Never the Right Time

Chapter 30 Sophia's POV

Emma's party was so cute. It was great to see how happy Mark was doing the whole dad thing. I had seen bits and pieces of it throughout the year, but this was full dad mode and he fit it perfectly. He doted on Emma and it was evident that she was a daddy's girl.

Joel was on his best behavior too. He still wasn't a fan of Mark, but tolerated our friendship for me and I loved him for that. I loved introducing him to our friends, he got along perfectly with them. I I realized how easy life was with him. While I will never really like Rebecca, I wasn't resentful of her anymore. It was evident that her and Mark were either together or something like it by all the touching, as much as I wasn't a fan I had to continue to ignore the little voice telling me that I was jealous and remind myself that I had walked away from him. They had a beautiful little girl and she deserves the world even if I don't think its for the best.

Later that night, I couldn't help but snuggle Joel a little tighter.

"You're the best" I told him and nuzzled his neck.

He laughed and pulled me into him. "I mean, yes I know, but please tell me what today's reason is?"

"Well for one, I know you hate Mark, but you were nice to him today. And two, I saw a bit of what could've been and I'm so thankful that things shook out the way it did, because I wouldn't have found you again."

"You're right, I don't like him, but I am thankful for him daily, because if he didn't get Rebecca pregnant, I wouldn't be right here." He kissed me as he said this.

"I love you babe"

"I love you too Soph. I'm so thankful everyday that you gave us another chance."

We fell asleep in each other's arms that night.

We had a few more days before Joel had to get back to California for school. We had enjoyed the routine that had gotten into over the summer. Joel had found an internship in town that summer so he was enjoying the last week of it. The entire summer we would make breakfast together in the mornings and then would take turns making dinner each night. I loved it and was already dreading him leaving for school. I had learned how good of a cook he was and wasn't looking forward to when I had to make my own dinner every night.

That last week few by way too fast. His flight was around noon. So we didn't have to rush in the morning. I was trying to savor every little bit of time I had left with him and it felt like he was doing the same. After dinner we sat together on the back porch. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

"I'm not ready for you to leave" I pouted

He rested his head in the crook of my neck. "Me neither babe. This summer has been perfect. I hate having to go back to long distance."

I nodded, " me too"

Those next few months I made the conscious effort to avoid Mark and focus on school and Joel. Long distance was still hard. We had a good routine and trusted each other. So we had a good foundation, but that only lessened the fact that most of our relationship was through FaceTime. This was the longest stretch we were going without seeing each other. He had left in August and I wasn't going home until thanksgiving, which it might have been only a couple weeks away, but it still felt like forever.

I decided to take a break and go run errands for my trip. I was so excited to see Joel. He had booked an weekend away for us for the weekend after thanksgiving and I couldn't wait. I went out and picked up some new sexy underthings to surprise him with. I was walking out of the lingerie shop when I bumped into someone walking by. I immediately turned to apologize.

"I'm sorr-" I started to say when I was met with the shocked face of Mark. I shook my head to double check that this was real. "Mark! I'm sorry I just ran into you. I've been super absent minded lately and wasn't paying attention."  It was then that I realized that Rebecca was standing next to him carrying Emma. " Oh! Hi Rebecca. Geez, I'm really out of it today. I just realized you were there."

"No worries Soph!" He sounded happy to see me, I couldn't help but notice the sneer on Rebecca's face. I watched as he turned to her. "Becs, you want to go get a table at the restaurant and I'll meet you there in a little bit. I know Emma's hungry and I want to catch up with Soph for a second."

Anger flashed in her eyes for a second, before she responded, "Sure Mark. We will see you in a few, it was good seeing you Sophia." Her voice was sickly sweet. She clearly still hated me, even though she had everything I thought I had wanted. I shook the thought from my mind.

"It was good seeing you too!" I watched as she walked off with Emma before turning to find Mark staring at me sadly.

"You've been avoiding me Soph" his voice sounded dejected

I just sighed "Mark, we are both going down completely different roads. I just needed to take a step back from it all. We will always be friends, I just can't watch as you get back with Rebecca."

He shook his head as if trying to steel himself.

"Soph, you're the one who backed away from us and moved on. You didn't want this and I know and understand why, but don't punish me for moving on and trying to be a complete family. That's not fair." His voice was edged with rage.

"I'm sorry. You're right, its not fair. It's just that you guys were awful at the end and I saw how broken up you were and now Emma is involved which would make the fall out worse. I know I left and moved on, but I just am afraid you're making a mistake. I wasn't ever going to try and stop you. I just can't sit by and watch first hand." I sighed  "I should go. Give Emma a hug for me." It took the life of me to turn away from him and walk in the opposite direction. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked away and I couldn't help the tears that fell. I had always been worried in the back of my mind that I had made a mistake, by not trying. Maybe I did, but it was too late for us now.