Stronger

Chapter Six

Avery pulled up to one of the fancy restaurants not far from the office. I watched him walk as he walked up to the hostess. "Reservation for two under Carter." He said looking back at me. I blushed as the women glared at me.

"Just this way, Mr. Carter." She said picking up the menus and walking away swinging her hips more than necessary. I rolled my eyes as Carter followed being looking at her butt. I walked behind them as Avery made small talk with her.

My stomach ached as he showed affection to the hostess. He always used to do that when we were together just to annoy me. It's working even four years later. I sat down and put the napkin on my lap as the hostess showed Avery her chest, pushing it out as he sat down. I just stared at him, unimpressed. He looked down almost ashamed ignoring the hostess and her trying to give him her number.

"How have you been?" He asked me looking up from the menu. "I've missed you." I looked up at him.

"I've missed you too." I ran my fingers over the end of my hair nervously. I stole a glance at Avery to see him staring at me. The waiter came over and took our drink and food orders. Avery stared at me. "How have you been?"

"Been good. Best years of my life. It was one of the best decision of my life going to Texas state." I gave him a sad smile. "I just wish we could have spent it together." I gave him a humorless laugh.

"Me too." My mind instantly wondered to Sammy. I knew I made the right choice of not trying harder to tell him when Sammy was a baby. But now I have to. For Sammy.

"Avery, I have something to tell you." He had a piece of bread in his hand and was about to take a bite.

"Sure, what's up?" He put the bread down and stared at me. Sammy looks so much like him.

"I have a baby." His eyes widened and he leaned back in his chair.

"That's great, Charlie. Who's the lucky guy?" I could see the hurt lingering in his eyes.

"You." His face went ashen and his jaw dropped.

"What?" I ran my fingers over the ends of my hair.

"I was pregnant when you left. I have a son, he's turning three soon." Avery ran a hand over his face.

"I have a son?" I nodded at him. "Why didn't you tell me?" His face turned to anger.

"I tried, over and over. I called and visited." He slammed his hand down on the table.

"You liar. You didn't. I bet he isn't even mine. I'm not giving you any money." I fought the tears as I stood up.

"Screw you, Avery. You know better. Sam needed a father. I guess your not good enough for that." I walked away from him and out of the restaurant. I pulled my phone out of my purse and dialed a number.

"Liam come get me, please. You were right." I walked down the street away from the pain that lied there....

I sat on my bed, fresh from a shower, in my favorite pajamas. I turned the TV on and curled up under the blankets and into my pillows. My door creaked open and a little head stuck in. "Mommy?" Sammy asked looking into the room, giving me puppy dog eyes.

"Yeah, baby?" I asked smiling at him fresh from a bath in his pajamas.

"I watch TV with you?" I nodded at him as he came running in and jumped into my arms onto the bed. I gave him a big hug and cuddled him. I kissed his head and smelled his clean hair.

"You smell super good. Did Uncle Jake give you a bath?" I asked running my hair through his wet curls. I put on a movie as he snuggled into my side. I love my baby cuddles. A knock came to at the door when Sammy was fast asleep snuggled into a pillow. Both Liam and Jake were fast asleep as I opened the front door. "What are you doing here?" I asked Avery, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I'm sorry." His eyes are blood shot, his hair a mess.

"Have you been drinking?" I asked him putting my hand on his face.

"Just a bit." I glared at him. "Give me a break, Char. I just found out I have a son." I pulled the door open and let him in. "Where is he?" He sat down on the couch and looked around.

"He's asleep. It's late." He nodded running his hands through his hair.

"I'm sorry, I just needed to see him." I looked at the doorway and back.

"He's asleep, Avery. You should have came before." He nodded. I sighed. "If you don't wake him up, you can go see him." He smiled up at me. "Come on." He followed me into my room to a still knocked out Sammy. He was snuggled up to one of the pillows, his curls fanning out over it with a Disney movie playing in the background.

"He's beautiful." His eyes got watery as he stared at Sammy. Sammy moved and whimpered.

"Come on," I pulled him out of the room and into the living room.

"Thank you." He sat down.

"We can get a paternity test done. I know you don't believe he's yours." He groaned.

"I'm sorry. I was just shocked." He looked up at me. "I remember us together and that kids looks just like me." I sat down next to him.

"Reminds me of you every day." He rubbed his head.

"I have a splitting headache." I opened the closet and pulled out some pillows and blankets.

"Sleep here. You can meet Sammy when he wakes up." He nodded taking the pillow and blankets putting them down.

"You live here alone? Just the two of you?" I shook my head

"After my parents kicked me out, my brother Jake took me in. Lived here ever since." He nodded laying down closing his eyes.

"Are you going to apologize for not tell me about him?" I stood up.

"I'm going to take that as the booze talking. You say that again and I'll punch you. You also better not talk to Sammy like that or I'll kill you. You better be out by the morning." I threw the extra pillow at his face walking back down the hall to my room. Liam stood leaning on the wall.
"What's he doing here?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"He came to see Sammy."

"You call me crying saying you wish you never met him yet here you are with that shit in our living room." He shook his head. "That thing better be gone by morning. He don't treat my family like that and get away with it." He walked back into his room and closed the door behind him. I sighed and walked into my room and laid down next to my son. I kissed his head, tucked him in, and let laid down next to him falling asleep to the sound of his breathing.

Sorry about the late update. School has been crazy. I'll try to get the next one out as quick as possible. Thanks for reading!