North, Dakota

2-His name is Eli

I finally got Eli all dressed and ready for his first day of kindergarten.

He helped pick out his outfit, a flannel shirt, pair of blue jeans and a pair of cowboy boots.

"Oh my God... Eli you are going to have all those pretty girls all over you!"

He laughs and hugs me, "Thank you, Mommy."

I kiss his forehead and he hops down, "Lets go, Mommy. I don't wanna be late."

I take his hand and he gets in his booster seat before I even get in the car.

"Look, Mommy."

He buckles his own seatbelt, showing off the skill he learned just a few days ago.

"Wow, Eli that's so cool."

He sings along with every song that comes on the radio all the way to the school.

"C'mon Eli lets go meet your teacher."

He unbuckles his seatbelt and waits for me to open the door, "Okay, Mom. I'm ready!"

I walk him to his classroom door and when I see who Mr. Buckley is, I want to leave before he sees me. "Okay, Mommy has to go. I love you."

He hugs me and takes his bag as he walks into the room, "I love you, too."

Elliot POV
I see her walk out down the hallway and she still looks as gorgeous as she did five years ago.

I wonder what she was doing here, until I see a little boy, who is definitely her son. He has to be he has her smile and her light blonde hair, but I can't help but think who the father could be.

I left her almost six years ago. She must've been with someone else, after I left; She would've called me I was his father. Is she still with his father?

Then, the announcements come over the intercom welcoming the students to another year of school.

"Okay, class. My name is Mr. Buckley. I want you all to tell me your names as I go around the room. Will you guys sit down please?"

They all take a seat and wait for me to come around, he's the last one to say his name.

"I'm Elijah Howe. But I am called Eli!"

He's as enthusiastic as his mother and I secretly hope that he is my son.

Dakota POV
As I'm walking out from getting Eli I hear someone calling my name. No.

Not just a random voice, it's the voice I haven't heard for almost 6 years.

"Hello, Elliot."

He smiles as I bend down to Eli, "Go over to Brendan. I'm gonna talk to Mr. Buckley."

He nods and runs to my boyfriend who picks him up, "Umm... How are you?"

His smile has slightly wavered, "I'm good. How about you? Married?"

I shake my head, "No. Brendan is just my boyfriend. We got together about a year ago. What about you?"

He shakes his head, "No. I really haven't gotten over my last girlfriend."

I smile, "I should probably go, before they think Eli is in trouble or something."

He nods and walks off, I wonder why he looks so sullen.

As I get there Brendan puts an arm around me, even as he holds Eli on his hip.

"You okay, babe?"

I nod and start walking, "Yeah, I'm fine."

But my mind drifts to how much Elliot has changed. His once long and straight hair is short and shaved to a buzz cut. He's still as handsome as he was and I wonder if he has his suspicions about Eli.

"Dakota! Are you okay, baby?"

Brendan has Eli in the car and I'm just standing next to the door, "Yeah, sorry. I guess I'm just a little distracted. I had a rough day at work."

He nods and opens my door before, pulling me into a hug, "Well. How about we go get some food? That way you can relax."

I smile as he kisses my forehead, "That sounds good, Brendan."
<~~~~~~~~~~~>
We walk in the house putting the Chinese food on the table, "Hurry. Bren I'm about to starve to death."

We both laugh at Eli and he sits down in his chair anxiously awaiting his food.

After eating he takes a bath with a little help of his hair from me, then I put him to bed.

"Okay, he's in the bed Bren."

He turns on the couch so he can put his arm around me, "Can I ask you something, Kota?"

I nod and lean my head onto his shoulder, "Yeah. What's your question?"

He kisses my head and runs his fingers down my arm, "Do you think that Eli would mind me moving in here?"

I sit up and look at him, "Oh my God. Are you asking if you can move in?"

He nods and I answer him with a kiss,
"I'm taking that as a yes."

I nod and wrap my arms around him, "That's a heck yes."

He kisses me this time allowing it to last for more than, a second, "I love you, Dakota."

I've said it before, so why does it sound so foreign when the words leave my mouth. Those four simple words that I've told him quite a few times.

"I love you, too."

But now, I'm starting to believe they may not be true.