I'll Be there for You

Chapter 2

September 4, 2010

Maggie had invited us for her son's birthday dinner. For quiet some time, she had been trying to get Nathaniel and me together. During those times, we actually got close and became great friends.

I knocked on the front door, arriving about ten minutes late. Maggie opened the door, a small frown on her face. "You're late." she said. I nodded and cringed at her tone of voice. She hated being late and hated those that were late.

"I'm sorry Mags, I had a long day at work. I should have called but I didn't think you'd mind that much." I told her honestly. She studied me for a while before smiling at me.

'"I know. It's just that Mat has been waiting for Indy and he is getting desperate." she said, pulling me by the arm and leading me to the dinning room. Mat sat at the table, an ice cream cake with four candles in front of him. 

"Auntie Nia!" he yelled, getting up from his chair and almost falling over the cake.

I couldn't help but laugh at the way he acted and went up to him, Indy in tow. "Happy birthday Mat." I said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. He beamed up at me for a second before turning to Indy and grabbing her hand. 

"Look Indy, I got a big cake for my birthday." he said pointing at it. There was Buzz Light Year on it and every other toy from Toy Story on there too. 

"Mom, I want a big cake like that! But I want to have the Little Mermaid." she squealed. I smiled up at her, placing my hand softly on her shoulder. Maggie came with a lighter and lit up the candles. We all sang happy birthday, and Mat blew the candles out.

I sat on the table, watching Indiana and Mat play in the back yard. They seemed to happy and careless, not worrying about any problems. "Hey Nia, how have you been?" Nathaniel asked me, taking a seat on the empty chair next to me.

"I've been good Nat, just been very busy with Indiana." I said absentmindedly. I felt a small smile forming on my face as I thought of my daughter.

"She is a beautiful child." He said softly.

"Takes after her father." I said softly, looking away from her for a split second.

"I think she looks more like you." he said. I looked up at him and felt a blush crawling up my neck. "You are beautiful." he got up from his seat and leaned in closer to me.

I sat still, frozen with shock. I saw him getting closer and my eyes closed automatically. I felt his breath on my face and then his lips on the corner of my lips. He pulled away, and I opened my eyes, my face probably a tomato red.

He was sitting back down and watching me with a small smile on his face. Indiana started crying and I looked away from him, forgetting everything. I stood up and ran to her. "What's wrong Indy? I asked her, kneeling down inspecting every visible inch of her.

"I fell and scratched my knee." she wailed. I sighed in relief as I realized it wans't anything serious. She hugged my neck tightly and woulnd't let go.

"Let's get you a band aid baby." I said softly in her ear. She nodded and held on tightly. "I won't let you go darling." I walked inside where Maggie already had a band aid in her hand. I mouthed a thank you and placed Indiana on the counter. I put the band aid over her knee and then smiled up at her. 

"All better!" I said. She looked down at her knee and more tears sprung to her eyes. "What's wrong now?" I asked her.

"Mat won't like me anymore. I'm not my old self." she cried. She rubbed her eyes with her small fingers and her bottom lip shook.

"You're sleepy, we should go home and tomorrow you can come play with Mat. I'm sure he will still like you. After all, it's a small boo-boo." I kissed her forehead and then got her off the counter.

She held on to my leg tightly, as if trying to hide away from someone. "I'm sorry Maggie, Indy here is ery tired and she will be in a grumpy mood if I don't get her to bed soon. I'll come by tomorrow and pick up Mat." I said.

'It's okay Nia." she walked me out the door, Mat in tow, and hugged me good bye. "Be careful." she called out. I waved and got in the car. 

"Let's get home Indy." I said softly, looking at the rear-view mirror. I watched as she fell asleep in her car seat and smiled the rest of the way.

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I know it's very uneventful, but I promise it'll get more intresting. I just need to get over some details and then the really good stuff will start. Thank you all for reading and please vote or comment if you liked.