SOULMATES

I WAS WONDERING...

PERCY'S POV.

"Hei good morning.... How are you doing?.... Good.... Umm...I was wondering..... If we could hang out today if only you can make time...and you want to..... Cool.... Could you bring Xavier along too? ...ok thank you."

I threw my head back and breathed. I was not sure what was going on with her but something did seem off about Phoebe lately. Either she wasn't too pleased about my moving out or it was something else entirely. She was not talking to me and I wish she would. I wanted her to feel like she could tell me everything. The good news is things  were really running faster than I thought It would when it comes to our getting along. I mean she did find out what happened wasn't entirely intentional but it doesn't change the fact that she's hurt a lot. She's been pretty calm and very fort coming when it came to our son. She even allowed me pick him up for hang outs.

Phoebe was stronger than I thought. Sometimes I tried to put myself in her position and asked if I could handle the situation the way she did. She forgave and was willing to put it all behind us. Sometimes I could see the uncertainty in her eyes but she was trying and that was all I needed . She still loved me, no doubt but was it enough to make a drastic decision?

She might not love Harold the way she loved me but there was no denying the bond between them. They've come a long way and it was going to be difficult for her letting him go after everything they'd been through. I didn't blame her. And I wasn't mad about it. She was in a difficult position and I would give her all the time in the world, all the support she needed,Whatever made her happy. I just hoped that in the end, whatever forces worked tirelessly to bring us back would make her mine.

Pulling myself out of the thought,
I began to make plans for our outing that  evening. We've been to the movies quite a lot. I wanted to change the trend today. I could take them to a place fun enough for both. I was trying to make up for all the years I've missed.

Honestly the idea of being a father has always scared me. I didn't think I was in a position to guide a child through life. When the truth came out,I panicked. I thought I was going to ran like the coward I've always been but surprisingly, anytime I pictured us together; Phoebe, myself and our child together as one family, it warmed my heart. I got engulfed in this great satisfaction and fulfillment.
We got off on the wrong foot, I made terrible decisions but at least something good came out of it, something more precious than anything I could've imagined, Xavier.

After nerves had calmed and my mind was made up about being in my son's life, what remained was a great sense of responsibility. They became the center of my would and all I could think about was giving them the best of life. There was this giddiness anytime I remembered I was a father, that I had a little boy who looked so much like me. I found myself smiling at pictures on my phone, wanting to spend every single moment with them. I didn't want to miss out on anything that had to do with fatherhood. I was going to be a great father to our son, and a husband to his mother,maybe some day.
 

Phoebe's POV.

I was sitting in the sofa staring at Harold with disgust. His mother had called this morning shrieking excitedly about the wedding. I nearly threw it in her face that she shouldn't join her son in daydreaming but try to wake him up instead. But for whatever reason, I remained as calm as I could. Now I was going to take out my frustration on him.

"Why are you doing this Harold? I didn't ask for any of this....I'm sorry if you are heartbroken... I Will never intend to hurt you. But you of all people know that what you want cannot be possible..."

He only smiled at me.

"Phoebe, you're upset. I get it. But sometimes someone who loves you has to make firm decisions for your future. I'm doing it because you're confused. You almost made a terrible mistake choosing... him. whatever you felt for him was a phase. It was unhealthy. Dangerous. I'm saving you from ruining your life."

"Don't talk about Percy !"

I snapped. I could see his pupils dilating and the mask falling off. He was frustrated and angry.

"Harold, you're talking about my life and my future. This is marriage for crying out loud. You can't plan it like a business meeting! I don't love you!"

"And why is that! Huh! Tell me Phoebe why can't you love me the way you love him? What does he have that I don't? Is it because he's a bad boy? Well I can be a bad boy too if that's what you want.....I'll do just about everything for your love...I have done my best. What else do I lack Phoebe tell me!."

He snapped at me.

I blinked twice and two tears rolled down my face . All this while I thought he was perfect, too perfect to be true. How did I not see through the facade?

"Who are you and where did Harold go?"

I asked quietly.

He looked away then, jaw working, something even darker slipping across his expression.

"People change when they realize what they're about to lose."

I froze.

"Lose? You don't own me."

He turned back to me, eyes narrowing with determination that made my stomach twist.

"I'm not letting you throw yourself at a guy who doesn't deserve you. Percy is trouble. You know it. I know it. The whole world  knows it."

"You don't know him," I whispered.

"I know enough."

His voice rose. Not loud, but hard.

""I do understand you. You're rather failing to understand me. I want the best for you...fuck! ...I can tolerate you leaving me for someone else but not Percy! I'm doing what needs to be done. The invitations are already out. Both families are thrilled. The venue is booked. There's no stopping it now."

Then smiling sweetly, he put his hands on my shoulder and said,

"I'm trying to protect you "

. "You're not protecting me. You're trapping me."

I said firmly. The frustration was back in his eyes in seconds. He started pacing around restlessly.

"I can't sit and watch you destroy your life Phoebe.I promise, you'll never regret it.I'll make you the happiest woman alive. I'll give you everything you want."

I looked at him in awe.

"You cannot force me to the aisle you know."

He stopped in front of me, that sickening smile back on his face. It was like someone somewhere was switching bottoms. It was really scary.

"I won't force you. You'll decide to come with me."

I rolled my eyes. He clapped his hands dramatically and continued to say,

"You have barely two weeks to your grand wedding you know. You should be preparing. Don't worry, everything is on me. Choose the most expensive wedding gown. Contact the most famous stylists and designer,train your bridesmaids. Do whatever you wanna do because this wedding sure is happening!"

He yelled his last sentence. Then calming, he gave me a smile and stroked my cheek.

"I've got to go baby,see you."

I watched him walk out,still in shock wondering if this was the same man I've known for years. The gentle Harold I knew was gone.
And the man who replaced him...
was someone I had never imagined he could be.

Percy's POV.

It was classic here but I knew Phoebe was gonna like it. I kept glancing at the entrance every second. I looked around a little.

Xavier was going to like it too. I could see few kids around. The place was an open space with tables and matching chairs. The life band playing on the stage was my first attraction.Aside the fancy food they were serving and the fancy decoration, the place looked simple.

Not too far from the restaurant was  an area for kids or so it was written on the board. Kids pool at one end, a trampoline at the other, bouncy castle here, racing horses there.
This couldn't be any better!. I was nervous. I prayed she liked it.. I prayed she turned up...