Stolen Love

Chapter Five

Mia

Five years later

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear Riley, Happy birthday to you," we all sang.

I gazed into his dark blue eyes as he joyfully beamed, clapping his petite hands together.

"Happy birthday, my dear son. Mommy loves you so much!" I whispered, showering his plump cheeks with kisses.

My friends and their kids encircled us, emanating gentle smiles, which overwhelmed me with happiness.

Yes, I was pregnant when I left. I learned at four months in. Morning sickness was brutal, and I was clueless about pregnancy and what to expect with motherhood. I was terrified of doing it alone. But I came to realize that I had to mature and prepare for the love I'd have for my child. Abortion just wasn't an option.

I felt remorse for not telling Ashton about his son, but that didn't stop me from showing his pictures to our son and telling him stories about how wonderful his father was at football.  All these little stories about our happy life before Riley came and made me the happiest woman alive.

He was Ashton's spitting image, a painful reminder. Yet, I'd never trade him for anything in the world.

He made me forget my worries, a beacon to the dark tunnel I was stuck in five years ago.

I chuckled as Riley grabbed a fistful of cake, stuffing his mouth until he looked like a chipmunk. Thankfully, I had cut him a slice before taking it away, or he'd have devoured it all on his own.

"My baby, look at your cheeks. They're puffy!" I gently pinched them while he focused on his cake.

"I love it, mommy," he squealed, swallowing the last bit of his cake, grinning widely. I wiped his hands and lifted him out of his chair, watching as he ran towards his playmates, leading them to the bouncy castle.

I am content, raising my four-year-old son as a single mum.

My aspirations of becoming a police officer were progressing. I'd toiled hard while living here. My graduation was just shy of being two months away, and I couldn't wait. I was nervous and thrilled, ready to embark on a new chapter.

I've also chosen to attend a police academy in Brisbane, offering better prospects and tougher training. It makes me slightly nervous, but it's far from where I used to live. If I can navigate through the year drama-free, my son and I will be fine.

"Hey Mia, are you alright? You've been staring at the same spot for over ten minutes," Leah, my new friend, inquired.

She wore a concerned expression. I smiled at her, trying to assure her I was fine.

"Yes, I'm fine, Leah, just thinking about how content I am with my life right now." She nodded, offering a small smile in return.

"Okay, if you need anything, I'm here, okay?" Her soft hands patting my shoulder made me smile and nod.

"I know, Leah, and thank you."

She clapped her hands, everyone converging towards her, and she grinned joyously.

"Now, it's time for a little game called pass the parcel."

She brought out a small box wrapped multiple times, and I laughed. It was the most adorable thing, and I knew my son had participated in making it the night before.

As I watched Riley stuff his mouth with yet another piece of cake, the gate lock clicked, signaling another attendee. I saw Jarrod stroll in with Lisa and their baby girl, April. She resembled Jarrod but had Lisa's big obsidian eyes. My eyes widened as I ran over to greet them.

"I hope we're not late to the party, little sis," Jarrod said as he embraced me with one arm, holding his daughter in the other.

I shook my head, leaning in for a hug.

"I've missed you," he breathed, planting a kiss on my hair.

"Yeah, I've missed you both, or should I say all three of you?" I chuckled, turning to embrace Lisa warmly.

"You look amazing!" she complimented.

I gave her a sly grin and winked.

"The secret is motherhood," I joked, and she laughed, playfully swatting my rear.

"Don't tease me, I haven't been with a man for five years, Lisa. This could go either way," I laughed.

"It could, if Jarrod here is up for a little girl-on-girl action," she joked.

Jarrod rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Baby, this is a kid's birthday party, and your voice is loud. Other parents are feeling uneasy," he blushed, evident on the tips of his ears and the faint pink on his cheeks. But he was just as mischievous. Seeing this, we both sang out in laughter.

"By the way, I'd give you full permission to give me a little peep show," he whispered, trying to be subtle as he winked at us.

We burst into even louder laughter, attracting a few glances.

"I used to see myself as your little sister, but now I’m disgusted by you, you creep," I declared, draping my arm over Lisa's shoulder as we navigated through the crowd, with Jarrod trailing behind us.

Lisa was really easy to read, you might say. Her open body language and straightforward way of speaking left no doubt that she was a nurse from the moment she opened her mouth.

Whenever she was around, I always had a good laugh, and I had a feeling we would hit it off when we first met. We did.

We were pretty tight, and I even stood by her as a bridesmaid, but after what happened, I didn't want to be the center of sympathy, especially on her big day. I wanted to have my own private moment of sorrow somewhere else. Far away. I appreciated that she understood and considered my feelings. I couldn't be that friend in my state of turmoil.

I had kept in touch with them since I left Ashton. I missed Lisa like she was the sibling I never had. Being an only child, and with my parents lost to a drunk driving accident nine years ago, I realized how precious the people I loved in my life were, and they meant more to me than anything else.

I did have my grandparents, who have been my rock as we all mourned our tragic loss over the years.

They still lived in Brisbane, and we talked almost every week. They made the trip down for Christmas every year and for Riley's birthdays. I didn't want them to travel far, so I asked them to visit on special occasions and pledged to visit them once I finished university.

Speaking of that, my grandmother embraced Lisa and hugged her as if she were her favorite teddy bear, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"And how is my other favorite granddaughter?" she asked.

Lisa smiled at me, prompting an eye roll. "I've been wonderful, Nanny Cally."

"You attention seeking whore," I whispered into her ear as she giggled, earning a puzzled look from Nan.