Living in darkness

Chapter 8

"You guys seemed to be having a great time out there," Mom says as we enter the house. I blush while Leo nods. She pulls him ahead of me and starts whispering in his ear. He looks back at me and smiles as she continues to disclose information to her. I shrug and head into the living room, where Amy was watching Victorious. When she sees me, she jumps off the couch and sprints over to me.

"Mommy," she cries happily, wrapping her arms around my legs.

"Hi, little one. Did you enjoy your nap," I ask her. She nods eagerly and asks if as could go to the park. "Sure. Mom we're gonna go to the park."

"Alright," she calls. "Have fun, you two."

"I'm coming with you," Leo says. I shrug and walk out the door, Leo following suit.

With Amy's hand in mine, we make our way down to the park. She skips happily with a grin on her adorable little face.

"You guys are such a cute couple," I hear. I turn around to see one of my neighbors smiling at us.

"Thank you," I say. She blinks in surprise at the child who is attached to my hand. She stutters, trying to form the question, but she can't seem to get the words out of her mouth. Giving up, she waves and scurries off in the other direction. I glance at Leo and he laughs.

"That was awkward," he says, and I smile weakly.

"I hope she doesn't think bad of me," I say, but it's more to myself than to him. He smiles at me and ignores the question. I don't question his silence, though it is weird.

When the park comes into view, Amy gets excited and starts to run, dragging me along with her. She's rushing me hurriedly, as if we were going to get caught by monsters if we didn't make it in time. I chuckle.

"Mommy can't go that fast, but I tell you what. How about you race daddy," I offer. Her eyes light up like a Christmas tree. Meanwhile, Leo is looking at me like I just signed him up for a Sumo match. I conceal a laugh by looking away.

"Ready, daddy," Amy asks him excitedly. He groans, but nods.

"On you mark...get set...Go!" I count down, and Amy takes off while Leo does long strides, keeping just a millimeter behind her. As they get closer, he pretends to fall and she ends up dancing on the mulch of the playground. When she sees Leo on the ground, she stops and runs back over to him.

"Are you ok, daddy," she asks. He looks up at her and suddenly grabs her, lifting her off the ground. She squeals, laughing as she stares down at him. "Mommy, help me!"

"Yes, mommy. Help her," I hear someone from behind me say. I turn around to see Trevor peering down at me, smirking. I gasp and back away.

"What do you want, Trevor," I ask.

"You know what I want. It's what I always wanted," he tells me. He looks past me and at Leo, who's now making his way to me. "I'm here to collect what is mine."

"Like hell you are," Leo objects. Next thing I know he's in front of me, providing a barrier between Trevor and I. "Baby, take Amy and run. I'll join you shortly." He places Amy in my arms, and I prepare to sprint in the other direction when I see a circle of guys blockading the exit.

"I've come prepared. I knew you would try to run, and I couldn't have that," Trevor says. I set Amy on the ground, and as soon as that happens, I'm seized from behind. I struggle, kicking and slapping at my offender. "Alright, boys. let's go."

"No," Leo barks. His voice is so stern and demanding everyone stops. "Put. Her. Down. Now." The guy obeys, setting me down gently. "Don't touch even a hair on her body. If you do, you will regret it." Amy runs over to me and wraps her arms around me. "Leave."

To my surprise, the group disperses, heading their separate ways. All except Trevor. He's glaring at Leo as if he's trying to shoot him with lasers. He's clenching his fist so hard his knuckles are turning white.

"Who the hell are you," Trevor interrogates Leo, his voice trembling in anger. Leo gives him a throaty chuckle in response, which only seems to upset Trevor more.

"You know who I am," he says. He walks over to me and gives me a peck on the lips before continuing. "I am the boyfriend of this gorgeous woman, and the 'father' of this child. Now do me the favor of getting out of my sight. I don't want to see you anywhere near my girl, got that?" Trevor looks like he wants to tear his head off, but doesn't and begins to back away.

"This isn't over. I'm going to claim what is mine," Trevor promises. His eyes flash a different color for just a second, then they return to normal. He walks away without so much as glancing over his shoulder.

"Did you see that," I ask Leo.

"See what," he questions me in return.

"His eyes. They changed color. Is that normal?" I look at him.

"I didn't see anything. It was probably just the sun. Come on, Amy. Let's play," he says, changing the subject abruptly. She jumps up and down frantically, following him to the park unhesitatingly.

As I watch him, I think about how lucky I am. A girl like me doesn't usually get a guy like him as a boyfriend. While I'm shy and reserved, he's out going and open minded. I'm not used to large crowds of people; for him it's a part of his everyday routine. He should be going out with the hottest, most popular girl in school, yet he's going out with an average looking girl like me. 

"Mommy, come play," Amy calls, pulling me out of my thoughts. I smile and walk over. "Yay! Swing mommy. I'll push you."

"Ok," I agree, chuckling. Leo watches me with worry etched in his features.

"Are you ok," he questions.

"Yeah. I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have an amazing boyfriend like you," I inform him.

"In reality, you deserve better," he tells me, "but I am happy to be the best in your life." I give him a long kiss before sitting down at the swing. The rest of the day is filled with laughter and joy as we play with out "daughter".