Deja vu

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I rang the doorbell and to my surprise, Bella answers the door. She gets off her stepping stool and hugs me.

"Princess, where's your mom?" I asked, picking her up.

"Bella! Did you open the door? Is Andre here?" Deja yells from upstairs.

Then the sound of her footsteps were coming from upstairs, and as I turned to look, I saw her slowing down at the sight of me. She hastily put on her shorts over her underwear before stepping down the last step.

Deja approaches me, using her hair to cover her shirt which she is not wearing a bra with. "Aaron, what are you doing here? How did you even find–"

I cut her off, "Do you always leave Bella alone? First at the cafe and what if somebody else was at the door?"

"I was watching her through the window. And Andre told me he was coming so Bella knew it was him."

"Stop leaving her alone, Deja."

"Oh, please. You can't be talking about leaving." She looks over to Bella. "Love, can you please let Daddy and I talk?" 

Bella nods and Deja grabs my hand, taking me into the kitchen.

"Aaron, I don't want you here," she immediately says.

She's still holding my hand. "Bella does."

"You left us. Multiple times. If I let you stay, you'll just fuck me and then leave again."

"I want to stay for Bella, Cheri."

"Don't call me that. Get out." Deja swings the door open for me to leave. Instead, Bella comes running into my arms.

"Daddy, please stay! Take me to the beach," Bella says.

"Bella, I told you Andre and I would take you tomorrow, sweetie," Deja interrupted.

"But I want to go with Daddy," Bella frowns.

Deja sighs. "Okay. You can go tomorrow though. Go get your shoes for the park." Deja opens the door and Bella runs out, Deja following her.

I lean on the counter and wait for the girls to come back. A few moments later, Deja comes back in. With a baby boy in her arms. I nearly choke when I see the sight.

She sits down and slides her shirt strap down, breastfeeding the baby. I slowly walk up to Deja and sit across from her, avoiding eye contact–but more to respect her.

I hear her chuckle and look at her. "You've seen it before, it's fine."

"What's his name?" I look at the baby.

"Louis," she smiles, revealing her dimples.

"He's mine?" I asked to make sure.

"Yeah," she nods.

I lick my lips, not knowing what to say next. Deja slides on her strap and gives Louis to me. I smile as I take him. The moment I picked him up, I experienced a sense of joy. But also guilt. I should've met him sooner.

Cradling him in my arms, I stand up and then give him back to Deja.

"Daddy!" Bella comes into the kitchen. "Why won't you hurry?"

"I'll be there, princess."

"Bring Bella back home before six, please," Deja says, her voice lowered now.

Bella approached the fridge, opened it, and stood on the edge. But I lifted her up to prevent her from falling. "What do you need, princess?"

"Can you give me a water bottle?" She points to the water bottle.

I grab it and hand it to her. I put her down and she runs to Deja. Deja takes it and opens it, handing it back to her. 

"I'll see you later, okay? I love you."

"I love you too, Mommy." Bella hugs Deja. "Can you come too?"

"No, baby, I have to stay and watch your brother."

Bella frowns but comes into my arms and I pick her up. I quickly kiss Deja on the head as a sweet gesture, even though she is my ex-wife. We're supposed to hate each other. We're divorced. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I still have a soft spot for her.