Definition of Promise

Chapter 5

"Luke! You need to get up!" Michael shouted for the third time this morning. I was so comfortable in this bed and I just wanted to sleep.

"I don't want to," I complained, as Michael threw the covers off of me.

"Well, you need to."

I looked at the small clock as Michael left the room. It was five in the morning. I haven't gotten up this early in the morning since last year.

I slowly got out of bed and put on a pair of black skinny jeans with a t-shirt. After styling my hair, I headed to the kitchen and got something to eat.

After thirty minutes, I was ready to go meet my daughter and see Hayden after about three and a half years. I was worried that my daughter wouldn't like me but at the same time pissed that I had to get up so early. I was definitely not a morning person.

I watched at Michael locked his front door and climbed into his car. I followed his actions and got into the passenger seat. He started the car and pulled out of his drive way. We were officially on our way there.

Ten minutes later, we were pulling into a short driveway and an average size house. It was a beautiful house with a nice pathway leading to the front door.

"I want you to wait about a minute before you come into the house," Michael told me "And don't be a dick like you've been for the last couple of days." He shut the door and took the pathway to the front door.

I watched as he knocked on the door before opening it himself, not waiting for someone else to open the door.

I counted out loud to 60 seconds before opening my car door and taking the same path that Michael had taken to the front door. I copied Michael by knocked on the door and letting myself in. I slowly opened the door to revel Michael and Hayden standing by the door, with Hayden with her hand over her mouth and a worried look in her eyes.

She recovered when she saw and took a small step back. I closed the door and stood by Michael. She looked different from the last time I saw her. She looked more grown up and mature. Her light brown hair was pushed behind her ears and she was dressed in nice dress pants and a beautiful shirt.

"Hayden," I said softly.

Hayden's POV

I heard Michael's knock at the door, signaling that he was here to pick up my daughter. After Michael watching her for more than a year, I just knew it was him. I walked out of the living room and into the hall as I headed for the front door.

I smiled at Michael and pulled him into a friendly hug. "Hey Michael. How have you been?"

"I've been okay," he said as I pulled away from the hug.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing's wrong, but I do want to tell you that Luke is here to meet his daughter for the first time." I could feel my face drop as I threw my hand over my mouth.

"No. No no no no no," I panicked. "Michael no. I don't want to see him." I drew in a sharp breath as I heard a knock on the door. I didn't know what to do as the door opened. I pulled my hand away from my mouth and took a step back.

My mind was racing with questions, but more than anything thousands of emotions had come flooding to mind. My mind had started to spin and I felt like throwing up. After so many years, now he comes back. I couldn't help but feel mad, sad, depressed, melancholy, angry, fearful, nervous. The list could go on and on forever.

I knew I had to pull it together and not show my emotions. When he had left more than years ago, I had built up a wall, a strong, tall wall, a wall that could never be torn down. I had locked away my past with Luke and didn't like sharing what I had gone through in those past three and a half years. Even with Thomas, it was hard to share my past three and a half years with him.

The only person I had shared my past with was Michael. He had made me tell him so I would get better and not feel depressed. He told me that if I told him, it would take some of the weight of my shoulders and put it on his shoulders.

"Hayden," Luke said gently. I found the courage to look him in the eyes. He didn't even look like himself. After not seeing him for more than three years, he had changed a lot. He was a lot taller and had muscles. His hair was quiffed and he had gotten a lip ring. I do have to admit that puberty was good to him.

"Mommy!" A little voice shouted from the living room.

"I'll be right back," I smiled softly. I walked into the living room and over to the little girl that had called my name. I had let out a breath that I didn't know that I was holding in and gave my best fake smile to her. I straightened out her dress before picking her up and bringing her up out into the hall.

"Mikey!" She shouted excitedly, jumping in my arms. She held her arms out for Michael. I handed her to Michael, where he happily grabbed her.

"This is your daughter Sophie." I explained grabbing some things of Sophie's and putting them into a bag.

"What's your name?" Sophie asked looking at Luke. He didn't answer, but just kept staring at her.

Michael cleared his throat as he looked at Luke. "This is your da-"

"Luke. That's Luke." I cut in, saying his name for the first time in a while. I handed Michael the bag of Sophie's things. I quick checked the time to make sure I wasn't going to run late. "Well, I have to get to work. I'll see you later."

"Sure thing. Say bye to mommy." Michael pointed at me. After saying goodbye to Sophie and giving her a kiss, Michael and Luke left. I leaned my back against the door and sank down to the floor.

I had done the one thing that I hadn't done in months. The main thing I had locked away and never wanted to do again. The thing I had promised to never do. The thing I had done too much of a couple years ago...cried.