There's Always Second Chances

Chapter 26

I looked through the news feed on instagram. Not much going on. Over the last few days it's been the same. I've been looking through social media and just catching up on things I may have missed while I was in America. I did hope to come across Søren and Andrea's accounts on social media to see how they were. I've been missing them a lot. I guess we kind of forgot to add each other's accounts before we left for home. 

I'll see if I can find them later. I'll need to find their addresses too so that I can write them letters and keep them updated as to how Naomi is getting on. I put my attention onto Naomi. "Have you done a poo?" I asked. She giggled in response. Of course she has, I could probably smell it from a mile away. I pulled out a clean nappy, some wipes and a nappy bag. I picked her up out of her cot and laid her down on the bed. Immediately she made a fuss at being laid down. "I know, I know but you need a clean nappy," I cooed. I started undoing her nappy when I heard footsteps.

"Isn't that right Naomi?" I cooed as I changed her nappy. I wasn't happy that it was a particularly stinky one. What else can I do? At least I know she's being taken care of and that she's growing at a normal pace. 

"Adrian, can I come in?" called Jess. I muttered a come in and started blowing raspberries on Naomi's belly. Her laugh was so adorable. "What's your plan now that you're home. I know it's going to be weird what with your old principle dating Mum and a new house and a baby..." Jess trailed off, not daring to say anything about Delilah. I'm glad they understood the situation that I was in. Especially one where Delilah wasn't a favourable subject to talk about. 

I had so much stuff I needed to do. I needed to sort out childcare for Naomi when I go to work. I need to find a place that will hire me. I need to find my own place. As much as it's nice living with Mum, I need a place of my own where I can raise Naomi and be self sufficient. I need to find a job first. "I don't know. I guess I'll start with finding a job." I responded. That's the most solid lead I've got about what I want to do now I'm back home. 

It wasn't going to be as easy as in America. The school I was at had connections to employers and we just got to choose from that. "I'll look around while I'm at work today." Jess remarked. "Work?..." I paused for a second realising what I said. "Oh right, sorry, it's weird everyone being so grown up now." I said. I rubbed the back of my neck. This was weird. I'd gotten a lot of information from Mum's letters but not every detail made it. 

I also forgot that everyone's older now and I've missed out on being there for Birthdays and Christmases and other holidays. It must be weird for them too. When I left, I was barely 15 and now I've come back nearly 20. "Adrian, it's okay. You've been away a while and now you're back and we can catch you up on the past few years." Jess reassured me with a smile as she sat on the end on the bed. 

"Mum was worried all this time about how well you were getting on with everyone in America. I think you've done just fine. Especially if you said you've had friends." Jess mused. I've done just fine huh? Tell me about being stalked, my best friends almost being murdered and me being forced to have a child. Yeah, just fine.

"Yeah," I smiled at Jess. My response seemed to put the both of us on edge. "When's her birthday?" she asked me. That was something that I hadn't thought about. I didn't know when she was born but at least I had the birth certificate. "20th of December last year." I responded. I recalled the date of her birth, finally. 

Jess counted on her fingers. "That makes her just over 5 months." Jess stated, looking at Naomi. I nodded. "She's sitting on her own? She must be really smart." Jess spoke again. I nodded. Naomi is smart. That's a definite but I thought babies develop at different rates anyway. I'd be more surprised if she spoke at 6 months than anything else. 

I watched as Jess took her leave and went to pick out clothes for today. "Let's get you dress and go for a walk." I spoke. It was a habit now. I hoped talking out loud to her would help her develop her knowledge more but now it's just become a habit to talk to her about what we're doing. I got her dressed in a little pink dress. I doubt she needed anything else on, it's quite hot out today. 

Picking her up, I took her to the kitchen to get some breakfast for myself. Naomi's already had her milk not too long ago. To my surprise there's already a plate on the table with food on it. "You need to remember to take care of yourself too, Adrian." Mum spoke as she took Naomi from me. I nodded and sat down at the table. I didn't think that I wasn't looking after myself, it's just that Naomi's more important than I am. She's a baby so she needs food when she's hungry so she can grow. 

I don't need to eat right away, I'm an adult, I've finished growing. "I'll put some sun lotion on her and then get her in the push chair." Mum called out from the other room. I swallowed the mouthful of food. She didn't have to do that but I'm not about to get into an argument with her about whether or not I should eat or what she didn't have to do. 

"Thanks, Mum!" I called out before eating another mouthful of food. This was going to be so much harder than in America. I only had to juggle schoolwork and Naomi and I had help from the friends I lived with. Trying to find a job while trying to look after Naomi then it's going to get increasingly difficult. I'll do it anyway because I want Naomi to have the best I can possibly give her. 

She deserves that much, if not, more than that.