Ever since we got home I had been trying to put together all the furniture El had told the store to deliver to my place into the guest room while Carter had busied himself with playing with a bunch of toys I had gotten for him. Just because I only had him for four months didn't mean I wasn't going to spoil him. El had gone home after Lou had called her, claiming he had an emergency. Knowing him he was probably hungry and couldn't find the takeout menu.
“Hey, Ni! I'm home. Where are you?” Oh shit. I had forgotten to tell Emily about Carter. Shit! I repeat to myself as I croak out, “In here, love!” I hear her heels against the floor, a noise that may as well have been my death knell. The door opens and I watch her take in the room. Baby furniture set up in varying degrees of finish, Me, on the floor assembling a changing table, and Carter, obliviously playing with a toy truck.
She just stares in confusion before her attention turns back to me. I can feel my shoulders curve into myself as I prepare myself for the fight that's fixing to ensue.
“Who is this?” She asks tersely, gritting her teeth. “I Carter!” He chirps, surprising us both. “Carter?” She questions as I get up and wipe my hands on my jeans. “Yeah. He's...well, he's my son.”
“Son?” She hisses angrily. “I know, babe. I didn't know about him until yesterday.”
“Don't call me 'babe'. How the actual fuck did you not know you had a son?” I clench my jaw, stopping myself from correcting her cussing.
“Well when one of my exes leaves a baby on my doorstep and calls me telling me that she has to go to America for four months and “Hey! Surprise, you have a kid!' what am I suppose to do?”
“Do you really believe that some whore just suddenly has to go to America? Do you even know if that's really your kid?”
“She is not a whore. Don't you call her that. And honestly Emily, look at him and tell me he doesn't look like me?” She rolls her eyes and momentarily looks from me to Carter to me, pursing her lips.
“Whatever. I'm going out. Don't call me.”
“Gladly.” I mutter, going over to soothe a now afraid Carter.
“It's okay buddy. Shh, it's all okay.” Oh God, I think he's going to cry.
And he does. For an hour straight, just wails and not even promises of ice cream and biscuits or anything can convince him to stop.
“Harry?” I asked, calling said Englishman. “Can we please come over there? Carter won't stop crying and you're good with kids.” He laughs, saying, “Sure, lad. Bring him on over to see Uncle Harry.” I hang up the phone and toss it onto the couch, plopping Carter down beside it.
“Okay, um, diapers, sippy cups, wipes, toys, extra clothes....” I say to myself, trying to recite the list of 'what to bring on a trip with your toddler'. I stuff all said items into a blue and gray diaper bag, finally stuffing my phone in one of the side pockets before picking up a still crying Carter to take to the car.
“How the fuck did you do that?” I whisper, amazed at Harry's ability to silence Carter by simply bouncing him up and down and whisper-singing a few of our slower songs to him.
“It's easy mate. Did you set him down for nap time?” I pause before shaking my head no. Chuckling, Harry explains. “Little kids need nap time more than Zayn does. The boy was just grumpy and tired.”
Oh.
Harry goes to lay him down in a bed he had gotten for Lux. Apparently everyone had taken care of her but me.
“So I saw Emily tweeted something about 'keeping secrets doesn't make friends' or some shit. What's that about?”
“She came in and saw Carter. When I tried to explain she got mad at me, understandably of course, but then she was all 'I'm going out so don't call me'.” His mouth forms into an 'O' as he nods understandingly. “I don't even know, mate. Can I, can I just crash here tonight? I really don't want to be there when she gets home wasted and smelling like another guy.”
“Of course, Ni. You can always stay here.”
We watch a couple of movies and order a pizza before I go to bed. I really hope I can fix whatever is going on between Emily and I.
The next morning I wake up, feed Carter and myself, and then change Carter's diaper. Something tells me this is going to be a new routine.
“Thanks for letting me stay, Harry.” I tell him as I'm on the way out, Carter in tow.
“No problem. Good luck with Emily.” I chuckle before saying over my shoulder, “Thanks. I'll need it.”
