The Fling

31

Friday morning, which was the last day of Hannah and Bertie's art camp, I met Abigail in my driveway when she arrived after dropping the kids off.

"Wanna walk to my favorite coffee shop?" I asked, giving her a hug. "It's only eight blocks."

She laughed. "Are you suggesting we go out because of what I texted you last night?"

"Maybe a little," I admitted. She'd messaged that her period came on hard and fast, which meant no sex today. I would be cool with doing it anyway, but she made it very clear that on the first day, that form of intimacy was off-limits.

"We're going to be spotted."

"I don't care." I grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the street. "Let's go."

The paps outside my house followed us for a few blocks and then dropped off once they'd gotten sufficient photos to sell to whichever trash news outlets were willing to pay for the invasion of my privacy. I was used to it, but that didn't mean I loved it.

Eventually we got to Verve, where the barista knew my order by heart. Abigail asked for a black coffee which she added some artificial sweetener and low-fat milk to. It was a gorgeous morning, so we grabbed a table outside.

"What are you plans this weekend?" I queried.

"I have the kids, and I've been trying to think of something to do. Between camp and me trying to work in the afternoons because I was with you every morning, I feel like I've neglected doing anything fun with them."

At first she was only going to come over a couple days, but that plan went out the window and we ended up spending hours together each morning.

I took a sip of my Americano. "What do they like to do?"

"Theme parks, museums- that kind of thing. I wish they liked hiking, but they hate it."

Pulling out my phone, I did a quick search. "Apparently there's a great aquarium near Long Beach."

"We did that over spring break, but they might want to go again."

"There's always Disneyland."

She sighed. "That would make them very happy, but it can be tricky. Hannah loves all the rides but Bertie is more fearful, so he only does half. I can't leave him alone while I ride with her, and I don't want Han to ride alone. Maybe Lizzie has a day off this weekend, though she usually gets shifts since they need extra people during peak hours at the boutique."

"If she's not free, I'd be happy to join you. I haven't been in a long time."

"You'd be mobbed by fans, wouldn't you?" she asked.

"If I wear a hat and sunglasses, I get recognized less. I'm good at politely declining photographs, so I promise it won't interfere with the kids' good time."

"I'm surprised you don't want the weekend to do something fun with your friends."

I shrugged. "I did things with them this week in the evenings. Remember I sent you the pic from the hookah bar? If you'd prefer I not come because the kids aren't fully aware that we're dating yet, I understand. I don't want to make it weird by forcing myself on your children."

"Shawn," she said as she placed a hand on my knee under the table, "that's not it at all. My children really like you, and they'd be thrilled if you joined us for whatever we do. I don't want you to feel like you have to go all in on the family stuff just because you're dating a mom."

I was worried that she might start in on how we were in two different stages of our lives again, because we were off to a really good start, and this was the last thing we needed. I replied truthfully, "I like Hannah and Bertie a lot, but more than that, I know full well that they're part of a package deal, so it's important that I get to know them better. Even if Lizzie can go, I'd really like to join you. Disneyland would be terrific, and I'll handle the passes."

She narrowed her eyes. "You're going to get special tickets, aren't you?"

"Yup. If I have to deal with the photographers stalking me, I should enjoy some of of the perks of fame, too."

Abigail took her phone from her purse and I watched as she texted Lizzie. Seconds later, the teen replied that she was off Saturday because she'd worked every day this week and had maxed out her hours. She then messaged her next door neighbor asking if he'd let Cosmo out midday, and he responded that he'd be happy to. The plan was set, so I texted someone on my team to make VIP arrangements for us. I got a message back that it it was very last minute, but she'd see what she could do.

We finished our coffee and walked back to my house. Once we were inside, I looked at my watch. "We still have an hour and a half. What can I do to make you feel better?"

"I took a ton of Advil when I woke up, so I'm not in as much pain as last night. I am, however, super tired. Now that I'm sexually actively again, I'm thinking of going back on the pill. I went off when Bert left since there wasn't much point to it. I miss the predictable lighter periods, and obviously the protection is better. I put in a telehealth request on my doctor's patient portal site yesterday and should hear back from her soon."

"It would be nice not to use condoms," I agreed. I was okay with them because they were a necessity, but I much preferred the feeling without them. Skin on skin was always better.

"My gynecologist suggested an ablation last year, so that's the other option."

"What is that?" I asked as we walked into the living room. I sat down on the couch and she cuddled next to me.

"The lining of your uterus is removed and it results in barely having a period. You can only get the procedure done when you are positive you won't have any more children, since pregnancy after is unlikely. I think I'd still have to use birth control, just to be safe."

"Oh."

Abigail gave me a look. "You're frowning. I did make it clear after Han's party that I don't want more children."

"I know. You're awfully young to do something permanent, though."

"I'm close to forty. That's not young."

"It's not old, either." I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I am a firm believer in women doing what they want with their bodies, so if you choose to have that procedure done, then I'll support you. I don't think you should make the decision lightly."

"Thanks, but we started dating a hot minute ago, so I don't need your approval."

My stomach clenched uncomfortably. "I wasn't implying you did."

"Good. I need you to understand that getting pregnant again is non-negotiable. I love my children, but my family is complete. Maybe we should have talked about this on Sunday." She stood. "I think I should go."

I got up and placed both hands on her shoulders. "No. You can't take off because things got a little tense between us. I do understand how you feel, and I respect it."

"You're too young to have to address this topic with someone you're only dating," she said with sadness in her eyes.

"That might be true, but I want to be with you, so I'm willing to cope. Don't treat me like a dumb kid who doesn't know what he's getting into."

"I don't think you're dumb or a kid," she assured me.

I kissed her forehead. "Let's go upstairs and nap until you need to go."

Abigail fell asleep pretty quickly, but I couldn't. What she said kept spinning around in my brain. If we fell completely in love and stayed together, I'd have to accept not having children of my own. What was more important? Being with the person I loved or being a dad? I didn't know the answer, but hopefully if things progressed like they felt they were, I'd figure it out.