The Aftermath

Chapter 74

Riley's POV

As I was making supper, I heard someone knock on the door.

"Addison, can you get the door please?" I call out to her. She didn't reply, but I heard her running towards the door and the door open.

"You're here!" I hear her say in a high pitched voice. I turned around and seen her up in James's arms, which made me smile.

"Hey Riles." James says, smiling at me.

"Hey. Addison, can you get off of him and let him come in please?" I order her. She giggles and jumps out of James's arms.

"Can I go outside?" She asks me.

"Yeah, go ahead." I reply, and within seconds, she was out the door. James turns back to me and chuckles.

"She's happy." He says.

"Yeah, she has been like that ever since she found out you were coming over." I reply.

"And what about you, happy to see me?" He inquires, walking closer.

"I seen you just a few hours ago, and last night." I reply.

"I know that. But you can't get enough of me."

In a quick movement, he grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder.

"James!" I squeal, hitting his back. He chucks me on the couch and sits down with me.

"That was fun." He chuckles. I hit his arm.

"You're an idiot." I sigh, trying to catch my back.

"Yes, I am. But I'm your idiot." He replies happily, pecking my lips. He sits up straight, puts an arm around me and pulls me closer. We just sit like that for a few minutes before he speaks up.

"Should we tell her tonight?" He asks.

"Are you sure that isn't too soon?" I ask.

"What do you want to do, wait another five years?" He questions.

"No, it's just...I don't know. I don't know how she'll react." I explain.

"She's five. How badly can she react?" He chuckles.

"She's smart though. You may be surprised how she will react." I tell him.

"Well putting it off isn't helping." He replies.

"Yeah, you're defiantly right about that." I sigh.

"So we're doing it tonight?" He asks.

"Tonight." I confirm.

~~~~~

James's POV

As we ate supper together, thoughts of being a family kept coming to me. Riley and I were back together, or at least that was what it seems like, and once we tell Addison, this is how everything will be from now on.

"Are you babysitting me tonight James?" Addison asks me.

"Um, yeah." I mumble. After we tell Addison, that's what everyday will be. Babysitting.

As I thought more and more about it, I was beginning to wonder if I was really ready for this. A family. And with family, there was more responsibility. I was only twenty three. Was I really ready to give up my life for this? A girlfriend and child to support?

"James?" Riley says, shaking me from my thoughts.

"Um, sorry, what did you say?" I ask.

"I asked if you were alright." She replies.

"Uh, um, no, I'm not. I need to go home." I reply shakily, standing up from the table.

"I thought you were babysitting me." Addison says sadly. I ignore her I head for the door, but Riley chases me and grabs my wrist.

"James wait. Why are you leaving?" She asks in a hushed voice.

"I just need to leave." I reply.

"What about telling Addison? We agreed we would tell her." She reminds me.

"I know, I just don't think I'm ready to yet. I need more time to think it through." I tell her.

"You're the one who says that we shouldn't put it off and you said yourself that you wanted to be in her life and in my life." She says, taking my hand, but I jerk it away.

"I know I did, but I just need some time alone for a bit." I respond.

"Well, what about us?" She asks.

"I don't know yet Riley. I don't know if I'm ready for all this." I say.

"What do you mean all this?" She questions.

"A family. I don't know if I want it right now." I say calmly.

"Well if that's how you feel, then you can leave then." She says, pushing me towards the door.

"Riley, I didn't mean it like that. I just need some time to think about it, and then I'll let you know." I tell her.

"And what if the answer is no? Then what? You can't just push it away like its nothing serious. She's your daughter James!" She hisses.

"I know Riley. I just need some time on my own." I reply. She shakes her head at me, lightly pushing me out the door.

"I'm not waiting long James. So you better make up your mind fast." She tells me, shutting the door.