Caught In Between (B5 Story)

Gym Time

Patrick's thoughts were all tangled up with Andria. He couldn't get her out of his mind, not after all this time. He loved Akira, and he cared deeply about their little family, but something about Andria still had a hold on him. He'd always liked her, ever since they first met. But over the years, as they grew closer—closer than just in-laws—his feelings for her had changed. She wasn't just his brother's wife to him anymore. He found himself noticing the little things: her smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, how she carried herself. She was beautiful in ways that went beyond just looks.

He wondered, sometimes, if she felt the same. He couldn't help but think about those almost-kisses they'd shared—twice. That couldn't be nothing, could it? But then again, she was married to his brother, and he was already committed to his family with Akira. The whole situation was so messy, and he couldn't figure out what to do with the feelings he was having.

As he lay there with Lea, trying to push those thoughts aside, there was a knock at his door. His mom.

"Boy, it's your mama," came the familiar voice.

"Come on in," Patrick called out, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

Mama Adrian entered, her presence always bringing a sense of comfort.

"Hey, baby," she said, walking into the room.

"Hey, mom," he replied, propping himself up on his elbows.

"Why you still in bed?" she asked, peering at him with that knowing look.

"I just woke up," Patrick replied with a lazy grin.

She shook her head with a soft chuckle. "Well, get up, baby. Start your day."

Patrick nodded and sat up, stretching. "Yeah, I'm getting up. What's up, though?"

"Oh, I came to grab Lea. We're taking the grandkids out," she said, her voice bright.

Patrick smiled. "Cool. Let me wake her up."

He gently shook Lea's shoulder. "Lea, baby, wake up," he murmured, trying not to be too loud.

Lea groaned, not ready to face the day. "Mmmm... I don't want to, daddy."

"But your granny wants you," he insisted.

Lea, still half-asleep, muttered, "So?"

Mama Adrian joined in, trying to coax her. "So, baby, don't you want to have fun with your granny and cousins?"

Lea's interest perked up at that. "Wait, we going to Chuck E. Cheese?" she asked suddenly, her voice full of excitement.

Mama Adrian smiled. "Yeah, me and your cousins are. But I don't know if you're ready yet."

Lea was immediately wide awake. "Oh no, Granny, I'm going! I'm going!" She scrambled out of bed and ran out of the room, calling, "We going to Chuck E. Cheese, y'all!"

Patrick and his mom laughed together at Lea's excitement.

"She's crazy," Mama Adrian said, shaking her head with a fond smile.

Patrick chuckled. "Yeah, she is. Let me get her clothes together."

"Oh, Akira already has that covered," Mama Adrian said, waving him off.

Patrick raised an eyebrow. "She's always one step ahead of me."

Mama Adrian grinned. "That's how us women are," she said, giving him a teasing look.

Patrick laughed. "Yeah, I guess so. But... actually, Mom, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Mama Adrian raised an eyebrow. "What's on your mind, baby?"