Complicated Love

Chapter 21.

Meredith.

"I was thinking," I say. "Yes, you do that a lot," he says lacing his fingers with mine. "I was thinking maybe Avery should come over more often," I say.

We're laying in bed after sex. Christopher and Avery are staying at his mother's for the night and I put Aaron down for bed while Derek was still here. He doesn't know he stayed the night but he's too young to think too much of it.

"Yeah, and why's that?" He says. "I think it'd be good for Aaron to be around more kids his age. Avery's a very outgoing kid and Aaron is the complete opposite... he's going to be going to school in a year and the first day of kindergarten was horrible since I was a lot like Aaron. I just want him to be more comfortable with other kids, I feel like I'm kind of isolating him," I say.

"I think that's a good idea and Avery really enjoys playing with Aaron," he says kissing my lips again. His tongue slips into my mouth against mine.

"Mmm," I moan into his mouth as I run my fingers through his hair. "Is there any other reason you would like it arrange more play dates?" He says gently pushing my chest away.

"No, Aaron just isn't very social. I want him to be better than me, not me," I say kissing him again.

"So it's not because you want me to spend more time with Christopher?" He says pulling away again.

"I mean if that's what you want to do with the time then you can," I say. "Meredith," he says. "I just think it would benefit him if he spent more time with you. You're a good man, you're a good father, you're a good boyfriend and you're a good example for a young boy," I say.

"Why did you just tell me that?" He chuckles pushing the hair out of my face. "I didn't want to make you feel like a bad father or like I was judging your parenting. I've been talking to Christopher and I just want him to help him," I say.

"Tutoring is doing that and more," he says. "Derek, I just think it's a good idea. Maybe you should talk to Christopher about it, he says it better than I do," I say.

"Meredith," he says. "It's just a consideration. I think Christopher is an amazingly smart kid he just needs a little help, he needs to know someone is on his side. He feels alone, you and Avery are always together. I just think it's a good idea for you to spend more time with him," I say.

"Meredith," he says. "He has great potential and if he continues this way without help he could throw it all away and that would be a huge loss to the rest of the world because he could do so much, he could become one of the best surgeons in the world, or a lawyer, or a businessman, I don't know," I say.

"Meredith, I know all that. But I do think it's a good idea. And you do have the right to judge my parenting a little... I do favour Avery a little too much and I don't spend enough time with Christopher, I know that," he says.

"I don't want it to come off as an insult. It's just a little constructive criticism," I say. "I know, and I agree with what are you saying. I need to stop spoiling Avery so much, it's best to do it while she's young before it's too late," he says.

"You're not mad at me?" I say. "No, I think it's nice how much you care about Christopher and the relationship I have with him," he says.

"I just think he's a good kid, he just needs a little help to bring it out," I say. "I know, you're a good person and Aaron's a good kid," he says.

"Yes, we're all very good people. Now, No more good talking," I smile kissing him again before he rolls on top of me.

*********

The next morning I woke up to Derek's naked body pressed up against my back. I groan slightly as I check the time.

It's already seven in the morning. I gently remove Derek's arm from around my waist and get out of bed.