The Aftermath

Chapter 45

Riley's POV

I left Damien's room and walked across the hall to Addison's room. The lamp was on and she was already curled up in the bed.

"Hi honey." I sat quietly, climbing into the bed.

"Why were you yelling at Damien?" She asks.

"Damien wasn't being nice, that's all." I reply, pulling her close.

"Do you still like him better than James?" She asks.

"It always goes back to James, doesn't it?" I laugh.

"You still never answered my question." She points out. I sigh.

"I don't know hun. I don't know if I like Damien that much anymore." I reply.

"Do you love James?" She questions, smiling up at him.

"Love? I thought we were talking about like?" I inquire.

"Well, you're still not answering my question again." She replies.

"Well, I don't think I love James." I tell her.

"I think he loves you." She tells me.

"And how would you know that?" I question.

"Because he told me." She replies.

"You know what? I think it's way past your bedtime." I say.

"No it's not." She replies.

"Oh yes it is. Get some sleep." I tell her, reaching over and turning off the lamp.

~~~~~

I wake up the next morning, before Addison, but that was normal. I get out of bed, careful not to wake her. I go out into the kitchen to start breakfast, but surprised to see Damien by the stove, cooking breakfast.

"Morning." He says.

"I didn't expect to see you cooking." I comment, sitting at the table. He takes up some already cooked bacon and eggs on a plate and places it in front of me.

"I have been thinking about what you said last night, a lot, and I wanted to say that I'm sorry." He says.

"You sound so sincere." I reply sarcastically.

"I know that I may not seem like it. But I truly am. I like you a lot and I would really like a second chance. I promise I'll be a better father figure to Addison. Better than James could ever be." He states.

"Can you please stop brining up James?" I ask.

"Out of all I said, that's all you care about? That I brought up James?" He inquires.

"Yes, because you keep getting jealous, and brining him up." I reply, beginning to grow mad.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. But can I please, please, please get a second chance?" He begs.

"Okay. But this is your last second chance. Don't take it for granted. I don't give out second chances." I state.

~~~~~

We went down to the lake about lunch. Again, I just watched from the shore, but I was impressed to see Damien playing with Addison in the water. She squealed and laughed as he spun her around.

"Be careful!" I yell out, like a worrying mother would.

"We are!" They yelled back. Addison climbed onto Damien's back and he walked back into the beach.

"I got a ride!" Addison giggled.

"You should come into the water hun. The waters fine and you're missing all the fun." Damien says.

"I think I'm good." I reply.

"Please, please, please, please!" Addison begs, Damien joining her.

"Okay fine." I sigh, standing up and stripping off my clothes so I'm left in a plain black bikini. Damien states at my body.

"Well are you going in the water are not?" I laugh. Damien smiles, takes my hand and leads me to the water where the three of us splash around and play together for the rest of the afternoon.