Zoey narrates.
It's late at night, and I'm awake downstairs making the girls outfits. As the sewing machine chuffs away, I can't hear, so jump when someone taps my shoulder, and I quickly clutch my bump. I turn around to see Aaron.
'Oh my god! Aaron! You scared me.' I say.
'Oh, sorry! Are you okay?' He asks, worriedly, placing a hand on my bump.
'Yeah, I'm fine.' I say, as he helps me get up and I move over to the couch.
'What are you doing here?' I ask.
'I just...brought you something.' He says, handing me a box.
I open it, and smile widely.
'Koji beef tacos! I've been craving these all week!' I say, excitedly.
'Thank you!' I say, as he sits on the floor beside me and I hug him quickly, before I start eagerly eating.
He laughs.
'You've got some on your face.' He says.
'Where?' I ask, confused, as he takes his thumb and strokes my face. I shiver from his soft touch.
'Thank you, again.' I say, gesturing to the food.
'Your welcome, baby mama.' He says.
I laugh.
He watches me eat, and as I finish, he grabs me a drink from the kitchen.
'Zoey, I wanted to ask you something.' He says.
'Sure.' I say.
'Can I take you to the ball? As a friend?' He asks, looking at me intently.
'I didn't really want to go...' I say.
'I know. Ana told me you were feeling insecure. I don't know why, when you look hot as hell, even pregnant.' He says, as I laugh.
'I think it will be fun.' He adds.
I think for a moment.
'Fine. I suppose I should get out of sweats for one night.' I say.
'Great!' He says.
'Its just feels weird. Whenever I'm on campus, I feel like everyone's just staring at me.Like you said, I'm literally a mom now.' I say, rubbing my bump.
'They're staring because you're beautiful. This is beautiful.' He says, pointing to my bump.
'I'm kind of getting excited!' I say, smiling.
'Me too.' He says.
We spend the rest of the night talking and laughing, discussing baby stuff, and what we need to buy, and how to parent, before Aaron rests his head in my lap, and we fall asleep, peacefully.
_____
The next morning, I wake up and see Aaron, who's still fast asleep. This is awkward. I tap his shoulder gently, a few times, but he doesn't budge.
'Aaron!' I say, gently.
He finally wakes up.
'Wow...sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you like that.' He says, scratching his head.
'It's okay. Thank you, for last night. I'm going to go take a shower. I'll see you later?' I say, as he nods.
_____
Later that day, I am chilling with Ana in the living room, when we hear a knock at the door.
'I'll get it.' She says.
She comes back in with a black box, tied in a red ribbon.
'This was just dropped off...it's for you.' She says, handing it to me.
'Oh. I wonder what it is...' I say, as Ana sits beside me, eagerly waiting to see.
I open the box, and inside is a beautiful, long, black, satin slip dress.
'Oh wow! It's beautiful...Who is it from?' Ana says, stroking the soft material.
'There's a note.' I say, preparing to read.
'Don't ever feel like you're not enough. You're beautiful just the way you are. A dress for my baby mama, I hope you'll wear it to the ball. Love always, Aaron.' I read, as Ana squeals with excitement.
'Oh my god, Zoey! That's so sweet! How romantic!' She says, as I laugh.
'Aaron's really surprised me these last few weeks.' I say, thinking.
'What do you mean?' Ana asks.
'I mean...he's taken to the baby stuff really well. Last night we were talking about parenting and schools and how we'd try and hire a nanny, just whilst we're in classes...and I don't know...part of me just feels like...wouldn't it be better for our child's parents to be together, you know? It's not like we don't love each other. We spend all our time together, and do everything together. We're just not together romantically at the moment...' I say, ranting to Ana.
She nods.
'I completely understand, Zo. And I want you to really consider what is best for the baby. But I also don't want you to settle, just because you feel like you have to.' She says, cautiously.
'I know. And I don't want to settle. He hurt me.' I say, sadly.
'Just...think about it? You don't have to make any decisions right away.' She says, hugging me, as we continue to gush over this gorgeous dress.
_____
YOU ARE READING
Grown ish: Zoey and Aaron's Story (BOOK 1)
FanfictionZoey and Aaron have been through it all, as friends. But what if they were meant for more? Zoey is dependent on Aaron, and Aaron can't help but think about her all the time. They're perfect for each other. But it seems all odds are against them, as...
