The Runaway (Brollins)

Chapter 13

Rebecca and Colby picked up Saylor and decided to take her to the park. She was extremely happy to see them both, but was confused when her and her mother didn't go back to Matthews. Rebecca had told Saylor they were staying with Colby, but she's just 3 so she doesn't understand it fully.

Rebecca had Saylor in her lap as they swung from the swing set. Colby was in the swing next to them, and the three were enjoying each other's company. "Me and M watched Ariel today!"

Colby and Rebecca smiled. "Wow. That sounds so fun! I love the little mermaid."

"I do too." Colby said. "You know Saylor, your mommy kind of reminds me of Ariel."

Rebecca eyed him while Saylor gasped. "Mama! Are you Ariel? You have red hair just like her!"

Colby laughed and started swinging again. Rebecca rubbed a hand through her daughter's dark curly hair. "I think C is just messing with you, if mommy was a mermaid, you would be the first one to know princess."

Saylor smiled and nuzzled her nose into Rebecca's. "Can i play on slides?"

Rebecca nodded and set her down on her feet. "Of course love. Just be careful ok? Mommy and C will be right here."

Saylor waved at them and waddled off to the slides. Colby stopped swinging and looked over at Rebecca. "Ya know, if you really were the little mermaid, I'd be a little upset that you didn't let me know first."

Rebecca laughed and watched as Saylor went down the slide with her hands in the air. Colby smiled at her before looking back at Rebecca. "Why would you be jealous?"

Colby smirked and looked down, kicking the grass with his foot. "Because, I could be Eric."

Rebecca laughed again at his joke and Colby smiled. "You're such a dork Lopez." Rebecca looked at him though and smiled. "Thank you again for helping me today. I couldn't even imagine what could have happened if you hadn't came in there." She didn't want to talk about that sensitive subject but she needed him to know she appreciated him.

Colby reached over and rested his hand on her back. "I'm glad I was there. If me and Pam hadn't have heard you...I would have hated myself for letting him hurt you."

The two looked at each other with small smiles on their faces before looking over at Saylor who called for them. "Mama can you video me!?"

Rebecca chuckled and pulled out her phone. "Of course love!" She yelled back.

Saylor hesitated and stood there with her thumb in her mouth. "Hey, you ok Say?" Colby called out.

Saylor shook her little head and looked down. "It's a big slide. I scared of tall places."

Colby looked at Rebecca and stood up. "I'm coming Saylor, we'll go down together!" He took off his jacket and handed it to Rebecca.

Saylor smiled and jumped and waited patiently for Colby to climb up there. Rebecca watched as Saylor immediately reached for him, and he scooped her up and kissed her cheek. He got down on the slide and cradled her to his chest as he began to slide down.

Rebecca hit record and listened as they both yelled "weeee" going down the slide. When they reached the bottom Saylor clapped her hands and hugged Colby. "Wasn't that fun?!"

Saylor nodded and stepped back. "Yeah! That was fun!" Colby grabbed her hand and they walked back over to Rebecca. He picked her up and sat her on his lap, while Rebecca handed him her sippy-cup which she gladly excepted.

"Are you two ready to head home?" Rebecca stood up and looked at them.

Colby rubbed some hair out of Saylor's face. "You ready to go home Say?"

Saylor nodded and stood back up taking her mothers hand. "Can we eat? I hungry!"

Colby stood up and followed alongside them as the three made their way to the car. When Rebecca got Saylor buckled they all got in. "How about me you and mommy make dinner together. Does that sound fun?"

Saylor clapped her little hands excitedly. "Yes!"

Colby looked over at Rebecca curiously . "Is that ok with you?"

Rebecca nodded. "Of course it is." Colby smiled and started the car before the three drove home.

                .        .        .       .      .      .      .      .        .

When the three got home Rebecca got Saylor cleaned up before her and Colby changed out of their work clothes. Now they were all in the kitchen attempting to make spaghetti.

"No mama! Too much sauce!" Saylor exclaimed from Colby's arms. Rebecca was making her mothers special pasta sauce, and mixing the ingredients into a bowl.

Colby chuckled and looked at Rebecca who was trying to hold in a laugh. "If i put this much in the bowl there isn't going to be enough sauce for everyone."

Saylor shook her head and pointed at the bowl. "But that too much for me! I tiny!"

Colby laughed. "Listen Saysay, mommy is mixing the sauce together so that she can mix it in with the noodles. If she puts a tiny amount, the noodles won't get covered."

Rebecca nodded. "You won't be eating this much sauce baby, it will be a tiny amount."

Saylor looked between the two confused before Rebecca and Colby leaned over and gave her a kiss on each of her cheeks. Saylor's nose scrunched up and she giggled.

Once Rebecca got the sauce mixed together she motioned for Colby to bring Saylor over there to her. "Now, do you want to help mommy pour it on the noodles?"

Saylor nodded excitedly, and Colby placed her on top of the counter, holding her steady, and helped her pour the sauce onto the noodles. She spilled some of it and immediately tensed up. "I sorry C! I didn't mean to! It an accident!"

Rebecca rushed over and grabbed some paper towels cleaning it up while Colby wiped the sauce off of Saylor. Colby looked up into Saylor's eyes, "Hey...it's ok Say. You're not in trouble, it was an accident."

Saylor wrapped her arms around his neck. "Otay, i sorry." She said innocently.

Colby smiled and kissed her cheek. "It's ok munchkin, your mommy got it cleaned up."

Rebecca and Colby looked at each other, and he gave her a small smile. "He's not going to hurt you Saylor." Rebecca walked over to them and placed her hand on Colby's back and rubbing her other hand across her daughter's cheek. "No one will hurt you baby. Because me and C are here with you. And we love you so much."