Vanilla Love : Book Two of the MARZ series.

chapter 11 : Our Little Skittle

Zaryia's POV

      I sat i n my room trying to forget about the days events so that I could finish my homework. I wanted to see Jeremy, but I wasn't sure if he had calmed down or not. I picked up my phone and dialed his number, but then quickly convinced myself not to call him.

    The electronic baby sat in its car seat looking at me. "Sorry about all this" I said, sitting up to look at the baby. "You don't even have a name yet."

    The baby cooed and cried for the 5th time since I'd been home. I rocked the car seat and looked around my room and saw the baby bag on my bed. I pucked up the child and spread the changing pad on my desk. While looking around in the bag for a diaper, I saw the black and white plaid jumper Jeremy picked out. It really wasn't as bad as I made it seem.

     I changed the baby's diaper and put it in the jumper. Holding the baby in my arms I'd finally decided to call my boyfriend. Just as I was about to hit the call button, the door bell rang.

    I heard my mom giggle after opening the door. Then there was a soft knock on my door. "Its open" I said, still trying to come up with baby names. And then there he was, his timing was always impeccable.

    "Hey" Jeremy said, opening my door.

    "I was just about to call you." I said looking at him. I couldn't help but smile. "Had your number dialed and everything."

     "Yea I was gonna call you, but I think we should talk about this in person." he sat down on the edge of my bed and looked down at the baby. "I thought you didn't like it." he said looking at the jumper.

     "I don't." I smiled behind my lie, "I just missed you." he picked up the baby and looked at it.

     "You choose a name yet?"

     "Nope...that's what I was trying to do before you came in"

     he laughed, "I just noticed, Ms. Angel gave us a mixed looking kid."

     I looked at the baby in his hands and noticed this for the first time too. She must have chosen this child just for us.

     "I'm sorry Zaryia", he said now looking at me. "I never should have said what I said to you. You told me that in confidence and I abused your trust. I'm sorry."

     "Its ok Jeremy, let's just forget about it."

     "No its not. I can't forget about it; I feel like such an ass."

     "Your not an ass." I gently nudged him.

     "I'm glad you think so."

     "Am I forgiven too?" I asked him.

     "For what?" he laughed, " I saw the little hand print on his face 4th block. I know you tried to fight him off.

     "You saw that?" I smiled

     "Yea! Zaryia obviously you don't know your own strength." he looked at me. "That nudge just now, almost pushed me off the bed man!"

     "Whatever Jeremy." he fell over an put his head in my lap. He held the baby up and looked at it.

     "We really gotta name this thing." I ran my fingers through his hair, which had grown a lot since his last cut.

     "This thing? Jeremy its a baby"

     "Well yea, but its not a real baby. I bet it doesn't even poop for real."

      "actually its pretty bad...in fact you can change his next diaper."

      "ewwww...ok...I guess" he said.

      "You guess? might as well get some practice in before you have to take him tomorrow."

      "Come on Zaryia we gotta name him and take pictures and stuff."

      "oh yea I forgot about that, but first you have to change his diaper." I said just as the baby began to cry again.

      Jeremy picked up the baby and the changing mat and walked over to my desk

     "You know I've never done this before right?" he said turning to look at me. "I might need a little help."

     "Clearly...you might need this" I said holding up a pamper.

     "See told you I'll need some help". I watched as Jeremy fumbled around with the baby until he finally finished. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it would have to work for now. I took a picture of his work to put into our scrap book.

      Jeremy and I got ready for the jamboree. An hour later we were in the car headed to the school.

      "Ya know...I think we should give him a nick name first...then maybe that will help with his name." Jeremy said looking down at the baby and them back up at me.

      "That's a good idea, but what should we call it?" I said walking up the stadium stairs. Jeremy walked behind me with the car seat in hand. I found Amaya and Mariah and sat next to them.

      "umm...skittle... Yea little skittle." he said setting the car seat next to me.

      "Ok then...awesome name!" I said sarcastically.

      "Yup I knew you'd like it." he smiled and kissed my forehead. "I see you after the game.

      "Wait! we have to take a picture for this book." Jeremy came back and Mariah took the picture. Then, Jeremy was on his way to finish getting ready with the team.

      "so...have we all settled our issues?" Ryan asked.

      "yea...we're ok." I said, preparing to feed the child.

      "May you please stand for the pledge of allegiance", a voice boomed through the sound system. The four of us stood up baby simulators on hip, looking like a band of real moms.

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     It was the end of the 3rd quarter and Jeremy was heated! The guys from the other team and Tyrell had been taunting him the whole game and I could tell he was getting angry. I turned and asked Amaya to watch the baby, and then headed down toward the fence that separated the field from the stand. I got there as quickly as I could, trying my best to remedy the situation.

     "Jeremy!" I called as loud as I could, "don't do anything crazy!" he didn't budge. I wasn't sure if he was ignoring me or if he was just far enough not to hear me.

     "Jeremy your shoe is untied" I said, just to see his response. He looked down and then quickly looked back up, revealing that he was in fact, ignoring me the first couple of times I called him.

     He wanted to be angry, and had decided not to let me help him. The look on his face made his rage seem perpetual. The next play started and Jeremy ran onto the field with Tyrell and the other players.

     The ball snaps into Tyrell's hands and instantly he is off. About half way down the field, Jeremy and the right tackle from the other team are catching up to Tyrell. I see Jeremy slow down a bit, but I don't think much of it. Then, I hear the collide. I look over to see Tyrell on the ground with his bone protruding from his leg. I look at Jeremy, and Jeremy looks at Tyrell and cringes. It was then that I finally realized what happened. Jeremy let Tyrell get hit...on purpose.