked. I mean, my mother was pregnant for crying out loud. I honestly didn't think she would have more children. Whenever I asked her if she thought of having more she'd always tell me that I was more than enough. . . I was going to be a big brother.

"Mom, that's. . . That's great news!"

She looked up at me, her eyes full of tears. She sniffed and I held her hand. My poor mother. She was truly lost.

"Daniel or not, Caden or not, I'm going to be here for you and my little brother or sister."

She smiled and stood up, ruffling my hair and kissing my forehead.

"Get ready, we're gonna have guests."

"I'm ready!" I argued.

She huffed and said, "You need to shower, mister! You also need to get out of those clothes. You better look better than you do when you come downstairs to eat. I'm going to start cooking."

I groaned but said, "Fine, I will. Oh and mom?"

"Yes?"

"When Daniel comes, tell him you weren't serious. Blame it on the pregnancy meltdowns."

She threw a pillow at me and I laughed, catching the pillow and shaking my head as she left my room. I was still a little shocked but I was happy of course. My only concern was Caden. If he did anything to ruin that baby's life then I'd just about kill him.

"Diego! Get ready!"

I chuckled and shook my head. My mother is going to be alright. She is going to be happy.