Gin Eyre

Part 2

The ache in your heart has not subsided. It's been a little over a month since you and Aaron spoke in the lobby of your apartment building. You were still crying yourself to sleep, and drinking too much, and you had no idea when it would stop. If it would stop.

The book you started for Jack was finished. Whenever you couldn't sleep you threw yourself into it. Your room is littered with rough drafts and doodles. You feel stupid, caring so much about a book for the son of a man you were no longer dating. But you can't help it. You love them both so much. You think you may love Jack like he's your own. That doesn't matter anymore, you've not heard from Aaron since that day.

You can't blame him, you'd told him to let you go. The smallest, most inner part of you had wanted him to fight for you. That part of you wanted him to prove all of your worries and doubts wrong. He hadn't. Yet here you were, standing in front of his apartment with the book you wrote and illustrated for his child, like some lovesick fool.

Your hand is hovering at the door. If things went the way you'd planned them, you would've just left the book at the door for Aaron and Jack to find but part of you wanted to see him again. For all you know, he was away on a case.

"Y/n?"

You whirl around to find Aaron, a dark haired woman, and Jack standing behind you. Your heart jumps in your chest as you take in the sight of him with someone else.

"Y/n!" Jack runs towards you, hugging you around the waist.

"Hi Jack Jack." You tuck the book under your arm and hug him tightly, placing a kiss on his forehead.

"I miss you, will you come in?" He looks up at you with his father's eyes, though his are more innocent and bright.

"Jack-" Aaron starts but you finish for him.

"I can't, I'm so sorry. But, look, I wrote a book for you. Your daddy can read it to you before bedtime tonight." You glance at Aaron and the woman next to him, a pang of sadness in your heart as you wonder if they're as happy together as you were with him.

"You made me a whole book? All by yourself?" Jack asks with wonder.

"All by myself." You nod enthusiastically as you look down at him.

"That's so cool!"

"Well thank you Jack."

"Melanie, do you mind taking Jack inside for a moment?" Aaron hands her a set of keys.

"Sure, Aaron. Nice to meet you Y/n." Melanie takes Jack's hand before unlocking the door.

"You too. Bye Jack Jack!" You give her a sour smile as she starts to close the door behind them.

"Bye Y/n!"

"You wrote him a book?" He asks softly, his eyes glowing as he gazed at you intensely.

You find yourself shifting from foot to foot, flushing in embarrassment. "I started it before we...broke up. I see you moved on quickly."

"Melanie's not who you think she is."

You roll your eyes at his statement. "You don't have to explain anything to me Aaron, I'm not your girlfriend anymore."

"You could be." He says matter of factly.

"Don't. I came here to give this to Jack. He didn't do anything wrong, he deserves it."

"How am I supposed to let you go again?"

"Easy. You stand there and look, I do all the hard work, as usual, and make my way down the stairs. You've done it before, don't you remember?" You tilt your head, your voice coated in sarcasm.